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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/29171-h.zip b/29171-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..555cfb0 --- /dev/null +++ b/29171-h.zip diff --git a/29171-h/29171-h.htm b/29171-h/29171-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..805ccd0 --- /dev/null +++ b/29171-h/29171-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7671 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Carroll Girls by Mabel Quiller-Couch</title> +<style type="text/css"> + body {background:#fdfdfd; + color:black; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + font-size: medium; + margin-top:100px; + margin-left:12%; + margin-right:12%; + text-align:justify; } + h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 {text-align: center; } + p {text-indent: 4%; } + p.noindent {text-indent: 0%; } + hr.full { width: 100%; + height: 5px; } + hr.narrow { width: 40%; + text-align: center; } + blockquote.footnote { font-size: small; } + .caption { font-size: small; + font-weight: bold; } + .center { text-align: center; } + .ind1 {margin-left: 1em; } + .ind2 {margin-left: 2em; } + .ind3 {margin-left: 3em; } + .ind4 {margin-left: 4em; } + .ind5 {margin-left: 5em; } + .ind6 {margin-left: 6em; } + .ind7 {margin-left: 7em; } + .ind8 {margin-left: 8em; } + .ind9 {margin-left: 9em; } + .ind10 {margin-left: 10em; } + .ind11 {margin-left: 11em; } + .ind12 {margin-left: 12em; } + .ind13 {margin-left: 13em; } + .ind14 {margin-left: 14em; } + .ind15 {margin-left: 15em; } + .ind16 {margin-left: 16em; } + .ind17 {margin-left: 17em; } + .ind18 {margin-left: 18em; } + .ind19 {margin-left: 19em; } + .ind20 {margin-left: 20em; } + .large {font-size: large; } + table { font-size: medium; } + a:link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:red} +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Carroll Girls, by Mabel Quiller-Couch + +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 Carroll Girls + +Author: Mabel Quiller-Couch + +Release Date: June 20, 2009 [EBook #29171] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CARROLL GIRLS *** + + + + +Produced by Lionel Sear + + + + + +</pre> + +<hr class="full" noshade> + + + +<h2>THE CARROLL GIRLS.</h2> + +<h4>By</h4> + +<h2>MABEL QUILLER-COUCH.</h2> +<h5>1906</h5> +<h5> This etext prepared from a reprint published in 1917.</h5> +<br><br><br><br> + +<br><br><br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER LINKS</h2> +<br><br><br> +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tbody><tr><td> + +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0001"> +I. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0002"> +II. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0003"> +III. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0004"> +IV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0005"> +V. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0006"> +VI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0007"> +VII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0008"> +VIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0009"> +IX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0010"> +X. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0011"> +XI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0012"> +XII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0013"> +XIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0014"> +XIV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0015"> +XV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0016"> +XVI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0017"> +XVII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0018"> +XVIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0019"> +XIV. +</a></p> +</td></tr> +</tbody></table> +</center> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0001"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER I.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + + + +<p>Up and down, to and fro, backwards and for wards over the sunny garden +the butterflies, white, sulphur, and brown, flitted and fluttered, +lightly poising on currant-bush or flower, loving life as they basked +in the sunshine; and Penelope lay and watched them. What did it matter +to them that the garden was neglected, the grass rank and uncut, +the currant-bushes barren from neglect, the lilacs old and blossomless? +It mattered no more to them than it did to Penelope, lying so lazy and +happy in the coarse grass.</p> + +<p>Penelope had never known the garden other than it was now, except, +perhaps, at very far-distant intervals when a visitor was expected— +usually Aunt Julia, when a shilling or so had to be found to pay a +gardener to come and 'tidy up.' She herself was always better pleased +when he did not come, for almost invariably he charged too much, +or Lydia said he did, and would tell him of it, not too politely, and tell +her mistress that she was encouraging robbery; and Mrs. Carroll—who would +far rather pay too much and hear no more about it than be bothered—would +be worried, and Lydia would be cross; and to Penelope it seemed a pity to +be made so uncomfortable for the sake of sixpence or a shilling. +She could not bear jars and discords. These, though, were troubles that +occurred but seldom to ruffle the surface of her usually happy life. +As a rule, like the butterflies, she saw only the sunshine, and the green +things growing, and nothing of the sordidness and neglect of everything +about her. If she did, if things jarred or fretted her, she just walked +away, far out into the country and the woods where everything was +peaceful, and nothing seemed to matter; and out there she would very soon +recover again and become her old happy self.</p> + +<p>There were three other Carroll children—Esther, the eldest, Angela, and +Poppy, the baby of them all. Penelope was the second, aged nearly twelve.</p> + +<p>"Four girls! isn't it dreadful?" Esther sometimes sighed. "But there, I +suppose it is better than some of us being boys, for now we <i>can</i> hand our +clothes down from one to the other, and if we couldn't I am afraid the +younger ones would often have to go without."</p> + +<p>In the thirteen short years of her life poor Esther had grown to know all +the shifts and economies and discomforts of poverty only too well. +She had seen, so to speak, the rise and fall of her family, and at last +had become almost the only prop which kept it from falling altogether. +She could remember when the house was always full of company and life and +laughter, when her mother always wore pretty frocks and beautiful jewels, +and drove everywhere in their own carriage. She could remember gay +dinner-parties, when she used to creep out of bed and sit on the stairs to +listen to the singing in the drawing-room.</p> + +<p>The scent of certain flowers still brought back the memory of those days, +when she and Penelope used to go down in their prettiest frocks to +dessert, and were given dainty sweets and fruits, and were made much of.</p> + +<p>Then there came a dark time when, although she was so young, she felt +vaguely that there was trouble overshadowing them, and saw it, too, +reflected in her father's face; and the darkest day of all was when +Grandpa Carroll came, and with scarcely a word or a glance for the +children, went at once to the library with her father, and departed again +that same night, leaving gloom and misery behind him. All the rest of the +day, she remembered, her father remained shut up in the library, and her +mother locked herself, weeping, in her bedroom; and Esther and Penelope +went to bed that night without any good-night kiss from either; and worse +than that, Esther heard nurse and Jane, the housemaid, talking in low, +mysterious tones, and knew that they were talking of her parents' and +their affairs; and, as any child would, bitterly resented it.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you go downstairs, Jane?" she said at last, when she could +endure it no longer; "you know mother doesn't allow gossiping in the +nursery."</p> + +<p>But she had only a shaking from nurse, and a rude answer from Jane, which +made her anger burn hotter than ever. She lay awake a long time that +night, trying to make sense of what they had been saying, but it was not +until years later that she really understood.</p> + +<p>The next day Jane had had a month's notice given her, not because she +gossiped in the nursery, or was rude to Esther—Esther never told tales +about the servants—but because Mr. Carroll said briefly that they must +manage with fewer servants and cut down all expenses. For that same +reason the children's pony was taken away and sold a few days later, +and from that time it seemed to Esther it had been nothing but cutting +down and giving up and doing with less and less. It was only a few +months after the pony was sold that Poppy was born, and soon after that +they left their old home and went to live in a little house where they had +no library and no nursery, and no stables or horses, and the children had +to play in the dining-room; and Esther's chief recollection of this time +was her constant struggle to prevent Penelope and Angela and the new baby +from crying or making too much noise, for she knew by the frown on her +father's face that he was worried and bothered by it, and she could not +bear to see him looking gloomy, or to hear the children scolded.</p> + +<p>Having no nursery they had no nurse—no real nurse; they had a +'cook-general' and a 'nurse-housemaid' as the advertisements put it, and, +in common with most persons who profess to be able to 'turn their hands to +anything,' they could do few things, and nothing well. So it fell to +Esther and her mother to take care of the babies, and as Mrs. Carroll had +not yet learnt to take care of herself even, a very heavy burden rested on +little serious-faced Esther.</p> + +<p>It was better when the summer came, though, for then the family made +another move. True it was to a yet smaller house, and more things had to +be given up; but the smaller house was in a little village called Framley, +and the little village had woods lying behind it, and here was nursery +large enough for any number of children to laugh in or cry to their +hearts' content, without disturbing any one; and Esther's heart was +relieved of one big worry, and the children soon learnt to laugh a again, +and play, and make as much noise as their hearts desired.</p> + +<p>Summer, though, cannot last for ever, and woods do not make an ideal +nursery in winter. The perplexed frown was beginning to pucker Esther's +brow again when once more they were called on to relinquish something. +The nurse-housemaid had to be sent away, and they had to learn how to +manage with one servant; and it was just about that time that she heard +her father say one day, "It will really be easier for you, dear, when I am +gone," at which her mother burst into tears and wailed something Esther +could not quite understand, about being left to bear all the worries +alone. "It is much worse for those who are left than for those who go," +she cried.</p> + +<p>"But you will have the children," Mr. Carroll said sadly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, four of them to feed and bring up on two hundred a year, and only +one servant to help me. I don't know how any one can expect me to do it. +I've not had a new gown myself for nearly a year."</p> + +<p>"It shall not be for long, dear, if I can help it," her husband had said, +very patiently. "As soon as possible I will send for you and the +children. But it is no use to take you all out until I have a home of +some sort ready for you; it would be greater misery than this."</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Carroll had only wept more and more, until the children began to +weep too, though they did not know for what.</p> + +<p>Soon after that there had been a great deal of upset and excitement in the +house: big boxes stood about on the landing, and the children were told +that daddy was packing—he was going away to Canada, where they were all +to join him soon. For a few days this news filled them with a pleasant +excitement, and for months after their father had gone Esther and Penelope +talked and talked of what they would do when they got to Canada, and +Penelope dragged out an old trunk and began to pack a curious assortment +of things that she thought peculiarly suitable for that country. +But as time went on she found she needed the things, and by degrees the +thought of Canada became dim, and of no immediate interest to them. +They were excited at first when their father's letters came because they +thought each one would bring the longed-for summons; then they grew almost +to dread them, for their mother always broke out into tears and wailings +on reading them, finally locking herself in her room for the rest of the +day, and the children were left to themselves to try to throw off the load +of oppression and wretchedness which weighed on them even while they +played. The memory of the wretchedness of those days remained with them +to the end of their lives.</p> + +<p>Two, three, four years passed by, and gradually they forgot Canada, and +Mrs. Carroll ceased to weep on receipt of a letter from her husband; but +whether it was that she grew more used to her trouble, or that the news +was better, the children did not know, though Esther often longed to.</p> + +<p>So things were on that sunny May day when Penelope lay dreaming and +watching the butterflies in the neglected garden, and Esther made a milk +pudding in the kitchen, and the two younger children played about the +house, while nearer and nearer came the postman bearing the letter that +was to alter all their lives for them.</p> + +<p>Esther had just finished making her pudding, and Poppy had that moment +succeeded in inveigling Angela into the cupboard under the stairs and +turning the key on her, when footsteps came up the path, a letter dropped +in through the letter-box, and a postman's rat-tat sounded to the +furthermost corner of the little house.</p> + +<p>The post was the principal excitement of the day to the little Carrolls, +and there was usually a race to the door to try to be first to seize the +letters. This time Poppy had a clear start, for Esther was in the +kitchen, and Angela was safely under lock and key.</p> + +<p>"A letter from daddy," she shouted, recognising the stamp; and in she flew +with it to her mother.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Carroll, roused from her reading, laid aside her novel and bottle of +smelling-salts to take the letter. Having secured and handed over the +prize, Poppy danced off again. She was far more interested, at that +moment, in her prisoner, whose kicks on the door and screams of rage had +brought Esther to her rescue.</p> + +<p>Esther, having released one sister, strolled wearily out into the garden +to seek another and a little rest. She was very tired and very depressed; +but the garden did not look inviting when she got there.</p> + +<p>"How can you like this untidy old place?" she cried, as she made her way +through the long rank grass.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Esther, come gently, do! Look, oh do look at that lovely dragon-fly! +Did you ever see such a beauty? Don't disturb him. Oh, do be careful!"</p> + +<p>But Esther looked with only half-interest at the gorgeous insect; then, +turning away a little impatiently, "I don't know how you can be out here +so much and not try to make it a little tidier," she said vexedly. +"I only wish I had a machine, or shears or something, and more time, and I +would do something to it."</p> + +<p>Esther was by nature a very neat and dainty little person, with none of +Penelope's dreamy indifference to her surroundings. The untidy garden +with its air of neglect would have been irritating to her if it had +belonged to some one else, but being their own, and feeling responsible +for it, it vexed her so she could hardly endure to stay in it. +If the others could have had their way, they would have had all their +meals out there, but not so Esther; the sight of the poor neglected spot +would have quite destroyed her appetite, though no one loved having meals +out-of-doors better than she did. She often took the children to tea in +the woods, but <i>that</i> was different; the woods were always lovely, and +just what they should be.</p> + +<p>Esther's earlier years had given her a brief experience of how things +should be done, and how they should look, and she had never forgotten; +Penelope, on the other hand, had forgotten, or never noticed Angela and +Poppy, fired by Esther's example, had spasmodic passions for improving the +house or garden, during which every one suffered more or less, and they +themselves were exhausted long before the huge tasks they had undertaken +were half completed.</p> + +<p>So here and there the garden showed cleared and scarred patches where the +children had 'worked,' which meant that they had begun to 'tidy' by +pulling up everything that grew, after which they would scrape the bed +over with a rake and replace in a prim row as many of the plants as they +could get in, and a day or two later the eye would be caught by a square +of brown earth, broken by a row of sorry-looking dead or dying plants +standing conspicuous and solitary against the wild, untrained vegetation +round about, while a later search would perhaps reveal, under the tangled +litter in the path, one of the best dinner-knives, covered with rust, and +other lost treasures, such as a trowel, scissors, and occasionally a +silver fork.</p> + +<p>To Esther these attempts were merely depressing and irritating; they +seemed only to emphasise their helplessness, and the uselessness of trying +to make things better.</p> + +<p>"Nothing is right here, somehow," she complained to Penelope now, +"neither the house, nor the garden, nor ourselves. Look at us!" throwing +out her hands dramatically. "We aren't educated, or dressed properly, +or—or anything. Look at that," stretching out her foot, and eyeing +disdainfully the clumsy shoe which disfigured it. "We aren't fit to go +anywhere, and we can't ask any one here because the house is never fit to +be seen, or the meals, or—"</p> + +<p>"Never mind," said Penelope placidly. She was used to Esther's outbursts, +but, though quite unable to sympathise, she was ready with attempts at +comfort. "You don't want to know any one but ourselves, do you? +I don't."</p> + +<p>"No-o," admitted Esther. "But we ought to. It—well, it is always +supposed to be right. We shall grow up like savages, Aunt Julia says, and +not be fit to talk to any one or go anywhere, and we shan't have any +friends; and every one <i>ought</i> to make nice friends; it looks so bad if +one has none—"</p> + +<p>"Miss Esther! Miss Esther!" called a sharp voice from the kitchen door. +"You must all come in at once. Your ma wants you immejutly—all of you."</p> + +<p>Esther rose, a little anxious pucker gathering on her brow as she +remembered the Canadian letter.</p> + +<p>"Come along, Pen," she said impatiently. "I wonder what it is. Bad news +from father, I expect."</p> + +<p>"P'r'aps it's good news," said Penelope hopefully, rising with a sigh of +regret at having to leave her nest and the sunshine and the butterflies. +Somehow, though, she did not really expect any such thing. "P'r'aps we +are to go, at last. Oh," with sudden excitement, "wouldn't it be +perfectly lovely! Oh, Essie, wouldn't it be splendid! Do let's run in +and see if that is what it is mother wants us for."</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER II.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + +<p>"Children, <i>do</i> make haste! How long you do take coming when I send for +you! And I've had such news I am really quite bewildered, and haven't a +moment to spare. All my plans are changed in a minute, and I can hardly +realise all I have to do. I have heard from your father. He wants me to +come out to him, and I am going, at once; of course, I <i>must</i> go. +I couldn't refuse to, and—you must all go to live with your Aunt Julia. +I know you don't like her—and it is very naughty and ungrateful of you— +but I can't do anything else, and you must make up your minds to behave."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Carroll paused at last from want of breath, and the children gasped +in sympathy.</p> + +<p>They had barely entered the dining-room when this cataract of speech was +turned on them by their mother, with every appearance of excitement and +gratification. All her usual melancholy apathy was thrown aside; her face +was alight with pleasure, her eyes bright with excitement. Mrs. Carroll +loved to be the bearer of startling news, to spring a surprise on people— +just as she loved to have a pleasant one sprung on herself. She adored +excitement, and under its influence saw nothing but the one thing that +appealed to her at the moment.</p> + +<p>Now, after hastily scanning her husband's letter, she grasped the one fact +that he thought she might come out to him very soon. What the change +might mean to others, never occurred to her; that it might be for the +worse, never entered her head. She saw simply a chance of a change, an +escape from the monotony and sordidness of her present life. She would +have a new outfit, and travel, and meet new people, and escape from that +dreadful little cheap house and dull village, not to speak of other +tiresome things which had been thrusting themselves on her attention for a +long time, but had been put aside and aside for consideration 'some day.'</p> + +<p>The children stood just within the door, startled and bewildered—too +bewildered for the moment to move or speak. "Going away!" they gasped at +last, "and—and <i>we</i> are to be left <i>behind!</i> Oh, mother, you can't mean +it!"</p> + +<p>They loved their careless, easy-going mother very dearly, and, in spite of +her neglect of them were, as a rule, very happy. She was the one person +in the world, too, that they knew well and were accustomed to; and to be +thus suddenly bereft of her and left entirely to strangers, or worse, was +a prospect too appalling almost to be credited. In spite of her neglect +they loved her; in fact it was only as they grew older that they realised +that she did neglect them, or was not to them all she might have been. +Esther was beginning to realise it; but Esther, in spite of her odd, sharp +temper and reserved manner, had a great love for her mother; she loved her +so much that she wanted her to be different, to be more what the ideal +mother was—such a one as she had read of in books.</p> + +<p>"Oh, mother, you aren't really going away, and going to leave us!" cried +Angela again. "Mother, you can't! We can't be left!" At the thought of +it Poppy began to cry.</p> + +<p>"Yes, your father wants me to come, and I must go as soon as I can make +arrangements. Of course I can't take you all with me, so I am going to +ask your Aunt Julia to let you go and live with her."</p> + +<p>What Esther had been on the point of saying, was never said—her mother's +apparent indifference to their separation hurt her too deeply. +"Oh, then, Aunt Julia does not know it yet?" she remarked shrewdly.</p> + +<p>"No, your father has left all the arrangements to me to make, and I am to +come as soon as I like; so, as I see no use in delaying, I shall try to +get away as soon as I possibly can."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Carroll's brain could work very quickly under certain circumstances. +Now, though only a few moments had elapsed since the momentous letter had +arrived, she had formed plans innumerable, to be carried out at once in +spite of all obstacles. She would give Lydia a month's notice this very +day, and the landlord notice that she was going to leave the house, and +her sister Julia that she was about to send the four children to take up +their abode with her at once—she would feel so much freer when they were +settled, and she was alone.</p> + +<p>"But perhaps Aunt Julia will not have us," said Penelope, joyfully +clutching at the hope. They none of them loved their Aunt Julia. +Not to be going to Canada was bad enough, but to have to go and live with +Aunt Julia, for no one knew how long, was too dreadful to contemplate.</p> + +<p>"Oh, mother, <i>don't</i> send us to her, <i>do</i> take us with you, mother dear," +pleaded Angela tearfully. "Doesn't father say we are to come? I am sure +he wants us too."</p> + +<p>"Don't bother me now, child," said Mrs. Carroll, not crossly, but with a +distracted air, pushing aside Angela's clinging, eager arms. +"I've got more than enough to think of as it is. Of course you can't go +now."</p> + +<p>"Why, mother? Can't we afford it?" asked straightforward Penelope.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do be quiet. Don't bother any more," cried Esther bitterly. +"Don't you see that mother doesn't want us, and Aunt Julia won't want us— +nobody wants us." And in a tumult of pain and anger she flung herself out +of the room to hide the tears that made her eyes smart and tingle.</p> + +<p>"I really think your Aunt Julia would refuse to have Esther if she knew +how bad her temper has become," said Mrs. Carroll with a sigh. +"She seems quite to have forgotten the respect due to her mother, and to +think I may be spoken to in any way she chooses. I am sure no other +mother would endure such behaviour from their children as I have to."</p> + +<p>"Esther didn't mean to be rude, mother," pleaded Penelope. "I expect she +is upset 'cause daddy didn't send for us too. He <i>said</i> he would, you +know, and we always thought we should go too when you went. It is an +<i>awful</i> disappointment," sadly.</p> + +<p>"Mother," pleaded Angela wistfully, "it isn't true what Esther said, is +it? You <i>do</i> want us, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly do not want children with me who don't know how to behave," +said Mrs. Carroll in a quick, reproving tone, never dreaming of the love +and longing in the child's heart. A few words of explanation, of love, +and sorrow for the parting, of hope of a speedy reuniting would have +relieved all their young hearts of a load, would have banished that +chilling feeling of being unloved, unwanted, would have filled them with +hope and patience, and have bound their young hearts to their absent +parents for ever. Instead of which they felt rebuffed and unloved, they +were turned in on themselves, until such time as some other love should +warm their chilled hearts and expand their natures, and a stranger, maybe, +should mean more to them than a parent.</p> + +<p>Of all the little brood Angela was the most affectionate, the most +clinging little home-bird. She loved her mother passionately, and her +home too, in spite of its unattractiveness, for the flaws she saw in +persons or things only made her love with a deeper, more sympathetic +desire to help. It was always to the most unlovable and unattractive that +Angela's heart went out. If people or animals had no one else to care for +them, she felt they might be glad of her.</p> + +<p>She turned away from her mother with a little sigh. She did not blame her +for her want of feeling, she only winced as at a new revelation of her own +unlovableness.</p> + +<p>Poppy, who all this while had been standing mute and considering, was at +that moment struck by an inspiriting idea.</p> + +<p>"But, mother," she said gravely, "if we don't know how to behave properly +Aunt Julia won't want us either, and then what shall we do! You will +<i>have</i> to take us with you," with rising hope in her voice, "and I am +<i>sure</i> daddy would be glad, and I <i>do</i> want to go in the big ship and see +daddy," with a deep sigh. "Oh, I <i>do,</i>" pathetically, "want to see daddy, +so badly."</p> + +<p>"Don't talk nonsense, child. You can't remember your father. Why should +you want to see him?"</p> + +<p>"I do. I want to see what he is like. Esther remembers him, and she +wants to see him too. <i>Do</i> take us with you, mother. We'll be—oh, ever +so good. I <i>don't</i> like Aunt Julia; she is <i>always</i> cross, and I don't +like cross people."</p> + +<p>Poppy had no fear or awe of any one. Every one but Aunt Julia had loved +her always, and done their best to make her happy, even cross Lydia, and +she in return rewarded them by a placid, sweet acceptance of their +efforts, and allowing them to love her.</p> + +<p>"Mother," burst out Penelope eagerly, "couldn't we all go to +boarding-school while you are away? It would be jolly, and ever so much +nicer than living with Aunt Julia. I know we shall always be getting into +scrapes if we go to her, and no one <i>could</i> please her, Lydia said so."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," said Mrs. Carroll warmly, "Lydia is a very rude girl to speak +so of a lady, and my sister, and if I were remaining here I should not +allow you all to go into the kitchen so much. It will be very good for +you to try to please your aunt. Children don't know what is best for +them, and—and they should learn to consider others before themselves."</p> + +<p>A grown-up observer might have smiled satirically at Mrs. Carroll's +theories, so easily preached, so neglected in practice.</p> + +<p>"Now run away. I have so much to think of, my poor head is quite +bewildered. I think I must have a cup of tea at once—will you tell +Esther or Lydia to make it for me—or I shall have a dreadful headache, +and I <i>must</i> think out what outfit I shall require, or it will never be +ready in time, and I must try to let the house, or we shall have to pay +another quarter's rent, and there is the furniture to get rid of and—oh +dear, oh dear, my poor head feels quite bewildered already; however +<i>shall</i> I manage it all, and by myself too! It is really too much to face +alone—now, children, don't make a noise or you will drive me distracted."</p> + +<p>Without another word the three walked away in search of Esther, and to +talk over the dreadful and bewildering change the last hour had wrought in +their outlook; but Esther, sitting white-faced and angry-eyed on her bed, +could not be brought to discuss anything. She was bitterly disappointed +not to be going to Canada, furiously angry at having to go to Aunt Julia, +who treated them all invariably as though they were naughty or going to be +naughty, cruelly hurt that her mother showed so little feeling at being +parted from them all, and, curiously, full of pain at the thought of +parting from that mother.</p> + +<p>Poor Esther could not see, of course, that this same parting was really +for her good; that there, under the strain and discord of her home she was +allowing herself to become irritable and captious, despondent and +sharp-tongued. She knew she always felt cross and injured and sore, +but she never set herself to face the reason and combat it.</p> + +<p>Two days later a reply came from Miss Julia Foster, and a frown sat +heavily on Mrs. Carroll's brow. Aunt Julia firmly refused to take over at +a moment's notice the burden her sister was so calmly laying on her +shoulders.</p> + +<p>"People who have children must expect to give up something for them," she +wrote. "You really must not expect to throw off your responsibilities in +this way. It is your duty to stay with them if you cannot take them with +you. I observe you say nothing as to the provision you are prepared to +make for their board and clothing and education. I presume you don't +expect me to take over the responsibility of providing all that too."</p> + +<p>Miss Foster wrote as she talked, very candidly.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Carroll's face flushed with anger and annoyance.</p> + +<p>"Julia never would do anything to oblige any one," she said sharply. +"She has always been the same. I only wonder I thought of asking her."</p> + +<p>It never occurred to her to think what it would mean to a person +unaccustomed to children to have four suddenly introduced into a quiet +home hitherto occupied only by one very prim and particular lady and two +equally prim servants, who did not know what real work was.</p> + +<p>Miss Foster's first thought had been: "Neither of the maids would stay," +and she could not contemplate the terrors of changing. Her second +thought, "Who is to provide for the children?" She felt quite certain +that that important point had never entered into their mother's +calculations, and she felt distinctly annoyed with her sister for the +abrupt and casual way in which she threw such a great responsibility on +others' shoulders, and in her letter she made her feelings plain.</p> + +<p>For a few moments Mrs. Carroll sat considering. One by one all her +relations and friends were passed in review before her mind's eye. +"There seems," she said at last in a musing tone, "no one but Cousin +Charlotte. I wonder—"</p> + +<p>There was not much doubt as to what Mrs. Carroll was wondering. Her face +lightened, determination shone in her eye.</p> + +<p>"Cousin Charlotte," or Miss Charlotte Ashe, was a cousin of Mrs. Carroll's +mother. In her earlier years she had kept a girls' school in London, but +when she found herself growing old she sold it, and retired to a little +house in her native village in Devonshire. Schoolmistresses do not, as a +rule, grow rich, and Miss Ashe was the last person to save money for +herself while there was any one else wanting it; she managed, however, to +save enough to keep herself, and Anna, her former cook, in their little +house in comfort, and put a trifle by for an emergency.</p> + +<p>It was to this quiet, modest little home that Mrs. Carroll's thoughts now +flew, without the slightest feeling of compunction at invading it, as she +meant it to be invaded. Her letter to Miss Ashe was a masterpiece of +pathetic pleading. Miss Charlotte read it with tears of pity for the poor +mother, reduced from affluence and luxury to poverty and the position of +an emigrant's wife torn from her children by stress of circumstance. +Then she read it again to Anna, and Anna's eyes filled too; but it was for +the children that Anna wept. Both kind hearts agreed, though, that they +could not refuse to give the homeless ones a home; and a letter was +despatched at once, full of warm hospitality and affection, and almost +before it was posted a perfect fury of cleaning, planning, rearranging +burst over Moor Cottage, in preparation for the four new inhabitants.</p> + +<p>"Children," cried Mrs. Carroll delightedly, when the letter arrived, +"your dear Cousin Charlotte is quite anxious to have you in her charming +little home in Devonshire. I know you will be happy there, she is so +sweet and kind. I was always very fond of her, and so will you be, I +know; and you must do all you can to help her, and not be too troublesome. +She says she can have you at any time, so I think you really had better go +as soon as I can get you ready. I shall be able to see to things better, +and pay a few farewell visits, when I am quite free. It will be a great +relief to know you are comfortably settled."</p> + +<p>Esther listened in silence. She was terribly sensitive. She was +interested, but troubled. Did Cousin Charlotte really want them, she +wondered, "or had mother forced them on her?"</p> + +<p>Penelope knew no qualms; she simply danced with delight at the thought of +going to Devonshire, and to live on a moor. "I always wanted to go +there," she cried. "I know I shall love it."</p> + +<p>Angela wept quietly at the thought of leaving Framley, and her mother, and +the house and the woods. Poppy stood gazing eagerly from one to the +other, prepared to do whatever her sisters did, but puzzled to know which +to copy.</p> + +<p>"Cousin Charlotte will want a big house," she remarked gravely, "if she +has all of us to live with her. I wonder if she is glad we are coming—or +sorry," she added as an afterthought.</p> + +<p>"What about our clothes and food, and everything," asked Esther presently, +nervously summoning up courage to put the great question that had troubled +her most ever since the move was first mooted. She knew from bitter +experience that the very last person to trouble about such details was her +mother.</p> + +<p>"Really, Esther, you are very inquisitive and interfering," said Mrs. +Carroll, deeply annoyed because the question was one of the most +embarrassing that could have been put to her. "Who do you consider is the +right person to attend to such matters, myself or yourself?"</p> + +<p>Esther sighed, but made no answer. She had no doubt as to who was the +right person, her doubt was as to the right person's doing it. +The matter, though, was too important for her to be easily daunted. +She felt she <i>must</i> know, or she could not go.</p> + +<p>"And—and what about our education?" she asked. She meant so well, but +she spoke in that sullen, aggressive tone that always put her in the wrong +and made her mother angry. It was purely the result of nervousness. +She did so hate to have to be disagreeable and say these things, making +herself seem so forward and important, when she really felt just the +reverse. There was no one else though to do it, so she had to. +"Is there a school there? We all ought to go to school now, even Poppy. +I am thirteen, and—and I don't know as much as the village children, +and I—I'm ashamed to go anywhere or meet any one. Every one sees how +stupid and ignorant we are." A great sob clutched her throat and choked +the rest of her words, tears of mortification and bitterness filled her +eyes. She was painfully conscious of her own ignorance, and had an +exaggerated idea of the contempt others must feel for her. "And some day +the others would come to feel the same," she told herself resentfully, +"if nothing was done for them. It was cruel. No one seemed to care for +them, or how they grew up."</p> + +<p>And then again, she would hate herself for her bad temper, and the nasty +things she said. She knew she was making herself unlovable, and she did +so long for love.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Carroll looked somewhat taken aback at this new question. +"Oh," she stammered, "I suppose I must arrange something. I must talk to +your father about it when I get out to him. In the meantime I daresay +Cousin Charlotte will be able to help you a little with a few lessons. +She has been a schoolmistress all her life; she had a splendid school— +such nice girls, too. She must miss them so. She will probably be quite +glad to do a little teaching."</p> + +<p>"I wonder what she will think of us," said Esther, "if she has been +accustomed to well-brought-up girls."</p> + +<p>"Well," cried Mrs. Carroll, turning on her sharply, "surely if you are so +anxious to learn, you might have been studying by yourself all this time. +I am sure there are books enough in the house, and you knew there was no +money to spare for education."</p> + +<p>"Yes, there are books," said Esther quietly. "Father's books that he +brought from Oxford, but I can't understand them. It is books for quite +little children that I want," her face flushing hotly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I daresay Cousin Charlotte will have loads of old school-books, +and—and well, at any rate, Esther," reproachfully, "you know how to read +and write, and you might have been teaching Angela and Poppy to do so, you +really might have done that."</p> + +<p>"I have," said Esther.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, that is something. When one can read there is no excuse for +ignorance in a place where there are books. There are lots of people who +have set to work and taught themselves when they have been too poor to go +to school, and have done—oh, marvels!" responded Mrs. Carroll, relieving +herself of any feeling of self-reproach. Because a few rare geniuses had +done so, by facing difficulties and self-sacrifices such as she could not +even imagine, she felt there was nothing to prevent every ordinary child +from pursuing the same course.</p> + +<p>Esther said no more; a sense of hopelessness and helplessness seized her— +a feeling common to most who had to do with Mrs. Carroll, but Esther, as +yet, did not know that. She walked away out of the room and the house— +she felt she must get away somewhere by herself.</p> + +<p>She hurried on quickly till she came to the woods. There, at any rate, +there was peace and rest, and no bickerings. "But oh," she thought, as +she flung herself down on the soft, springy pine-needles which lay so +thickly everywhere, "what shall I do when I haven't the woods to come to?" +and she put out her hand and patted tenderly the rough trunk of the +nearest pine-tree.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later she rose as bewildered and vexed as ever. Her thoughts +had led her nowhere; instead of finding some way to surmount her troubles, +she had just brooded and brooded, and nursed her grievances until they +were larger than ever. She could not go home yet, she felt too depressed +and miserable, so she wandered on and on.</p> + +<p>In one little hollow in the woods was a spot they called their 'house,' +where they spent long days playing all sorts of lovely games, and very +often, when their mother or Lydia wanted to have a free day, they had +their dinner and tea there too. Making for this place now, Esther came +upon Penelope perched in the forked trunk of an old tree, a book in her +hand. She was so absorbed she gave quite a start when Esther called to +her, "What are you doing, Pen?"</p> + +<p>Penelope had a deep pucker in her forehead and a very grave face. +"I am trying to educate myself," she said soberly. "I thought if I could +learn even only a little before I went to Cousin Charlotte's it would not +seem <i>so</i> bad. But I don't seem able to get on <i>very</i> well. I can't +quite make out what it is all about, and the words are very long. +I thought I'd try though. I only wish I'd thought of it sooner."</p> + +<p>Esther felt a twinge of shame. She had thought of it, but she had done +nothing, and her inmost conscience told her she might have spent her time +more profitably than she had. "If we were not going away, Pen," she said +enthusiastically, "we would have lessons here every day. P'r'aps if we +kept on at it we might get to understand better, and we might get some +nice books in time. But," hopelessly, "it is too late now."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't think so," said Penelope encouragingly. "It can never be +<i>too</i> late to learn things, and p'r'aps we can make up for lost time. +At any rate, let's try."</p> + +<p>"Very well, we'll begin now. Shall we start together? What book are you +reading?"</p> + +<p>"It is called <i>The Invasion of the Crimea</i>" said Penelope slowly. +"I think it will be very interesting—further on."</p> + +<p>"I wonder what the Crimea was," mused Esther.</p> + +<p>"If we read very carefully perhaps we shall find out. There seems to be a +lot about soldiers and battles."</p> + +<p>"I wonder," said Esther, after a moment's thought, "if it will be any good +our reading all this. Don't you think we ought to learn something that +people talk about every day?"</p> + +<p>Penelope looked a little disappointed. "I don't know," she said slowly. +"I don't know how to—or what books to get, and—and p'r'aps some people +do talk about the Crimea. Cousin Charlotte may, and then won't she be +surprised if we know all about it!"</p> + +<p>"Is it long?" asked Esther, still dubiously. Esther wanted to find the +royal road to knowledge, which is easy and short and smooth—so they say, +but no one knows, for no one has found it yet.</p> + +<p>"Eight more volumes," said Penelope, almost apologetically. She was +beginning to feel her zest for self-education considerably damped. +"But," brightening up a little, "we can go on with this, at any rate, +until we find out what we <i>ought</i> to learn. It can't do any harm. +It looks like history, and I am sure we ought to know history."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Esther. So they began taking it in turns to read; but the +words were long, and the names difficult to pronounce, and Esther's mind +was in such a state of turmoil she could not fix it on anything, and line +after line, as Penelope read, fell on deaf ears. "I think I shall go home +now," she said at last. "Penelope, do you think we shall have some new +clothes before we go away? We ought, we are dreadfully shabby."</p> + +<p>Penelope looked up with doubt in her face. "I don't know. I don't expect +so; you see it would cost such a lot to get things for the four of us, and +there will be the tickets too, and it must be a very long journey."</p> + +<p>Esther sighed. "Well, we are disgracefully shabby. I don't know what we +are going to do. Cousin Charlotte will think we are a tramp's children."</p> + +<p>The next day, when the study hour came, Esther took a large basket of +stockings out into the woods with her to darn. "I must try and mend these +again," she said. "We don't seem to be going to have any new ones," and +while Penelope with some trouble made her way through a chapter of the +<i>Invasion of the Crimea</i>, and the younger ones collected fir-cones to take +home for the kitchen fire, Esther sorted out and darned a motley +collection of stockings of various sizes and every variety of shade of +washed-out black and brown. She darned them quickly and thoroughly; but +the great excrescences of blue, brown, grey, or black darning-wool would +have brought terror to the heart of any one who suffered from tender feet. +"There," she said, laying aside the last pair with a sigh, "at any rate we +shall be sound if we are shabby. I wish, though, the darns didn't show +quite so much," gazing regretfully at a large light-blue patch in the +middle of one of Poppy's black stockings.</p> + +<p>After that the <i>Crimea</i> was abandoned, and they all fell to talking of the +strange new life which was drawing so close to them now, and by degrees, +and in spite of their first dread, was so exciting, so full of interest, +and all manner of possibilities.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER III.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + + +<p>And now at last the parting was over, and the new life fairly begun. +Esther, Penelope, Angela, and Poppy sat alone in a third-class carriage, +looking out with blurred and smarting eyes at the fields and hedges +rushing past them, at telegraph wires bowing and rising, at people and +cattle and houses, and wondered if it could all be real or if they were +only dreaming.</p> + +<p>They had been very sad for the last few days, for the parting had been a +painful wrench. In spite of all its drawbacks, the little house at +Framley was their home, and they shed many bitter tears when they bade +good-bye to it, and the woods and the walks, and all their well-known +play-places. They wept, too, at leaving their mother, and even Lydia, +cross, careless Lydia, for, after all, their mother and Lydia were the +only two beings they knew well, and to be obliged to leave them and go +entirely to utter strangers, in a quite unknown place, was very alarming.</p> + +<p>"No one knows what it may be like at Dorsham," said Esther tragically, +"and we—and we are not like children accustomed to going about. +We don't know what are the right things to do—you know what I mean, we +don't know how to behave, at least I don't. I hate having to meet any one +in the street, for I never know what to say or do; and if I don't speak I +know I am rude, and they think all sorts of things about me, and then I am +miserable, and—and it'll be like that all the time at Cousin +Charlotte's."</p> + +<p>The other children looked awed until Penelope brightened up a little. +"Never mind," she said hopefully, "we will go on just as we do now. +After all, we can't be so very very dreadful, for mother <i>is</i> a lady, and +knows, and we aren't wild savages; and Cousin Charlotte must tell us if we +don't do things right, and we must remember for another time. +Don't you think that will be all right, Esther?"</p> + +<p>"I wish I could remember all the things Aunt Julia used to tell us," +sighed Angela regretfully. "If we could we should know exactly what to +do; but she was always telling me things and I've got them all mixed up."</p> + +<p>"Will Tousin Charlotte whip us if we don't do right?" asked Poppy, in an +awe-stricken voice.</p> + +<p>"No one knows," said Esther, still in the same tragic, woebegone manner. +"She may. I believe schoolmistresses are <i>very</i> strict. We shall know +when we get there." Poppy's face grew longer and longer. "Mother says +she is a <i>dear</i> old lady, but—but mother forgets, and she never had to +live with her, as we've got to."</p> + +<p>So their hearts were heavy with mingled dread and shyness, as well as +sadness and a sense of desertion, as they took their seats in the train +which was to convey them to Dorsham. In the luggage van were two small +trunks containing their four scanty wardrobes, and all their toys and +other treasures. In her hand Esther carried a large old purse of her +mother's, containing their four tickets, and a sovereign which her mother +had at the last moment given her to provide them all with stamps and +notepaper and pocket-money for the next twelve months.</p> + +<p>To children who had been in the habit of doing without pocket-money at all +it seemed as though unbounded wealth were theirs, and they could never +know want again.</p> + +<p>Penelope carried a basket of provisions, which Lydia, with unusual care, +had insisted on their taking. Penelope consented because she did not like +to refuse Lydia's last request, but neither it nor its contents held the +slightest interest for them until quite a long stretch of their journey +had been covered. They were too unhappy to feel hungry. They would never +care for food again, or for any one or anything but Framley and their +mother and Lydia; and while they were in this frame of mind two or three +hours and many miles passed by.</p> + +<p>But the lapse of time brought some relief and a lightening of their +depression. They became able to take a growing interest in their +surroundings, and a sensation of hunger began to assert itself; so did a +savoury odour from Lydia's basket, an odour so delicious that, in spite of +themselves, they became interested.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what Lydia put in here," said Penelope, looking down at the +despised basket for the first time. "Something smells rather nice." +They had left home before nine, and the meal they ate before starting was +hardly worthy the name, and as it was now past twelve they began to feel +very empty and rather faint, and the savoury whiffs which floated out from +the basket grew more and more appealing.</p> + +<p>Poppy slipped from her seat at last and pressed her small nose close to +the cover. "I believe it's patties, and gooseberries, and—and—"</p> + +<p>Lydia had her faults as to temper, but there was no denying she could cook +when she chose to, and her meat patties were the joy of the children's +hearts on the rare occasions when she could find time to make them.</p> + +<p>Without more delay the basket was unpacked, and Poppy's sense of smell was +amply justified. Four meat patties, some hard-boiled eggs and slices of +bread and butter, cakes, biscuits, milk, gooseberries, and apples, made a +lunch fit for four queens. And the children fairly squealed with delight +as they unrolled packet after packet.</p> + +<p>"We will have a table," cried Esther, springing up and spreading a +newspaper on the seat for a tablecloth, "and lay everything out on it. +I only hope no one else will want to come into this carriage."</p> + +<p>It was not very easy to keep on their feet with the train swaying and +jerking them as it did, but it made it all the more amusing, and when all +was spread it looked so nice it made them feel very grand and grown-up. +It was a wonderful new experience, and their spirits rose quite high under +it.</p> + +<p>"I wish we could go on and on like this always," said Esther. "Wouldn't it +be jolly! There would be no one to worry us, and no strangers to face."</p> + +<p>Penelope looked up quickly, her eyes alight with a sudden idea. +"Oh, Esther, let's do it! Let's go on and not get out at Dorsham," +she cried wickedly.</p> + +<p>"But could we go on much further?" asked practical Angela. "Isn't there +any end to the railway?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Perhaps it just goes on and on all round England, and in +and out until it comes to where it started from, and then goes on again," +said Penelope, her mind busy over the problem.</p> + +<p>"But the poor engine-drivers must get down sometimes and go to bed, +mustn't they?" asked Poppy. "They don't sleep on the engine, do they?"</p> + +<p>"I wish I knew," said Penelope. "It would be so lovely just to go on and +on and not know where we were, or anything, and—"</p> + +<p>"But what should we do for food?" asked Esther quietly. "The meat patties +are gone already," throwing the last crumbs out of window, "and we +couldn't get any more, and—and—" At that moment the train drew up at a +station, and a ticket-collector, flinging open the door, came in and +demanded to see their tickets. Trembling with nervousness, certain that +he must have heard what they had been saying, Esther fumblingly undid her +purse and produced them. The man looked at the tickets closely, clipped +bits out of them, and handed them back again, giving at the same time a +keen, curious look at the four young travellers.</p> + +<p>It was not until the train had steamed on again, and he was left behind on +the platform, that either one of them recovered from the shock +sufficiently to speak.</p> + +<p>"He must have heard us," breathed Angela, with wide frightened eyes. +"He <i>must</i> have, and—oh! he must have seen all that," pointing to the +remains of the feast spread out on the seat.</p> + +<p>"I expect he is used to it," said Penelope consolingly. "Most people do +eat when they are travelling, I expect. But it is no use for us to try to +travel on beyond Dorsham, that is certain. They would find us out by +looking at our tickets, and—and p'r'aps we should be sent to jail!"</p> + +<p>Agreeing, reluctantly, that their plan for a life of perpetual travel must +be abandoned, they settled down again to face the more monotonous future +that had been arranged for them. Tired at last of talking, they tried to +read, but no book could enthral them for long, while there was so much to +see and take note of, as they rushed through the beautiful country all +bathed in June sunshine, or stopped at the big bustling stations, +and the funny little country ones. Oddly enough, though they stopped so +often no one got into their carriage, which was very nice, they thought. +By and by, though, they began to grow very weary, the carriage was very +hot, and they grew tired of their own company. It might have been better +for them, perhaps, had they had some fellow-passengers.</p> + +<p>"Only three o'clock!" sighed Penelope, catching sight of a clock at the +station they were drawn up in. "We have two and a half more hours yet. +Oh dear, what a long day it is! I believe I shall be almost glad to get +there, though I do dread it so."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if Cousin Charlotte is nervous, too," remarked Angela, who had +been very quiet for some time.</p> + +<p>Poppy woke up from an uncomfortable nap, looking and feeling very cross. +"Oh, I am so thirsty," she cried. "Esther, mayn't I have an apple?"</p> + +<p>Esther roused herself from her study of the landscape. "Of course you +may, dear—let us all have another meal now, and call it tea. You see, if +we get there at half-past five we are sure to have something to eat soon +after, so it will be better to eat up what we have here soon, unless we +mean to waste it."</p> + +<p>There was complete agreement of opinion on this point, so Esther tidied +their tablecloth and rearranged the remaining food as well as she could, +and they set to work to demolish everything with keen appetites—a task +they accomplished without any great effort; and it is only to be hoped +that Lydia heard of the appreciation the contents of her basket met with.</p> + +<p>Try, though, as they would to spin out the meal, it was not yet four when +the last crumb and drop had vanished; and, finding nothing else to do, +they nestled down in their four corners again with the quiet melancholy of +a dying day settling down on them once more. Though it was June, the land +outside seemed already to take on a look of evening, the wind had changed, +and little dark clouds had come up and hidden the sun. The children were +reminded of the woods at home, and the curious air of gloom they wore, as +though there were a storm outside, even when the sun was shining brightly.</p> + +<p>Poppy crept from her corner and nestled up close to Esther.</p> + +<p>"Essie, let's tell stories that will make us feel happy," she said, +wistfully, with just the faintest quiver of her baby lip. "Something that +will make me not think about mummy and Lydia and home."</p> + +<p>"Pen, you tell us one, will you?" said Esther, lifting her little sister +on to her lap, and holding her very close. "You can tell stories better +than I can."</p> + +<p>Angela in her corner kept her back turned to them, looking out of window +very persistently, and winking very hard. But when the story was fairly +begun she too crept up and nestled close to Esther, with her face well +hidden behind Poppy's back and Esther's encircling arm.</p> + +<p>The request roused Penelope from her own depression. She loved to tell +stories. Usually she made up her own, for she had read but few to repeat; +and the children always preferred hers, for, somehow, she seemed to know +exactly what they liked. Now it seemed as though she understood perfectly +just what would cheer them, and what to avoid, and they listened in +perfect silence, drinking in comfort.</p> + +<p>"Don't stop, don't stop!" pleaded Poppy, when the obvious end had been +reached. But at that moment the train drew up, and Esther's eyes, +wandering idly over the little station to see what place they had reached, +read 'Dorsham' on the signboard, and sprang to her feet with such energy +as to send Angela and Poppy tottering across the carriage.</p> + +<p>"We are come," she gasped. "Oh girls, we are come! What shall we do?"</p> + +<p>"Dorsham, Do-orsham," shouted a porter outside, in confirmation of her +words, and the carriage immediately became a scene of wild confusion and +excitement.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if there is any one here to meet us," said Esther, as she tidied +Poppy's dark hair and put on her hat. "Perhaps some of us had better get +out and see, or they'll think we have not come."</p> + +<p>They were all almost breathless with nervous excitement, and Esther was +just popping her head out of the window to try to open the carriage door +when a little lady came hurrying along the platform, her cheeks very pink, +her eyes bright with anxiety. When she saw Esther she stopped, her face +brightening with an expectant smile. When her eye fell on the three other +little faces gazing out through the side windows with eager curiosity, her +face brightened still more.</p> + +<p>"Oh," she gasped, "are you—I think you must be the little Carrolls from +Framley, my young cousins. I am Miss Charlotte Ashe, Cousin Charlotte— +and I've come to meet you—are you Esther? I think you must be."</p> + +<p>Esther's face had brightened too, with relief. This gentle little lady +was so unlike the formidable stranger she had been dreading so, she felt +quite at ease at once.</p> + +<p>In another moment they were all on the platform being introduced.</p> + +<p>"This is Penelope, and this is Poppy, the youngest of us, and this is +Angela, the third," she said with the air of a proprietor, "and I am the +eldest."</p> + +<p>"I am delighted to see you all, my dears," said Miss Ashe warmly, kissing +each in turn. She felt a little nervous under the fire of four pairs of +enquiring eyes; there was nothing rude, though, in their stare; it was +simply full of a wistful, half-incredulous pleasure. They could scarcely +believe their eyes and ears that things were turning out so much less +dreadful than they expected.</p> + +<p>Then followed a moment of bustle, while the station-master and the one +porter went in search of the luggage, and the children were led up to +identify the various things as they should be lifted out. When they were +told that the two shabby trunks were all there were to identify, +disappointment was only too plainly written on the men's faces.</p> + +<p>Seeing how little it was, the porter readily promised "to wheel it along +by and by," and Miss Ashe turned away with a sigh of relief.</p> + +<p>"Now then, chicks," she said cheerily, "we will start for home. +You won't mind a walk, I hope, dears. My house is only fifteen minutes +from the station. Are you <i>very</i> tired?" looking anxiously from one to +the other, but most anxiously at Poppy.</p> + +<p>"Oh no," they assured her politely. "We would like to walk, Cousin +Charlotte," added Esther; "after sitting still so long it will be very +nice," and her sisters supported her eagerly.</p> + +<p>The engine, with a good deal of puffing and snorting, glided on its way +again. The children stood to watch it, but they saw it depart without any +of the regret they had expected to feel, and then the little party turned +out of the station, on the last stage of their pilgrimage to their new +home.</p> + +<p>They were accustomed to the country, of course, so that their first view +of Dorsham did not affect them as it would have affected a town child, but +even they exclaimed with delight at the weird, wild beauty which opened +out before them. The station appeared to have sprung up in the heart of a +little forest of firs, as being the most sheltered spot it could alight +upon in that open country, and it was not until they had walked a little +way along the white road which skirted the woods, and came to the other +road which led at right angles to Dorsham, that the real beauty of the +place they had come to burst upon them.</p> + +<p>Then, "Oh!" they gasped. "Oh! oh! Cousin Charlotte, how perfectly lovely! +We did not think it would be a bit like this."</p> + +<p>Angela alone did not speak; she gazed, and shivered as she gazed. +She was too awed by the rugged wildness to be able to find any words—awed +and rather frightened. In the beautiful evening light of the summer's day +there lay before them an immense stretch of wild and rugged moorland, +sloping down on either side till it met a winding silver streak at the +bottom of the valley, and rolling upwards, away and away, rising and +dipping, with every here and there rough boulders and tors, single or in +groups, standing upon its brown bosom like rocks out of a brown sea, +until in the distance high rock-crowned hills bounded and closed it in.</p> + +<p>Then would the eye travel from the wilder beauty back to rest on the +gleaming, gliding river in its rocky bed, and the group of little houses +which stood about so irregularly as to give the impression that they had +been dropped down promiscuously and allowed to remain as they fell; while +close about each house were large gardens snatched from the wealth of +wildness outside and enclosed within sturdy walls, as though to protect +them from the encroaching brown sea outside.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Cousin Charlotte," gasped Angela, "aren't you afraid to live here? +It looks so—so wild and—and sad?"</p> + +<p>Cousin Charlotte smiled. "Oh no," she cried, "it is not as lonely as it +looks. There is quite a village just on beyond, but you cannot see it +from here." Then noticing the look on Angela's face, "You will not be +afraid, will you, children?" she asked anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Oh no," said Esther, replying for them all. "I am sure we shall like it, +Cousin Charlotte. I don't think it is as lonely as a wood really, because +here you can look all about you, and can see if any one is coming. +Angela is tired, I expect, and I think every place looks rather sad when +night is coming on. I think she will like it soon, when she is more used +to it."</p> + +<p>"The village looks more lonely than it is really," said Cousin Charlotte. +"From here it seems as though we are quite unprotected, but when we are at +home that feeling will be gone. It seems then as though the moor is +protecting us. There are other villages just beyond us in each +direction, too, so we are not quite deserted."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I love it, I love it!" gasped Penelope, who had been silent from the +intensity of her emotion all this time. It was almost as though the sight +was too much for her. She felt bewildered, overcome, full of awe and +love, and a feeling she could not describe. She stood still in the wide +white road, and gazed and gazed with her heart in her eyes. The others +walked briskly on, Angela keeping close to Esther, her hand thrust through +Esther's arm, Poppy holding Miss Ashe by one hand and Esther by the other. +The road wound down in almost a straight line, until they could hear the +murmuring of the river, like a welcoming voice, as it hurried along over +the stones. The nearer they drew to the house and the river, the less did +the moor and the hills seem to dominate them, and the feeling of home grew +on them.</p> + +<p>Just before they reached the house Penelope overtook them.</p> + +<p>"Oh," she cried enthusiastically, "it is so lovely. I—I am sorry I have +lived all my life away from it. I might have had nearly twelve more years +here."</p> + +<p>Miss Ashe laughed, well pleased. "I am so glad, children, that you think +you will like it. Anna and I thought it might be dull for you. +Well, here we are at last, and very glad you must be, I am sure, after +your long, tiring day. This is Moor Cottage, dears, and I hope you will +all be very, very happy here as long as I am allowed to keep you. +It shall not," she added gravely, pausing as she stood in the porch with +her hand on the latch, "be my fault if you are not."</p> + +<p>"I am <i>sure</i> we shall be happy, Cousin Charlotte," said Esther earnestly, +longing to throw her arms about the dear little lady, and kiss her, but +feeling too shy. "I know we shall."</p> + +<p>Angela did not only long, but she acted. "And I hope we shall make you +happy, too," she cried, and throwing her arms about Miss Ashe's neck +kissed her lovingly.</p> + +<p>Cousin Charlotte's eyes were dim as she opened the door wide. +"Welcome home," she cried. Then in a louder, brisker voice, "Anna, Anna," +she called, "where are you? Here are our young ladies come, and neither +of you out to meet and welcome them! I am ashamed."</p> + +<p>A wild scratching was heard at the back of the little stone-paved hall, +then a door was flung wide, revealing for a moment a pretty, cosy kitchen +with firelight gleaming on a dresser laden with dainty china; but only for +a moment, for the doorway was almost immediately blocked by a figure which +blotted out every other view—the big, broad figure of Anna, white-capped, +white-aproned, red-faced and smiling.</p> + +<p>"Well I never!" she kept exclaiming, "and to think of me never hearing you +coming. Well I never!" but all further talk was put a stop to by a yelp +of joy, and the wild rush from somewhere of a creature that, for the +moment, Poppy was quite sure was a bear. The creature flung himself on +Miss Ashe so impetuously as to very nearly topple her over.</p> + +<p>"Guard, Guard," she protested, recovering her footing with a laugh, +"behave yourself, sir." But the great dog would not be quiet until she +had given him her hand to kiss and her purse to hold; with that in his +mouth he contented himself with wriggling joyfully at her feet, making +little muffled sounds of welcome.</p> + +<p>"Now come and speak to your visitors," she said, "and shake hands like a +gentleman." But he had to return her purse to her own safe keeping before +he could be induced to do anything more, after which he went round and +solemnly shook hands with each of the girls, smiling very wide with +pleasure at the pats and caresses he got, until, on coming to Poppy, she +flung her baby arms about his great rough neck, crying, "Oh, you darling, +you darling," and kissed his soft brown cheek, upon which he looked up at +her adoringly, and seated himself beside her. Then Anna came forward and +seemed quite pleased when they all shook hands with her; and Guard, seeing +every one else so hearty, began to dash round and round again as he looked +ecstatically from one to the other, making little low cries of pleasure.</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + + +<p>"Now then, Anna," said Miss Ashe at last, "we really must show these poor +children their rooms, and let them wash and refresh themselves before tea; +they must be longing to, and I am sure they are famished—aren't you, +children?"</p> + +<p>They remembered their 'tea' at three o'clock, and blushed; but that really +did seem hours ago now, and they honestly were very hungry again. +Perhaps the moor air had something to answer for already.</p> + +<p>"Well, come along," said Miss Ashe, while, murmuring something about hot +water, she bustled off to the kitchen. "No, Guard, you must wait down +here," said his mistress, as he rose to follow them; and with his feet on +the bottom stair he stood still, gazing after them longingly, but without +attempting to follow.</p> + +<p>At the right of the hall was an archway, and going up a step and through +this, the children found themselves in another little hall, with doors on +two sides of it, and a staircase at the back, all completely cut off from +the view from the front door. The stairs were so wide and shallow they +tripped as they followed Miss Ashe up them. At the top they found +themselves in a little gallery which ran all round with several doors +opening into it.</p> + +<p>"Now, my chicks," said Miss Charlotte, throwing open the first door they +came to, "you must settle amongst yourselves which two shall share a room, +and which room you will have."</p> + +<p>The children, greatly excited, poured after her into what they all thought +the sweetest, loveliest bedroom they had ever seen in their lives—which +it certainly was. The walls were covered with a pretty creamy paper +festooned all over with bunches of pink-tipped daisies tied together with +blue ribbons; two little white beds, with snowy curtains and quilts, stood +with a table between them. But most fascinating of all was the long, low, +lattice-window with its white dimity curtains, and frill across the top. +They flew to it to look out, and there before them lay the river winding +in and out on its crooked course, and beyond it the moor stretching away, +as far as the eye could see, to where, in the distance, it melted into the +sky. The beauty of it so fascinated them that it was not until later they +noticed all the remaining charms of the room—the little white bookcase +full of books, the chairs on either side of the windows, the two white +chests of drawers, one for each of them, and provided with a key, too, +and the charming blue carpet on the floor.</p> + +<p>"I hope we don't do any harm," said Esther nervously. To her, accustomed +to the shabby bare rooms at home, ill-kept and untidy, it looked almost +too dainty and pretty to use.</p> + +<p>"I am quite sure you will not," said Miss Ashe, who appeared to have no +fears. "Now this is the sunniest side of the house, and I think, perhaps, +the Poppy ought to have the sun."</p> + +<p>Poppy laughed. The idea pleased her, and, as though to claim possession, +threw her hat on to one of the chairs.</p> + +<p>"Now, come along, or tea will be ready before we are." Out they trooped +excitedly, each delighted in her own particular way. "That is my room," +said Miss Ashe, touching the next door, which was closed. "My window +looks towards the station, along the road we came just now." She did not +say she had given up the pretty room they had just quitted, in order that +they might have the sunshine.</p> + +<p>At the back of the square gallery she threw open another door. "This is +your other room," she said; and Penelope, who was standing by her, gave +one long, low cry of pleasure, and was across the room in a moment.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" she gasped, "oh my!" She could not find words to express the +feelings which rushed over her as her eyes fell on the view without—the +pretty garden full of flowers, enclosed within a stone wall, and beyond +that the old brown moor stretching far and wide in every direction, until +it broke like a brown sea about the foot of the distant hills. Here and +there were lesser tors and piles of rock, and little footpaths through the +heather, and pools which gleamed with a cold light in the light of the +evening sky. It was wild, weird, fascinating.</p> + +<p>"I think you, at any rate, should have this room," said Miss Ashe, +smiling, well pleased at Penelope's delight. The rest of the children +were looking interestedly about them. "As this has a colder aspect I +thought it should be made to look warmer," Miss Ashe explained; and indeed +the warm red carpet, and the dark-red roses nestling against deep-green +leaves on the walls, gave it a very cosy, comfortable look.</p> + +<p>Esther felt soothed and calmed already. The air of comfort and neatness, +the good taste that met them on all sides, gave her such a sense of +pleasure and ease as she had never known before. This was just how things +should look, how she had always wanted them to look, and had never been +able to get them to, or make the others understand.</p> + +<p>"How do you think you will manage?" said Miss Ashe, turning to Esther. +"Don't you think you and the baby here had better be together in the other +room, so that you may be able to help her a little? I have only the one +servant yet, so we must manage to do as best we can for the time. +I think these two," laying a hand on Angela and Penelope, "had better stay +here;" a plan they all heartily agreed with. Then, after providing them +with brushes and combs until they could unpack their own, Miss Ashe went +away, and left them to prepare themselves for tea.</p> + +<p>And here, perhaps, it would be as well to give you some idea of what the +four little Carrolls were like at this time, for one's first question +generally, on hearing any one spoken of, is, "Is she pretty?" or, "What is +she like?" and quite naturally, too, for people only seem real to us when +we are able to picture them in our own minds as they really are.</p> + +<p>Well, Esther Carroll at this time was a tall, thin girl, with a grave face +and fine expressive grey eyes. She was not pretty, but she would have +been what is generally described as 'nice-looking' if her face had not +been almost always spoilt by her worried, cross expression. She was a +tall, graceful girl, with a good carriage, well-shaped hands and feet, a +good complexion, and an abundance of long light-brown hair. She took +great pains that her hair should look well-kept and glossy, and it hung +long, straight, and gleaming, to below her waist.</p> + +<p>Penelope was shorter and broader, altogether a more portly little person, +with a clever face, dreamy, questioning grey eyes, and a nose which was +decidedly a snub—a fact there was no getting over, though Penelope often +tried. Her hair, which was short and curly, was not so golden as +Esther's; it had deeper, redder tints in it.</p> + +<p>Angela was more like Esther in appearance than either of the others. +She was a lanky, overgrown little person at nine years of age, but her +long, shapely feet and hands gave promise of a graceful woman by and by. +She had long, fair hair like Esther's too, but Angela's had a beautiful +wave in it. Her eyes, blue and soft, and appealing as her warm +affectionate nature, looked out of a beautiful child-like face, full of +gentleness and love.</p> + +<p>Then came the Poppy, the pet and plaything and ruler of them all, +a little round, dark-haired, brown-eyed contrast to the others, +who demanded love and got it, giving it in return when she chose, +and that was not always to those who asked most loudly for it. +Fearless, outspoken, and quick, Poppy had none of Penelope's dreaminess, +or Esther's anxiousness, or Angela's timidity. She was eminently a +practical little person, with deep thoughts and plans of her own, and a +will to carry them through.</p> + +<p>They had had a rough, uncared-for upbringing, which had made Esther +perhaps a little masterful and grown-up in her ways and ideas, +and Penelope, somewhat careless, had not checked Angela's nervousness or +Poppy's independence, but they were all honest and truthful, and full of +good instincts; and as they stood looking out of the windows of their new +home at the new strange world beyond, each in her own way was determining +to make the best of her new life, and be good.</p> + +<p>But they dared not linger at the windows.</p> + +<p>"Tea may be ready even now, and Cousin Charlotte is perhaps a very +particular and punctual person," said Esther, and taking Poppy by the hand +they started to go down. But at the top of the stairs they found Penelope +and Angela debating and looking about them nervously.</p> + +<p>"Ought we to go down, or ought we to wait till we are called?" asked +Angela, turning to Esther, with relief at leaving it to some one else to +decide. "Would it be rude to seem in a hurry, or to keep Miss Charlotte +waiting?"</p> + +<p>Esther could throw no light on the dreadful problem, there were so many +things to think of. If they went down they would not know where to go, +and if they stayed in their rooms Cousin Charlotte might wait and wait for +them, thinking they were not ready.</p> + +<p>"Anyhow, we can't stand here," whispered Penelope. "It will look as +though we are listening and prying. Let's go back to our rooms—and yet— +oh dear, Cousin Charlotte may be down there now, at this very moment, +getting angry with us and thinking how long we take getting ready, and we +don't really."</p> + +<p>Esther's temper suddenly gave way. "I do wish one knew what to do, +always," she said crossly. "But mother never taught us things like this— +yet we are expected to know—"</p> + +<p>"P'r'aps it doesn't really matter," whispered Angela, who could not bear +to hear her mother spoken harshly of.</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, it does," snapped Esther. "It makes all the difference."</p> + +<p>"P'r'aps they'll ring a bell when tea is ready," chimed in Poppy, with +sudden inspiration, "then we will know." And sure enough at that moment a +bell did ring down below, and settled the difficulty. In their relief +Penelope and Angela started off with a rush.</p> + +<p>"Oh, girls, don't hurry so," cried Esther nervously. "It looks so bad, as +though we had been waiting."</p> + +<p>So the impetuous ones slackened their pace, and four very demure little +maidens entered the dining-room a moment later in a manner as decorous and +restrained as the most polite could wish.</p> + +<p>And what a charming scene it was that met their eyes—one that all the +four appreciated to the full: a long, low room with a French window +standing wide open to the garden just a step or two below. On the evening +breeze wafted in the scent of mignonette and flowers, and the low sleepy +clucking of the hens, about to go to roost. Near the window stood the +table, with a silver kettle boiling merrily on its stand, and fruit and +flowers and pretty china in abundance, all looking as dainty and tempting +as heart could desire. There was an abundance too of more substantial +fare, eggs and fish, and jam and cream, a tart, and a big home-made loaf; +and the scent of the flowers and the tea all mingled together in a most +appetising whole.</p> + +<p>To the children it all seemed wonderful, exquisite; and for the first time +they realised how hungry they were. Penelope's eyes wandered through the +window to the flower-beds outside.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a lovely garden!" she cried, struck at once by the beauty of its +well-kept air, and the cared-for look of everything. Then she grew silent +as her thoughts flew back with tender pity to the old beloved untidy +Framley garden, and she felt a twinge of remorse that she had not tried to +do something with it—it might perhaps have been made to look like this. +Then, at a word from Miss Ashe, they turned away from the window to the +tea-table.</p> + +<p>While the children were taking their places she made the tea.</p> + +<p>"Now," she said, as she drew the cosy over the teapot, "which of you will +say grace?"</p> + +<p>The four looked from one to the other dismayed. Esther and Penelope's +cheeks flamed hotly, Angela looked puzzled. Poppy alone spoke.</p> + +<p>"What is 'grace'?" she asked innocently.</p> + +<p>Miss Ashe grasped the situation in a moment, and, though her heart sank a +little in dismay at their ignorance, she showed no sign. "It is a little +prayer we say before a meal, to ask God's blessing on what He has given +us, and we say one again at the end to thank Him for it."</p> + +<p>"We never say anything at home," said Poppy, with childlike candour. +"What do you say, Cousin Charlotte?"</p> + +<p>"Put your hands together, dear, and bow your head, and you shall hear. +It is very simple; you will be able to say it too in a day or so. +Now," bowing her head reverently, "For what we are about to receive, O +Lord make us truly thankful. Amen." Then Miss Ashe raised her head, and +the children followed suit.</p> + +<p>"I've read in some of my books of people who said grace," said Angela, +"but I didn't know that people really did it."</p> + +<p>Cousin Charlotte's face was very grave. "A great many do, and a great +many more do not, but every one should. Don't you yourselves feel that +you want to, dears? You say 'Thank you!' to any one who gives you even +the least little trifle. You have just said 'Thank you!' to me for the +cup of tea I handed you; then surely much more should you say it to the +good God who gives you everything. Don't you see, darling?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I see," said Penelope soberly. "I wish I had thought of it before. +How ungrateful we must seem to God! I wonder He goes on being good to +people if they never seem grateful."</p> + +<p>"God is so tender, and loving, and forgiving. He does not punish us +because we are ungrateful, and forget Him; but, though what is done in +ignorance is excusable, when we know and yet forget Him we are committing +a sinful and ungrateful act."</p> + +<p>Poppy sat drinking in eagerly all that was said. "I'll try to remember, +Cousin Charlotte," she said seriously. And Cousin Charlotte smiled, and +blinked her eyes rather hard for a moment and laid one hand on Poppy's +tiny hand resting on the table by her. Then the meal began in earnest. +And oh what a meal it was! The children were wildly hungry, and the new +fare was so tempting compared with what they had been accustomed to at +home. Then, when it was over, and that was not very quickly, and grace +had been said, they all strolled out through the open window and down the +steps to the sweet-scented garden, where they wandered about until it was +time to go in and unpack their boxes, and put Poppy to bed.</p> + +<p>It was great fun unpacking and laying away their things in the places +meant for them, though there was so little to lay away it looked quite +lost in the deep drawers and cupboards. Esther felt horribly ashamed as +she wondered what Miss Ashe and Anna would think when they came and saw +them. At the same time it was great fun running from room to room to look +for missing articles. One of Poppy's shoes was in one box, and the other +in the one Penelope was unpacking in her room. Then no nightgowns could +be found until, after a long search, they were discovered at the very +bottom of one of the boxes underneath the toys they had insisted on +bringing.</p> + +<p>"I don't think the boots ought to have been put in last," said Esther +gravely. "Your old boots were right on top of my best hat, and the crown +has been doubled right in. Look, Pen."</p> + +<p>Penelope looked at it with serious consideration.</p> + +<p>"What a pity! I believe," she added, after vainly trying again and again +to make the crown stay up, "I believe you will have to pretend this is how +it ought to be."</p> + +<p>The Carroll children had had so little in the way of hats and clothes, and +so seldom a pretty thing, they thought very little about dress, so the +catastrophe did not affect them as it would have vainer children; and, in +any case, their minds were too full now of other things to have much time +to spare for trouble.</p> + +<p>That night as soon as they were in bed they fell asleep, and slept like +tops; their long day had tired them out, and the moor air made them +sleepy, so sleepy that when morning came they slept on and on, in spite of +the sun shining outside, and the birds calling, and the voices of the men +and boys shouting 'Good mornin'!' 'Bootiful day,' to each other as they +went on their way to their work.</p> + +<p>When Esther did awaken at last it was to find Anna knocking at her door, +and calling, "Time to get up, young ladies; it is half-past seven, and +breakfast will be ready at half-past eight. Are you awake, missie?"</p> + +<p>"Come in," called Esther in a very sleepy tone, stretching herself +luxuriously in her comfortable bed. They had rarely known the luxury of +being called—never, certainly, of having hot water brought them.</p> + +<p>Anna opened the door, and her big person filled the aperture. When she +caught sight of Poppy's dark head so still and quiet on the pillow, she +came further in. "Well, I never!" she breathed softly, as she gently +placed down the can of hot water, "how sound she do sleep, the pretty +dear; it do seem a shame to wake her. P'r'aps she'd better 'bide on for a +bit, and rest herself."</p> + +<p>"Oh no," said Esther, rousing herself. "Poppy is all right, she is a +dreadful sleepy-head. Poppy!" she called, raising herself on one elbow, +"Poppy! Wake up! It will soon be breakfast time, and Cousin Charlotte +will be awfully angry if you are late."</p> + +<p>"Ah, now, it do seem crool to frighten her like that," said Anna, half +smiling, half troubled.</p> + +<p>Poppy stirred herself, opened her dark eyes, and then, recognising her new +surroundings, sat bolt upright in bed, looking about her with deep +interest, but no sign of alarm or fear.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't think where I was, just at first," she exclaimed in a sleepy +voice. "It's Tousin Charlotte's. Is it time to get up? Oh how lovely! +Now we've got all day to go and look at where we are."</p> + +<p>She was out of bed at once, dancing about on her little white toes, her +short curls all tumbled about her pretty flushed face.</p> + +<p>"Now I'm going on to call your sisters," said Anna. "The bath water is +all ready, missie; you've only got to turn the tap to get it just to your +liking. You know where the bathroom is, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Bags I bath first!" shouted Poppy, who, all the while Anna had been +speaking had been edging nearer and nearer the door; and with a triumphant +laugh she had flown along the corridor and shut herself in before any one +could stop her. + +Esther felt distinctly aggravated. She had considered herself obliged by +politeness to remain in bed and give Anna her undivided attention while +she was talking, and now Poppy, troubled by no such scruples, had taken +this mean advantage. She would really have to be kept in better order, +and taught to behave. Anna went away to call the others.</p> + +<p>"Well, she hasn't got any towels, or sponge, or anything," said Esther, +looking about the room. "Serve her right, she deserves—oh dear! I forgot +the water would be hot; she's sure to scald herself, Or do something mad +with the taps or the water. I <i>must</i> go and see to her."</p> + +<p>At home the bathroom had had no bolt or lock on the door, and she would +have gained admission at once by simply storming it. But here, as yet, +she felt constrained to do things in a more gentle manner. So she crept +softly along the corridor and tapped at the door lightly. "Poppy," she +pleaded in an anxious whisper, "Poppy, do open the door, and let me get +the bath ready for you. I am sure you will scald yourself, or swamp the +house. <i>Do</i> let me in, dear; just think how angry Cousin Charlotte would +be if any accident were to happen."</p> + +<p>But no answer came to her pleading. "Poppy," more seriously, "do you hear +me! Let me in at once, as I tell you." But the only response was a +mighty rush of water and a great splashing, and Esther retreated, +defeated, to nurse her wrath and await Miss Poppy's return.</p> + +<p>"I do hope the children won't behave like savages," she muttered angrily, +"and so disgrace us all." And a few moments later she had cause to echo +this wish, for with a good deal of rattle and noise the bathroom door was +flung open, and Poppy, having discovered nothing to dry herself with, flew +dripping back to her bedroom, leaving a trail of wet footmarks all along +the speckless carpets.</p> + +<p>It really was enough to make Esther very cross, and it did, and Miss Poppy +was rubbed dry with more vigour than she at all appreciated, a vigour +which was not lessened by a rush from the other bedroom and the capture of +the bathroom by Penelope. Esther felt very injured. As eldest she +considered she had the first right. On her way back again, Penelope, +unconscious of the state of feeling in the blue bedroom, unceremoniously +opened their door and popped her head in. "How are you?" she asked, her +face all beaming with smiles.</p> + +<p>"I don't know how I am, but I know how I shall be," said Esther tartly. +"I shall be late, and it won't be my fault."</p> + +<p>To Penelope this seemed a matter too trifling to think of. +"Isn't everything jolly?" she breathed loudly, remembering suddenly that +Miss Charlotte was in the next room. "I couldn't think where I was when I +woke up, it was so funny—"</p> + +<p>"Go and dress," said Esther, "or you—oh, it really is too bad!" she +exclaimed abruptly as a soft swish along the corridor and the click of a +latch told her that she had been again forestalled, and Angela was now in +possession of the bathroom. "I ought to go first, because I am the +eldest, and Poppy last because she is the youngest."</p> + +<p>Poppy chuckled, "<i>I</i> was first and <i>you'll</i> be last, to-day," she said +aggravatingly.</p> + +<p>"I didn't know it mattered, as long as we all got washed," said Penelope, +and finding the atmosphere uncongenial, began edging away.</p> + +<p>"It matters very much," said Esther with dignity. "I have to dress Poppy, +and tidy the room. If I am dressed first I can—" but Penelope had melted +away, and Poppy was kneeling by her bed, saying her prayers. Esther could +have cried with annoyance.</p> + +<p>She was ready in time after all, but barely. She was just fastening her +frock when the bell rang, and her waistband she put on as she went down +the stairs. A frown still rested on her face and she felt very cross. +She had not said her prayers, and she had not been able to put her room +tidy as she meant to, and she felt that her first morning, that she had +thought would have been so lovely, was quite spoilt.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER V.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + +<p>Poppy's boldness vanished when it came to going downstairs, and, though +she had been ready so long, she waited for Esther after all. So did the +others; they all felt rather shy at meeting Miss Charlotte again.</p> + +<p>In the breakfast-room they found their cousin sitting at the table with +some books before her. She looked up and smiled brightly when they +entered, and beckoning to them, drew each in turn to her for a morning +kiss. A quite unusual beginning to their day.</p> + +<p>"Now, darlings," she said, "will you find seats for yourselves for +prayers?"</p> + +<p>The request startled them. They had never before heard of such a +proceeding; but Esther, quickly recovering herself, tried to appear as +though she were used to everything, though, with Poppy looking at her with +such interested, astonished eyes, it was difficult.</p> + +<p>"I've said mine," whispered Poppy, in rather an injured tone. +Esther looked at her warningly. "Yes, I know, but Cousin Charlotte +hasn't, and—and this is different. Lots of people do this. +Sit there, and don't talk."</p> + +<p>Poppy obeyed. Anything that her sisters approved was right, in her +judgment. Penelope seated herself by the window, Angela on a little chair +by the empty hearth, a grave, devout look on her pretty face. +Then Anna came in, and Miss Ashe opened the Bible and read. +She read only a few verses, but they were such as would appeal to the +hearts of children. Then she closed the book and knelt down; at a sign +from Esther they all knelt too, and Miss Ashe asked God's blessing on this +new day and their new life, and thanked Him for His care and love, after +which she began to repeat the Lord's Prayer.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know that," exclaimed Poppy delightedly. She repeated the prayer +sentence by sentence; Anna did the same, and Esther and the others joined +in; and to Esther, at least, as the sacred words were spoken, the whole +world seemed to alter. The worry and irritability, the dread of she knew +not what, all slipped away from her; and life seemed brighter and happier, +and full of good things.</p> + +<p>"What a lovely way to begin a day," she thought. "I hope we always have +prayers. She got up and helped Poppy to her feet, and, after a moment or +two, they all drew up to the table. Poppy looked about her with frank +interested eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>what</i> a lovely breakfast!" she sighed, apparently overwhelmed by the +loveliness, and every one was obliged to laugh. It was what they were all +thinking, but the elder ones did not like to put their thoughts into +words. Yet it was a simple enough meal; but the clean white cloth and +shining silver, the flowers and fruit, and the dainty neatness of +everything made it seem perfectly beautiful to little people accustomed to +Lydia's untidy, careless ways, to soiled and ragged cloths, badly washed +silver and dirty knives, and food put down anyhow, and often not enough of +it. This was what Esther had always instinctively yearned for; to the +others it came as a surprise.</p> + +<p>"I've been thinking, children," said Cousin Charlotte—who had indeed been +lying awake half the night, realising for the first time all she had +undertaken, and trying to grasp all her duties. "I have been thinking you +had better perhaps have a few days' holiday to begin with, so as to get +accustomed to your new surroundings, and then by and by we must begin to +think about lessons. I am expecting to hear from your mother or father as +to their views on the subject of your education. I expect they are +anxious that you two elder ones should go to a good school at once. +And that is one of my greatest difficulties, and the greatest drawback to +your coming here, for there is no good school within reach, and I am +puzzled to know what to do. It is so important that you should have every +advantage now."</p> + +<p>Esther's heart sank, for Cousin Charlotte's sake as much as anything. +She knew as well as possible that Cousin Charlotte would have to settle +this matter for herself, and bear the responsibility entirely. +She knew, too, that the importance of it appealed as little to her mother +as it did greatly to her cousin. Mrs. Carroll was one of those +happy-go-lucky persons, so difficult to deal with, who think that +'sufficient for the day is the evil thereof,' and 'the future will take +care of itself,' so what is the use of worrying—something is sure to turn +up, and everything will turn out right, somehow.</p> + +<p>It never occurred to her that her four children's future depended almost +entirely on the education given them now; or to ponder what, poor and +ill-educated, their future would be.</p> + +<p>"Oh, something will be sure to happen," she would have answered. +"What is the use of planning, no one knows what the future may bring." +Miss Ashe's idea, on the other hand, was that with a good education any +child had, at any rate, one strong weapon with which to fight her way.</p> + +<p>At Dorsham the post did not come in until ten o'clock, so that there was +no correspondence to discuss over the breakfast-table. Not that the +children expected any letters; they had never received one in their lives.</p> + +<p>Breakfast over, Miss Ashe was a little at a loss to know what to do with +her charges; her life had suddenly become so changed and complicated, +that the little lady had difficulty in grappling with it all at once. +"I think you may like to go out and look about you," she said at last. +"You can come to no harm, I am sure, if you keep away from the river. +You may play in the garden, or wander on the moor a little way. But if +you go beyond the garden, take Guard with you; he will be a companion and +protector. Don't go very far, dears; I want you all to come back at +eleven for some milk and biscuits."</p> + +<p>The children were enchanted. This was a happy life indeed! As quickly as +ever they could they got on hats and boots and started. They had never a +doubt as to where they would go. The garden was very nice, but the moor! +—a heaven-sent playground, miles of freedom, and all to themselves. +The thought of having to return at eleven was the only thing that marred +their perfect joy; they felt they wanted to have the whole long day before +them to cover all the ground and make all the discoveries they wanted to. +Guard, a proud and delighted protector, rushed about as excitedly as any +of them. The new interest that had come into his life promised to be all +that he could desire.</p> + +<p>"I do want to get to the very top of that mountain," said Penelope, gazing +earnestly at what was really a very modest hill, and apparently at no +great distance from them.</p> + +<p>"Well, let's," said Esther encouragingly, "it can't be very far away," and +off they started. But the grey tor seemed to possess the power of gliding +backwards, and the more the children walked, the further it seemed to +recede; until at last, when, on scaling what they thought was the last +height, they saw still a long stretch of moorland before them, with more +deceptive dips and rises, they gave in and postponed their climb for +another day. Moor air has a way of increasing the appetite at an alarming +rate.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid it must be past eleven," said Esther as they gave up the +quest, and sat down to rest before turning homewards. "I wish I had put +on my watch; but I was afraid of losing it."</p> + +<p>Esther had a silver watch of her very own, one she had earned for herself. +She had won it as a prize in a competition offered by a magazine the +children took in. Her success had come as a surprise to them all, but +most of all to herself, and the proudest moment of her life had been that +when a carefully sealed-up jeweller's box had come directed to +'Miss E. J. Carroll,' and she had lifted out her prize under the admiring +eyes of Lydia and the children, and the astonished gaze of her mother.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Carroll was doubly astonished, firstly because she had not considered +Esther capable, secondly because she had not grasped the fact that Esther +was really seriously competing; but when she saw this proof of her +labours, she made her a present of a pretty silver chain, with two little +silver tassels at the end, and Esther's cup of joy overflowed.</p> + +<p>From that moment she would have bodices to her frocks that buttoned up in +front, that she might pass the little silver bar through the buttonhole; +and she set herself to make watch-pockets in all her skirts, which she +managed by cutting slits in them just below the waistband, and sewing to +the slits on the inside little pockets like small bag purses. Lydia +showed her how to do it; and if the work was somewhat rough, and not quite +finished, the pocket answered very well, and we cannot all reach +perfection at once.</p> + +<p>But at this moment the precious watch stood on the mantelpiece in the blue +bedroom, on the watch-stand which was another of Esther's treasures. +Lydia had given it to her on one of her birthdays; it was made of white +wood, and had a little view on it of Blackpool, where Lydia had been +spending her holidays. In her shabby, ugly bedroom at home Esther had not +used her precious stand, it was all too dusty and ill-cared for; but here, +where everything was so nice, it was to be given a prominent position.</p> + +<p>When the children got home at last, tired and very hungry, they found four +mugs of milk awaiting them, and a tin of biscuits; they found also that +the postman had been with letters. There were none for them; but they +never expected any, and postmen and posts held little interest for them as +a rule. To-day, though, it had brought them something.</p> + +<p>"I have heard from your mother, dears," said Cousin Charlotte, "and she +sends you her love, and hopes you have arrived safely."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we ought to let her know," cried Penelope, with sudden remorse that +they had none of them thought of doing so before.</p> + +<p>"It is all right," said Miss Charlotte consolingly. "I sent her a +telegram last evening, after you came. She knew before Poppy went to bed. +Ephraim took it to Gorley for me. Oh, you don't know Ephraim yet, do you? +He is our handyman. He attends to the garden, and the poultry, and does +all kinds of useful things. But, of course, you want to hear about your +mother, more than about Ephraim. Well, dears, I cannot tell you much, for +I have broken my glasses and cannot read very well. I was waiting for +Esther to come home and be my eyes for me for once. I did make out, +though, that she is very busy, and leaves Framley to-morrow. No, dear," +to Esther, "I won't ask you to read it now. We will wait till you have +had your lunch. I expect you are all hungry, and there is no great +hurry."</p> + +<p>Their milk and biscuits disposed of, Penelope and the two younger ones +sauntered away to the garden. Esther waited. Miss Charlotte took Mrs. +Carroll's letter from a little pile, and handed it to her. Esther, who +was burning with impatience to know if her mother wrote of those things +that were troubling her, began to read at once:</p> + +<p> "DEAREST COUSIN CHARLOTTE,</p> + +<p> "It is <i>more</i> than good of you to have my four poor children and give + them a <i>home</i>. They will be as <i>happy</i> as possible with you, I + <i>know</i>. I expect by this time they have reached you. To come to the + <i>business</i> part of our plan, which I know <i>you dislike</i> as much as <i>I</i> + do, I am <i>very</i> thankful you can keep them, clothe and educate them, + for the hundred and fifty pounds a year. Their clothes need cost but + <i>very little</i>; after all, it does not much matter what <i>children</i> wear + in a country place."</p> + +<p>"I have my friends here," Miss Charlotte was thinking, "and I cannot let +my little cousins run about dressed like little tramps."</p> + +<p> "While as for their <i>education</i>, we need only think of Esther and + Penelope <i>yet</i>, and theirs must be of the <i>simplest</i>; it matters so + much <i>less</i> for<i> girls</i> than for <i>boys</i>."</p> + +<p> "Oh dear, oh dear," thought Miss Charlotte, "what a mistaken notion!"</p> + +<p> "Ronald <i>hopes</i> to send more when the children are a little older. + Oh, this <i>dreadful</i> want of money! I have been nearly <i>distracted</i> to + know what to do. <i>Do</i> you mind, dear Cousin Charlotte, if I do not + send you the cheque for this quarter till later on, but keep it for + my own needs, which are <i>so</i> urgent? I <i>have</i> to get <i>so</i> much for + my outfit, and so <i>many</i> things besides, I find I have not nearly + enough money for it all. I <i>hope</i> you do not mind. I am up to <i>my + eyes</i> in work, turning out the house and packing; and to-morrow I go + to stay with friends in the North. I think the change will <i>brace</i> + me up for the journey; <i>I sadly need</i> it.</p> + +<p> "My love to the chicks and to yourself.</p> + +<p> "Your affectionate cousin," + "MAUDE CARROLL."</p> + +<p>For a moment Esther could not lift her eyes from the sheet, they were too +full of bitter tears of mortification. "Oh, why does mother always act +like this," she was crying to herself, "and make people think unkind +things of her? It is cruel of her, too, to leave us like this with a +stranger, and not a penny to pay for it all."</p> + +<p>Esther's heart burnt hot with shame as well as anger, for she knew +instinctively that Miss Charlotte Ashe would never see one penny of that +money. She knew, oh, she knew only too well! She had had six years' +experience of debt and trouble and shame, of money being diverted from its +destined use and frittered away and wasted, of tradesmen and servants +continually asking for their money, their threatenings, and all the shifts +and contrivances that had to be resorted to to get a little to satisfy +them for the moment.</p> + +<p>The cheque her father had intended for their needs would, she knew, be +frittered away on useless, foolish things; and never, never would her +mother be able to get together so large a sum again, for she would never +tell her husband of the debt; she would not have the courage; it would +mean 'a scene,' and she hated to be scolded. If Miss Charlotte worried +and made continual demands, a sovereign or a few shillings might be sent +to her now and again; but if she were too proud or too kind to ask, she +would never have a penny of it. Esther knew, oh, how well she knew and +understood it all; and how it hurt and humiliated and maddened her, +as she realised their position! Helpless, penniless, homeless, four of +them, and dependent on this gentle little lady, who was neither rich nor +young, and could have no great love for them. They had no claim on her +whatever. Esther could scarcely summon courage sufficient to look up; her +shame and trouble burnt in her eyes and wrung her young heart. +It was a bitter, bitter moment, how bitter Miss Charlotte had no +conception, for she did not know all. But never, throughout the whole of +her life, did Esther lose the memory of that scene, and the shame and +misery which swamped her.</p> + +<p>But, though she did not realise Esther's trouble, Miss Charlotte was +greatly troubled too, for she had but a limited income, and to make it +provide for six where it had only been expected to suffice for two was a +matter that required some consideration, and when the extra four were but +scantily supplied with clothes, and had to be provided with education too, +the matter became very serious indeed.</p> + +<p>But Miss Charlotte was not one to worry unduly. In the first place she +had been accustomed all her life to facing difficulties, and in the +second, she had too much faith to worry about things.</p> + +<p>"The dear Lord has His own plans for us," she would say, "and He will +guide us through if we only have faith and hope." She said it to herself +now, as she tried to put troublesome thoughts into the background.</p> + +<p>But poor Esther had as yet none of Miss Charlotte's faith. Troubles to +the young appear so much more appalling than they do in later life, +for they have no experience to look back upon and learn from.</p> + +<p>Cousin Charlotte began to perceive, though, that Esther was very troubled +too, seriously troubled. With quick intuition she divined something of +what she was feeling, and her whole heart flew out in sympathy to the +child.</p> + +<p>"It will be all right, dear," she said, smiling cheerfully. "We shall do. +Don't let the matter trouble you. We grown-ups will see to it all. +Don't upset yourself, Esther dearest."</p> + +<p>The kindness of her words and tone broke down Esther's last powers of +restraint. "But—I can't help it—you didn't want us, you couldn't have, +and—and here we are—so many, filling up your house, and—and costing so +much, and—and—oh, Cousin Charlotte, I am so sorry. We must go away, +go back, we can't stay here—" Esther's voice and manner grew almost +hysterical.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but, dear, you must stay, <i>please</i>," pleaded Cousin Charlotte gently. +"You would not go away and leave me lonely again, would you, and upset all +my plans and my pleasure, would you? Don't you know that it is a very +great pleasure to me to have you? It is," seeing Esther's look of +incredulity, "I assure you. I love girls of all ages, and I have missed +them terribly here. Never let such a thought trouble you again. +After all, dear, I could not expect to have the money in advance. +I might, you know," smiling, "take it and spend it on myself, and pack you +all up and set you adrift if I had it beforehand. Every one has to earn +their money before they get it. It is about your education and Penelope's +that I am troubled most. Your mother does not mention it. I wanted to +send you to a good school, but if I did it would cost the whole of the +money your father is able to spare for you all, and I think I am hardly +justified in running him into so much expense. I would gladly put out the +money—"</p> + +<p>"Oh no, please, you mustn't," cried Esther eagerly. "Please don't, +Cousin Charlotte, you mustn't think of it." Again Cousin Charlotte was +perplexed by her very real distress. "I will teach myself and the others +if I can only have some books, but it mustn't cost you anything."</p> + +<p>Miss Ashe would not allow a glimmer of a smile to show in her face or +eyes. "Well, dear," she said gravely, "we will think about it and have +another talk. We cannot settle such a big question in a moment, can we? +At any rate, if you cannot manage the teaching you can help me in other +ways."</p> + +<p>"How?" asked Esther eagerly, her whole face brightening. "Oh, I do so +want to help."</p> + +<p>But at that moment Anna came in to say Miss Ashe was wanted, and the +conversation had to end.</p> + +<p>"Run out and amuse yourself now, dear, and keep an eye on the others," +said Miss Charlotte, laying a gentle hand on Esther's shoulder with a +little caressing touch. "I am afraid I am leaving the care of them very +much to you, but we shall settle down in time. I hoped to have got +another maid; but well, Anna has lived so long alone now it is a little +difficult to find any one she would live with happily. I want a girl, +too, who would not require high wages. Now run along, dear. I hear Poppy +calling to you," and with the same Miss Charlotte bustled away, and Esther +was left alone.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER VI.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + +<p>"Girls," said Esther solemnly, as she hurried down the garden to where +they were sitting, "I've got a lot to talk about. Let's go somewhere +where we can be quiet."</p> + +<p>There was a door in one wall of the garden, which led out directly on to +the moor. Penelope had already discovered this, and at once led her +sisters through it. At no great distance up the slope was a large group +of rocks, which afforded them seats and shelter; it had other advantages, +too, for from it they could look along the winding road, or down on the +river and the cottages. Here the four of them ensconced themselves, with +Guard beside them, and the three looked eagerly at their eldest sister.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Penelope.</p> + +<p>"It isn't bad news from mother, is it?" gasped Angela, with a frightened +face.</p> + +<p>Esther sat looking very grave and absorbed, yet eager. "There is so much +to say I hardly know where to begin," she said at last, and the excitement +of the others increased.</p> + +<p>"Begin anywhere," urged Poppy, who was not noted for her patience, and the +others echoed her suggestion.</p> + +<p>Methodical Esther, though, began at the beginning, and at great length +told her story. The others listened with interest, but only Angela +sympathised with Esther entirely. Penelope and Poppy were impressed, +but they did not feel her peculiar horror of the situation as Angela did, +nor her sensitive pride and shame. They grew more alert, though, when +she, having finished her story of the letter, said gravely, "Girls, we've +all got to do something, and I'll tell you what we've got to do."</p> + +<p>"What?" they demanded in one breath.</p> + +<p>"Well, we've got to save Cousin Charlotte all we can, and not cost a penny +more than we can help."</p> + +<p>"Must I only eat a very little teeny tiny bit?" asked Poppy gravely.</p> + +<p>Esther laughed.</p> + +<p>"Oh no, dear, you must eat as much as you want, or Cousin Charlotte will +be angry. But we must manage so that she won't have to have another +servant, and if we all help Anna and do a lot of the work, I don't think +she need. We managed with only Lydia at home. But what I want most of +all is to try and earn some money so as to be able to give it to Cousin +Charlotte for what we cost her. But I can't think of <i>any</i> way, can you? +Do let's try and think of something," she ended anxiously. "I am sure I +would if I only knew how. I wish we weren't all so small."</p> + +<p>"I saw a littler girl than me selling bootlaces once," said Poppy eagerly. +"I could do that."</p> + +<p>They all laughed, and the laugh inspirited them; the four faces grew +bright and eager, the four brains went to work busily, and the maddest, +wildest schemes chased each other through those little heads.</p> + +<p>At dinner Miss Ashe was struck by the air of gravity which hung over them. +She feared they must be tired or homesick, or suffering from the change of +air, and grew quite troubled. They disclaimed all three when questioned, +and spoke quite cheerfully when spoken to, and apparently were quite well; +it seemed to be more an abstraction that enveloped them than depression.</p> + +<p>Poppy at last gave a clue to their feelings. "We are finding," she said, +looking at Miss Charlotte, as though she felt some explanation were +necessary; but catching Esther's warning glance she said no more.</p> + +<p>"We must not let Cousin Charlotte know," Esther had said. "She is so kind +she would not like us to worry, so we won't say anything about it to her +if we can help."</p> + +<p>"We'll s'prise her," Poppy had cried gleefully; so, catching Esther's eye, +she remembered, and grew silent again, leaving Cousin Charlotte more +puzzled than ever.</p> + +<p>"I wonder," said Miss Charlotte, as they rose from the table, "I wonder if +you children would mind going to Mrs. Bennett's for me for some rice. +Anna tells me she has run out of it. You haven't seen our shops yet, have +you?"</p> + +<p>"Shops! Oh no, we didn't know there were any." And off they ran +delightedly and put on their hats at once. Esther took her purse with her +too. She wanted to change the sovereign; she was so dreadfully afraid of +losing it, and several silver and copper coins seemed safer than one small +gold one.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bennett's shop was not difficult to find. Just beyond Miss Ashe's +house, round a bend in the road, they found themselves in what was called +'the street.' There were at least a dozen cottages close together; +a little further on were two or three more, and up the hill were scattered +others, at greater distances apart. The children were perfectly +delighted. Here was life and interest in plenty, and Moor Cottage was not +so lonely as they had imagined.</p> + +<p>The shops were in two of the first group of cottages they came to, and +here was more delight—a perfect feast. Such fascinating windows they +had, so full of all sorts of interesting things, and all at such +reasonable prices too, or so it seemed to the children.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bennett's held groceries and drapery, and boots and writing-paper, +kettles and saucepans, little china images and 'surprise' packets. +Mrs. Vercoe's held ironmongery and drapery, and dolls and groceries, +sweets and toys of various sorts, bread, cakes and books. Mrs. Bennett +sold china too, and glass, some homely medicines, and hoops and thimbles +and skipping-ropes. Mrs. Vercoe included cheese and bacon, rope and +twine, and baskets.</p> + +<p>Of the two they were most drawn to Mrs. Vercoe's. Her stock appealed to +them more. But as they had been told to go to Mrs. Bennett, thither they +went; and Mrs. Bennett, who kept the post office too, sold Esther some +stamps and changed her sovereign for her, and while they gazed fascinated +about her shop, she gazed at them with frank curiosity. But nothing she +could say could draw them into conversation. For some reason, they could +not have said what, they did not like her. It may have been that she +'talked fine,' as her neighbours said, and minced her words in a somewhat +affected way, or that she seemed very inquisitive, or that her rather cold +manner unconsciously offended them. The children could not have explained +why it was, but fascinating though the shop was, they hurried away from it +and crossed the road to Mrs. Vercoe's.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Vercoe's window was certainly more enticing to them than Mrs. +Bennett's. A prolonged and critical gaze showed them not only all the +things already mentioned, but dear little rough red pitchers which would +hold just half a pint, and a larger size which would hold a pint; packets +of flower-seeds with gay pictures on the outside, and only a penny each; +the pitchers were only a penny and twopence; there were the dearest little +watering-cans too, and fancy handkerchiefs with a nursery rhyme round the +border, and funny little books, with roughly done pictures in the +brightest of colours, and money-boxes, some like little houses, others +representing miniature letter-boxes.</p> + +<p>Angela longed and longed for a pitcher. Poppy wanted a penny +watering-can, painted bright red inside, and green out. Penelope wanted a +book and some sweets, and Esther a money-box, that she might begin to save +at once.</p> + +<p>"<i>Do</i> let's go inside," whispered Penelope. "There may be lots of other +things inside."</p> + +<p>"But wouldn't it look rude to come out of one shop and go right into +another?" asked Esther, who was really as interested as Penelope.</p> + +<p>"Can't we walk on a little way, and then on our way back go in as though +we had just seen something we wanted?" suggested Angela, who was an adept +at trying to spare people's feelings. "P'r'aps Mrs. Bennett won't be in +her shop by that time."</p> + +<p>They all agreed to this, and sauntered on with a simulated air of +unconcern. They walked on past all the cottages, keeping to the wide +granite road which led with many windings up and up a hill beyond the +village. How far they went they had no idea, but by and by they heard a +clock strike in the distance.</p> + +<p>"I do believe we have come to a town, or something," said Penelope +excitedly. "There isn't a church or a big clock in Dorsham, only a +chapel. Let's go on and see."</p> + +<p>But Esther checked her enthusiasm. "We had better not stay away too long, +or Cousin Charlotte may be frightened, and we want to stop at Mrs. +Vercoe's before we go home. Let's go there now, shall we?"</p> + +<p>The suggestion was seconded with alacrity. But if they thought that their +little manoeuvrings were going to blind Mrs. Bennett, or spare her +feelings, they made a mistake. They had yet to learn that no single thing +happened in Dorsham 'street,' no single person went up it or down, without +the fact being known sooner or later—generally on the instant—to every +dweller therein; and for four strangers, newly come to live in the place, +to expect to escape notice was absurd.</p> + +<p>The only result of their plan was to attract more attention to themselves; +but of this they were happily unconscious, and once inside the little, +low, dim, crowded place, their joy seemed unbounded. If Mrs. Bennett had +repelled them, plump, jolly-looking Mrs. Vercoe, with her round rosy face +and kindly, smiling eyes, attracted them at once.</p> + +<p>"Well, my dears," she said warmly, "and what can I do for you to-day?"</p> + +<p>There was a delicious smell of hot cake pervading the place, and Mrs. +Vercoe herself had come out streaked with flour, and carrying a big black +'sheath' full of new currant cakes and buns.</p> + +<p>"I—I hardly know," said Esther. "There are such lots of nice things +here," she added politely. "Do you mind if we look about for a few +minutes first?"</p> + +<p>"Look about to your heart's content, my dear," she said genially. +"Well, little missie," to Poppy, "'tis nice to see so many young ladies +about Dorsham; 'tis what we ain't over-blessed with. I'm afraid you'll +find it dull without any little companions; 'tis very quiet here, not that +I'm complaining," she added hastily, afraid of seeming disloyal to her +native place. "And what do 'ee think of our village?" she asked, seeing +Penelope's eyes fixed interestedly on her. "Fine and lonely I reckon it +looks to strangers, but 'tis airy," with a little laugh, "and bootiful air +too. Makes 'ee hungry, I expect, missie, don't it? Could 'ee eat a new +bun now?"</p> + +<p>Penelope was about to decline, thinking it would be correct to do so, +but her finer natural instinct told her that it might be politer to +accept, and in response to Mrs. Vercoe's bidding she helped herself. +The old dame delightedly invited them all to do the same. Angela and +Poppy accepted; Esther held back with shy reluctance.</p> + +<p>"Oh no, thank you," she said. "We are so many."</p> + +<p>"Well, they'm only farden buns," said Mrs. Vercoe, with a little chuckle; +"but p'r'aps you'd rather have one of these," and she held out to Esther +an apple. Esther felt more embarrassed than ever. Mrs. Vercoe seemed to +think she had declined the bun because she wanted something better.</p> + +<p>"Oh no, thank you," she said, with a great effort. "I like the buns very +much, but I am not hungry. We had dinner just before we came out."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Vercoe laid the apple down without saying any more; but Esther +thought she looked rather hurt, and felt that it would have been more +tactful to have taken it. To break the awkward pause which followed, she +plunged into business.</p> + +<p>"Please how much each are those little pitchers?" she asked hastily.</p> + +<p>"Tuppence, missie," said Mrs. Vercoe, as pleasantly as ever, to Esther's +great relief. "And the littler ones are a penny."</p> + +<p>"May I have one of the tiny ones?" whispered Angela eagerly.</p> + +<p>"It was for you I wanted it," said Esther, who would have liked one for +herself, too. "Aren't they dears!"</p> + +<p>"I must look 'ee out a perfect one," said Mrs. Vercoe, tapping up one +after another and rapping them with her knuckles. "They'm terrible things +for getting chipped. There, I think those are all right."</p> + +<p>Angela, in a high state of delight, chose the one she thought the +prettiest. Poppy, meanwhile, was tugging at Esther's skirt. She had been +very quiet for some time, absorbed in a boxful of the packets of +flower-seeds, with gay pictures outside.</p> + +<p>"Esther, may I have a packet of seeds? and one of those dear dinkey little +watering-cans? May I, Essie? Do say 'yes,' please do."</p> + +<p>Poppy was not only fascinated, but she was possessed by a sudden, +brilliant idea which the packets of seeds had suggested. She could not +rest until Esther had consented, and she could not keep from dancing with +excitement as she bent over the box, trying to make a selection.</p> + +<p>"Bless her pretty face," cried Mrs. Vercoe, much amused. The old lady was +as delighted with her customers as though they were spending pounds +instead of pennies. Penelope, meanwhile, was perched on a corner of a +sugar-box, absorbed in one of the funny little books which were lying in a +pile on the counter, and was quite oblivious of all that was going on +around her.</p> + +<p>Esther paid for Poppy's purchases. "And will you take for the book, too, +please," she said, as she held out a shilling. "The book my sister is +reading." She blushed as she spoke, for she was shocked at Penelope's +behaviour.</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Vercoe would not hear of it. "Why no, my dear; 'tisn't likely +she'd be wanting to buy it now she mostly knows what's in it. +You'd rather have another, wouldn't you, missie? and it don't make no +manner of diff'rence to me."</p> + +<p>Penelope looked up with a start, and blushed too, but an end to the +discussion was put by Poppy, who came up very excitedly with a packet of +parsley seed in her hand. It was not one of those with a picture on the +outside, but a larger, plainer packet.</p> + +<p>"Please, how much is this?" she asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Ah, you wouldn't like that, dearie, that isn't pretty. It's parsley. +Very good parsley it is, but it don't have no pretty flowers."</p> + +<p>"I know," said Poppy, nodding her head vigorously. "How much does it +cost?"</p> + +<p>"A penny."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll take it, please, instead of the other," and she held out her +hand for the packet as though she was afraid of having it wrested from +her.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Vercoe held it while her eyes searched Esther's face. It seemed to +her such an extraordinary choice for a tiny child to make. She was +reluctant to let her have it. "Hadn't she better have the one she chose +first?" she asked anxiously. But Esther was accustomed to her sister's +vagaries.</p> + +<p>"No, thank you. I expect she would rather have this. Perhaps she thinks +she gets more."</p> + +<p>Poppy smiled, and pursed her lips, and hugged her secret to herself +delightedly.</p> + +<p>Then, having paid for Penelope's book, and bought some sweets for them +all, Esther led her little troop out of the shop and home.</p> + +<p>Miss Ashe was out when the children returned, so they strolled into the +garden to amuse themselves as best they could. But the garden was too +neat and well-tended to allow of much in the way of games, so very soon +they wandered further, and escaped on to the moor, Penelope with her new +book, Esther with another book and the sweets, Angela carrying her beloved +pitcher. Guard followed them devotedly.</p> + +<p>Poppy, though, decided to remain behind. She did not say so; nor did +they, so busy were they with their plans, at first notice her absence.</p> + +<p>Miss Ashe's garden was a large one. In Dorsham land was of little value, +and one could have almost as much as one chose, if one took the trouble to +enclose it. The Moor Cottage garden was large enough to allow of its +being divided up into several small ones, the dividing being done chiefly +to provide shelter from the storms which so often swept over the moor, +though the strong stout walls provided excellent space for fruit-trees.</p> + +<p>Poppy, when she saw she was alone, walked quickly from one part of the +garden to another, looking about her eagerly, her watering-can in her +hand, her packet of seeds in her pocket. No one else was about. Anna was +in the kitchen, she heard her voice there, singing hymns; Ephraim, whom +she was most afraid of meeting, was away, apparently. Probably he had +gone to Gorley with Miss Charlotte's broken glasses. Having made quite +sure that she had the place to herself, Poppy carefully deposited her can +on the ground, and ran to a corner where she had seen some tools stacked. +There were a spade, a large fork, a rake, and a little fork. Poppy seized +the spade, but after she had struggled with it a few yards and tumbled +down twice, she exchanged it for the little fork.</p> + +<p>Close by where she had dropped her can was a neat square bed of nice +earth, all beautifully sifted and raked over. This pleased her critical +eye immensely. With the fork she made several little holes not far from +the edge, then she got out her packet of seeds and opened it.</p> + +<p>"What <i>lots</i>!" she cried delightedly, and proceeded to place carefully one +seed in each hole. But the seeds she planted seemed not to lessen the +number in the packet in the least. "I must make another row," she +murmured, and carefully covering in the first holes, she stepped on the +bed and made some more.</p> + +<p>When she had made a third row and filled them in she sighed a little. +Before she had finished she had had to commandeer the whole of the bed, +and was weary and confused. There seemed to be nothing but footprints all +over it, and where the seed was, or how to make the earth look nice and +smooth again so that no one should guess her secret, she was puzzled to +know. She could have cried with weariness, but she bravely kept back her +tears with the thought of the splendid thing she had done, and the delight +and surprise there would be when her secret came to light. While she was +standing looking in some dismay at the trampled bed, she remembered the +rake standing in the corner.</p> + +<p>It was heavy, so heavy she could hardly carry it, and far too clumsy for +her to wield properly, but she worked bravely, and tried to forget her +aches; she had not a very critical eye either, and soon the bed, to her +eyes, looked quite neat and tidy. Then came the crowning moment. At the +water-tap, which stood over a butt sunk in the ground by one of the paths, +she filled her new water-can, and proceeded to give her seeds a good +watering.</p> + +<p>This was joy indeed, pure joy. The can poured splendidly, Poppy was +delighted. She had to run many times to the tap to get water enough for +the whole bed, and by the time it was done to her satisfaction her +pinafore was well soaked, and she herself was almost too weary to stand. +Her task was perfected, but when she looked down over herself, at her +mud-clogged shoes, her dripping clothes, her begrimed hands, and realised +what she would have to go through in the way of questioning and scolding, +her spirits sank altogether. Cousin Charlotte or Anna she dared not face. +Her only resource was to try to find Esther, or the others. They would +scold too, but she knew them and their scoldings; they were not very bad, +and were soon over. With the aid of the fork she managed to lift the +latch of the garden door, and stepped out on the great wide waste; but in +all the length and breadth of it, as far as her eyes could see, she caught +no glimpse of the others. They were nowhere in sight, and the moor looked +big, and lonely, and frightening.</p> + +<p>Poppy felt very forlorn, and miserable, and homesick, standing there in +that great waste; and under the weight of her troubles her lip began to +quiver, though she did her best to steady it. She dared not go indoors, +and she was too weary to go in search of the others, so she crept up the +slope to the nearest rocks large enough to hide her, determined to sit +there and wait until she saw the others coming home, when she would call +to them. She slipped off her pinafore, spread it on the ground to dry, +and with much care and trouble cleaned first her hands and then her boots +on the short coarse grass, after which, utterly weary, she lay down +herself and knew no more.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER VII.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + +<p>Esther, Penelope, and Angela reached home at just about what they thought +must be tea-time. They came in the way they had gone out, through the +garden door. In the garden path they saw Poppy's new watering-can lying. +They expected to see Poppy too, but she did not appear, and the garden +seemed quite empty. She must have gone indoors, they concluded, and +Esther began to feel very compunctious for having left her alone so long. +With this feeling on her she hurried in to find her little sister, +but the house seemed quiet and empty too. They ran up to their own rooms. +No one was there. They came down and looked in the sitting-rooms, +Esther with a sudden fear that Poppy might be at some mischief; but both +rooms were quite empty. They next ran out and tapped at the kitchen door.</p> + +<p>"Come in," said Anna cheerfully. She liked to have the children about +her.</p> + +<p>"Is Poppy here?" asked Esther.</p> + +<p>"Miss Poppy! No, miss. I haven't seen her since she went out with you."</p> + +<p>"She hasn't been with us. We have been on the moor ever since, and she +must have stayed in the garden, but I can't see her there now. We saw her +little can in the path, that was all, and I can't find her in the house +anywhere. I thought perhaps she was here with you."</p> + +<p>Anna looked anxious. "Have you been all over the house, miss?"</p> + +<p>"I have been in our rooms and the dining-room and drawing-room, and we +have all called her, but we can't find her."</p> + +<p>"I'd look again, miss, if I was you; look in the missus's room, and mine +too, if you like. I'd come with you, but I can't leave my bread for a few +minutes."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we will find her," said Esther cheerfully, and they ran off again.</p> + +<p>She was back in a short while, though, and not quite so cheerful. Just as +she reached the kitchen Ephraim came in at the other door.</p> + +<p>"Who hev been meddlin' with my new turnip-bed?" he demanded. He did not +see Esther.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with your turnip-bed?" asked Anna shortly. She was +just lifting her loaves out of the oven, and it was a critical moment; +besides, Anna was always 'short' with Ephraim; she had a theory that it was +good for him.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's in such a mess as you never saw in your life; anybody'd think +there'd been a month's rain emptied over it, and all the hens in Dorsham +scratching it over, and me only sowed the seeds this morning and left it +as tidy as ever you see a bed, only so long ago as dinner-time."</p> + +<p>Anna, looking up, caught sight of Esther. "Have 'ee found her, missie?" +she asked, taking no further notice of Ephraim.</p> + +<p>"No," said Esther anxiously, "she isn't in the house, I'm sure."</p> + +<p>Anna always grew cross when she was frightened. "Here," she cried, +turning sharply on Ephraim, "never mind your old turnip-bed. You just +take and look for Miss Poppy; she's the youngest of our young ladies, a +little bit of a thing, and she's lost, so you'd best go and look for her +this very minute. Look in the garden first of all. Time enough to worry +about an old garden bed when the children's all safe."</p> + +<p>Esther, in spite of her growing trouble, could not help laughing, their +speech sounded so odd and funny, and Ephraim's face was such a picture of +offended dignity.</p> + +<p>Penelope meanwhile, without saying a word to any one, had gone down to the +garden again, and out on to the moor. She had a feeling that Poppy might +be out there somewhere. Very likely she had gone in search of them and +missed them.</p> + +<p>Esther, not knowing this, followed Ephraim. "She couldn't come to any +harm, even if she opened the door and got out, could she?" she asked +eagerly.</p> + +<p>Ephraim shook his head with ponderous gravity. "I wouldn't go for to say +so much as that," he said soberly, "there's wild beastes about in plenty +on these here moors."</p> + +<p>"Wild beasts!" Esther almost screamed with horror at the thought. +She pictured her poor little Poppy flying shrieking before a cruel wolf, +frightened nearly to death, calling for help, for her sisters—and no one +near to save her. Beyond that she dared not let her imagination go. +She felt sick and almost fainting. "Do you mean wolves and bears, and— +and—"</p> + +<p>"Well, no," said Ephraim slowly, as he searched a bed of young carrots as +though he thought Poppy might by chance have got under the feathery +leaves. "I won't say there are any of them there kinds exactly, but wild +cattle, and 'osses, and sheep; there's plenty 'nough of they about, and +they'm 'most so bad."</p> + +<p>Esther's heart was relieved. ''Osses and cattle' seemed so very mild +after what she had pictured.</p> + +<p>"I think we'd better go and look on the moor," she said impatiently, as +Ephraim showed every sign of making a prolonged search amongst the +sea-kale pots, taking the cover off each one in turn. Almost reluctantly +he followed her. In the path there still stood Poppy's little +watering-can. Esther's eyes filled with tears as she caught sight of it. +Ephraim saw it too, and picked it up.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we'd better take this here along as a clue," he said, looking +very wise.</p> + +<p>Esther could not see what possible use it could be, or how it could help +them, but she consented in order to hurry him along; so off they went, +Ephraim carrying the tiny can. But hardly had they stepped through the +doorway than they saw that their search was ended. Poppy, led by +Penelope, was coming down the hill towards them.</p> + +<p>"There she is! oh, there she is!" cried Esther, and flew up to meet them, +Ephraim following.</p> + +<p>On getting outside, Penelope had, by good fortune, at first followed +almost exactly in Poppy's footsteps. By stopping to search every bush and +boulder she had got somewhat out of her way, but, as she was stooping to +look under a large clump of broom and gorse not so very far from where her +little sister lay asleep, something white fluttering about had caught her +eye. It was Poppy's pinafore, dried now by the breeze. A moment later +she caught sight of Poppy's shoes standing alone, without any wearer in +them. The sight of her little sister's clothes lying about the moor in +this fashion turned Penelope perfectly sick and cold with a horrible, +indescribable fear. With feet weighted with terror, and quivering limbs, +she hurried to the spot, and dropped on her knees half senseless by her +sister's body. A moment later all her terrors fled, replaced by a +wonderful ecstasy of thankfulness and joy. Poppy stirred, turned in her +sleep, and showed a dirty but rosy face to her frightened sister. In her +relief Penelope, with a shout of happiness, flung her arms about her and +hugged her.</p> + +<p>Suddenly awakened, Poppy sat up and looked about her in a dazed way; then +her eyes fell on her muddy pinafore and boots, and a hot blush spread over +her baby face.</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean to make my pinny dirty," she said anxiously, "but I +<i>touldn't</i> help it; there was such a <i>lot</i> of seed, and I <i>had</i> to water +it, and the silly water would run out over the can, though I was <i>ever</i> +and <i>ever</i> so careful."</p> + +<p>"But how did you come to be lying here, darling?" said Pen, drawing her +little sister closer into her arms. In her relief she was quite unable to +scold her for the fright she had given them. "We left you in the garden. +You shouldn't have come out here alone. We thought you were lost, and we +were awfully frightened!"</p> + +<p>Poppy sat up very erect. She suddenly felt herself very important and +interesting. "I wanted to find you and Essie. I was 'fraid to see Cousin +Charlotte with my dirty pinny on; and I came out here and you weren't +anywhere, and then I was <i>so</i> tired I lay down. Oh, it took me such a +long time, but Mrs. Vercoe said it was <i>beautiful</i> parsley. Do you think +it is beginning to grow yet, Pen?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Pen absently; "we must make haste back, now, to let +them know you are safe. You see, if you go getting lost, Cousin Charlotte +won't let us come out on the moor alone. Come along," raising her sister, +after putting on her shoes for her.</p> + +<p>For a moment Poppy looked troubled, but quickly cheered up. "I don't fink +Cousin Charlotte will be cross when she knows," she said confidently.</p> + +<p>"Knows what?" asked Penelope curiously.</p> + +<p>"My secret," said Poppy solemnly. "I'll tell you if you'll promise not to +tell any one else." But at that moment all confidences were stopped by +the appearance of Esther and Ephraim.</p> + +<p>Poppy accepted Esther's rapturous greeting calmly. She, of course, did +not realise yet the state of alarm they had all been in on her account; +her whole attention was absorbed by the sight of a strange man in +possession of her precious watering-can. It was too much for her to pass +unnoticed.</p> + +<p>"That's my tan, please, I fink," she said politely but firmly, and Ephraim +felt his wisdom in bringing this means of identification had been fully +justified.</p> + +<p>Happy and triumphant the whole party returned to the house, to be received +by Anna with open arms and a face beaming with joy. What did it matter if +Poppy's apron was covered with mud, and her frock and boots and hands the +same? Instead of being treated as a culprit, she was made a heroine of, +and appreciated the difference.</p> + +<p>When Anna had finished crooning over her, and the story of the discovery +had been repeated more than once, she was taken upstairs by Esther, and +washed and changed, so that by the time Miss Ashe returned, instead of the +bedraggled, dirty little maiden of an hour before, she saw only a +perfectly neat and spotless one, and had no suspicion of all that had +taken place during her absence.</p> + +<p>Ephraim came into the hall to speak to his mistress just as Poppy came +down the stairs.</p> + +<p>"Well, Ephraim, how far did you get with your morning's work? Did you get +the turnip-seed planted?"</p> + +<p>"Well, yes, ma'am, I did," said Ephraim slowly. "I made a nice bed for it +right there under the lew wall there in the far corner. But—well, +whatever has come to it since, it passes me to know; when I went away that +there bed was so smooth and tidy as my hand; when I comes back to it— +well, ma'am, you honestly might have knocked me flat with a feather, that +there newly made bed was—well, 'twas more like a mud-heap than anything +you ever saw in your life, ma'am, and trampled—well, out of all shape and +semblance. I neer see'd the likes of it in my life. So soon as it's +dried I'll have to go and do it all again, and have a second sowing, but +it'll be a day or so before it's fit to touch; 'tisn't no use to trust to +that first crop—it's my belief it's all ruined."</p> + +<p>Poppy drew up suddenly on her way to the dining-room. Her face had grown +very red, her hands were working nervously. "You—oh, you mustn't disturb +it, please," she gasped. "I—I've planted some thing, and it mustn't be +disturbed, it's <i>very good</i> seed, and I watered it to make it grow +quickly—it—it did look rather muddy, but—but it'll soon dry."</p> + +<p>Ephraim stared in dumb bewilderment. Miss Ashe looked from him to the +child and back again, scarcely taking in the situation. She looked again +at Ephraim, but getting no help from him, she turned to Poppy.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, darling? Have you been sowing seeds?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Poppy, but with marked hesitation. "You shall know soon, but +it's a secret now, and I mustn't tell, only I was afraid he,"—nodding at +Ephraim—"would dig them all up again."</p> + +<p>"But, Poppy dear, you shouldn't have done it without asking permission; +you see you might do considerable damage by taking a piece of ground like +that, not knowing whether there is anything in it or not. As it is, you +see, you have spoilt all my turnips. If we hadn't found it out in good +time, we should have been left without any for the whole season. +Don't you see, dear, how important it is?"</p> + +<p>The importance of it was so apparent, and what she had done appeared so +overwhelmingly naughty, it seemed to Poppy as though all joy and happiness +had gone out of her life for ever. It was dreadful, intolerable. +In trying to help Cousin Charlotte as Esther had wished, she had done harm +instead of good. Her beautiful secret was over, and instead of being a +help she had been a naughty, foolish little girl, whom these strange new +people would wish they had never seen, while every one else would laugh +when they heard the story. She felt herself covered with shame and +disgrace; she was humiliated and miserable; her little lip quivered +piteously, her eyes filled, and she was too tired and hurt to fight +against her woe.</p> + +<p>Miss Charlotte's kind eyes saw the humiliation in the pretty, tired little +face, and held out her hand. "Never mind, dear; as it happens there is no +harm done; Ephraim shall choose another spot for the turnips, and you +shall have that piece of ground for your own garden. It would never do to +destroy a second lot of seeds by digging the bed all over again. +Good evening, Ephraim, I'll see you to-morrow."</p> + +<p>So, thanks to Cousin Charlotte, Poppy was saved the disgrace of having +cried before Ephraim; her tears did not fall; she winked them away, and +her lip grew steadier. The thought restored her spirits, but her great +pleasure in her scheme was dashed.</p> + +<p>"And I sowed the parsley on purpose for Tousin Charlotte, only 'twas to be +a secret," she confided to Esther as she was being put to bed that night, +"to help her, like you said. She could have some to use, and I was going +to sell most of it and give the money to her."</p> + +<p>Esther did not smile; indeed her eyes were misty as she took her little +sister on her lap and kissed her on the top of her head. "It will be all +right, dear," she said, "and—and you are the first of us to begin to do +something useful; it was splendid of you to think of it. I wish I knew +what I could do," she added wistfully, her cheek resting on Poppy's curls.</p> + +<p>"I'll try and fink of something for you," said Poppy gravely. "P'r'aps by +the morning I'll have finked of something <i>very</i> nice—then won't you be +glad?"</p> + +<p>But she fell asleep before she had come to any satisfactory conclusion, +and Esther, downstairs, in spite of her busy brain and sober face, was +equally unsuccessful. She was still thinking when she got up to say +'good-night' and kiss Miss Charlotte. But Miss Charlotte did not bid her +good-night at once; instead, she asked her to wait a few moments.</p> + +<p>"I wanted to have a little talk, dear, now we are alone," she said, with +her pretty smile.</p> + +<p>Penelope and Angela had already gone to bed.</p> + +<p>Esther sat down again, wondering what was coming.</p> + +<p>"I have been thinking," said Miss Charlotte, laying down her pen and +coming to sit by Esther, "I have been thinking over our plans, dear, and I +have come to the conclusion that I might superintend your studies myself, +for a time at any rate."</p> + +<p>Esther looked up quickly, her pleasure showing in her eyes. "Oh, that +<i>would</i> be nice, Cousin Charlotte," she cried. "I do want to learn so +much, but—but you have such a lot to do already, and we are <i>very</i> +backward, and I am so—so stupid."</p> + +<p>"I don't think you are that, dear," said Miss Charlotte gently, and her +words, quiet though they were, brought deep pleasure to Esther.</p> + +<p>"I think we might manage it," she went on cheerfully. "Of course I have +many calls on my time, and I shall not be able to give you all the +attention I should like to; but we can but do our best, and this seems the +best plan I can think of. I cannot very well manage to have a governess +to you, and there is no school nearer than Gorley, and that is not only +four miles away, but a school I do not approve of. So, at any rate, we +will try this plan for the present."</p> + +<p>Esther got up and stood by Miss Charlotte, her colour coming and going, +her fingers playing nervously with her pinafore. "I—I think you are too +good to us, Cousin Charlotte," she said huskily, speechless almost with +nervousness, but determined to say something of what was in her heart. +"I—I don't know how to thank you, but I <i>do</i> want to, and—and—"</p> + +<p>Cousin Charlotte's arm was round her, drawing her to her. "We can never +be <i>too</i> good to one another, dear; and what are we here for but to help +each other over hard places, to try to make each other's lives easier? +I am only thankful to have this opportunity of doing good. I was growing +narrow and selfish all by myself. I think you were sent to rouse me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Cousin Charlotte, I want to help too," cried Esther wistfully. +"I do want to be useful, but I don't know how. Will you tell me? +Nothing ever seems to happen to me; I never get a chance of helping +people."</p> + +<p>"Opportunities, small or great, occur every day, dear," said Miss +Charlotte; "it is the little opportunity we must look out for, the small +things that we must do. Big ones come sometimes, but little ones every +day; if you look for them you will find them. We will help each other, +dear. Now we will say good-night. You are tired with your long day in +the open air. We will not begin lessons until Monday, there will be so +much else to do and arrange. Good-night, my love," and with a warm kiss +they parted.</p> + +<p>Esther went up to her room with a great glow of happiness at her heart. +For the first time in her life she had met some one who understood her; +at least, some one who could draw out the good side of her, and not the +bad. Esther did not understand what it was, but she felt a difference, +and she undressed and said her prayers with Cousin Charlotte's words still +ringing in her ears: "We can never be <i>too</i> good to one another, dear; and +what are we here for but to help each other over hard places?"</p> + +<p>She prayed very especially that she might be shown how to do her share in +helping others. Like Poppy, she lay down, determined to think and think, +hoping that perhaps by morning she would have thought of some way of +helping Cousin Charlotte; and, more successful than Poppy, before even she +fell asleep an idea had come. Quite suddenly there came back to her Miss +Ashe's remark, that 'it was not convenient then to have a governess.' +"It must be on account of the expense," thought Esther, with sudden +inspiration. "She talked of getting another servant; but I am sure, if +she can't afford a governess she can't afford a servant; and I do believe +we could do without one, if I helped quite a lot, as I did at home. +And I can. I did all right there. I will ask her to let me try. +Oh!"—enthusiastically, as the idea took a firmer hold on her—"I <i>hope</i> +she will. She <i>must</i>—and I am sure Anna would be glad."</p> + +<p>Too excited and pleased to sleep, Esther slipped from her bed, crept to +the window, and looked out. A bright moon lighted up the moor opposite +and the river below, until she could see the old brown boulders quite +plainly; birds called to each other across the distance, and far away a +cow lowed monotonously for its calf. Esther stood and gazed and listened +with uplifted heart, yearning for something, she knew not what, something +higher and better to be and do.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am so glad we came here!" she murmured, "so glad! I am sure it +will be easy to be good here, and I do so want to be good! I wish I +hadn't been so horrid to mother sometimes, and—and now I can't ever be +anything else, to her." And there came back to her mind her mother's +words, "I am sure your Aunt Julia would not have Esther if she knew how +bad her temper had become," and her eyes filled with tears at the +recollection.</p> + +<p>"I will try," she whispered. "I will try that no one else shall ever say +that of me—and I will write to mother, and tell her I am sorry." +And it was a very grave and serious Esther who fell asleep at last.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER VIII.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + +<p>When Esther awoke the next morning, she wondered for a moment why she felt +so happy and light-hearted. Then memory returned. She recollected the +talk of last night, Cousin Charlotte's kiss, and the plan for Monday. She +would begin to learn at last! But even greater was her joy at the other +thought—her own plan to help Miss Charlotte. She could hardly lie still +when she thought of all she meant to do. She would dust, and tidy and +sweep, and sew, and polish the furniture, and she even pictured herself +making bread and cleaning windows.</p> + +<p>She longed to be dressed, and beginning already. She sat up in bed and +looked across at Poppy. She wanted to tell her and the others all the +news, but Poppy was sleeping in the most aggravatingly persistent way.</p> + +<p>Too impatient to wait for her to wake, she slipped out of bed and crept +along the corridor, past Miss Charlotte's room, to Penelope's.</p> + +<p>Angela was asleep, but Penelope lay awake reading.</p> + +<p>"What is that you are reading?" asked Esther, eyeing the red-covered book +with a sort of feeling that it was familiar to her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's only <i>The Invasion of the Crimea</i>," said Penelope, withdrawing +her eyes almost reluctantly from the page.</p> + +<p>"I didn't know you were going on with it," said Esther, a touch of +resentment in her voice. She did not like to feel that Penelope was more +persevering than she herself, and had outstripped her. She was conscious +in her inmost heart that she had not been sorry when the readings were +broken off; the history did not interest her. At the same time it +mortified her a little that it did interest Penelope.</p> + +<p>"It's awfully exciting," said Penelope. "Of course I have to skip some, +I can't understand it, but here and there it's lovely."</p> + +<p>Esther's first fresh joyful feeling was a little dashed, but as it came +back to her mind what it was that she wanted to say, she recovered +herself. "In a few days I shall be learning properly," she thought, and +then Penelope would not outstrip her.</p> + +<p>"Listen to me," she said eagerly, as she perched herself on the foot of +Penelope's bed. Angela stirred, and catching sight of Esther, was wide +awake in a moment.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" she demanded. "Has anything happened?"</p> + +<p>"Listen," said Esther again, "both of you. I want to tell you about our +schooling. Cousin Charlotte stopped me last night as I was going to bed, +to have a talk; it was about our lessons. We are to begin on Monday."</p> + +<p>"Where are we going?" asked Penelope. "There isn't any school here, is +there?"</p> + +<p>"No, Cousin Charlotte is going to teach us herself. Isn't it good of +her?"</p> + +<p>"I am sure I shall never learn. She will be shocked at me," said Angela +nervously. "She doesn't know how backward I am. Fancy me, nine years +old, and not able to read yet. I shall be ashamed to look, and there she +will be all day long. I would rather go somewhere where I could get away +when lessons are over."</p> + +<p>"Don't be silly," said Esther. But Angela had only expressed something of +her own feeling.</p> + +<p>Penelope was sitting up in bed now, her eyes alight. "How jolly," she +said, half absently. Then in low, eager tones, "I wonder if she will let +us learn just what we want to? I don't want to learn grammar and sums. +I want to know about people, and wars, and battles, and revolutions, and I +want to learn French and music and to sing. When I grow up I should like +to be able to sing and play <i>very</i> well. I would rather do that than +anything. I wonder if Cousin Charlotte would let me learn?"</p> + +<p>Esther looked up in mild disapproval of Pen's enthusiasm. It worried her +when her sisters showed any unusual traits, or expressed desires that +differed from her own. Penelope very often worried her in that way. +Poppy too, at times. She felt a twinge of jealousy always that the idea +had not first come to her, and of resentment that they should have tastes +apart from her.</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose Cousin Charlotte would if she could," she said coldly. +"Of course you must learn grammar, and history, and geography, and all +those things first. Every one has to learn them."</p> + +<p>Penelope looked disappointed, but she was not one to worry. +"Perhaps before long I shall be able to do both," she said cheerfully. +"I wish Cousin Charlotte had an organ. I do want to be able to play the +organ."</p> + +<p>Esther grew impatient; these things seemed so trifling and useless +compared with what she had in her mind. "I think you ought to try and +think how you can help Cousin Charlotte instead of giving her more to do."</p> + +<p>"That's just it," persisted Penelope. "If I only knew how to play well, +I could be an organist, and teach people, too, and earn quite a lot of +money."</p> + +<p>"Not for years and years," said Esther, in a very crushing manner. +"And we ought to begin to help at once. I'll tell you what I am going to +do—I thought of it last night when I was in bed; it is not nonsense, +but something very sensible. I am going to ask Cousin Charlotte to let me +help Anna; I can do a lot if I have some big aprons like Anna's, and big +white sleeves to go over my frocks. I know Cousin Charlotte and Anna +don't want to have a strange servant in; she would cost a lot, and Anna +wouldn't like her in the kitchen—and I could save all that."</p> + +<p>"And I could help too," cried Angela excitedly. She was a born housewife, +and all her tastes lay in that direction. "I can dust, and clean silver, +and all sorts of things—"</p> + +<p>"I am going to do all that," said Esther loftily, resenting at once any +encroachment on her domain. "You can keep Poppy out of mischief, and play +with her. I can do the hard work, if you will only be good and keep out +of harm."</p> + +<p>Angela's face and spirits fell. She did so love to do real work, it was +so much more interesting than play; and keeping out of harm was not a bit +interesting—it was very dull and stupid, in fact. But Angela was used to +disappointments; besides which experience had already taught her that if +she waited patiently she could often find little things to do, little ways +of helping, that others forgot, or did not care about, so she said no +more, but waited. "When I am older, perhaps I'll be able to do the things +I like," she very often said to herself, by way of encouragement.</p> + +<p>Esther crept back to her room and to her bed, and lay there impatiently, +waiting to be called. The minutes seemed endless, and Anna so slow in +coming!</p> + +<p>And when at last she was dressed and downstairs she had scarcely patience +to endure prayers and breakfast, she was so longing to broach her great +idea to Cousin Charlotte. But Cousin Charlotte seemed to be wanted by +everybody. First Ephraim kept her ever so long talking over the day's +work; then Anna came in with a question to be answered; then Cousin +Charlotte began to talk to the others about the lessons which were to +begin on Monday, and Penelope was telling her all about her longing to +learn to play and sing, and Cousin Charlotte seemed so interested, she +talked on and on for quite a long time about it; and all the while Esther +was growing more and more vexed, until, when Cousin Charlotte at last +sprang up, exclaiming, "My dear children, do you know how long we have +been talking? I must hurry away this minute, or I shall be behindhand all +day!" the limit of poor Esther's patience was passed.</p> + +<p>Angela looked up eagerly. "Can't I do something to help you, +Cousin Charlotte?" she asked eagerly; "I should love to."</p> + +<p>Cousin Charlotte paused and looked down at the pretty, eager face +thoughtfully. "I wonder if you could pick some strawberries for us. +Would you like to?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" cried Angela delightedly. "I should like to do anything to +help." She did not mean to trespass on Esther's plan. This, she thought, +was quite different work from what Esther was going to do. But her +promptness added to Esther's vexation.</p> + +<p>"Well, there are a great many ripe ones, and I want some for ourselves and +some to give away; and Anna has no time this morning to pick them, and— +well, my back is not young enough to enjoy such work."</p> + +<p>"I will do it," said Angela, very pleased and proud.</p> + +<p>"May I help, Cousin Charlotte?" pleaded Poppy. "I'd love to."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Cousin Charlotte, smiling. "Can you whistle? +Strawberry-pickers must whistle all the time they are at work; you know +that, don't you?"</p> + +<p>Poppy looked up very gravely. "I can't whistle," she said regretfully, +"but I can sing. Will that do, Cousin Charlotte?"</p> + +<p>Miss Charlotte laughed and kissed her. "Yes, my pet, anything that will +prevent too many strawberries finding their way down Red Lane."</p> + +<p>The others laughed merrily. Poppy began to understand.</p> + +<p>"Put on your shady hats, and I will get you some baskets." And off they +ran in a high state of delight.</p> + +<p>Esther waited. Though she had been full of excitement and pleasure about +approaching Miss Charlotte, she had felt very nervous, too, and this long +delay only increased her nervousness.</p> + +<p>Anna came in to clear the table; Penelope strolled away, no one knew +where. Esther stood by the window looking out and drumming impatiently on +it with her fingers. Anna looked at her once or twice as though she would +like to say something. No one cares to see a window covered with +finger-marks. But she did not say anything; she was in a hurry, and +presently retired to her kitchen, and Esther was left alone.</p> + +<p>"I thought last night it would be quite easy to be good here," she said to +herself, "but it doesn't seem so now." She stood and gazed out at the +river disconsolately. It seemed to her that the others, who were not +nearly as anxious to help as she was, were taking all her opportunities, +and she was left, to seem idle and unkind—and really she meant so +differently.</p> + +<p>Poor Esther! Once more, while full of big aims, she was overlooking the +little chances.</p> + +<p>"Well," she said at last in a very proud tone, "if no one wants me I will +go for a walk by myself. I shan't be in any one's way then!" She knew +quite well she was in no one's way, but she was very aggrieved and full of +self-pity.</p> + +<p>She was just crossing the hall to put on her hat, when Miss Charlotte +entered it. Then was her chance, and she knew it; but the old sullen +temper had the upper hand, and forbade her to speak. By this time she had +let herself feel as hurt as though Miss Charlotte had known what was in +her mind and purposely ignored her.</p> + +<p>She passed on, put on her hat, and went out. She would not go to the +garden because she did not want to see the others happily at their work; +so, when Miss Charlotte turned in to the kitchen, she slipped out at the +front door and walked away quickly up the road towards the station. +She would not go past the cottages, she wanted to avoid every one; +for that reason she avoided that part of the moor behind the house, +where Penelope would probably be, if she were not in the house or garden. +A little way up the road, on the right-hand side, a bridge crossed the +river. Esther went over it and found herself on the moor beyond, but she +turned away from it lest she should be seen, and clambered down to the +river's edge, where boughs and bushes shut her off from view. It was +lonely there, and she wandered on and on, through sun and shadow, under +low-hanging branches, by tiny beaches of clean river-sand, and all the way +she went the river ran beside her singing a low, cheery song as it rippled +over its uneven bed.</p> + +<p>It could not be long before such loveliness must have a soothing effect on +any troubled spirit. By degrees Esther's mood changed, her sense of wrong +grew less, and presently she began to wish she had acted differently. +If she only had, she might now have been busy and happy too. She began to +feel ashamed of herself. How foolish she had been. She would go back +again and see if she could not be more sensible, and she rose from her +seat and turned her face homewards.</p> + +<p>The house seemed deserted when at last she reached it. She went into the +hall, looked in the dining-room and drawing-room, saw no one, and strolled +out to the garden.</p> + +<p>"Where can they all be?" she wondered, "and what can they be doing?"</p> + +<p>From the kitchen came a great clatter of crockery. Anna was washing +dishes, and by the noise one could gather that Anna's temper was not of +the smoothest.</p> + +<p>As Esther stepped out she saw Miss Charlotte coming towards her from the +group of outbuildings, carrying a basket of eggs. She was looking grave +and worried, and for a moment Esther felt she could not speak to her then; +she must wait until she found her again in such a mood as last night's. +But a second glance told her that Miss Charlotte looked tired, and without +giving herself time to think, Esther stepped up to her.</p> + +<p>"Cousin Charlotte," she said, "I have nothing to do; let me help you—may +I?"</p> + +<p>Cousin Charlotte's face brightened. "Oh, could you, dear? I am so busy I +don't know what to do first. I wonder if you could wash those eggs for +me, and write the date on them?"</p> + +<p>Esther assented joyfully, and Miss Ashe led her to the pantry and showed +her where to find a cloth and a pencil and a place to store the eggs.</p> + +<p>"While you are doing that, I can make out my list to send to Gorley; that +will be capital!"</p> + +<p>"Cousin Charlotte," said Esther, in a voice that trembled a little with +nervousness, "I—I wanted to speak to you. I—I—you said you were trying +to get another servant." Miss Charlotte sighed. "I know you don't want +to, and—and don't you think we could manage without one, if I—if I +helped Anna?" Her voice was trembling, uncertain, but there was no +mistaking the earnestness of her purpose. "I used to help a lot at home, +and I should like to here. I can sweep, and dust, and make beds, and +clean silver, and cook some things, and—oh, I can do lots of little +useful things. I could keep our bedrooms dusted, and the drawing-room— +and it would all help, wouldn't it?"</p> + +<p>Miss Ashe, who had paused in what she was doing, listened attentively. +"My dear," she said, as gravely as Esther herself, "it is very good and +thoughtful of you to think of such a thing, and you can certainly be most +useful in many ways, but I hardly know what to think about trying to do +without an extra servant. I cannot let you work too hard; you will have +your studies, you know, and we are rather a large family now. I cannot +let you become a little slave with no time for enjoyment; at the same +time, I must admit I really do not know how Anna and another maid would +get on. Anna does not like the idea, and to prove that one is not +necessary, she slaves and slaves to do everything herself, gets over-tired +and worried, and—and—well, she is very difficult; her only fault is her +temper, but that <i>is</i> rather trying. I know she means well, and I keep on +telling myself so. She gets so hurt and offended if I try to help her; +she seems quite to resent it; and it requires a great deal of tact, +more than I possess, I am afraid," concluded Miss Ashe with another deep +sigh.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps she wouldn't mind so much if I helped her," said Esther shrewdly; +"you see, it is we who have made so much extra work. Do let me try, +Cousin Charlotte, if it is only for a time."</p> + +<p>Esther's face was very eager, her voice very pleading; Cousin Charlotte +could not resist the appeal, and gave in with another sigh, but of relief +this time. Esther, in her joy and excitement, marked every egg twice with +the wrong date, but what did it matter when she had gained her point?</p> + +<p>For a few minutes Miss Ashe went on making her list, but in an +absent-minded fashion. "I wonder," she said at last, rather nervously, +"how it would be best to broach the subject to Anna?"</p> + +<p>Esther looked up somewhat puzzled; she would have gone straight out to +Anna and told her she was going to undertake this, that, and the other +thing, and give all the help she could, but Miss Ashe had other views, +born of experience.</p> + +<p>"My dear," she said, smiling rather shamefacedly, as though aware of her +weakness, "it all depends on how we manage it, whether all goes smoothly, +or there is constant friction. I think the best way will be not to speak +to Anna about it as though we had planned it, but just begin gradually, +doing what you can. I think it is always wiser not to begin violently +with changes and reforms. No one likes to have new plans made and thrust +on them, or their work taken from them, even though they grumble at having +to do it. We should not like it ourselves, should we, dear?"</p> + +<p>Esther's memory flashed back to the morning, and her objection to Angela's +desire to share in the new scheme; she understood something of what Miss +Charlotte meant.</p> + +<p>"I think, dear, if you just go about quietly, with your eyes open, ready +to give a little help when you see an opportunity, that would be the best +way; then by degrees you will build a little niche for yourself, and get +your own duties; and Anna, instead of resenting your help, will grow to +trust you, and count on you, and be grateful."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Cousin Charlotte," agreed Esther, but in a not very enthusiastic +voice. She saw the wisdom of the plan, but it was rather a descent from +the beautiful scheme by which she was to have been the help and comfort of +them all, and she felt she might as well say 'good-bye' at once to the big +aprons and white sleeves which had formed such a delightful feature of her +plans.</p> + +<p>"Things never turn out just as we want them to," she sighed, "and they +might so easily if people's tempers were not so tiresome." But at that +point she paused suddenly, and had the grace to blush warmly, though no +one was there to see her.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER IX.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + +<p>"Oh dear!" sighed Esther, dropping wearily into the chair by her bedroom +window. "I <i>am</i> so tired!"</p> + +<p>Anna looked up in surprise from her task of bed-making.</p> + +<p>"Tired, Miss Esther!" she exclaimed. "Whatever with? You oughtn't to be +tired at this time of day."</p> + +<p>"I am though," said Esther, sighing again; "tired of doing nothing, +I suppose. You see, I used to have lots to do at home, and I miss it."</p> + +<p>"Did you, missie? Well, I'm thinking if I had a chance to sit still I'd +be only too glad, and not grumble, I know." And Anna thumped a pillow +vigorously.</p> + +<p>"I don't think you would," said Esther. "You would soon get tired. +But perhaps you don't like doing housework. I do; I love it."</p> + +<p>"Do you really, miss?" said Anna, as though such a taste were past her +comprehension. "Well, you'll have enough to do next week, when your +lessons begin."</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Esther, "but they won't take long; and it's dusting and +tidying, and all that sort of thing that I like. I wish I had a little +house of my very own. I would do all the work in it myself. I'd love to +blacklead a grate, and clean windows, and scrub tables and things—oh, +Anna, do let me help you, or I shall grow homesick and miserable. +Do let me do some dusting for you; I'd love to—will you?"</p> + +<p>Anna was quite touched by Esther's piteous appeal; also she herself +detested dusting and 'finicking work,' as she called it.</p> + +<p>"Would you really like to, dearie? Then you shall. I know it's miserable +not to know what to do with yourself; I used to feel like it when I was a +child. I was never so happy as when I'd got real work to do; 'twas better +to me than play. You shall dust your own room presently, if you like."</p> + +<p>"Shall I? Oh, that will be nice." Esther was on her feet in a moment, +all her melancholy gone. "Where shall I find a duster, Anna?"</p> + +<p>"Don't be in too much of a 'urry, Miss Esther. I reckon you wouldn't feel +so pleased if you'd got to do it," added Anna, laughing. "I'll give you +the duster and brush in a minute. You lend me a hand with this, if you +will," turning the mattress on Poppy's bed, "and I'll be ready in half the +time; it's ever so much quicker done if there's two at it; you see, when +one's alone, one wastes so much time running round and round the bed."</p> + +<p>"Of course," said Esther. "I wish I'd helped you sooner. I wonder how +long I should be learning to make a bed. Is it very difficult?"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit," said Anna, "once you've got into the way of it. First you +spreads the blanket like so, and tucks it in—you must always begin at the +bottom."</p> + +<p> "First the foot and then the head, + That's the way to make a bed."</p> + +<p>"My old grandmother taught me them lines when I wasn't more'n eleven, and +I've never forgot 'em. Next you spreads the sheet just so, and you must +be careful not to leave any creases in it. Then you beat up the bolster +and pillow, and lay them like that," suiting the action to the words. +"Then comes the top sheet, and the blankets. You must tuck each one in at +the bottom first, and then at the sides, and leave the top end loose, so +that when you've got the blankets spread, you turn the sheet neatly down +over the blankets; and then you see it's all tidy under the quilt, ready +for when you come to turn down the bed at night."</p> + +<p>Esther followed her instructions closely to the end. "Shall I come and +help you with the others?" she asked, as Anna moved off to Penelope's +room; and Anna quite graciously consented.</p> + +<p>"I shall be glad enough to have the dusting done," she said, as they +finished off the other two little beds. "I've got to make jam to-day, and +that means that I can't leave the kitchen a minute when once I've put it +on," and Esther could have danced with joy. She was managing wonderfully, +she told herself, and felt very proud.</p> + +<p>From the French window below they heard Miss Charlotte's voice. +"Penelope!" she called. "Penelope, dear!"</p> + +<p>Penelope came running up the garden at once.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you could walk as much as two miles without getting +over-tired?"</p> + +<p>"Oh yes," said Penelope, without a moment's hesitation. "I often walked +five or six miles at home. Do you want me to go somewhere, Cousin +Charlotte?"</p> + +<p>"Well, dear, I very much want some one to go to Four Winds for me. +I promised some strawberries to a friend of mine, Miss Row, who lives just +outside Four Winds. She is giving a garden-party to-day, and I know she +is relying on my sending her some fruit. I thought Ephraim would have +been able to go, but he started for Gorley before I could speak to him."</p> + +<p>"I should love to go," said Penelope. "I will start at once. Which way +is it, Cousin Charlotte?"</p> + +<p>"You go past the houses here, and keep on the main road, right up the +hill, until you come to the top; just before you reach the top you will +come to a church."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know," cried Penelope. "I went there yesterday, and when I came to +the church it was open, and some one was playing the organ, and I went in +and sat in one of the pews for ever so long to listen."</p> + +<p>"Oh, is that where you were?" said Miss Charlotte. "I wondered what had +become of you. Well, when you go so far another time, dear, take Guard +with you. We rarely, if ever, get a tramp, or any other undesirable +person about these parts, we are too remote, and too poor to be worth +coming so far to find, but all the same I do not like you to go about +quite alone. Take him with you now, dear. When you reach the church you +must go on a little further, until you come to the village; then you cross +the square straight, keep down the next hill a little way, and you will +soon come to a large white gate with 'Cold Harbour' painted on it. +That is my friend's house. Go in, and ask for Miss Row, and if you can +see her, give her the basket and this note. If you can't see her you must +leave them; but I hope you will, for I should like you to rest a little +before you take the walk back."</p> + +<p>Penelope took the basket, and was starting straight away with it.</p> + +<p>"I think, dear, you had better wash your hands and brush your hair before +you go," said Cousin Charlotte. "Miss Row is very good and kind, but she +is a very particular lady, and I want you to make a good impression on +her; besides, one lady never calls on another with soiled hands."</p> + +<p>"Oh, of course!" Penelope blushed and ran upstairs, and some few minutes +elapsed before she walked out and through the village, her basket of +strawberries on her arm, and Guard at her heels.</p> + +<p>It was a glorious day, with rather a stiff breeze blowing, and clouds and +sunshine chasing each other along the road. If it had not been for the +clouds, and the intervals when the shadows had overtaken the sun, the walk +would have been a hot one; but Penelope did not notice that, her mind was +absorbed by other things, for suddenly it seemed to her that it was rather +an alarming thing to be going alone to face a strange, and very +particular, lady, and she felt a great shyness coming over her. +She tried to forget it by racing the cloud, as it chased the sunshine, +and the sunshine as it overtook the cloud, and so, at last, she came to +the church. She paused a moment to listen, but the organ was silent +to-day, so on she went again, but more soberly, and soon found herself in +the village square, with little low-roofed houses on either side and a +pump in the middle of the square, and two or three happy ducks paddling +about in the damp earth by the trough. Guard, as though he knew it of +old, went up to the pump for a drink. The ducks fled, tumbling over each +other in their hurry, scrambling and quacking indignantly at the great +creature who had so disturbed their pleasure; but Guard, quite +unconcerned, drank, and went calmly on his way again until he led Penelope +straight to the white gate with 'Cold Harbour' painted on it.</p> + +<p>A short drive led from the gate to the house, and Penelope felt horribly +shy and conscious as she made her way up it. It seemed to her that +somebody might be watching her from every window, and there were so many +windows it was quite embarrassing.</p> + +<p>But, apparently, no one had witnessed her approach, for she stood quite a +long time at the door, not able to reach the knocker or find the bell. +She rapped with her knuckles; but they grew sore and produced no result, +for the sound did not reach beyond the door-mat, or so it seemed to her, +and the vast, still hall within appeared to swallow up everything. +Guard lay down at last on the gravel and went to sleep, and Penelope +longed to sit beside him. She was tired, and her arm aching a good deal +from carrying the basket.</p> + +<p>But at last, just as she was beginning to get anxious and a little vexed, +a servant crossed the hall on her way to one of the rooms, and saw her.</p> + +<p>"Good morning," said Penelope. "I have been trying to ring the bell, but +I don't know where you keep it."</p> + +<p>The servant, an elderly woman, who looked like the cook, smiled. +"There's a brave many can't do that," she said. "There," showing Penelope +a little knob like a button, "there 'tis; 'tis one of them new-fangled +electric things. I can't abide 'em myself; they may be very fine and nice +for towns, but in the country, where we don't have to count every inch of +room, give me the good old sort. 'Tis such a silly noise these makes, +too, like a child's toy, yet it never sounds but what I jumps nearly out +of my skin."</p> + +<p>Penelope wished one would sound then, that she might see so wonderful a +sight. But she only smiled.</p> + +<p>"I wanted to see Miss Row, please. I've come from Miss Ashe."</p> + +<p>"Please to walk inside, miss," said cook, very amiably; and Penelope +followed her through the dim hall to a large room where a lady was sitting +at a table littered with vases, cans of water, and quantities of cut +flowers. She was rather a severe-looking lady, and glanced up so sharply +when cook opened the door and showed the visitor in, that Penelope was, +for the moment, quite frightened. But it was not Penelope's way to remain +frightened for long, and she soon recovered herself, as did Miss Row when +she saw that the intruder was not a very formidable person.</p> + +<p>"I have brought you these from Cousin Charlotte," said Penelope, advancing +to the table with her wide, frank smile; "and I was to give them to you +myself if you were at home."</p> + +<p>Miss Row took the basket and the letter, but she was paying more attention +to their bearer than to either.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you are one of Miss Ashe's young cousins?" said Miss Row +abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am Penelope, the second eldest."</p> + +<p>"Well, sit down for a little while, and rest before you walk back again."</p> + +<p>Penelope, not being directed to any particular seat, and seeing by the +window a little low, upright chair, evidently made for small people like +herself, went over and seated herself on it with much satisfaction.</p> + +<p>But Miss Row, glancing up presently from her letter, felt no satisfaction +at all; in fact she gave quite a scream when she saw her. "Oh, child," +she cried. "Get off that chair this moment, quick! quick! It isn't meant +to be sat on; it is far too old and valuable. Oh dear! you might have +broken it right down, or—oh dear, oh dear, to think that out of all in +the room you should have chosen that one!"</p> + +<p>Penelope sprang to her feet at once. At first she felt terribly alarmed, +then very angry; it made one feel so small to be screamed at in that way.</p> + +<p>"I—I didn't know—how could I?" she said crossly. "Is it a broken +chair?" What she longed to say was, "Why do you keep it there if it is so +unsafe?" but she felt that would be rude. "I am very sorry," she added, +forcing herself to be polite. "Is it a very old chair?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, very old. It was made for my great-great-grandmother, when she was +a little girl, and I value it exceedingly. Unfortunately the last two or +three years worms have got into the wood, and have eaten it so it is quite +crumbling away."</p> + +<p>"But can't you do anything for it?" asked Penelope, her vexation swallowed +up in pity for the chair. She was thinking that if she had valued it so +much she would have taken better care of it.</p> + +<p>But Miss Row had returned to her letter again. When she had done she rose +and rang the bell. "You can take some milk and cake before you go, can't +you?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think so, thank you," said Penelope modestly. "But I left Guard +outside. Will he stay, do you think?"</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, he is used to waiting here."</p> + +<p>Cook came in presently with a tray, on which was a large jug of milk, some +glasses, and a plate of cakes of various kinds. Penelope thought they +looked beautiful, so beautiful that she longed to take some back to the +others. She knew exactly how thoroughly they would enjoy them; but, of +course, no sign of what she was thinking escaped her.</p> + +<p>She was wondering which of all them she might take for herself, when Miss +Row took up the plate. "I think you will find that very nice," pointing +to a piece of uninteresting-looking shortbread, "or that," pointing to a +slice of ginger-cake. "They would be less likely than the others to +disagree with you."</p> + +<p>Penelope longed to say that nothing disagreed with her, but she did not +like to, and helped herself with the best grace she could to the +shortbread.</p> + +<p>Miss Row continued arranging her flowers, sipping a glass of milk +meanwhile, and eating one after another of the fascinating little sugared +cakes Penelope was eyeing so wistfully, while she nibbled at her thick +piece of shortbread, unable to get a real bite. There really was no +satisfaction about that shortbread. It was so hard as to be unbiteable, +and so crumbly it scattered all over the floor; while with one hand +occupied holding the glass of milk, and the other the cake, she could not +pick up the crumbs, or break the piece. When she saw the crumbs filling +her lap and pouring off on to the carpet, poor Penelope wished she had +declined to have anything, and sat in misery wondering what she could do.</p> + +<p>Presently Miss Row looked around at her, and her sharp eyes fell +immediately on the litter on her usually speckless carpet. "Oh dear," she +said with the little click of her tongue which expressed annoyance more +effectually than any words could. Then, perhaps catching sight of the +child's mortified face, she tried to pass it off.</p> + +<p>"I expect your Cousin Charlotte has a trial with the four of you," +she said, in what she meant to be a joking manner; but her words, and the +little laugh that accompanied them, were worse to Penelope than anything.</p> + +<p>"I—we—try not to be more troublesome than we can help," she said +shortly, without a trace of a smile on her face. "Cousin Charlotte +doesn't seem to mind—and we try to help as much as we can." Then, after +a moment's silence, "I—I wish I hadn't taken it. It was so crumbly I +<i>couldn't</i> eat it without its falling all about; and the chair is so high +my feet don't touch, so they all ran off my lap." She meant the crumbs, +though it sounded as if she was speaking of her feet.</p> + +<p>Perhaps something told Miss Row that she had not been very kind, for her +tone changed. "I ought to have thought of it, dear," she said. +It was the first time she had ever been known to call any one 'dear'.</p> + +<p>"I think I had better go now, please Miss Row," said Penelope very +gravely. She still felt mortified and unhappy.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if you would mind waiting just a little longer, then I could +have your company as far as the church. I must go and have my practice, +or I shall not be ready for Sunday."</p> + +<p>Penelope looked up with sudden interest, all her mortification and +resentment forgotten. "Oh, was it you who was playing there on Tuesday?"</p> + +<p>Miss Row nodded. "Probably, I don't know of any one else who plays that +organ. Why? What do you know about it?"</p> + +<p>"I walked up there the day after we came, and I heard the organ, and I +went in and listened for ever so long. I hope you don't mind. +The door was open, and I thought any one might go in."</p> + +<p>"Mind? Oh dear no! I am only thankful some one besides myself takes any +interest in it. Are you fond of music?"</p> + +<p>"I love it! I love to hear it! I can't play yet, but I want to learn, +and I <i>think</i>," gravely, "I'd rather play the organ than anything. +I do want to learn to play so well that I can earn money by it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you mercenary little person," laughed Miss Row. "What can you want +with money?"</p> + +<p>Penelope did not know what 'mercenary' meant. She understood the second +question, but she did not know whether she was at liberty to answer it or +not. Miss Row seemed, though, to be waiting for a reply, so she felt +obliged to.</p> + +<p>"We all want to help Cousin Charlotte and father," she added, with great +earnestness. "You see we are so many, and it costs such a lot to keep us +all, so Esther says, and I don't know <i>how</i> to help, but I am trying to +think of a way."</p> + +<p>Miss Row looked at her little companion very thoughtfully, with a somewhat +puzzled expression. She herself had never known what it was to want +money. She was a wealthy woman, and she did a certain amount of good with +her wealth, subscribing to many charities, but it never occurred to her +that there might be anxiety and need amongst people of her own class, +still less among those she knew. Penelope's words opened a new vista +before her, and set her wondering if there were not many things she had +missed for want of eyes and understanding.</p> + +<p>"If you could play the organ," she said at last slowly, "it would be years +before you could earn your living by it. You could not do much until you +were seventeen or eighteen."</p> + +<p>"No," said Penelope sadly. "That is the worst of it, and by that time +perhaps daddy will be able to have us out to Canada; but it would always +be useful, for I daresay there are organs in Canada, and I don't suppose +daddy will ever be very rich again, and—and if I only knew how to play I +could help if I was wanted to."</p> + +<p>"It is always a great pleasure and solace too, even if one only plays for +one's own pleasure," said Miss Row softly.</p> + +<p>She led the way into the hall, unhung a hat and put it on, and preceded +Penelope to the door. Guard, hearing their footsteps, rose from his sleep +in the sun, and expressed his delight.</p> + +<p>On their way through the garden Miss Row gathered quite a large nosegay of +lovely roses and carnations and mignonette, and as she wandered from bush +to bush, Penelope followed her in a state of perfect delight. +She was passionately fond of flowers.</p> + +<p>At last they made their way into the road and up the hill. Miss Row was +rather silent. Penelope talked and Miss Row listened, but she did not say +much until they came to the gate of the church and stopped.</p> + +<p>"Tell Miss Ashe I will come and see her tomorrow. Give her my love and +thanks for the fruit, and for introducing one of her cousins to me—you, I +mean," touching Penelope's cheek lightly with her finger. "And these are +for you," placing in Penelope's hands the lovely flowers she had been +carrying all this time.</p> + +<p>Penelope gasped with delight. "For Cousin Charlotte! oh, how lovely, I +thought they were for the church."</p> + +<p>"They are for neither. They are for you yourself," said Miss Row, with +just the faintest tinge of colour in her cheeks. For one second Penelope +looked incredulous; then in a kind of rapture she held her bouquet closer. +"Oh, thank you very, very, <i>very</i> much," she said earnestly. "I never had +anything so lovely in my life before," and she put up her face with the +prettiest grace imaginable to kiss her new friend.</p> + +<p>"I am glad you are pleased," said Miss Row smilingly. "Now, good-bye. +Perhaps I may see you on Sunday."</p> + +<p>"On Sunday?" said Penelope puzzled.</p> + +<p>"If you come to church."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do we come up here to this dear little church? I am so glad, +I didn't know. I hope we shall all come. Good-bye, and thank you, +and,"—hesitating a little and colouring warmly—"I am <i>so</i> sorry about +the crumbs;" and waving her hand to her new friend as she disappeared +within the church, she ran off in a state of high glee.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Vercoe was standing at her door as Penelope passed. "Good-morning, +missie," she said. "I reckon you'm fond of walking. I was the same when +I was young. Oh my! what bootiful flowers!"</p> + +<p>Penelope stayed to display her treasures. "You must have one of them, +Mrs. Vercoe," she said, selecting one of the handsomest roses from her +bouquet.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Vercoe was vastly pleased. "'Tisn't often one has a flower like that +now," she exclaimed delightedly. "It'll brighten up my bit of a place +wonderful. Thank you kindly, missie "; and she disappeared into her house +to place her treasure in water.</p> + +<p>Penelope was hurrying on, when, glancing round to look for Guard, her eye +fell on Mrs. Bennett standing at her shop door. Mrs. Bennett said +"good-morning," and Penelope returned the greeting; but she had gone a +step or two before it occurred to her that she had not been very gracious +or kind to the post-mistress. Mrs. Bennett must have seen her stop and +give a flower to Mrs. Vercoe. She paused, then slipped back to Mrs. +Bennett's door. "Would you like one of my pretty flowers?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh no, thank you, miss. Don't you pull your bookay to pieces for me," +she answered civilly, but with just the slightest toss of her head. +She was really a little hurt and jealous, for she had seen that Penelope's +offer to Mrs. Vercoe was quite spontaneous. Penelope, conscious of the +feeling that had been in her own heart, was ashamed and sorry. +"Do please let me give you one," she said earnestly. "I want to. +I have such a lot it would be greedy to keep them all."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bennett backed into her shop. "Won't you come inside, missie?" she +said, much more graciously. "Your little hands are almost too small; +you'm in danger of dropping some of them."</p> + +<p>Penelope followed her in gladly enough. She could not bear to think she +had hurt any one's feelings, even any one she did not particularly like. +Mrs. Bennett led the way into her parlour, where Penelope had never been +before. It held all the treasures she was most proud of, and the window +was full of geraniums, fuchsias, and hanging baskets of 'Mothers of +Thousands,' blocking out most of the light. While Penelope was selecting +a flower Mrs. Bennett stepped to the window.</p> + +<p>"Are you fond of flowers, miss?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>very</i>," said Penelope, "I <i>love</i> them. I wish I could grow some. +I think I shall ask Cousin Charlotte to let me have a little bit of garden +of my own. Do you think I should ever get anything to grow?"</p> + +<p>She talked on rapidly, partly because she was really interested and partly +in the hope of ministering balm to Mrs. Bennett's wounded feelings.</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, missie, of course you could, and if you'd like a split or two of +geranium I'd be glad to give 'ee some off of any of mine, or you could +have 'em in pots in your own windy. Have 'ee got a windy-ledge to your +room?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Penelope eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Then you could grow mignonette and lots of things there. Look at mine. +I've got flowers 'most all the year round."</p> + +<p>Penelope stepped over to look closer at the beautiful pelargoniums, the +great white geraniums, and graceful fuchsias, all blooming as happily in +their narrow space as though it had been a handsome conservatory.</p> + +<p>"Oh, and what is that?"</p> + +<p>Two halves of a cocoanut shell hung from the top of the window with a +curious little creeping plant growing in them, and sending long, hanging +tendrils down over the sides.</p> + +<p>"I was going to ask you if you would accept one of these, missie, by way +of a beginning. We calls 'em 'Mothers of Thousands' here, and a very good +name for 'em. I tilled both those last year from my old plant there, and +look how they've growed a'ready."</p> + +<p>Penelope was overjoyed. To have a plant of her very own, and growing in a +cocoanut shell, too, gave her the greatest delight. She thanked Mrs. +Bennett profusely, took her new present almost reverently, and hardly knew +how she got home, her hands were so full of treasures and her mind of +excitement.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER X.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + +<p>The next day, according to promise, Miss Row came to call on Miss Ashe. +The children were all out and very busy when she came, and did not know +anything about the call until Cousin Charlotte came to the garden to them +after.</p> + +<p>Esther was shelling peas, Penelope was filling flower-pots in which to +plant some mignonette seeds she had bought at Mrs. Vercoe's that morning. +Angela and Poppy were playing shops. They had the long stool Anna used +for her washing-trays on washing-days. This was their counter, and on it +they had arranged their stock of goods—a little pile of unripe +strawberries, another of currants, a heap of pebbles to represent nuts, +gravel for sugar, and earth for tea. One of their greatest treasures was +a little tin scoop which Anna had presented to them, and which they took +it in turns to use. They both stood behind the stool, with a pile of +newspaper cut into all kinds of shapes and sizes in front of them, and +were apparently kept as busy as could be by the constant stream of +invisible customers which flowed into their shop.</p> + +<p>When Miss Charlotte came out she found them as busy as possible. +"Penelope," she called, "I want to speak to you, dear. I have something +to tell you—something that I think will please you very much, dear."</p> + +<p>Penelope looked up from her seed-sowing with a face full of pleased +surprise.</p> + +<p>"I have had a visitor, Miss Row, and she has offered to give you lessons +on the organ if you would like to learn. She tells me she thinks you +would. It is very kind of Miss Row, and a great opportunity for you."</p> + +<p>"I'd <i>love</i> to, I told her so." Penelope stopped abruptly, her face +crimsoning. "Oh, I hope she did not think I was asking!"</p> + +<p>"No, dear, she certainly did not think that," said Miss Charlotte +reassuringly. "I know my friend well enough to know that she would never +have made the offer if she had."</p> + +<p>"But where can I learn?" asked Penelope. "I shouldn't be allowed to use +the organ in the church, should I?"</p> + +<p>"I think so; but Miss Row will settle all that. You see, her father used +to be the vicar at Four Winds, and she has been the organist ever since +she was sixteen—"</p> + +<p>"Sixteen!" cried Penelope. "Can I be an organist when I am sixteen?"</p> + +<p>"As I was saying," said Cousin Charlotte, in a slight tone of reproof, +"she has been the organist there since she was sixteen, and all for love, +so no one would be so ungrateful as to object to her using it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how beautiful, how beautiful, and just the very thing I wanted." +Penelope fairly danced with delight. "Isn't it strange," she said, +"how one gets just the very things one has been longing for?"</p> + +<p>Esther did not make any remark. The old demon jealousy surged up in her +heart and forbade her saying anything that was nice or kind.</p> + +<p>"Why was it that Penelope always attracted all the notice, and made +friends, and got the very things she longed for?" she asked herself +angrily. She wished she had said she would like to learn to play the +organ, and had made friends with Miss Row; then perhaps she would have had +lovely flowers given her, and be thought a lot of. Having finished her +task she picked up her things and walked away into the house. +Penelope looked after her, a little hurt at her seeming want of interest. +Angela and Poppy had dropped their play and were bubbling over with joyful +sympathy.</p> + +<p>"Angela dear," said Miss Charlotte, "will you go to the henhouse for me, +and see if there are any eggs there?"</p> + +<p>Angela was delighted. She was always longing to be employed, and she +loved anything to do with the fowls or the garden.</p> + +<p>Miss Ashe's fowl-houses were models of what fowl-houses should be, airy, +snug, and beautifully clean; and her fowls were something to be proud of. +Angela ran off at once, found three eggs, and took them into the house. +Miss Ashe was busy in the pantry tying down jam.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if you could mark them for me," she said. "My fingers are very +sticky."</p> + +<p>Angela took the pencil and did her best. The figures were clumsy, but +they were her neatest. They were something like this—22/6.</p> + +<p>She looked up at her cousin with shamed eyes and rosy cheeks as she held +out the eggs.</p> + +<p>"That will do," said Miss Charlotte kindly. "You will soon be able to +make tiny figures." Then, as Esther had done once before, Angela put the +eggs in their box; but Esther had forgotten all about her first task in +her anxiety to get others.</p> + +<p>"Cousin Charlotte, if I learn to write better, may I always collect the +eggs and mark them? I'd love to. I love the chicken and fowls, and I'd +try to do it properly." She was very eager and very shy about making her +request.</p> + +<p>"I shall be very glad indeed of your help," said Cousin Charlotte. +"Anna seems too busy and Ephraim forgets; he thinks eggs and hens too +unimportant for his notice. I, though, think them very important indeed; +they make quite a nice little addition to one's income, I find."</p> + +<p>"Do they?" said Angela, full of interest. "When I grow up I shall keep +fowls too, I think."</p> + +<p>"You will have to learn all about them first," said Cousin Charlotte, +"but that you can begin to do at once. You have them here always under +your eyes, and you must keep your eyes open and take in all you can."</p> + +<p>Angela felt, as Penelope had done, that all her dearest wishes were being +granted at once. "Is there something else I can do for you, Cousin +Charlotte?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear, if you will. I want to send those fresh eggs up to Miss +Bazeley. She has a lady lodging there who is ill, and Miss Bazeley's hens +seem to have all stopped laying just as she most wants fresh eggs."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to go. I'll go now," said Angela, running off to get her hat.</p> + +<p>"You can take Poppy with you, dear. It is not far, and you can't make a +mistake. Miss Bazeley's house is the very last in the village; it stands +at the side of the hill on the way to Four Winds."</p> + +<p>"I think I know; it has a honeysuckle arch over the gate, hasn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sharp eyes. Now run along."</p> + +<p>Esther was up in her room, trying to work herself into a better state of +mind. She knew she was jealous of Penelope's good fortune, and she was +vexed with herself for being so. When people recognise their weaknesses, +and see the wrong of them, they are on a fair way to recovery—if they +choose.</p> + +<p>Esther did really want to get the better of the nasty moods and tempers +that she, better than any one, knew she suffered from, and presently she +came down in quite an altered frame of mind, though a little embarrassed +to know how to express herself.</p> + +<p>Penelope was in the garden alone, busy over her flower-pots once more. +Esther went up to her wondering what she could say, but Penelope looked up +with so grave a face Esther found her speech at once.</p> + +<p>"Aren't you glad?" she asked in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Oh yes," cried Penelope enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"So am I," said Esther, and with the same felt her burden of jealousy fall +from her. "It will be fine; it was the very thing you wanted. But you +don't look glad."</p> + +<p>"I am," said Penelope emphatically; "but I was thinking how kind every one +is, and I do want to do something for them—and I don't know how. +There don't seem to be any ways for children to help grown-ups."</p> + +<p>Esther stood very still and quiet for a moment. Then, after a little shy +hesitation, she said, "Cousin Charlotte says we can always help each +other, only we must not be always looking out for big things to do. +If we do the little things, we shall do big things, too, in time."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Penelope. "I suppose I shall get to know what little things to +do. What I would like would be to give Miss Row a beautiful organ, and +Mrs. Bennett a greenhouse, and Cousin Charlotte—oh, a lot of money and +things, and—and—"</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose Mrs. Bennett would know what to do with a greenhouse if +she had it," said Esther wisely.</p> + +<p>"Don't you?" said Penelope disappointedly, and was silent for some time, +pondering the matter. "Well," with a sigh of resignation, "I'll give her +one of my pots of mignonette when it grows—that will be something—just +to show I care, and perhaps—"</p> + +<p>But what Penelope intended to say further was lost for ever, for at that +moment there was a rush through the house and garden, a chorus of cries +and exclamations, and Angela and Poppy and Guard burst on them like a +small hurricane.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do look!" cried Angela, her face flushed, her eyes dancing with joy— +"do look what Miss Bazeley has given me! Oh, it is such a darling! +And the poor mite has no mother, or brothers or sisters. And <i>do</i> you +think Cousin Charlotte will let me keep it? It is a very good one, Miss +Bazeley says. What sort did she call it, Poppy? I said it over and over +so as to remember, and have forgotten it after all."</p> + +<p>"It was somefin like the name of a sweety," said Poppy, racking her brain +so hard she brought a frown to her brow. "Was it somefin drop, or rock, +or—"</p> + +<p>"I know it was something like Edinburgh Rock."</p> + +<p>"Plymouth Rock, perhaps," said Miss Ashe's voice, close behind them. +In their excitement they had not heard her coming, and they all sprang +around with a start. "What is it, dear?" looking at the little basket +Angela was holding so carefully.</p> + +<p>As if in reply, a tiny, very forlorn 'che-ep' came from the inside.</p> + +<p>"It is a dear little motherless chick, Cousin Charlotte," cried Angela +eagerly. "A tiny baby one, and it's an orphan. A fox killed its poor +mother, and the other hens won't be kind to it; they are very cruel to it, +Miss Bazeley says, and she asked me if I would like to have it. May I, +Cousin Charlotte? Do you mind? I will take care of it, and then some +day, when it lays eggs, you shall have all the eggs."</p> + +<p>"Well, we will see about that when the time comes," said Cousin Charlotte. +"Yes, dear, you may certainly keep it. I foresee I shall have a rival +poultry-yard in my own garden."</p> + +<p>Angela and Poppy ran off in a state of the highest glee; but when they got +to the yard, and all the hens ran towards them in expectation, they were +afraid to trust their treasure alone among the crowd.</p> + +<p>"You will have to try to get one of the hens to mother it," said Miss +Charlotte, who had followed them, "or it will die of cold and loneliness."</p> + +<p>This presented some difficulty. As soon as the little chick was put down +it would run to the nearest hen as if it thought it had found its mother, +but the hens would have nothing to say to it; first one and then another +pecked it savagely, until the poor little thing was nearly scared to +death.</p> + +<p>At last Miss Charlotte threw down some oatmeal before a coop where a +solemn old hen sat with half a dozen chicks playing about her. As soon as +they saw the food, the greedy little creatures poured out, while the +mother rose and clucked noisily with annoyance at not being able to +follow. Angela put the orphan chick down amongst the others; for a second +it cheeped pitifully; then it, too, began to eat. As soon as the last +grain had gone some more was thrown into the coop for the old hen. All +the chicks poured back helter-skelter into the coop, the orphan amongst +them, and the hen took it into her family circle without demur, and the +baby Plymouth Rock's life was saved.</p> + +<p>After that, to say that Angela was as fussy as a hen with one chick was to +speak but very mildly of her condition. She looked on it as the +foundation of her fortunes, and, surely, she thought, no one had ever +owned such a beautiful chick before.</p> + +<p>The next day Penelope went to the church at twelve o'clock to have her +first lesson. She went off jubilantly; she returned a little less so. +Miss Row was unaccustomed to children, or to teaching, and she had never +been considered a patient woman.</p> + +<p>"I believe it is going to be dreadfully hard," Penelope confided to the +others, as they gathered round her. They had all gone to meet her, and +hear her experiences. They had always been so much together that what +happened to one was of the keenest interest to all.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe I shall ever learn, there are such lots of things to +remember, and Miss Row doesn't like to explain a thing more than once, and +you've <i>got</i> to remember."</p> + +<p>Esther began to feel thankful that she had not expressed a desire to know +how to play the organ. She much preferred to do housework and not be +scolded. Penelope's next words then came as a shock.</p> + +<p>"Oh, and what <i>do</i> you think! Miss Row wants us to sing in the choir! +She says we <i>must</i>. She can get scarcely any one to sing, and she says it +will be good for us, and we shall be very glad by and by—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I couldn't!" cried Angela, overcome with nervousness. "I haven't got +any voice, and I don't know how to; and I couldn't sing with all the +people looking at me."</p> + +<p>"It will be dreadful," said Penelope drearily. "But Miss Row says we +shall be glad later on—"</p> + +<p>"People always say that when they want one to do anything one simply hates +doing. But she can't make us, can she? I shall ask Miss Charlotte to say +we can't. I am sure she will when she knows how much we don't want to. +I wish you had never said anything, Penelope, about the organ, and +learning to play, and all that. Miss Row would never have thought of it +if you hadn't," grumbled Esther; and Penelope, feeling the truth of it, +looked more dejected than ever. After her first encounter with Miss Row +as a teacher, the prospect before her looked anything but enticing, +and she was haunted by a feeling that she had not declined the honour as +firmly as she might have done, for the sake of the others.</p> + +<p>They all turned and walked homewards very gloomily. The only cheerful +member of the party was Poppy. "I wouldn't mind singing in church," she +said, "if nobody wouldn't look at me. I can sing 'Once in Royal David's +City' all through."</p> + +<p>"It doesn't seem so bad if you haven't <i>got</i> to," said Angela miserably. +"But when you have, it is awful. I—I almost wish I'd never come to +Dorsham, and yet—I loved it so till this happened."</p> + +<p>During dinner Miss Charlotte looked at the four from time to time, first +with faint surprise, then with anxiety. They were so quiet, so gloomy, so +changed. When she had spoken two or three times and received polite, but +the briefest of answers, she began to feel she must get to the bottom of +the mystery.</p> + +<p>"Well, Penelope, did you enjoy your organ lesson, dear?" she asked +briskly.</p> + +<p>Penelope looked up with the ghost of her old comical smile gleaming in her +eyes. "Well, I—I didn't exactly <i>enjoy</i> it," she said, trying to be +polite and truthful at the same time. "It is rather hard at first, but— +but I wouldn't mind that if—if—"</p> + +<p>"If what, dear?" asked Miss Charlotte gently. "Is it anything I can help +in?"</p> + +<p>"No-o, I am afraid not, thank you. It's the singing—Miss Row wants us +all to sing in the choir!"</p> + +<p>The great and terrible news was out, the shadow that hung over them was +explained, and eight eyes gazed at Miss Charlotte, expecting to read in +her face something of the shock and dismay they had felt, instead of which +she sat looking quite unmoved and rather amused. "Well, dears, I don't +see anything very dreadful in that. Do you?"</p> + +<p>"But we can't," cried Esther. "We can't sing, except just a little bit to +ourselves." + +"But you can learn. I don't suppose Miss Row, or any one else, would +expect you to sing perfectly at first. She would teach you. You said you +wanted to learn all you could, didn't you, dear?"</p> + +<p>"Ye-es," said Esther slowly, feeling she was having the worst of the +argument, but unmoved in her dread and dislike of joining the choir. +"But I never thought of this; this is different."</p> + +<p>"Yes; but, dear, you will find very few things happen just as you would +have them to. We may miss the best chances of our lives if we insist on +that. You told me you wanted to save money and expense—now here is your +opportunity. You will gain a knowledge of music and singing such as you +could not gain in any other way, for even if we had the means, there is no +one here to teach you. I dare say you feel a little shy and nervous, but +don't be foolishly so, dears. All your lives you will be thankful you had +this chance."</p> + +<p>Esther had no word to say. She felt she was in the wrong again, and that +is never a pleasant feeling.</p> + +<p>"But I could never sing before so many people, Cousin Charlotte," said +Angela. "I wouldn't mind so much if it was only just ourselves, but I am +sure I couldn't sing before strangers."</p> + +<p>"Then, dear, it will be good for you in another way. You must learn to +get over your self-consciousness. You must not imagine the eyes of every +one are on you. You must try to forget all about yourself. Remember that +every one there has a lot else to think about, and that you are only one +little person amongst a number." Cousin Charlotte laid her hand on +Angela's to take away any seeming severity from her words.</p> + +<p>"I know Miss Row is always trying to make up a choir, and she has such +difficulty. You would be doing her a real kindness if you help her; and I +know you would like to do that," with a smile at Esther.</p> + +<p>Esther sighed. "Yes," she said hesitatingly. "But—but can't one ever do +things just in the way one likes, Cousin Charlotte? There are lots of +kind things I should love to do."</p> + +<p>"We may choose, generally, whether we will do a thing or not, or whether +we will do it in our way, or the way that is mapped out for us. +But usually if we choose our own, it is ourselves we please, and not the +person we are doing it for. But this we can always do, dearie—if we have +to do a thing we do not like, we can teach ourselves to like to do it."</p> + +<p>"It sounds like a riddle," said Penelope.</p> + +<p>"It very often is," said Miss Charlotte. "But am sure you will all grow +to love your singing and your choir when the first shyness is over, and +then you will be glad you gave in, and did not choose your own way. +And of one thing you may be quite sure: if, as you think, you have no +voices, Miss Row will soon tell you so, and you will not be bothered any +more about having to sing."</p> + +<p>But, after all, somehow it did not seem to them that that was what they +wanted.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0011"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER XI.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + +<p>To the girls' relief they were not expected to appear at the very next +choir practice. Miss Charlotte had a talk with her friend, which tempered +her enthusiasm with common sense, with the result that the children had +their voices tried and two or three lessons given them before they were +expected to appear in public, with the result that poor Poppy, the only +one who really longed to be in the choir, was the only one denied that +honour. All their voices were pronounced quite good. But Poppy was too +young; it would strain her voice, she was told, and to her chagrin she had +to sit in an ordinary pew with Miss Ashe while the others sat in what +Poppy called the 'dear little' choir stalls in the chancel.</p> + +<p>But, to show her defiance of this objectionable, and, as she thought, +unnecessary care for her voice, she sang always at the top of it. +It happened often that she did not know the right words, but she always +managed to pick up the tune quickly, and with just one sentence to repeat +over and over again, she got along to her own satisfaction, at any rate +convinced in her own mind that it would not be very long before they would +be glad to <i>ask</i> her to come into the choir.</p> + +<p>So the days flew by and the summer slipped away; autumn had gone and +winter, almost, before they realised it, so full were their days with +their lessons and their singing, their housework and gardening, walks on +the moor, and games and play. By degrees, as Miss Charlotte had foretold, +each had made a little niche for herself. Esther had obtained almost +complete charge of the drawing-room—no one else dusted it or arranged a +flower in it. Penelope sometimes tried to find room in it for one of her +pet plants, but unless permission was asked, and Esther chose the place +where it might stand, the treasure was certain to be found 'in the way.'</p> + +<p>She dusted their own bedrooms, too, and helped to make the beds, and did +lots of other little duties; and at Christmas, to her great delight, +Miss Charlotte had given her the much-longed-for sleeves and aprons.</p> + +<p>Angela had become, meantime, almost sole mistress of the hens and the +eggs. She had begun by just collecting the eggs, and washing and marking +them, and she did her work so well that no one else ever thought of +troubling about them; and before very long, to her enormous pride, she was +given the task of packing them for market. And oh! the joy of it! the +pleasure she took in laying the rich brown and creamy-white eggs in cosy +nests in the sweet-smelling hay; her pride in their appearance! The only +flaw in her happiness was the fact that she could not carry the basket and +dispose of the contents herself to the customers. She pictured herself +turning back the snow-white cloth from the top of the basket, and counting +out her beloved treasures one by one.</p> + +<p>After that she began to feed the fowls, and keep account of the corn that +was used, and the number of eggs that were laid. Anna consulted her quite +gravely about the house scraps.</p> + +<p>Perhaps, though, the very happiest day of all her life, at any rate the +proudest, was that on which Fluffikins laid her first egg. Angela, when +she saw it and the little hen strutting up and down before the nest in +which it lay, stood in a kind of speechless ecstasy, much as a young +author when his first work has been accepted, or an artist before his +first completed picture. Then she held out her arms to the proud +Fluffikins, who mounted to her shoulder, clucking happily; and, rubbing +their cheeks against one another, they gazed ecstatically at the precious +egg.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Fluff, I <i>am</i> so sorry to take it from you," she cried, "but I <i>must</i> +show it to Cousin Charlotte. Fluff, you darling, do go on and lay lots +more. I want one every day, then you shall sit on some, and hatch out +some dear little baby chicks of your very own; and you shall live with me +till you are an old, old bird, Fluffikins darling, and no one shall dare +to—to—" she hesitated to name the dreadful word 'kill,'—"shall +interfere with you. You are what they call the 'founder' of my fortune, +you precious bird."</p> + +<p>She did not take the egg in to show to Miss Charlotte after all. +She thought of another plan. She took it in and showed it to Anna, and to +the girls, who gazed at it and marvelled at its beauty, but Miss Charlotte +was not to see it until it appeared on her plate at tea, with an +inscription on it to say whose it was.</p> + +<p>It hurt Angela very much to deprive poor Fluffikins of her treasure, but, +while she was not looking, she slipped another new, warm egg in the nest +in its place, and hoped the dear bird would not see through the fraud; and +Miss Charlotte did deserve the honour, after all her goodness to Fluff and +her mistress; in fact they were pledged to it.</p> + +<p>Cousin Charlotte could not suppress a slight start of surprise when she +saw the black-speckled thing in the egg-cup on her plate; but she was as +pleased as the girls could wish when she read, 'My and Fluff's first egg +for you,' and assured them, as she ate it under their united gaze, that +she had never in her life tasted a better one.</p> + +<p>Poppy had constituted herself every one's hand-maiden and handy-maiden. +If she were allowed to have a duster and dust-brush and help Esther, her +cup of joy was full, but she was just as pleased to run to the post, or to +the shops, or to help Ephraim gather windfalls in the orchard, dig +potatoes, or assist Anna in any way she was allowed to. And now that her +parsley bed was really in full growth, in spite of its troubled beginning, +she was very full of happy importance. To be asked if she could spare a +pennyworth of parsley filled her with pleasure for days.</p> + +<p>"I never saw anything like it," she would say seriously, shaking her +little purse the while. "It only cost me a penny, and I've made fourpence +by it already. I wonder every one doesn't grow parsley."</p> + +<p>"If they did, dear, there would be no one to sell to," Cousin Charlotte +explained.</p> + +<p>Of them all Penelope did least to help. She had her flowers—quite a +collection of them now. "But she doesn't do anything with them," +complained Esther one day.</p> + +<p>"They make the house pretty," urged Angela, always ready to defend her +room-mate, "and they make our room so sweet and pretty."</p> + +<p>"But she should try to sell them," argued Esther, "or—or do something. +She seems to have forgotten all about helping Cousin Charlotte."</p> + +<p>"She doesn't get much time," pleaded Angela, "by the time her lessons are +done, and her organ lesson, and the practice, and her reading—she always +reads for an hour a day, sometimes more. And—and there isn't any one +here to sell flowers to—"</p> + +<p>At that moment Penelope herself dashed in on them, her eyes dancing, her +face glowing. "Oh, girls, what <i>do</i> you think?" she cried, as she flung +her music-case on to one chair, her hat on another, and herself on a +third.</p> + +<p>"What?" asked Esther, as she picked up the music-case and straightened the +cushion it had knocked over.</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>do</i> tell, do tell quick," urged Angela.</p> + +<p>"Well!" sitting up and clasping her hands tight in an ecstasy of pleasure, +"you know Miss Row has friends staying with her."</p> + +<p>"Yes; but I don't see much in that to be excited about," said Esther.</p> + +<p>"Well, one of them is called Mr. Somerset, and he is a musician, and he— +he heard me sing. Miss Row made me sing on purpose. I was awfully +frightened, but I got through all right, and—and what <i>do</i> you think he +said?"</p> + +<p>Esther felt the old demon jealousy clutching at her heart at once. +"I don't know, I'm sure," she said coldly. "Do tell if you are going to, +Penelope. I am too busy to wait."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what?" gasped Angela, with eager, questioning eyes.</p> + +<p>"He said,"—in an impressive, almost awed voice—"he said I had the +promise of a very fine voice, and—and no expense ought to be spared in +training it!" Penelope repeated the words slowly, like one in a dream.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Pen!" Angela gasped, almost speechless with delight, "did he really?"</p> + +<p>Pen nodded.</p> + +<p>"What nonsense!" said Esther, in a strained voice, quite unlike her usual +tones.</p> + +<p>Angela turned on her reproachfully. "Essie, aren't you glad?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I am," snapped Esther shortly; "but it is so silly to put such +things into people's heads when there <i>is</i> no money. I suppose he thinks we +all ought to give up everything for this, and—and never thinks that the +rest of us might like to—to have lessons—"</p> + +<p>Esther really did not mean a tenth of the hard things she was saying, and +she hated herself for saying them, but that wretched temper of hers got +the upper hand of her again. She knew she was being mean and unkind, and +it added to her vexation; but she had not the strength of will to get the +better of it. In her calmer moments she longed to be one of those who +could rise above such mean jealousies, and be unselfish and brave and +strong, but when the trial came she succumbed.</p> + +<p>Penelope was too lost in happy dreams, though, to heed or be hurt by +Esther's remarks.</p> + +<p>"Of course I can't have it trained, but all the same I <i>am</i> glad I have a +nice voice," she said in a happy, dreamy voice. "Fancy me, <i>me</i>, with a +beautiful voice! Isn't it strange? Doesn't it seem as though it can't be +true? Oh, I <i>am</i> so happy!"</p> + +<p>"I always loved to hear you sing, dear," said Angela, seating herself on +the ground at Penelope's feet and hugging her sister's knees. +"And, Pen, just imagine if you could have lessons, and could sing at +concerts, and everybody wanted to hear you, and you made lots and lots of +money—wouldn't it be <i>lovely</i>! Esther, come and sit down and talk about +what we would do if Pen were famous and made a heap of money." +Angela never doubted that what good fortune came to one would be shared by +all. "Come and sit here, Esther."</p> + +<p>"It will be Penelope's money," said Esther coldly. "It would be for her +to say what she would do with it, not for us. I am busy; I can't stay +talking nonsense," and away she walked out of the room, leaving Penelope +and Angela with their spirits considerably lowered.</p> + +<p>"I don't know why it is," sighed Penelope, roused at last from her happy +oblivion, "but whenever I bring home what I think is good news it always +seems to upset Esther. I thought she was just dying for us all to be able +to do something to help father and Cousin Charlotte, and this seemed such +a lovely thing! Of course there is all the expense first, but <i>if</i> I have +a really good voice, later on I should be able to keep you all, and give +you all you want. I think she might have seemed a little bit glad."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps she is worried," said Angela, "because she wants you to have +lessons, and there isn't any money for them, and—and I think she is +tired."</p> + +<p>"I wish she would not do so much and get so tired," said Penelope +wistfully. "We scarcely ever see her now; she hardly ever has any time to +play, and—and it is disappointing when she acts like that." Penelope's +voice quavered a little, in spite of herself, and she rose and looked out +of window that Angela might not see her misty eyes.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, dear," coaxed comforting Angela, "don't you fret. Essie is as +glad as either of us, <i>really</i>, and by and by she will be all right. +Let us go out on the moor, and talk over what we will do when you are +rich, shall we?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Penelope, with a little sigh, and a shake to shake off her +gloom. "Dear old moor, I feel I want to lie down on it and hug it when +big, nice things happen, and tell it all about them. Come along, Angel."</p> + +<p>Esther, from upstairs, saw them go out together, Angela's arm about Pen's +waist, Penelope's arm about Angela's shoulders. With angry eyes and +aching heart she watched them go through the garden, and guessed whither +they were bound; and a sense of loneliness, of being shut out, stole over +her.</p> + +<p>Cousin Charlotte had gone to Gorley and taken Poppy with her, so she was +quite alone. With a hasty movement she flung on her hat, and dashed +downstairs and out of the front door. "If they went out, she could go out +too," she told herself angrily, and could find her own company sufficient. +If they went one way she would go another, the moor was large enough, +and—and at any rate the tors and the gorse and the birds liked her as +much as they liked Penelope. She would not there be put aside for her +younger sister.</p> + +<p>By that time she had worked herself up into such a state of resentfulness +of imagined injuries and fancied wrongs, she felt she could hardly endure +her unhappy lot. She walked along the road in a perfect turmoil of mind, +and, fearing she might meet some one, turned down towards the bridge and +the river; but the weather had been rainy lately, and the river was +swollen, and the bank all wet and slippery.</p> + +<p>She had never been further than the bridge and the river-bank before, +and as she clambered up from the muddy, slippery river-path, and pushed +through the sheltering brushwood which lined it, she found herself, a tiny +speck, apparently the only living creature, in a huge great stretch of +moorland which was all new ground to her. There were a few big rocks here +and there, but no big hills, as on the other side, with their friendly +sheltering look; and the great stretch of bare land, stretching away and +away, looked the picture of desolation.</p> + +<p>The spirit of it seemed in tune with Esther's own sense of loneliness; but +it touched her heart with the softening touch of sadness. She sank down +on a big boulder beside her, and, stretching out her arms on its rough, +lichen-covered breast, buried her face in them and burst into sobs.</p> + +<p>"Why is it? why is it? Why should every one like the others and no one +like me? Why should Penelope have everything and me nothing, and why +can't I feel nice about it? Why do I care, or why can't I pretend I don't +mind?" At that moment Esther really did believe that no one in all the +world cared in the least for her. "Penelope is pretty and clever, and— +and taking, and—and now she has a beautiful voice, and I have nothing. +I am not pretty or clever or nice, and I shall never be anything, or do +anything, and—and no one wants me. She will be able to go about and +travel, and be rich and have everything she wants, and be able to help the +others, and—and I am no better than a drudge!"</p> + +<p>A little field-mouse, creeping out of its hole, heard the sobs and flew +away again, nearly scared out of its wits. A goldfinch came and perched +on a furze-bush near, looked wonderingly at the odd-shaped thing that made +such funny noises, and then flew away to a thistle and began to search for +any stray seeds that might have been overlooked. Little spiders ran over +the boulder and put out delicate feelers to try to discover what curious +pinky-white things those were that lay on the old stone; then, after a +first venture, finding them harmless, ran over and over Esther's hand in a +perfect fuss and fury of excitement.</p> + +<p>Esther, feeling the slight tickling of the little creatures' feet, raised +her head to look, and kept it raised to watch their busy movements. Her +storm of tears had relieved her heart, and done her good. She felt less +injured, and in a better frame of mind. She did not dare to move until the +last spider had finished his investigations, for fear of alarming him; but +when he had scurried away home, evidently eager to tell of his adventures, +she raised herself and looked about her.</p> + +<p>Her face and eyes were hot and swelled and aching. She could not meet any +one while looking such a sight as she was. She would walk on until the +fresh breeze should have cooled down her burning features. She turned +away from Dorsham in the same direction as the river ran. It was all a +strange country to her, and she would explore it. No one would miss her +at home. The anger and jealousy were gone, but she still felt sad and +lonely, and full of pity for herself.</p> + +<p>She walked on and on and on, still too absorbed in herself to pay any heed +to the voice of the birds or the river or the myriad little creatures +moving about her. She was thinking how much she would like to frighten +them all at home, and make them anxious about her; she felt she would like +to walk on and on until twilight and darkness fell, and she and the moor +were left to their loneliness together. It was all very foolish; but as +long as there are boys and girls, or men and women, these moods will come +to them, to be fought down and overcome; and we must remember that to the +sufferer they do not seem foolish at the time.</p> + +<p>How far she did walk she had no idea at the time; it seemed to her it was +miles and miles;—in reality it was only about a mile and a half,—and the +sun was going down, and she was beginning to admit doubts to her mind as +to whether she should turn back or not, when suddenly, in a hollow in the +moor before her, she saw, though at first she could hardly believe her +eyes, a real little house with real smoke coming out of the chimney on the +thatched roof.</p> + +<p>If it had not been for the smoke, whirled and beaten about by the breeze, +she would have thought the house was not really a human habitation, but a +bit of the moor itself risen up, so brown and rough and weather-beaten it +looked under its old lichen-grown thatch. But the smoke was real smoke, +and Esther, stepping nearer, saw one window lit by the leaping, cheery +glow of a fire.</p> + +<p>Fascinated and surprised, she drew nearer and nearer. Before the cottage +was a little garden surrounded by a sturdy railing and a thick-set, +close-clipped holly-hedge, within the shelter of which whole beds of +crocuses and daisies and polyanthuses bloomed gaily. The crocuses were all +asleep now, their little petals fast closed, and the daisies too, but the +polyanthuses looked bravely with their beautiful eyes at the fast +darkening sky. Over the cottage walls, as well as on the thatch, lichen +and house-leeks grew, as though to prove it was but a boulder, one of the +many scattered thereabouts in all directions, and not a house at all.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0012"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER XII.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + +<p>Ester stood staring fascinated, quite unconscious of the fact that a pair +of bright but dim eyes were peering out at her wonderingly; and she +started, quite guiltily, when presently the cottage door opened, and a +lady came along the garden path towards her.</p> + +<p>Esther began to move away, feeling ashamed that she should have stared so +rudely; but the lady hearing her, spoke.</p> + +<p>"Don't go away, please," she said in a pretty soft voice with a foreign +accent. "I saw you, and I wondered if you had lost your way. It is not +often we see strangers here, we are so far away from other houses."</p> + +<p>"No-o, thank you," stammered Esther shyly. "I—I don't think I have lost +my way. I was out for a walk, and had never been this way before. +I have come from Dorsham."</p> + +<p>"Dorrsham, oh!" the lady rolled her r's, and poke in the prettiest way +imaginable. "It is rather a long walk home for a young lady when the +light is beginning to fail. Have you no one with you?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Esther, suddenly realising her disobedience in not having +brought Guard. "I am not afraid; at least—I—I shall be home before it +is dark."</p> + +<p>"I do not feel so sure of that."</p> + +<p>Neither did Esther as she looked about her, and saw how quickly twilight +had fallen since the sun had gone.</p> + +<p>"I hardly like to let you go, my child, by yourself only, over the moor. +You could so easily miss your way, and get into the river, or fall over a +boulder and injure yourself. Will you come into my house and rest; and +after you have had some tea—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you, no," cried Esther, overcome with shyness at the thought of +giving so much trouble. "I am sure I shall get back all right."</p> + +<p>"Will you not do it to oblige me?" And the lady, who was very pretty and +graceful and charming, spoke so coaxingly, so prettily, Esther could not +refuse her.</p> + +<p>"I—I—but it would make me later," she began.</p> + +<p>"Ah, but I was going to say, Anne is going to Dorsham presently, and he +shall conduct you safely home."</p> + +<p>"Who?" breathed Esther, puzzled beyond politeness.</p> + +<p>"Anne. He—well, he is not exactly my servant—he is my friend and +factotum; he and his wife live in the cottage at the back," explained the +little lady. "His wife is ill, unfortunately, and he is going to get some +mustard for poultices for us to apply, and he will see you home."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you," stammered Esther, interested but uneasy. She was +beginning to feel uncomfortable about Cousin Charlotte, and the anxiety +she might be causing her; but she really did shrink from the long walk +home in the gathering darkness, and, too, she did not know how to refuse +the kind stranger's request. So she stepped in at the open gate, and put +her hand in the one outstretched to welcome her.</p> + +<p>"My name is Esther Carroll," she said, feeling some introduction was +necessary, "and I and my sisters live with Miss Ashe at Moor Cottage."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said the lady vaguely. Evidently she did not know Miss Ashe or the +cottage. "I have not the pleasure of knowing Miss Ashe. I never go to +Dorsham. I seldom go beyond my garden; in fact—I cannot walk much," and +Esther noticed for the first time that she was lame. "My name is +Mademoiselle Leperier. I am not one of your countrywomen, though I might +claim to be, having lived in England most of my life. Now I think," with +a bright smile, "we know each other. Come inside, do. Anne had just +brought in the tea-tray when he caught sight of you, and drew my +attention. We thought perhaps you had lost your way. Come in, we will +have tea at once, and you shall start very soon for home, or your cousin +will be anxious."</p> + +<p>Esther, following her kind hostess, thought she had never in all her life +seen anything so pretty as the little firelit room into which she now +stepped, with its pure white walls, its green dresser hung with priceless +old blue china, the high white mantelpiece, loaded, too, with china, the +high-waisted lattice window, with its prim little creamy silk curtains.</p> + +<p>By the fire stood two comfortable easy-chairs, and a little square table, +on which was spread a white cloth and dainty tea-things, bread-and-butter, +and tempting little cakes. To Esther it all seemed perfect, as perfect a +picture as Mademoiselle Leperier herself in her soft grey gown, with her +white hair, bright eyes, and pale face.</p> + +<p>In a very short time they were seated on either side of the table, +drinking fragrant creamy tea and chatting as friendly as though they had +often met before. Anne, who had brought another cup and saucer, had been +told his errand, and with quiet politeness expressed his eagerness to +oblige. Esther looked at him with interest. Somehow she had expected to +see quite a young man, but Anne was old—older than his mistress. +That he was a foreigner, too, there could be no doubt; his speech, +his appearance, his every action bespoke the fact.</p> + +<p>"Is—is Mr. Anne French too?" asked Esther, and then blushed, fearing she +had been rude.</p> + +<p>But Mademoiselle nodded brightly. "Yes. Call him 'Anne,' please, dear. +His name is Anne Roth. His parents came to England with mine, when they +had to fly from France, and he and his have been with me and mine ever +since. Ah! but he is a dear, faithful soul is Anne, and so is Laura, his +English wife. They would not leave me, even when I came to this far-away +spot. At first it made them sad, I think, but now they have come to like +it."</p> + +<p>"Were you exiles?" asked Esther, with eager interest. "Oh, how +interesting!"</p> + +<p>Mademoiselle Leperier's heart warmed towards her sympathetic visitor with +the eager face, and soon they were deep in talk, so deep that they were +surprised when Anne knocked at the door to say he had come to know if the +young m'amzelle was ready to be conducted home.</p> + +<p>Under the spell of her hostess's kind face and voice Esther had told some +of her story too—told more, really, than she could have believed possible +considering that she had not spoken of the events of that afternoon, nor +to what led to her appearance at Edless, as the spot was called where +Mademoiselle lived.</p> + +<p>"May I come to see you again?" she asked impulsively, as she put up her +face to kiss the gentle, fragile-looking French lady.</p> + +<p>"Will you, dear? I shall be so pleased if your cousin will permit you. +It is a little desolate here, and <i>triste</i> at times, for I cannot read or +write much, or use my needle; my eyes are not strong."</p> + +<p>"Those bright, shining eyes not strong!" thought Esther with surprise. +"Could I read to you sometimes, or write for you, or sew?" she asked +eagerly. "I am sure Cousin Charlotte would be pleased for me to, and—and +I should <i>love</i> to. May I?"</p> + +<p>"If <i>la cousine</i> does not object, dear child, I should be grateful indeed; +but, remember, she does not know me, or anything of me, and you must not +be angry if she does not permit you. It would be but natural."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am sure she will," said Esther confidently, and out she stepped +into the darkness with Anne.</p> + +<p>To the end of her life Esther will never forget that walk across the moor +under the cold blue of the darkening sky—the long, mysterious-looking +Stretches of darkness with here and there a big rock standing up grim and +gaunt in the silence, the vastness in which they seemed but specks, the +shrill, sweet voices of the birds calling to each other, and the busy, +persistent voice of the river, added to the weirdness and loneliness of +the experience. The only lifelike sounds were their own footsteps, and it +was only here and there, when they got on to rough ground and off the +turf, that these could be heard.</p> + +<p>Esther grew oppressed by the awe and silence. She longed for her +companion to speak. She would have said something herself, only she did +not know what to begin about, and it needed courage to break, with her +small voice, that vast silence.</p> + +<p>At last though, a rabbit, or some other wild animal that loves the +night-time and the silence, darted right across their path, making her +start and scream. The shock past, she laughed a little with shame of her +own weakness. The scream and the laugh broke the spell.</p> + +<p>"It was very silly of me, but it came so suddenly," she explained +apologetically.</p> + +<p>"It did, m'amzelle. I expect you are not used to such places at night?"</p> + +<p>"No, not at night. We love the moor, though, by day, and know it well, +and I am not really afraid of the wild things."</p> + +<p>"No, m'amzelle," politely. Silence followed again. Esther grew +desperate.</p> + +<p>"I—I hope your wife will soon be better," she said sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, m'amzelle. I hope so, too."</p> + +<p>"Is she very ill?"</p> + +<p>"Well, not—not dangerous, but she troubles. Our M'amzelle Lucille is not +strong, she suffers so, and when Laura—my wife—is ill, M'amzelle does +too much, she is so good."</p> + +<p>"Can't you have some one in to help you?" asked practical Esther.</p> + +<p>"No, m'amzelle, we are so far away. But we do not want any one really. +I can do all. I know how to nurse," with evident pride, "but M'amzelle +likes to help us, and—and she is not strong, she suffers so."</p> + +<p>"Does she?" asked Esther sympathetically. "I am so sorry. I noticed she +was lame. Does she suffer pain from her lameness?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, m'amzelle. She had a fall some years ago. You know, I daresay, +that M'amzelle Lucille was at one time a famous singer. No? She has not +told you? Then perhaps I should not have, but I thought that when she +told you her name you would know."</p> + +<p>"I can keep a secret," said Esther. "I will never mention it if I may +not. Why did M'amzelle stop singing and come here?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, she stopped singing long, long before she came here. She never sang +after the great trouble came to her life, when the great English gentleman +she was so soon to marry was killed."</p> + +<p>Esther gave a little cry of horror. "Oh, how dreadful, but—but how—was +it an accident?"</p> + +<p>Anne's tongue was loosened now, he needed no questioning; he had so few +opportunities to talk, he could not resist this one, and he wanted every +one's sympathy for his beloved mistress. "Yes, it was an accident, +a fearful, a cruel accident, and it happened less than a week before the +wedding day. They were together at a station waiting for a train, when +some one ran against him with so great force he reeled, he lost his +balance, he fell forward, right off the platform—the train was just +coming in!" Anne's voice died away in an awful impressive silence. +"M'amzelle Lucille sprang to catch him—"</p> + +<p>"Oh!" gasped Esther, in horror.</p> + +<p>"They saved <i>her</i>," he added significantly; "but she was injured, she was +lame always from that day, and her eyes were injured. She may be blind, +some day—if she lives. He was killed before her eyes."</p> + +<p>"Oh, poor M'amzelle Leperier," groaned Esther, her heart aching with the +tragedy of the terrible story. "I wonder it did not kill her."</p> + +<p>"It nearly did," said Anne significantly.</p> + +<p>"And her singing?"</p> + +<p>"She never sang again, m'amzelle. She says her voice broke with the +shock—but it was her heart that broke. She loved him so; it was too +cruel, too terrible."</p> + +<p>"Did you come here to live then?"</p> + +<p>"No, m'amzelle, not for a long time. We travelled from place to place. +M'amzelle Lucille said she would go alone, but my wife and I would not +leave her, she was so lonely, so <i>triste</i>, she had no one but us. +Wherever we went people stared at her and annoyed her so. Very often they +recognised her, she was so well known; or they saw she was beautiful, and +they knew her story, or found it out, and they had no delicacy, no +feeling. We always had to leave. Last year we came here. M'amzelle does +not suffer here, except from loneliness, and I think she never will, but +it is too lonely for her. I hope you will come to see her, m'amzelle. +She likes you, I can see."</p> + +<p>Esther was delighted. Here, at last, was some one who really needed her. +In her heart she determined to devote all her spare time to M'amzelle +Lucille. The walk home was over much sooner than she wished. She could +have gone on listening to Anne for miles further, but the bridge was +crossed, the lights began to show in the cottage windows, and soon they +were at the gate of Moor Cottage.</p> + +<p>Here Esther's new joy began to moderate. It was quite dark now. +Anne told her it was nearly six o'clock. What would Cousin Charlotte be +thinking? Now she had time to spare a thought for her, Esther felt sorry +and ashamed.</p> + +<p>The sounds of their footsteps or voices must have reached the anxious ears +within, for even while she was saying 'good-night' to her companion the +cottage door was opened wide, letting a flood of light pour along the +pathway. "Esther, dear, is that you?" asked Cousin Charlotte's gentle +voice reproachfully, and Esther flew to her and flung her arms about her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Cousin Charlotte, I <i>am</i> so sorry," she cried repentantly. "I can't +tell you <i>how</i> sorry. I didn't mean to be so late, really—at least, at +first I did—but—but—I shouldn't have—"</p> + +<p>"Never mind now, dear. Come in and warm yourself, and you can tell me all +about it later. You have frightened me dreadfully, Esther; but just now I +am too relieved to scold, only—only don't do it again, it is more than I +can endure bravely," and Cousin Charlotte leaned down and kissed her.</p> + +<p>Esther saw then that she was white and trembling, that tears glistened in +her eyes, and understood for the first time how much Cousin Charlotte +cared.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Cousin Charlotte, Cousin Charlotte," she cried remorsefully, "if only +I were like you. I wish I could be good. I do want to be, I do really."</p> + +<p>"Try to be good, but not like me, dear," said Cousin Charlotte huskily, +"or you will be a very weak and foolish old woman. Now," with another +kiss, "run upstairs and take off your hat and shoes, and come and tell us +all your adventures. We have all been dreadfully anxious."</p> + +<p>Esther went upstairs feeling far more remorseful than if Miss Charlotte +had scolded her well. When she had taken off her hat and shoes, and made +herself tidy, she felt really shy of going down to face them all. +But while she was hesitating, the door opened and Poppy flew into the room +and straight to Esther's arms.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Essie, I couldn't wait, and Cousin Charlotte said I might come up for +you. Are you all right? You are not hurt or—"</p> + +<p>"You have been crying," broke in Esther. "Oh, Poppy, I made you!"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't help just a teeny tiny little cry, but it was only a tear or +two when I thought the wild beasts had got you and were eating you right +up. Come down now."</p> + +<p>In the dining-room it was all so cosy and pleasant that Esther soon forgot +her embarrassment, and, seated in the midst of the circle round the fire, +was soon telling her story to a rapt audience.</p> + +<p>"I should love to see the little cottage, and have tea in that dear little +room," said Angela, after Esther had described her sudden discovery of the +little brown house and the flower-filled garden.</p> + +<p>"Mademoiselle Leperier!" cried Miss Ashe quite excitedly. "Why, child, I +remember her quite well; at least her name and fame, and the tragedy of +her lover's death. I have often wondered what had become of the poor +lady."</p> + +<p>"Have you?" cried Esther, delighted. "Cousin Charlotte, I wish you would +get to know her. I am sure she is very lonely."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps she prefers loneliness, dear. I should be only too pleased to +show friendly neighbourliness to the poor lady if she would like it, but +sometimes it is greater kindness not to intrude. You can go there, dear, +if you and she wish it, and perhaps the friendliness will increase by +degrees."</p> + +<p>"Is she very ill? Does she have a great lot of pain?" asked Poppy +anxiously. "I wonder if she knows she may be blind some day. Why doesn't +she have a doctor?" Poppy had no doubt in her mind that a doctor could +cure every ill human beings can suffer.</p> + +<p>"She has seen nearly every famous doctor there is," said Esther, "so Anne +said. But, Poppy, if you ever see Mademoiselle, you must never let her +know that we know about it, and <i>never</i> speak about her to <i>any one</i>. +Do you hear? You won't, will you, dear? She might not like it."</p> + +<p>Poppy promised. "<i>Oh, no</i>," she cried emphatically, "tourse not "; and +Poppy's promises were always kept. "Esther, hasn't she got any eyes, +and is she very sad, and—and—"</p> + +<p>"Not at all. She was anxious about Laura, and she looked thin and +delicate, but you would never know she was suffering; and her eyes are as +bright and pretty as any I have ever seen." + +Then Penelope, who had been all this time thinking things over, began to +put her questions. All her curiosity was about Mademoiselle's singing, +but Esther could tell her little on that point. "Perhaps she will tell me +more when I know her better," she said hopefully, and went to bed in high +spirits at the thought of the new friend she had made, and of another +visit to the dear little cottage soon.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0013"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER XIII.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + +<p>"Angela, has Fluffy laid an egg to-day?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Why?"</p> + +<p>"Will you sell it to me? I've got the money for it." Poppy opened her +hand to display the penny she had been tightly grasping.</p> + +<p>"What do you want to buy an egg for?" asked Angela, with sudden caution. +"I don't think you had better eat any more without asking Cousin Charlotte +first. You had a big breakfast."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to eat it," cried Poppy, in a tone of wounded dignity. +"I want it to—to give to some one."</p> + +<p>"Some poor person?"</p> + +<p>"Well, yes, I think she is poor. I know she is not well, and eggs are +good for people who are not well."</p> + +<p>"Yes, very. Well, there's the egg. Isn't it a beauty? <i>I</i> call it +perfectly lovely." Angela looked at it lovingly. To her there never were +or would be such eggs as her Fluffikins laid. "Now do be careful. +How are you going to carry it?"</p> + +<p>Poppy ran off, and in a moment was back again with a little covered basket +lined with hay. Evidently it had been prepared beforehand for this +purpose. The egg was laid in and carefully covered over, and the lid shut +down and secured.</p> + +<p>"Are you going with it now?" asked Angela.</p> + +<p>"In a minute. I have to get something else too."</p> + +<p>The girls were always very considerate to each other over their little +mysteries and secrets, so Angela, without further inquiry, went away to +her hens, and Poppy hurried off to the end of the garden, where she +gathered a bunch of beautiful green parsley, and wrapped it round with a +piece of paper which she tied with a little piece of pink ribbon she had +saved on some previous occasion.</p> + +<p>Miss Charlotte and Anna were in the kitchen arranging the meals for the +day. Esther was busy in the bedroom, Angela was in the hen-house, and +Penelope already at the church, practising, for although it was Easter, +and holiday time, she continued her organ-practice daily. So no one saw +Poppy as she and Guard started off together. She was bound on a secret +expedition to Mademoiselle Leperier, carrying with her all she could +compass as suitable offerings to an invalid—a new-laid egg and a bunch of +her own fresh parsley. She had not mentioned her plan to Miss Charlotte— +not because she was afraid of being stopped, but because she wanted to +give of her very own, and not make demands on Cousin Charlotte. +She knew if she did speak of it that Miss Ashe would be thinking of all +sorts of things to send, and Poppy did not want that. She wanted it to be +entirely her own little scheme, in gratitude to the poor lady for her +kindness to Esther.</p> + +<p>She did not know in the least how long the walk would be, but she was +prepared for it to take her a very great while. Essie had said it was a +long way there but a short way back, and it had not occurred to either of +them to wonder how this could be possible. Thinking, though, of the +expedition before her as something very great, she hurried along without +once pausing to look at the river or play on the bridge or pay heed to any +of the hundreds of attractions which lie on a walk on a beautiful spring +day. Guard made little dashes and excursions in all directions, but was +never absent for more than a moment or two from his little mistress's +side.</p> + +<p>Now and again Poppy sat down on a big boulder to rest, standing her basket +on the ground beside her, and she and Guard would gaze eagerly about them +at the wide-spreading sunny moorland; and probably both of them thought of +the games they might be having there if matters so serious were not +engaging their attention, but no thought of doing so crossed their minds +now.</p> + +<p>The result of all this haste was that, long before she expected it, Poppy +found herself face to face with the little brown cottage, and felt there +must be some mistake. This could not be the place, she thought; it must +be another. Perhaps, oh dreadful doubt! she had come the wrong way. She +was a very wise little person, though, and to make sure, before she went +further, she determined to go in and inquire.</p> + +<p>Rather timidly, but full of interest, she walked along the paved garden +path, and tapped at the door with her knuckles, not being able to reach +the knocker. It was a feeble knock, but soon called forth an answer. A +man opened it, an elderly man—Anne himself, in fact.</p> + +<p>"Please does Mademoiselle Le-le-, the French lady, live here?" she asked, +finding some difficulty in pronouncing the long French name.</p> + +<p>"Yes, m'amzelle. M'amzelle Leperier lives here."</p> + +<p>Poppy was a little non-plussed. She had not thought out any plan or +reason to give for her visit, nor how she was to reach the presence of +Esther's new friend, but her usual ready frankness stood her in good +stead. "I have come to ask how she is, and how—how Anne's wife is. +My sister Esther was here last night. Made—Miss, the French lady, asked +her to tea, and—and sent her home with a Mr. Anne." The man smiled.</p> + +<p>"Ah! I know. The young lady I conducted to her home last night— +Miss Esthaire. Come inside, m'amzelle. I know M'amzelle Leperier will +wish to see you."</p> + +<p>A sudden shyness rushed over Poppy. "Oh, I—I don't think I had better +come in, thank you. I didn't mean to do that. I have to go all the way +home, and it will take me rather a long time. I—I only brought a fresh +egg that Angela's hen laid this morning, and some parsley out of my own +garden for—for Miss Leperier, and perhaps if she didn't like it she might +give it to your wife. I am sorry I had nothing nicer."</p> + +<p>"There couldn't be anything nicer, m'amzelle," said Anne Roth with ready +tact. "It will come in for an omelette for the mistress's lunch, and the +parsley too, it will be most useful. How fine it is. We have none here. +It is always a difficulty to get any."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am so glad I brought it!" cried Poppy, flushing with delight. +"If ever you want any, <i>do</i> come and have some of mine. I have a whole +bedful, and all from a penny packet of seed that I sowed myself. +I should be delighted to give you some at any time."</p> + +<p>She refrained from mentioning the fact that it was her only source of +income. She had thrust the basket and the parsley into the man's hand, +and was edging away.</p> + +<p>"But M'amzelle will be annoyed with me if I let you go all the way back +without any rest," he pleaded. "Please to enter, m'amzelle."</p> + +<p>At that moment Mademoiselle Leperier herself appeared. Anne turned to her +with relief.</p> + +<p>"Here, M'amzelle, is the sister of the young lady who was here last night. +She has come with kind inquiries for M'amzelle and my wife."</p> + +<p>Mademoiselle Leperier stepped to the door, and taking the blushing Poppy's +hands in both her own, stooped and kissed her. "Oh, you dear child, +how sweet of you," she cried with warm delight. "Come in, you must come +in. Is that beautiful dog at the gate yours? I saw him there and felt I +must go out and speak to him, and then I heard your voice and Anne's. +Do call him in, I want to know him too. You must both come."</p> + +<p>There was no shyness or hesitation about Guard; he hurried in almost +before he was invited to, and he and his little mistress found themselves +in the room Esther had described so vividly the night before, only now it +was lit by sunshine instead of fire and lamp. Poppy did not like to look +about her, she knew it was not polite to do so, but her eye fell on the +dresser with its lovely china, and the blue bowl of primroses and moss and +ivy leaves on the little black table, and thought it all more perfect even +than she had imagined.</p> + +<p>Guard, as though feeling he was too large for the small room, went over +and sat close against the wall by the window, shedding around him genial +smiles in return for all the attentions lavished on him. Anne was +despatched for milk and biscuits; and while he was gone Mademoiselle +inquired for Esther, and how she got home, politely hoping they had not +been very anxious.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we were; we were very anxious, thank you," said Poppy, half +absently. She was looking at her hostess, and thinking of the story she +had heard of her. It seemed so wonderful that after going through such +terrible tragedies she could laugh and talk and be interested in little +every-day matters. But she was, especially when Poppy, at last recovering +her tongue, told her all about themselves, and their father and mother in +Canada, and how they four came to Cousin Charlotte's because no one else +could have them, and how frightened they ware until they saw her, but were +never frightened after, she was so kind; and how they all wanted to help +her, and how they tried all sorts of ways.</p> + +<p>Mademoiselle was very interested in the parsley-bed, and Angela's hen, +and Esther helping in the house, and Penelope's desire to be able to play +the organ and sing; and Poppy chattered on, delighted to find so +interested a listener.</p> + +<p>"I think it quite cheered her and did her good," she confided to Angela +later. "She said it did, and she asked me to come again; and I am to keep +threepennyworth of parsley for her every week. Isn't it lovely! +A whole shilling a month! Oh, I wish I had a whole garden to sow parsley +in. Do you think it will go on growing for ever, Angela?"</p> + +<p>Angela did not know, but she was hopeful. Ephraim, however, thought that +at the rate she was picking it her crop would not last another month, and +strongly advised the clearing of a part of the bed and tilling more seeds.</p> + +<p>But when Poppy went to Esther to tell her about her expedition, she met +with a disappointment. Esther did not seem at all pleased at the +attentions she had shown the invalids. She seemed, in fact, quite +annoyed.</p> + +<p>"I was going myself," she said coldly, "by and by; but I sha'n't now, of +course. I don't suppose Mademoiselle Leperier wants the whole Carroll +family continually going to her house. It was not right for you, either, +to go all that way alone; it was not safe."</p> + +<p>"I had Guard with me," said the crestfallen Poppy. "I didn't know you +wouldn't like it, Essie. I thought you—you would be glad." Her lip +would quiver a little as she spoke. "I—I only wanted to be kind to the +poor lady because she was kind to you, and I—didn't mean to go inside, +but she made me. Aren't you really going again, Esther? She expects you, +she said so."</p> + +<p>"I can't go if all the rest of you keep going. Besides, Mademoiselle +won't want me."</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, she will," cried Poppy, almost in tears. "She <i>does</i> want you; +and—and I won't go any more if you don't like me to. You can take the +parsley for me. I wish now I hadn't promised to bring it; but they can't +get any one to come, and—and—" and then a tear really forced its way out +and fell; but at the sight of it Esther's better nature conquered her +temper, and she took her little sister in her arms with real remorse.</p> + +<p>"No, darling, you shall go, and we will go together; but not always," +she added presently. "I should like to go alone sometimes, Poppy, to have +a quiet talk with Mademoiselle."</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0014"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER XIV.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + +<p>To-morrow was Poppy's birthday, and all day long there had been mysterious +whisperings and signs and nods, hasty dashes in and out of the house, +invasions of Mrs. Vercoe's and Mrs. Bennett's shops, and great +mysteriousness on the part of Ephraim, who had to make a special journey +to Gorley.</p> + +<p>And all the time Poppy, with a little thrill of excitement at her heart, +went about pretending to see and hear nothing, and half wishing her senses +were not so acute.</p> + +<p>Miss Charlotte was very vexed with herself. She had made an engagement +for the very afternoon of the great day, and could not get out of it.</p> + +<p>"I am <i>so</i> vexed I did not remember, dears," she said; "but it was so long +ago I was asked, and I had to accept or refuse then and there, and I +really did not realise what the date actually was. I should have liked, +above all things, to have been home with you on that day."</p> + +<p>The children were very sorry too; but seeing Cousin Charlotte so vexed +they made light of their own disappointment.</p> + +<p>Anna was vexed too. To her the birthday tea was the great feature of the +birthday, and she had, days before, with a great deal of trouble to keep +it a secret from the children, made and baked a beautiful birthday cake, +which now lay hidden away in a white cloth in a tin box in the copper in +the wash-kitchen.</p> + +<p>On this day, the day before the great day itself, when she had for the +first time realised that the children would be alone on the important +occasion, her mind had grown very seriously troubled, so troubled that she +could think of nothing else, until suddenly a beautiful idea came into her +head, so beautiful an idea that Anna fairly gasped. Later on, when she +had really sorted out her plans, she went upstairs to a big box in her +bedroom which held untold stores of treasures, and searched until she drew +from the depths a box of little sheets of fancy note-paper and envelopes. +This was hid in the copper too, along with the cake; but only until the +children had all gone to bed and the house was quiet.</p> + +<p>As soon as ever she was sure there would be no more rushes into the +kitchen that night, Anna got out the wooden box with 'Hudson's Soap +Powder' stuck all over it, in which she kept her writing materials; and +then, withdrawing the box of fancy note-paper from its hiding-place, +she sat down, and taking out sheet by sheet, spread them all on the table +before her.</p> + +<p>"It do seem a pity to use it after keeping it all these years," she said +regretfully, as she examined each one. They were all different. +"But there, there couldn't be a better time. They'm just what I want." +So hardening her heart against any further regrets, she proceeded to make +her choice.</p> + +<p>"I think Miss Poppy ought to have the roses. They'm considered the best +of all the flowers, and 'tis her day. Then Miss Esther shall have—let me +see. They'm all so pretty I don't hardly know which to choose for which— +oh, Miss Angela shall have the daisies, somehow they remind me of her, +and vi'lets seems like Miss Esther's flower, and I'll give the sunflowers +to Miss Penelope."</p> + +<p>That settled, and four envelopes picked out and inscribed each with one of +the children's names, Anna squared her elbows and began the real work of +the evening. First she took some old scraps of paper, and wrote note +after note on them before she succeeded in pleasing herself. At last she +accomplished what she wanted, and feeling satisfied, copied it out, word +for word, on the four sheets of note-paper. She hesitated as to whether +she should not put her writing on the plain side, and so avoid marring the +fair beauty of the flowered side, but she thought better of it, +and hardened her heart; and after one had been done she did not mind so +very much.</p> + +<p>It was almost late when at last she went to bed, her task had taken her so +long, and the clock actually struck ten as she crept into Esther's room +and left two of her little notes on the dressing-table, after depositing +the other two in Penelope's and Angela's room.</p> + +<p>Poppy, being the heroine of the day, was naturally the first to wake the +next morning. At the remembrance of what the occasion was, she sat +straight up in bed with excitement, and nearly shouted; then she saw that +Esther was asleep still. It seemed very hard that every one else should +be asleep, and quite lost to the greatness of the occasion, while she was +awake and alert, all ready to receive congratulations.</p> + +<p>As her eyes grew accustomed to the dimness she could make out a square, +fascinating-looking parcel on the table by Esther's bed, after which it +became almost intolerably hard to lie still and wait for the others to +wake. The little heroine's excitement began to give way to quite a hurt +feeling. It seemed as though no one could care, or they would never +sleep on like this. She actually began to feel aggrieved; but she sprang +out of bed to try to drive away the feeling by looking out to see what +the morning and the weather were like. She might, if she had liked, +have pulled back the curtains in a way that would have waked Esther at +once; but she drew them as gently as though her one anxiety was not to +disturb her sister, and opening the window, looked out.</p> + +<p>Oh, how lovely it was! Poppy, child as she was, gasped at the sight +before her. Road and river, houses and moor, lay bathed in the clear glow +of the beautiful pure morning sunshine. Every leaf and twig sparkled with +dew; even the little window-panes in the cottages glittered and looked +beautiful. On the moor opposite great cloud-like masses of mist rolled +away quickly before the advancing sun, leaving the old brown moor behind +it, flashing from thousands of tiny leaves and blades. The river gleamed +and scintillated as it danced along, singing as it went.</p> + +<p>"Everything seems to know what day it is," said Poppy gleefully. +"Oh, you dear river, you dear sun, you dear, dear moor and houses, <i>how</i> I +love you all!"</p> + +<p>She softly closed the window and turned away to get back to bed. As she +turned her eye fell on two little envelopes, one pink, the other +lilac-coloured.</p> + +<p>"What <i>can</i> they be?" she cried, as she read the inscriptions on them.</p> + +<p>'Miss Esther.'</p> + +<p>'Miss Popy.'</p> + +<p>Taking up the one addressed to her, and carefully opening it, she took out +the pretty sheet with the spray of rosebuds scattered over the page. +Across the rosebuds, sprawled in big letters,—</p> + +<p> "Anna rekuests the pleasure of Miss Popy's compny to tea in the + kitchun at five o'clock.</p> + +<p> "Yours respectfly</p> + +<p> "Anna."</p> + +<p>The rustling of the paper had aroused Esther at last. First she opened +one eye, then the other, and would have shut both again, only they +happened to fall on the white parcel beside her.</p> + +<p>"Why, it has come! The day has come! It is Poppy's birthday!" she +thought. She sprang up in a moment, wide awake. "Many happy returns of +the day," she cried. "Oh, Poppy, have you been out of bed long? +Come into my bed and get warm. Here is something for you. Why, what have +you got there?" Poppy was dancing about the room in a high state of glee, +waving a letter in her hand.</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you, darling," she cried, seizing the parcel and hugging Esther +at the same time. "And here's something for you. Won't it be fun! +Isn't Anna a dear! I <i>do</i> love her. I fink I love <i>every</i> body."</p> + +<p>"Get into bed," commanded careful Esther, and Poppy hopped into her +sister's bed before she even stayed to open her first birthday present.</p> + +<p>Esther's gift was a book, which she had bought for her little sister the +last time she was at Gorley. Poppy was delighted. New books, or even old +ones, came to her so seldom. She loved them with such a love as only the +unspoiled child can know. While she was still crooning over it, looking +at the pictures, examining the covers, patting it and loving it as +though it were a living, feeling thing, the other two came flying in, +all excitement. Each held in one hand a letter, in the other a small +parcel.</p> + +<p>"Many happy returns of the day. Oh, you darling!" as they caught sight of +Poppy's dark head and beaming face in Esther's bed. "Just look at our +letters,—oh, you have got some too? Isn't it lovely of Anna? I think +she is a perfect dear." Both talked at once, and as fast as their tongues +could wag. "Here's a present for you," said Penelope, laying her parcel +very carefully in Poppy's lap, and kissing her on the top of her curly +poll.</p> + +<p>"Jump in too, at the bottom," said Esther; and soon all four were tightly +packed into the little bed.</p> + +<p>Poppy's fingers shook as she fumbled with the string. It was a +curious-shaped parcel, and Penelope kept enjoining her to be very careful, +and not to turn it over. When at last she did undo the wrappings, and the +box inside, and found a tiny red flower-pot with a baby cactus in it, +her joy knew no bounds.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid you won't care for mine very much," said Angela meekly. +"It is something for your room." But Poppy was equally delighted with the +little blue pincushion, with her name, 'Poppy,' outlined in bright new +pins. "It is stuffed with tiny, soft, beautiful feathers from our own +hens," explained Angela. "I've been saving them, and Anna baked them for +me."</p> + +<p>They all agreed that it was a perfectly lovely birthday morning, one of +the nicest they had ever known, and when the presents had been examined +and discussed, Anna's pretty writing-paper came in for a long examination.</p> + +<p>"I like mine best," said Esther, and all agreed they each preferred their +own.</p> + +<p>"Mine ought to have had poppies on it," said their little namesake; "but I +do like roses best."</p> + +<p>"Anna gave you the roses because the rose is the queen of flowers, and you +are the queen of the day, I expect."</p> + +<p>Then Anna came in to call them, and at the sight of the four figures in +the bed immediately collapsed on to a seat by the door, and laughed and +laughed until they laughed too from the infection of it.</p> + +<p>"We'd best stop ourselves," she said presently, rising, and trying to make +her face very grave. "Laugh before breakfast, cry before night, they do +say; and we don't want no tears this day, do we?"</p> + +<p>"Oh no," they all agreed, and tried very hard to draw long serious faces +at once; but it was difficult on a birthday, and holiday, with the sun +shining, and the birds singing, and tea in the kitchen in prospect.</p> + +<p>When Poppy presently danced singing down to breakfast, she found by her +plate another present—a pretty scarlet housewife from Cousin Charlotte, +containing a little pair of scissors, a silver thimble, a case of needles, +a stiletto, a bodkin, and two of the tiniest reels of silk she had ever +seen. When the case was closed it looked like a dear little red hand-bag.</p> + +<p>There was a letter, too, from Canada from father, for the mail happened to +come in that very day. Such a nice letter it was—so full of love for his +little daughter, and longing to see her, and all of them. "Sometimes I +feel I cannot bear this exile from my little ones any longer," he wrote. +"If I do run away from here and return, will you help to make a home for +your old father and mother? or will you want to remain with Cousin +Charlotte always? Give her my love and grateful thanks for all her +kindness to my chicks."</p> + +<p>Angela cried a little over this letter. "I don't believe father is a bit +happy out there," she said. "I do wish he would come home and live here, +and mother too. It would be so jolly, and I'm sure they would love it."</p> + +<p>A little cloud of sadness rested on them for a while, but for Poppy's sake +they put away all sad thoughts, and began to make all kinds of nice plans +for the day, and before very long they were all as merry as grigs. +Cousin Charlotte was really very pleased when she heard of Anna's +invitation.</p> + +<p>"I wish you were coming too," cried Esther, "then it would be all quite +perfect,—oh, and there's Ephraim. I do think Anna ought to invite him +too—don't you, Cousin Charlotte?"</p> + +<p>"You had better ask her," said Miss Ashe with a smile. But Anna did not +smile when they put the question to her. "Me ask Ephraim!" she cried +indignantly. "Me ask him! No, my dears, 'tain't likely as I shall ask +him to tea in my kitchen, so he needn't expect it," and she bustled away, +sniffing and snorting in a perfect fury of disgust apparently. Why she +should show such scorn and contempt of poor Ephraim no one could ever +understand; but some very wise, sharp-eyed people had been known to say +that she over-acted her contempt for all men, and Ephraim in particular, +and that really—well, they even went so far as to say she had so warm a +spot in her heart for him, she was always afraid some one would find it +out.</p> + +<p>But, if it was so, she acted so well that neither Ephraim nor the children +ever suspected it was acting.</p> + +<p>Having made their suggestion, and not met with the success they had +expected, they turned their thoughts next to the spending of their +morning. With one consent they agreed it was to be spent on the moor.</p> + +<p>"I will wear my watch," said Esther, "and we will see how far we can get; +but we will come back to 'the castle' for lunch, won't we?"</p> + +<p>All agreed joyfully; and Miss Charlotte's permission having been obtained, +Anna packed them two noble baskets of provisions, and gave them a can of +milk. Poppy was loth to go away and leave her new treasures, and debated +long whether she would not carry her book or her cactus with her—one +would be so nice to read on the way, and the sunshine would be so good for +the plant; but on the others pointing out to her that she would not be +away so very long, she finally agreed to leave both in Anna's care.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think," said Penelope, when at last, after many wanderings this +way and that, they reached the castle, and she had dropped her basket and +thrown herself on the ground beside it—"don't you think we might leave +the baskets and can here? It will be ever so much nicer not to have to +carry them all the way, and I should think they would be quite safe if we +hide them very carefully."</p> + +<p>All agreed at once that it was a splendid idea, and quite safe, for they +scarcely ever saw any one on the moor but themselves; and the baskets were +heavy, and the milk was apt to slop, and it would be much nicer to go on +with free hands.</p> + +<p>"We will try a new way to-day, shall we?" cried Penelope; and they bore +away to the right instead of keeping straight on up the slope, wandering +hither and thither, it is true, but still bearing in the same direction, +until presently they came out by the station.</p> + +<p>A train was just coming in, and they stopped to watch it—a great delight +to them always, for the coming and going of the trains was one of the +greatest excitements of their lives. They never expected to see any one +they knew; but the sight of the people in it, even if they did not get +out, afforded them interest and food for talk, wondering where they were +going, and whether they wanted to go or not, and making up all sorts of +tales about them and the people they were going to. An engine is always +fascinating, too.</p> + +<p>To-day, though, was quite an unusual day. First Anne Roth got out, and +then Miss Row and her guest Mr. Somerset. Anne left the platform first, +and was walking briskly away when he caught sight of the children, and +came up to them smiling and bowing.</p> + +<p>"How is Mademoiselle?" asked Esther, who never forgot her inquiries.</p> + +<p>"Not very well, m'amzelle," Anne answered sadly. "I think she is +suffering, and her spirits are low. If m'amzelle could find time to come +and cheer her, she would be glad, I know, and it would do her much good." +He glanced at the others; but they had learned that Esther disliked any +encroachment on what she considered her rights.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I will come," she answered gladly. "I will come to-morrow. +I cannot to-day, for it is my little sister's birthday, and we have had an +invitation to tea; but I will come to-morrow, and I will bring a book. +Perhaps Mademoiselle would like to be read to."</p> + +<p>"I am sure she would," agreed Anne. "Thank you, m'amzelle. <i>Bon jour</i> "; +and with a bow which included them all, Anne hurried on.</p> + +<p>As he went Miss Row was rapidly approaching the spot where the children +stood. She looked with curious, suspicious eyes after Anne, and then at +the children.</p> + +<p>"Who is your friend?" she asked with frank curiosity..</p> + +<p>"That is Anne Roth, Mademoiselle Leperier's man," said Esther, not without +a touch of importance in tone and manner. "Mademoiselle Leperier is a +friend of mine," she added. She still felt a little sore that Miss Row +had passed her over for Penelope, and she was not sorry to let her know +she had friends who could appreciate her.</p> + +<p>Mr. Somerset had been teasing Poppy in the meantime, and laughing with the +others.</p> + +<p>"What a pretty name," said Miss Row, who was very curious and wanted to +find out more; but she already knew enough of Esther to understand that +she must not let her curiosity be apparent.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is," agreed Esther, by her little vanity falling easily into the +trap laid for her; "and she is so pretty, too, and she had such a lovely +voice once. She was a very famous singer years ago, but she never sings +now—"</p> + +<p>Then remembering, she stopped suddenly in her chatter, colouring hotly +with anger with herself, and embarrassment, as she glanced round and saw +all eyes fixed on her. It seemed to her that every one was listening to +her indiscreet, foolish talk. Mr. Somerset had ceased playing with Poppy, +and was listening with particular interest.</p> + +<p>"Mademoiselle Leperier," he cried, drawing nearer. "You don't mean to say +she is in the neighbourhood! You never told me," turning to Miss Row, +"what a celebrity you had in your midst. I should so much like to meet +her—quite an interesting personality. I have always wanted to know her. +Don't you know her story?" And in a few brief, cold words he gave the +outline of the bitter tragedy of the singer's life.</p> + +<p>Esther chafed and boiled with anger against them, and resentment and rage +with herself. She realised to the fall now what she had done. She had +destroyed Mademoiselle Leperier's peace and seclusion. She had laid her +open to curiosity and unwelcome visitors, and—and she might even have +driven her from that neighbourhood, and Mademoiselle would know it was her +fault, and blame her, and never like her again.</p> + +<p>Oh! it was bitter to think that she had done it, she who loved +Mademoiselle so, and knew and understood her, who meant to have been such +a comfort to her. Poor Esther was heartbroken as she realised it all. +Something must be done, she determined. She must do something to undo +some of the mischief. She could not let things go on like this; it was +too dreadful.</p> + +<p>They turned to her full of inquiries. Where did Mademoiselle Leperier +live? What did she look like? Who lived with her? etc. etc. +Esther set her lips tight. They should get no more out of her. +In the first place she could decline to tell them where Mademoiselle +lived. If they determined to find out, she must find some means of +preventing their going.</p> + +<p>When Miss Row had asked three or four questions and got no answer, +she began to grow annoyed. "What is the matter with you, child? +Why don't you speak when you are spoken to? Don't you know how rude it +is?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do know," said Esther, in a very trembling voice, "and I am very +sorry, but I am not going to tell any one anything more about +Mademoiselle. I—I ought not to have said anything. I promised her I +wouldn't. I am <i>very</i> sorry I did—"</p> + +<p>"Dear me! dear me! how important we are!" cried Miss Row, whose temper was +far from being one of the best. "Let me inform you that we all knew of +Mademoiselle Leperier before you were born, and Mr. Somerset knew her +personally—"</p> + +<p>Mr. Somerset stepped forward, colouring a little. "I—I am afraid I can +hardly claim that much," he said hastily. "She was so great and so sought +after, and—and so exclusive, it was difficult to get to know her— +unless,"—with a smirk—"one were a celebrity too."</p> + +<p>Miss Row looked at him as crossly as she had at Esther. She hated to find +herself mistaken at all.</p> + +<p>"But I thought," he went on hastily, "I would very much like to see this +celebrity of a past generation, the heroine of such a romance, in her—ah +—in her retirement. Perhaps she would not be so exclusive now. +A chat with her would be most interesting—such valuable 'copy.' I really +must try to accomplish it. Shall we call, dear Miss Row? I am sure you +and she would be mutually pleased."</p> + +<p>Esther's feelings became too much for her. She did not know what 'copy' +meant; but she felt certain that this kind of person was the very last +Mademoiselle would wish to see.</p> + +<p>"Oh, please don't," she cried anxiously. "Please, you mustn't go there. +Mademoiselle herself told me she did not want any visitors, and Anne told +me she came here on purpose that she might be quite quiet, because she +can't see them. Please don't go. If people call she will go away— +I'm sure she will. Anne says she had to move from ever so many places +because people would not let her be quiet. <i>Please</i> don't let her know +that I said she lived here. I did not mean to—"</p> + +<p>"Dear me! I suppose you have the exclusive right to the lady's society— +that, knowing Miss Esther Carroll, she does not require any other +friends!" Miss Row's sneering, sarcastic words brought the colour to +Esther's cheeks and the tears to her eyes.</p> + +<p>"I didn't—mean—that," she stammered confusedly, bitterly hurt. +"You know I didn't," then turned away hastily that they might not see how +weak she was.</p> + +<p>All this time the others had stood by listening, growing more and more +indignant with Miss Row, and more and more sorry for Esther. At first +they were afraid to say anything for fear they might make matters worse, +but Miss Row's last speech was more then they could bear. Angela ran to +Esther with blazing cheeks and flashing eyes. "Never mind, dear," she +cried, putting her arms about her. "You were very brave to speak up so."</p> + +<p>Penelope stepped nearer to Miss Row. Her cheeks were white, her eyes very +bright and indignant.</p> + +<p>"It is not fair to speak to Esther like that, Miss Row," she said +reproachfully. "It was by accident she came to know Mademoiselle +Leperier, and Mademoiselle <i>asked</i> her to go again, or she wouldn't have +gone, for Esther knew she did not want to have strange visitors—she told +her so. She said she didn't want any one to know she was living here, +for she was not strong enough to have visitors, or to go anywhere. +Esther ought not to have said anything about her, and she was frightened +when she had; but when she had, she had to tell you—about—about not +going there."</p> + +<p>Miss Row was not in the frame of mind to be reasonable. She felt she was +in the wrong, and that made her the more cross. "Well, Penelope," she +said icily, "I did not expect to be spoken to like this by you, after all +I have done for you, too. I did expect civility and some gratitude in +return, I must confess; but I find I have been grossly mistaken in you."</p> + +<p>Penelope started, and her face flushed crimson.</p> + +<p>"I suppose," went on Miss Row, turning to Mr. Somerset, "I was foolish to +expect it from children brought up as they were." Then turning to +Penelope again—"Esther's unfortunate temper one has grown accustomed to; +but you—"</p> + +<p>Penelope hung her head for a moment, overcome with mortification; +then suddenly raising it she looked fearlessly, but wistfully, into Miss +Row's angry eyes. "I wish you would understand," she said earnestly. +"We neither of us mean to be rude or—or ungrateful." She stammered a +little over the last word. "It was only Mademoiselle we were thinking +of—and—and then you were unfair to Esther, and—and I couldn't bear +that."</p> + +<p>"And I can't bear rudeness," said Miss Row, beginning to move away. +Her face was very red, and her eyes ugly. "Don't come to me again this +week for a lesson," she said, turning round to face Penelope once more. +"I—I don't want to see you for a while. When I do I will send for you."; +and Miss Row walked away very quickly, chattering volubly all the way to +her companion, while Penelope stood, stunned and wounded, scarcely able to +believe her own ears.</p> + +<p>For a few seconds she remained looking after the retreating pair, then +turned, walked silently for a little distance, and suddenly dropped on the +old brown turf in a passion of sobs.</p> + +<p>For a moment Poppy gazed, too entirely astonished to know what to do. +She could not remember when she had last seen Penelope weep; it happened +so rarely. Flinging herself on the turf beside her, she threw her arms +lovingly about her. "Don't cry, darling. Oh, Pen, don't cry," she +pleaded. "It doesn't matter what that horrid old Miss Row says, and we +all love you. Don't cry, dear." She was too young to comprehend what was +hurting Penelope most—the words that rankled, and stung; the charge of +ingratitude; the taunt; the throwing up to her of favours she had +received—things no lady should ever permit herself to do.</p> + +<p>Under the lash of it all Penelope sobbed on uncontrollably. When she did +weep, she did weep—a perfect storm of tears that shook and exhausted her. +Poppy grew frightened at the violence of her grief. There seemed to be +something more here than she could understand. "Oh, where is Essie? +Essie must come," she cried, raising herself on her knees and looking +about for her sisters; but Esther and Angela were at some distance, +walking slowly but steadily away, apparently absorbed in talk.</p> + +<p>Poppy sighed a big sigh which sounded almost like a sob. "My poor little +birthday," she murmured wistfully, "that I fought was going to be so +lovely!"</p> + +<p>The words and the tone touched Penelope. Her sobs grew less, broke forth +again, then stopped, and she struggled up into a sitting position. +"Oh, you poor little Poppet," she cried. "It <i>is</i> hard on you. I <i>am</i> so +sorry, dear. It is too bad that your birthday should be spoilt like this. +I wish—I wish we had kept to the moor, and not come anywhere near human +beings." Tears welled up into her eyes again, but she only threw up her +head and tilted her nose a little higher, as though to make them run back.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, darling. We will try to forget all about it, and enjoy +ourselves."; but a sob shook her even as she spoke.</p> + +<p>"And it began so beautifully," Poppy was murmuring. "Anna said 'Laugh +before breakfast, cry before night,' and it's come true. I'll never laugh +before breakfast again."</p> + +<p>Penelope listening to her, suddenly made up her mind. It <i>should</i> be a +beautiful day, after all. They would put away all unpleasant thoughts for +Poppy's sake. It rested with her to be cheerful herself, and to comfort +and cheer up the others. She put her arms about her baby sister and drew +her closer. "Poppy dear, don't tell Esther about—Miss Row being so— +nasty, and about my crying. It will only trouble her more, and I want her +to forget, and we will all try to be very jolly to-day, won't we?"</p> + +<p>Poppy nodded her head vigorously; but there was a doubtful expression on +her pretty face. "She will see you've been crying," she said gravely.</p> + +<p>"No. We will sit here facing the breeze, and that will soon make my face +and eyes look all right, and—we will laugh and talk as if nothing had +happened. We are going to have a really jolly day, aren't we?"</p> + +<p>Poppy nodded again; but a second later she shook her head gravely. +"I sha'n't ever forget what Anna said about laughing before breakfast," +she said very seriously. "It comes true."</p> + +<p>Side by side on the springy turf the two little figures sat, leaning +against each other lovingly, waiting for the sweet breeze to take away all +traces of sorrow; telling secrets the while of what they would do by and +by, when they were grown-up, and trying bravely to forget their own +troubles for the benefit of others.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0015"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER XV.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + +<p>At last, finding the others did not come back to them, Poppy and Penelope +got up and prepared to follow them. "I suppose they don't mean to go any +farther in this direction," said Penelope. "Are my eyes all right, +Poppy?"</p> + +<p>Poppy assured her, truthfully, that no one would know she had shed a tear, +and Esther and Angela, seated on a boulder waiting for them, saw no trace +on either face, and suspected nothing of the storm that had come and gone +since they parted.</p> + +<p>"I am frantically hungry, aren't you?" called Penelope gaily, as they drew +near.</p> + +<p>They were all ravenous.</p> + +<p>"Let's go back and have lunch at once," suggested Esther. "Did you get +away from that horrid old thing pretty soon?"</p> + +<p>They all understood who the 'horrid old thing' was without explanation, +and none of them felt inclined to quarrel with the description.</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, pretty soon," said Penelope, in an off-hand way, as she stooped +to pick some sweet wild thyme.</p> + +<p>"I shall never like her any more," said Angela emphatically. "She was so +horrid to Esther."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't be taught by her for something," said Esther. "I don't envy +you, Pen."</p> + +<p>Pen felt a big sinking at her heart at the thought of her music lessons, +and Miss Row's last words to her; but she made a brave effort to be +cheerful. "She—she <i>can</i> be very nice," she said lamely.</p> + +<p>"It's all very well for you to talk," said Angela, whose usually gentle +spirit was greatly roused. "She didn't speak to you as she did to +Esther."</p> + +<p>Penelope gave Poppy a warning glance. "Well, she <i>can</i> be nice," she +repeated, for want of something else to say. "Now come along, girls; do +let's get back to 'the Castle' and have some lunch, and we'll forget all +about Miss Row being so nasty. It is the Poppy's birthday, and we've +<i>got</i> to think only of nice things. Now let's join hands and run down +this slope."</p> + +<p>With Poppy tightly grasped by her two eldest sisters, they flew over the +ground as fast as their legs could go. Poppy, her feet scarcely touching +the ground, shrieked with the greatest delight. Guard, who had been +distractedly hovering between the two couples while their party was +divided, barked and danced, and raced away and back again, as pleased as +any of them.</p> + +<p>They were quite exhausted before they reached 'the Castle,' and Poppy and +Angela had to be allowed to sit down to recover their breath.</p> + +<p>"I will go on and begin to get out the baskets," said Esther, "and unpack +them by the time you come. You won't stay here very long, will you?"</p> + +<p>Penelope was lying on her back gazing up at the blue sky and the swarms of +tiny insects which hovered and darted between her and it. She was too +comfortable to move, even to help get the lunch, so Esther and Guard went +alone.</p> + +<p>'The Castle,' the children's favourite play-place, was a group of huge +boulders, like closely set rough pillars, so arranged by nature as to +enclose a considerable space, like a tiny room, while outside was a kind +of natural staircase leading to what they sometimes called 'upstairs,' and +sometimes 'the roof,' which was formed of a large flat boulder, forming a +natural roof, and keeping the interior dry and cosy save for the breezes +which blew through the various openings, large and small, between the +pillars.</p> + +<p>It was in this centre, close to a pillar, and well out of sight, that the +children had hidden their things; and here Esther came now, and pushing +her arm through a narrow opening, groped about for the familiar baskets, +and groped in vain.</p> + +<p>"I thought we put them here," she said to herself, "but I must have come +to the wrong opening." She went to another, and groped again in vain.</p> + +<p>"Well," she said perplexed, and beginning to feel troubled, "I am certain +it was in one of those. We didn't go round to the other side, I am sure +we didn't. I'll go inside and look."</p> + +<p>She went to what they called their secret entrance, and creeping in, stood +up in the 'room' and looked about her. Not a basket was to be seen. +The place was bare.</p> + +<p>She scrambled out again more quickly than she had moved for a very long +time. "Penelope," she shouted, "girls, quick—come—we've been—"</p> + +<p>Then the thought suddenly came to her that perhaps the thieves were in +hiding somewhere near, and were chuckling over her dismay, and she drew +herself up abruptly. If a trick had been played them the perpetrators +should not gloat over their discomfiture.</p> + +<p>Guard was still sniffing eagerly about the spot when Esther walked with +dignity back to the others, and, still with that fear of watching eyes on +her, sat calmly down by them before she spoke; but when she did speak her +tragic, mysterious voice and manner filled them all with awe and dismay.</p> + +<p>"Girls, keep very quiet and listen to me. What <i>do</i> you think has +happened! There are thieves about. They have stolen our baskets and the +can—everything. There isn't a crumb left. Isn't it awful! Don't shriek +or make a fuss. They may be watching us, and we won't let them see that +we know, or—or care, will we?"</p> + +<p>To the two younger ones it was an impossibility to suppress all signs. +To them thieves meant robbers, bandits, a horde of savage creatures who +might spring from anywhere, who, having consumed their provisions, +might next run away with themselves. There were other troubles, too.</p> + +<p>"And I am <i>so</i> hungry," cried Poppy. "I am starving. It isn't a bit like +a birthday. I wish I hadn't had one."</p> + +<p>Esther sat down by her and put her arms protectingly round her. +Penelope looked fierce.</p> + +<p>"We cannot put up with it," she cried indignantly. "It's such +impertinence to take our things, such wickedness, such thievery. +The children will be starved. What can we do? Where can we look? Who do +you think can have done it? Come and search for them, shall we? +Guard ought to be able to catch them. Perhaps some one has done it just +to play us a trick."</p> + +<p>"But suppose they are looking on and laughing," said Esther, who had a +perfect horror of being made to look foolish. "And do you think it is +safe? They must be horrid people, and might do anything if we found them +out."</p> + +<p>"I expect they have run away by now, if they stole the things," said wise +Penelope, who could be very practical when she did come out of her dreamy +state, "and they would laugh more if the baskets were only just hidden for +a joke, and we went hungry because we wouldn't look for them."</p> + +<p>Esther saw the sense of all that; but Angela repeated anxiously, +"Do you think it is safe?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, safe enough with Guard to protect us," said Penelope, rather +impatiently. She was dreadfully hungry, and very disappointed and rather +cross. They all got up and looked about them. Guard was at a little +distance from them, sniffing excitedly about a big clump of furze and +blackberry bushes.</p> + +<p>"I believe they are there," cried Penelope.</p> + +<p>"What, the thieves!" cried Angela, turning pale.</p> + +<p>"Don't be silly, Angela," Penelope retorted crossly. "Can't you see you +are frightening Poppy? I meant the baskets. If you are afraid, stay +here, and I will go alone."</p> + +<p>Angela looked 'squashed.' "Oh no," she stammered, "I—I will go too."</p> + +<p>"We will all go," said Esther promptly. "Come along, children, don't +let's be silly."</p> + +<p>They went along hand in hand, trying hard to look unconcerned and brave, +and succeeding fairly well. Guard, seeing them coming, ran back to them +excitedly, then tore back to the bushes again, while they followed as fast +as they could, peered in where he was thrusting his nose, and there, right +in the middle of the furze brake, they saw the two baskets and the can, +quite empty.</p> + +<p>They were so hungry, so shocked, so disappointed, and so mortified by the +trick that had been played them, they had hard work to keep back their +tears. Angela and Poppy quite failed to. "I never knew such a horrid old +birthday," sobbed Poppy; "and the patties looked so lovely, and the cake, +and now we've got to wait till we go home."</p> + +<p>Esther stood with the baskets in her hands, gazing at them with a troubled +face. "I am glad we have these to take home with us," she said +thoughtfully. "Girls, do you think we had better go straight back and +tell what has happened, or—or shall we say nothing and let Cousin +Charlotte and Anna think we have eaten it all up. Anna would be so +awfully disappointed to think all the meat patties and the sandwiches she +had made, and all the other things, had been eaten by thieves, and—and +very likely we shouldn't be allowed to come out like this any more, and +that would be dreadful."</p> + +<p>The consternation on all faces when Esther began was almost ludicrous, +and, indeed, it was no light matter to contemplate hours of hunger in that +hungry air; but the thought of Cousin Charlotte's and Anna's +disappointment, wrath, and alarm made them think of another side of the +question.</p> + +<p>"Will it be very long?" asked Poppy, in a piteous little voice. +Esther took out her watch. "Four and a half hours to tea-time, I am +afraid," she said reluctantly. She could not bear to doom her sisters to +such a spell of waiting, it seemed really too dreadful; and so they all +thought as they groaned aloud.</p> + +<p>"Can I go home and pretend to Anna we want more lunch, we are so hungry +to-day?" suggested Penelope.</p> + +<p>"I am sure she would think we were ill, and make us all come home at +once," said Esther, laughing, "and perhaps make us go to bed. She gave us +such a lot we couldn't possibly be hungry if we ate it all."</p> + +<p>"I have a penny," said Angela. "Shall we go and buy four tea-cakes at +Mrs. Vercoe's? That will be one each, and better than nothing." +Better than nothing indeed! One of Mrs. Vercoe's tea-cakes seemed then +the most desirable thing in the world—except two.</p> + +<p>They were all starting off when Angela exclaimed again, "Oh, and I've +thought of something else. If I could creep into the garden without being +seen, and get to the fowls' house, I believe I should find an egg in +Fluffikin's nest."</p> + +<p>"One raw egg between four wouldn't be much good," said Penelope +hopelessly. "It isn't worth going for."</p> + +<p>"But I didn't mean that, I didn't mean to eat it. I meant to take it to +Mrs. Vercoe's, and sell it. I dare say she would give me a penny for it, +and that would buy four more tea-cakes."</p> + +<p>The suggestion was pronounced a noble one, and hailed with joy, and in +another moment they were all running in the direction of home as fast as +they could go.</p> + +<p>"I feel like a thief myself," said Angela, as she crept out of the garden +again, and rejoined them, a beautiful great egg in her hand.</p> + +<p>"I wish I knew who stole our food," said Esther, "I should feel much +happier. I don't like to tell, yet I don't think it is right to say +nothing about it."</p> + +<p>It was a knotty problem, and lasted them all the time they were skirting +the end of the garden and crossing the moor, until they came out close to +Mrs. Vercoe's shop.</p> + +<p>What had not occurred to any of them was that there might be any one else +in the shop, and least of all that it should be any one they knew. +And this was exactly what did happen.</p> + +<p>The four of them walking quickly in at the door, as into a haven of refuge +reached at last, found themselves face to face with Cousin Charlotte.</p> + +<p>It was so unexpected that for a moment they wavered, and nearly turned and +fled. Colouring hotly, and looking the picture of confusion, they could +think of nothing to do or say. But Cousin Charlotte, guessing nothing, +only smiled and looked amused. Their dismay escaped her. "Well, chicks," +she said, "are you managing to enjoy your holiday?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—thank you," they stammered, with as much enthusiasm as they could +muster.</p> + +<p>"That's right. Don't overtire yourselves, but have a nice day. Now I +must hurry home to my meal. I expect you have had yours by this time. +Ah, I see," glancing at the empty baskets, "every crumb cleared. This is +wonderful air for giving one an appetite," she remarked, turning to Mrs. +Vercoe, and Mrs. Vercoe agreed; but the children felt that neither of them +understood that fact as they did. It was almost torture to hear Cousin +Charlotte say she was going home to her meal. Their longing to join her +was almost more than they could bear. They were thankful, though, that +she did not ask them how they had enjoyed their lunch, and what Anna's +patties were like, or anything of that sort.</p> + +<p>"Well, good-bye, dears, for the time. You won't be late, will you? +It would be wise to have a nice rest before tea-time. Don't eat a lot of +sweets now, will you? After your big lunch you should reserve yourselves +for Anna's big tea. She will expect you to do justice to it." +Then turning to Mrs. Vercoe again to explain, "It is this young lady's +birthday, and Anna has invited them to tea with her, as I, unfortunately, +have to be out."</p> + +<p>"My!" exclaimed Mrs. Vercoe, looking at them with amused interest, +"that <i>will</i> be nice. Good-day, miss," as Cousin Charlotte hurried away.</p> + +<p>On the counter stood a large tray of buns and tea-cakes—'splits' as they +call them in those parts. They were new, and the smell was perfectly +delicious. Mrs. Vercoe, saying, "I wishes you many returns of the day, +missie," was about to take one up and present it to Poppy, when she stayed +her hand. "If you've just had your dinner you'd rather have a bit of +sweety, I reckon."</p> + +<p>"Oh no," gasped poor Poppy, in her desperation almost clutching at the +tempting food. "I—I—thank you very much," she stammered. "I love plain +buns. There's miffing I like so much." But when she had it she hesitated +to begin to eat it; it seemed so selfish and greedy right there under +those three pairs of hungry eyes. She longed to divide it, but did not +like to. Esther, seeing her perplexity, came to her rescue. "Eat it, +dear," she said softly, and Poppy never in her life was more glad to obey.</p> + +<p>Angela stepped forward, colouring a little. "Please, I want four farthing +tea-cakes," she said, as calmly as she could speak. She was painfully +conscious of Mrs. Vercoe's look of surprise. "And—and please," she went +on, growing painfully embarrassed, for it was not easy now it had come to +the point, "do you want an egg, Mrs. Vercoe?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Vercoe looked even more surprised, but she only said civilly that she +"could do with a dozen."</p> + +<p>"I've only one at present," said Angela. "It is one my own hen laid, but +you can have some more to-morrow morning."</p> + +<p>"Very well, my dear," said amiable Mrs. Vercoe, "that will do. I'll put +the one here until I get the rest. Shall I give you the money, missie, or +would Miss Ashe prefer to have it in goods?"</p> + +<p>"Oh please," said poor Angela, "this one is my own, and I should like— +some more tea-cakes for it."</p> + +<p>"Tea-cakes!" said Mrs. Vercoe in a bewildered voice. "Why, yes, my dear, +of course; but—you'll excuse my asking, but—there isn't nothing the +matter, is there?" she inquired confidentially, peering at them over her +big glasses.</p> + +<p>Then Esther stepped forward. "Yes, Mrs. Vercoe, there is. It's—it's +nothing wrong that we've done, but you must promise not to say a word +about it to anybody, please. It wouldn't have mattered <i>quite</i> so much, +but now we have pretended to Cousin Charlotte that we enjoyed our lunch it +would be dreadful. You will never say a word to any one, will you, +Mrs. Vercoe?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Vercoe promised solemnly, whereupon the four tongues were unloosed, +and the whole tale of the calamity and their hunger and disappointment was +poured out. Mrs. Vercoe listened with the keenest interest, every now and +then raising her two fat hands in amazement, then resting them again on +her plump sides.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dears! oh, my dears!" she kept gasping. "What owdacious +wickedness there do be in this world, to be sure. To think of it! Well, I +never did! And if they ain't caught and punished it'll be no more nor +less than a crying shame."</p> + +<p>By the time they had finished she was leading them all into her little +parlour, bent on making tea for them and preparing them a good meal; +but Esther would not hear of it.</p> + +<p>"Thank you very much," she said warmly, "but if we may have a few +tea-cakes it will be quite enough. We only want something to prevent our +feeling so hungry and faint and horrid till tea-time."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Vercoe insisted, though, on their all having some milk to drink with +their splits, on which she spread butter liberally, and an apple or so +each to take away and munch on the moor. It was too soon to go home yet, +they felt, yet their love for wandering had been somewhat dashed by the +unpleasant experience of the morning. Somehow the moor did not seem the +same while they felt that it held thieves too.</p> + +<p>Guard, who had been given some biscuits and stale cake, looked up at them +inquiringly, as much as to say, "Aren't we going home now?" Visions of +his comfortable bed rose before him, and he felt very inclined for a +noon-day nap. But the children told him he was not to go home yet, and he +agreed, with his usual amiability, to follow where they led.</p> + +<p>"I think we will go down by the river," said Esther. "It will be a +change, and will seem different. It won't remind us so much of thieves."</p> + +<p>So on they went, past Moor Cottage, where they saw through the curtains +Cousin Charlotte at her solitary meal, and waved gaily to her; over the +bridge and down on the fascinating river-bank where all sorts of treasures +lurked, and the roots of the trees, rising out of the soft earth, formed +steps and seats and balustrades and all sorts of things.</p> + +<p>"I think we won't go so very far," said Esther, looking at her watch. +"It is two o'clock now, and I think we might go home at half-past three. +Let's sit down here, shall we?"</p> + +<p>"Shall we just go a teeny tiny way further?" pleaded Angela. "There is a +beautiful place a little way further on, a dear little cosy, cubby corner +where we should be shut in, and as comfy as possible. Shall we, Esther?"</p> + +<p>Esther nodded, and on they went again. Guard, as though he knew what they +had been saying, ran on in front, making for the very spot.</p> + +<p>"He <i>couldn't</i> have understood what I said could he?" asked Angela +eagerly, "but he has gone into the very place."</p> + +<p>"And seems inclined to stay there," said Penelope. She whistled once or +twice, but the usually obedient Guard did not appear.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what he is doing?" said Angela, growing anxious at once, as she +always did. "I will run on and see," and, no one stopping her, she went.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0016"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER XVI.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + +<p>The others, scarcely noticing that she had gone, went on their way very +slowly, watching the river as it swirled past, rushing by some places, +at others apparently not moving. They were absorbed in sailing twigs down +the stream when a flying white-faced figure dashed into their midst, +chattering confusedly and almost weeping.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what shall we do, what shall we do!" gasped Angela. "Guard found +them. They are in there, dead or asleep. I don't know which. He is +sniffing at their pockets. There are three of them, and he won't let them +go, and it is Cousin Charlotte's cloth. I recognised it hanging out of +his pocket, the one Anna wrapped the patties in—"</p> + +<p>"<i>What are you talking about?</i>" demanded Esther, grasping Angela by the +arm. "Don't be so frightened. What has happened?"</p> + +<p>Angela tried to be calmer and more coherent. "There are three boys asleep +in the very place where we were going. Guard found them. He was sniffing +at their pockets when I got there, and he <i>wouldn't</i> come away, and—I +believe they are the thieves that stole our lunch. One had a bit of white +sticking out of his pocket, and Guard sniffed at it and pulled it out, and +I am certain it is Cousin Charlotte's doyley! Oh, Esther, what shall we +do? Shall we go away, or—or shall we—"</p> + +<p>"Go away!" cried Esther, scornful and indignant. "No, indeed, except to +fetch a policeman. I am going to tax them with it, and hear what they +have to say. What boys are they, do you know?"</p> + +<p>"I believe I have seen them at 'Four Winds,' but I don't know their +names—but, Esther, do you think it is safe to accuse them—"</p> + +<p>"Safe!" cried Esther scornfully. "What is there to be afraid of? +If there was anything I shouldn't care. I am not going to let them get +off scot-free, nasty, wicked thieves. They have spoilt our day, too, and +all our fun. Let's be quick and catch them before they manage to escape."</p> + +<p>The four turned and hurried to the spot. As they drew near they heard now +and again a low growl from Guard, then voices half-whimpering, +half-bullying. "Get away, get away you ugly great thing. You leave me +alone."</p> + +<p>Esther's and Penelope's eyes lightened at the scent of battle.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't let them hurt poor Guard!" pleaded Poppy piteously.</p> + +<p>"No, dear, they won't hurt him. They are horribly afraid of him, really, +I expect. Perhaps you had better stay here. Would you rather?"</p> + +<p>But Poppy clung close, begging not to be left. If there was to be battle +she was not going to let her sisters face it alone.</p> + +<p>There was not much battle left, though, in the three young scamps Guard +was keeping prisoners. The sight of the big, angry-looking dog, and the +knowledge that they were trapped with proofs of their guilt on them, had +quenched all their spirit. Torpid after their big meal, they had fallen +asleep in their hiding-place, feeling perfectly secure from detection. +They had been awakened by something touching them, breathing into their +faces, diving into their pockets where the remains of their feast lay +hidden, and had awakened with a start to find a huge, eager, angry animal +standing over them. They would have yelled but for the fear of drawing +still more attention to themselves and their whereabouts.</p> + +<p>When they heard footsteps approaching their terror increased a +hundredfold, but when the owners of them turned the corner, and they found +they were nothing worse than four little girls—the eldest no bigger than +themselves—their relief was great, and their courage began to return. +They assumed at once a superior 'don't-care' air, as though they thought +it all a great joke. In their own minds they felt they could easily defy +such antagonists and get the better of them; but their attitude only made +Esther and Penelope more indignant with them.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Esther severely, "you are caught. You are three thieves, and +we have caught you, and it only remains for us to decide what we shall do +with you. Guard, come here."</p> + +<p>Guard obediently came to her side, but he only helped so completely to +block the entrance that the boys recognised at once that they were no +better off than they were before.</p> + +<p>"You go away and leave us alone," cried the tallest of the young scamps, a +boy of about fourteen. "We've got as much right here as you, and you've +no right to stop us if we wants to go. I'll tell the p'lice as 'ow you +set your great savage dog on us. Yes, I will, see if I don't!"</p> + +<p>Esther laughed scornfully. "I should like to see you," she said +contemptuously. "You wouldn't <i>dare</i>!"</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't I! wouldn't I dare! You just wait and see then," he went on in +a bullying tone.</p> + +<p>Penelope could keep quiet no longer. "That's easily proved," she said +loftily. "I will go and get one. Constable Magor will be in the village +about this time, it won't take me long to get him," and she turned away.</p> + +<p>The boys' faces were a picture. Fear, confusion, astonishment took the +place of their bragging. They still kept up a semblance of defiance, +but it was very lukewarm. "No, you won't. You know you don't mean it. +You needn't try to kid us. We know better."</p> + +<p>Penelope without another word walked away. When first she spoke she had +hardly intended really to get a policeman, but their taunts roused her +spirit and determined her. The boys listened to her departing footsteps, +and the look that came into their faces was not pretty. For a moment they +looked only foolish, then their expression changed to one of bullying +anger.</p> + +<p>"Let's knock 'em down and run for it," urged one. "They don't know who we +are. Tip they there things out of your pocket, Bill, so's they won't have +no clue."</p> + +<p>Esther's eyes darkened and deepened, her lips grew a little more +compressed, but otherwise her expression did not change from its look of +scornful disgust. Poppy clung closer. "Oh, Essie, don't let them hurt +us," she whispered nervously.</p> + +<p>Esther drew her closer and stood in front of her. "They won't hurt us, +darling," she said, with calm defiance.</p> + +<p>Angela, who all this while had been standing white to the lips and shaking +uncontrollably, now suddenly pulled herself together. "If either of you +dare to touch my little sister," she called out, "I'll—I'll—"</p> + +<p>"Dear me," mimicked one boy rudely. "Will you really? What very fine +people we are. Ain't we brave too! Come on, Bill," and they came towards +the girls with a rush. But they had reckoned without a very important +antagonist. Guard, sitting quiet, obedient, apparently unconcerned, had +watched every movement. At their first step forward he was on his feet, +when they made their rush he sprang towards them, knocking the first boy +off his feet, and the others sprawling over him, and across the wriggling, +bellowing, gasping heap he planted his big, rough body determinedly, +growling fierce low growls every time they attempted to move, and even had +his mistresses called to him then it is doubtful if he would have moved, +so enraged was he.</p> + +<p>But Esther did not call him. Her anger had flamed as hot as his at this +attack of the bullies on Angela and little Poppy, and she felt no pity. +"They shall stay there," she determined, "for the time, at any rate. +We will see what will happen next."</p> + +<p>The next thing that happened was a very meek voice coming from the +prostrate trio. "Please, miss, if you'll call your dog off, we won't +touch you, we won't really, honour bright!"</p> + +<p>"Honour bright," scoffed Esther. "You have none. You don't know what +honour is! I didn't know before that boys ever were such cowards."</p> + +<p>"Please, miss, if you'll call him off and not let him hurt us, we'll +promise—"</p> + +<p>"I don't want your promises," cried Esther. "You are thieves and cowards, +and I wouldn't take your word. Besides, <i>we</i> are not afraid of your +touching us. Why did you steal our things?"</p> + +<p>"Well—we found them," grumbled one of the boys. "Findings is keepings, +and how was we to know they was yours?"</p> + +<p>"You knew they were not yours, and you had no right to touch them."</p> + +<p>"You shouldn't leave things about if you don't want them took. As like as +not your dog would have had 'em if we hadn't."</p> + +<p>"<i>He</i> is <i>honest</i>," said Esther scathingly, "and we are accustomed to +honest people. The things were put in a safe spot, out of sight."</p> + +<p>"Not so very safe," taunted Bill. "We found 'em easy enough." +But his energy only called forth an alarming growl from Guard.</p> + +<p>"We will find a safe spot for you, at any rate," said Esther meaningly, +and the boys became thoughtful for a moment.</p> + +<p>"Please, miss, your dog's 'urting. He's treading on my chest, and he's +'eavy," whined Bill, but Esther paid no heed. Silence reigned, broken +only by the voice of the river, and the singing of the happy birds. +Guard stood at his post, the three girls kept the entrance, the boys +waited in increasing alarm, wondering what was going to happen. +They were beginning to feel genuinely frightened.</p> + +<p>Esther was thinking deeply. The truth was she did not know what step to +take next. She did not really want to give them in charge, she did not +want the affair to reach Cousin Charlotte's ears, and she did not know how +to dispose of her prisoners with dignity.</p> + +<p>At last the silence was broken by a pitiful wailing voice. "Please, miss, +if you'll let us go, we'll promise never to do no such thing no more. +Please, miss, we ain't thieves really; we done it for fun more'n anything, +and—and now I—I wish I hadn't never seen the old things," and then the +hero broke down and began to sob and call "Mawther, mawther, I want my +mawther!"</p> + +<p>Angela's anger evaporated. "I dare say he isn't really a bad boy," she +whispered to Esther. "Let's forgive him, Essie."</p> + +<p>Esther was making up her mind. "Look here, you boys," she called out at +last, "if you apologise to us and say you are sorry, and will never do +such a thing again, we will let you off this time. But you must tell me +your names and where you live." She did not in the least know what good +an apology would be, nor did the boys know what it was, but they promised +readily.</p> + +<p>"Guard, come here," commanded Esther.</p> + +<p>Guard moved away reluctantly. He had not forgotten the sudden attack on +his little mistresses. The boys sat up.</p> + +<p>"His name is John Thomas, and his is Bill Baker, and mine's Silas Hawken," +said the eldest of the three, "and we lives to Four Winds."</p> + +<p>"Um!" said Esther sternly. "We know Four Winds and a lot of people there, +so we shall hear if you don't behave yourselves, and if you don't we will +tell the police about this. Now go."</p> + +<p>With intense relief and quickening steps the boys were hurrying by them, +Guard, still suspicious, following at their heels, when suddenly it was +his turn to be bowled over by the enemy. With a roar of terror the three +boys recoiled one on the other, and all three on top of Guard, for at the +entrance stood Penelope and Constable Magor.</p> + +<p>Angela and Poppy looked almost as frightened as the boys. They did not +want them to be really taken to jail, and it seemed now as though matters +were being taken out of their hands. They felt sure the culprits would be +led away handcuffed. Poppy, with this in her mind, forgot everything.</p> + +<p>"Oh, please," she cried, running to the constable, "please we have +promised to forgive them. Don't take them to jail, please. They said +they were sorry, and they won't ever be naughty again, and we let them go. +Didn't we, Esther? Please don't hurt them."</p> + +<p>Constable Magor looked at Esther, and Esther explained. The boys, looking +the picture of miserable fear and shame, stood huddled together as far as +possible from every one. The constable, with a knowing shake of the head +to Esther, said, "All right, miss. I knows how to deal with they there +young rogues." Going over to them he pushed them apart, and made them +stand at equal distances from one another.</p> + +<p>"Now you turn out your pockets, every one of them," he commanded sternly. +"Right there afore me, you turn 'em out, and turn 'em out thorough, or +I'll be doing it for you. Do you hear?"</p> + +<p>They heard plainly enough, and with shaking hands turned out a collection +of marbles, crumbs, sticky sweets, twine, broken patties and sandwiches, +and sundry other odds and ends. One had the little doyley Angela had +first recognised, another reluctantly produced a silver folding +fruit-knife with 'C. Ashe' engraved on the handle. When the girls saw +this they looked at each other. "Cousin Charlotte and Anna would have +missed that," they whispered, "and then we should have had to tell."</p> + +<p>The constable looked grave, too, when he saw the knife and the doyley. +"This is serious," he said sternly, "and if it wasn't that the young +ladies perticler asked me not to, I'd clap the handcuffs on the lot of you +for it, and as like as not you'd get a week in jail, and have your jackets +warmed with that there cat-o'-nine-tails you may have heard tell on. +Don't you think, miss," turning to Esther with a very grave face, "as 'ow +I'd better, after all?"</p> + +<p>"Oh no—don't let him!" pleaded Poppy frantically.</p> + +<p>Esther pretended to think deeply for a moment, debating the question; +then, with great importance and dignity, "No, I think we will let them go +this time, thank you," she said, "though when I gave them my promise I +didn't know they were going away with stolen things in their pockets. +I gave them my promise, and I'll keep it, but,"—very severely—"it is more +than they deserve."</p> + +<p>"That it is," said Constable Magor emphatically; "and if they don't look +after their ways they'll taste that 'cat' yet. Do you hear, you young +scamps? Let this be a lesson to you, and thank your stars you've got such +kind-hearted young ladies to deal with, or I wouldn't say what would have +happened to you by now! Now go. Right about face, quick march, and don't +you let me have no more complaints of you, or I'll know how to act. +You won't have a second such chance. Do you hear? Now go!"</p> + +<p>They did not need a second bidding, but dashed out of the place as though +they feared if they lingered their chance would be gone, and soon even +their stumbling, scrambling footsteps could no longer be heard.</p> + +<p>Then the policeman took his leave too, and the four were left looking at +each other. The scene had tried their nerves and their courage more than +they realised; they felt suddenly very tired and very depressed. +Poppy began to sob from sheer weariness. The others felt as though they +would like to follow suit, but pride forbade them. The moor and the river +and the day seemed suddenly to have grown chilly and gloomy and sad.</p> + +<p>"I think we will go home," said Esther. "Shall we?"</p> + +<p>They all agreed, with something like relief in their voices. Poppy's sobs +ceased. "It doesn't seem a bit like a burfday, does it, Essie? Oh, I am +<i>so</i> tired."</p> + +<p>Esther bent down and kissed her and picked her up in her arms. +She herself was tired, and Poppy was a heavy load for fourteen-year-old +Esther; but she loved her baby sister so dearly she could not bear to see +her sad and weary. "Put your arms round my neck and hold tight, and we +will soon get home, and you shall rest a little; and then we will have +tea, and all the rest of the day shall be one of the beautifullest you +ever had. We will play games, 'Hot and Cold,' 'Pepper, Salt, and +Mustard,' and all the ones you like best, and we will have a lovely time, +won't we?"</p> + +<p>Poppy nodded the weary little head resting on her sister's shoulder. +"Yes," she agreed gladly, comforted greatly by Esther's tone. +Esther herself did not feel at all inclined for games or jollity, or +anything of the sort, but the mere pretending helped her. Penelope and +Angela strolled on ahead, linked arm in arm. Guard trotted along slowly +between the two couples, as though determined to be prepared for any more +attacks, and so they reached home again at last, and thankfully they made +their way to their comfortable bedrooms to prepare for the next event of +that exciting day.</p> + +<p>"I do hope," said Esther, as she slowly mounted the stairs, "that we don't +have another angry word with any one all the rest of the day. It seems to +have been nothing but quarrelling, so far."</p> + +<p>"Laugh before breakfast, cry before night," murmured Poppy in a very weary +voice; but when Esther had given her a nice warm bath, and tucked her away +in her little bed for a rest, her spirits had recovered. "She didn't say +'keep on crying,' did she, Essie? So perhaps I have cried enough, and +it's all over. Oh my! what lovely things Anna must be cooking," sniffing +in the savoury odours which were finding their way from the kitchen. +"I wonder what they are. <i>I</i> am going to have some of <i>everything</i>, +because it's my birthday," and then the little heroine of the day dropped +off into a dreamless sleep, while Esther turned over their scanty stock of +clothing to try to find something worthy of the occasion.</p> + +<p>When Poppy awoke the scent of hot jams and spicy cakes, and all sorts of +other good things, was stronger than ever, reminding her, the moment she +opened her eyes, what day it was, and what was before her. She jumped up +in bed with a start. "Oh, I haven't slept too long, have I? Esther, is +it very late? Do help me to dress quick!"</p> + +<p>"It is all right," said Esther, in a calm, reassuring tone. "I am ready, +and now I can attend to you. It is only four o'clock. There is plenty of +time. I wouldn't have let you sleep too long, dear."</p> + +<p>"But supposing you had slept too, and we had all slept!" Poppy's eyes +grew very large and round at the mere thought of so dreadful a +possibility.</p> + +<p>"Oh my!" said Esther calmly, as she put the last finishing touches to her +hair, "wouldn't it have been dreadful! Don't let's think about it."</p> + +<p>Esther had put on her best frock and an old muslin fichu about her +shoulders. The fichu was one her mother had thrown away long ago, and +Esther had rescued. It was old, but it looked quite pretty and +picturesque over her plain red frock. Poppy was better off than the +others. She owned a little soft, white silk frock, which still looked +festive and partyfied, in spite of frequent washings and not too careful +ironings. Her pretty dark hair Esther tied with her own best rose-pink +hair-ribbon. "Now if I had only got a sash for you, dear, your frock +would look lovely."</p> + +<p>"Never mind," said Poppy cheerfully. "I will wear my locket." From her +jewel-case, as she called it, she took carefully a thread-like gold chain +and a tiny old-fashioned gold locket; it had an anchor on one side and +held two photographs. Poppy did not know whose photographs they were, and +no one had ever been able to tell her, but she would not have had them +removed for any consideration whatever. The other contents of her +jewel-case were a large green malachite brooch in the shape of a Maltese +cross, a tiny silver pig, and a broken gold safety-pin; but no child ever +possessed treasures more greatly prized.</p> + +<p>Before the toilette was complete Penelope and Angela came in, looking very +neat and nice, and then an anxious consultation was held as to whether +they ought to go down or wait until the bell rang. They compromised by +going half-way and sitting on the stairs. The last few minutes did seem +very long, for they were ravenous again by that time; but so prompt was +Anna that before the clock began to strike the hour she came to the +kitchen door, and had just begun to make a terrific clanging with the bell +when they ran through from the inner hall.</p> + +<p>"Well! 'tis a compliment, sure enough," she said, with a beaming smile, +"when folks comes and waits outside for the doors to open. Come along in +then, my dears. 'Tis all ready."</p> + +<p>Anna was in her best frock with her Band of Hope scarf on, and looked +flushed and pleased, and no wonder, for the kitchen looked beautiful. +It was decorated with no fewer than twenty nosegays of flowers, arranged +on the dressers and mantelpiece and every available space in jugs and pots +and vases of every description; while on the table were bread and butter, +'splits' spread with jam and cream, seed-cakes, currant-cakes, an apple +tart covered with cream, on a plate, and <i>the</i> birthday cake. Oh! how +good it all smelt and looked.</p> + +<p>Anna took her seat at the head of the table before the tea-tray, with the +heroine of the day on her right hand and Esther on her left.</p> + +<p>"I hope you've all got good appetites," she said, as she handed them their +cups.</p> + +<p>"Oh yes," they said meekly, but thought, as they looked at each other, it +was as well Anna did not know how good, and why.</p> + +<p>"You look tired, I think," she went on. "You've been out too long, +perhaps; but your tea will refreshen you."</p> + +<p>Esther thought if Anna only knew all they had been through since she saw +them last she would not wonder at their looking tired. She did long to +pour out all their adventures to her. She would have been so interested +and sympathetic, and it would have been such a relief to have talked it +all over with some one older than themselves, and thus have thrown off the +fear of a chance word or hint escaping one or the other of them. Once or +twice the tale almost got beyond the tip of her tongue; but she thought of +the curtailed freedom which might follow, so held her peace.</p> + +<p>The others were, for a time, completely absorbed by the meal. +Never greater compliment was paid to any feast. Very soon there was not a +dish on the table but what showed gaps. The 'splits' vanished in no time; +the apple tart looked quite shabby. Anna was kept quite busy helping them +to one thing after another. At first she fairly beamed with delight; +but by and by she began to look a little perplexed.</p> + +<p>"I suppose it <i>is</i> a long time since you had your lunches," she said +reflectively, "and the air do give one a appetite. P'r'aps you hadn't +better have any more tart, Miss Poppy, dear. Hadn't you better try a bit +of plain bread and butter?" She did not like to say much, but she really +began to grow quite troubled at the size of their appetites.</p> + +<p>Before they had finished their tea Ephraim came to the door. He had +tidied for the evening, but had come back with a message for Miss +Charlotte.</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>do</i> ask him in," pleaded Poppy earnestly. "Anna, do. It would seem +so unkind to let him see us having such a <i>lovely</i> tea and not offer him +any."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't think he'd want any," said Anna, with seeming reluctance; but +she called out to him, "Come inside, Ephraim, and close that door. +You'm keeping the young ladies in a draught. Miss Poppy wants to know if +you can stay and have some of her birthday tea. You'm welcome to if you +can."</p> + +<p>Ephraim seemed able, and even glad, to stay. "I wanted to see Miss +Poppy," he said. "I've got something for her, as that there furrin chap +down to Edless was bringing along. I met un at the gate and told un I'd +take it in for him as I was coming in," and he laid a neat white parcel on +the table beside the astonished little maid.</p> + +<p>"For me!" she cried, looking all round the table, wide-eyed with +excitement. "Are you <i>sure</i> it's for me, Ephraim?" she asked, as she +began to undo the pretty ribbons which tied the parcel—rose-colour +ribbons like that in her hair. The excitement of all very nearly equalled +hers, and when she lifted out of the soft white paper a beautiful +silk-fringed sash of the same shade, they all shrieked with joy.</p> + +<p>"The very, very, very thing I was wanting for you just now!" cried Esther. +"Oh, how lovely! It is from Mademoiselle. How kind and beautiful of +her."</p> + +<p>Poppy handed the sash round for inspection, while she read the little note +enclosed.</p> + +<p>"It is not poppy-colour, but will my dear little market-woman accept it +from a grateful customer with much love and every good wish for many happy +returns of the day?"</p> + +<p>Their excitement was so great they could not eat another mouthful, +somewhat to Anna's relief, for she had really grown quite anxious lest +they should make themselves ill.</p> + +<p>Ephraim's appetite almost rivalled theirs, but at last even he had done, +the table was cleared, and space made for games to begin. It was then +that Ephraim came out in a new and unexpected light, for if any one had +told Anna or the children that he could be a leading spirit in games and +jokes, and riddles and such-like, they would have refused to believe it; +but he proved it beyond all doubt or denial, for the next hour or two flew +by with shrieks of laughter and endless fun, and Ephraim was the leader of +it all.</p> + +<p>"Anna," said Poppy, as she was being put to bed that night, "don't you +like Ephraim now better than you did?"</p> + +<p>Anna refused to own to any such weakness, but she blushed a little as she +denied it.</p> + +<p>"P'r'aps," said Angela, in a half-absent way as she brushed out her hair +in Poppy's room, "p'r'aps Anna likes him so much already she can't like +him better if she tries"; and Anna blushed as though Angela's chance shot +had reached home.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0017"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER XVII.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + +<p>To Penelope the weeks that followed the great day were very sorrowful +ones. Miss Row apparently could not forgive her. Day after day she +waited, hoping for a message bidding her come to renew her lessons; but no +message came, and Penelope grew sick with disappointment and grief that +she should have given such offence to her good friend. She went to Cousin +Charlotte about it—she had told her at once the story of how they had +given offence—but Cousin Charlotte only shook her head.</p> + +<p>"I think you cannot do anything, dear, but go and apologise if you feel +you spoke rudely; but—well, to tell you the truth, Penelope, Miss Row has +a most unfortunate temper. She was born with it, and she was never taught +to check it, and now it is too late. I tell you this as a warning, +child."</p> + +<p>Penelope did go to Cold Harbour to apologise. She thought she would feel +happier if she did; but there she only met with another blow. Miss Row +had gone away, and no one knew when she would come back. Returning more +dejected than ever, she looked in at the church on her way home. If she +could have practised a little it would have comforted her, but the organ +was locked. Miss Row had probably left the key with some one, but +Penelope felt she could not ask for it, as Miss Row had not said anything +to her about it; so everything seemed at a standstill and full of gloom.</p> + +<p>Esther, meantime, was spending what were perhaps the happiest weeks she +had ever known. She went to Mademoiselle Leperier three times a week to +sit with her and read to her and do little things she needed done, and in +return Mademoiselle gave her lessons and talked to her in French, so that +very soon Esther began to feel she was becoming quite proficient in the +language. So the visits were a double and a treble joy to her. +She loved to be with Mademoiselle in the dear little brown house where all +was so quiet and peaceful, and nothing rubbed her the wrong way; or to +stroll about the moor together. She loved to learn, and, perhaps best of +all, she loved to be of use and feel she was some help. Such pleasant +walks they had, and such long talks as they strolled slowly about, or sat +in the sunny sweet garden, looking over the great empty space where nature +dwelt alone, or in the cosy little parlour, fragrant always with the scent +of flowers and the pot-pourri with which the old blue bowls and teapots +were filled. One of Esther's self-appointed duties was to keep the vases +always fresh and sweet.</p> + +<p>The days were very full and happy now for Esther. She had quite a number +of duties at Moor Cottage, duties that were now left entirely to her, and +for which she was held responsible. She worked hard at her studies with +Cousin Charlotte, and she was still to some extent 'little mother' to +Poppy, so her mind and her time were very much occupied. This perhaps +made her a little blind to Penelope's distress, yet poor Penelope's +distress was very complete and apparent, for Miss Row had been away for +months, and never once in all that time had she sent a word to her little +pupil. The truth was she was so absorbed, as was her habit, in the people +and things she was amongst that she quite forgot all else.</p> + +<p>It was Angela who felt most distressed by Penelope's trouble, and most +sympathetic; and Angela it was who, on one of her rare visits to Edless, +told the tale to Mademoiselle Leperier.</p> + +<p>"Poor child, poor child," sighed Mademoiselle sympathetically, and asked +many questions until she drew from Angela all details, even to what +Mr. Somerset had said about her voice. "Ah!" she said. "It ought not to +be neglected, it ought not to be neglected. It will soon be too late."</p> + +<p>She said no more then; but when Angela and Esther were leaving she sent a +message to Penelope. "Tell her to come to me to-morrow. We may be able +perhaps to do something that will fill up the waiting time."</p> + +<p>Angela returned home in a high state of joy, which was scarcely damped by +Esther's silence during the first part of their walk, or her vexed remark, +"I do think you should know better than pour out all the family troubles +to Mademoiselle. I wonder you didn't ask her to teach—" but she stopped +before she finished what she had been going to say. "You three never go +there but what you make me wish you hadn't."</p> + +<p>"But I haven't done anything, Esther. Mademoiselle asked how Pen was, and +when I told her she was very unhappy about something she asked me why, +and what it was, and I had to tell her; and then she just asked me all +about it, and I—I told her. I couldn't help it—could I? I couldn't +say I wouldn't."</p> + +<p>"Penelope isn't very unhappy, nothing to make such a fuss about," grumbled +Esther. "When <i>I</i> am unhappy no one takes any notice of me. I don't see +anything wrong with her."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't you? I do. She is always so quiet, not like she used to be. +She frets so about having vexed Miss Row, and not going on with her +music."</p> + +<p>"If Miss Row had acted so to me I should have too much pride to grieve. +Why doesn't Penelope ask Mr. Jeffry to lend her the key of the organ? +He would in a moment."</p> + +<p>"She won't because she feels Miss Row did not mean her to have it."</p> + +<p>"That is nonsense," retorted Esther. "She can't want it so very much if +she won't take the trouble to speak to Mr. Jeffry. After all, it is not +Miss Row's organ."</p> + +<p>"Pen does want it <i>very</i> much," said Angela gently.</p> + +<p>"I never did like Miss Row," Esther went on, still in her most +disagreeable mood. "I could see she had a horrid temper. If Pen lets +herself be taken up and made a lot of she must expect what she gets."</p> + +<p>"But Miss Row didn't make more of Penelope than Mademoiselle has of you," +urged Angela, always ready to defend her adored Penelope, "and you would +feel it if Mademoiselle acted so to you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mademoiselle is quite different from Miss Row," said Esther loftily. +She did not admit even to herself that much of the charming difference lay +in the fact that she had singled out her, Esther, from her sisters.</p> + +<p>She underwent some change of opinion, though, when, a few days later, +Penelope came dancing down the road from Edless beside herself, almost, +with happiness. "Oh, Cousin Charlotte!" she cried as she rushed into the +house. "Oh, Cousin Charlotte! oh, girls! Mademoiselle has been talking +to me. She <i>is</i> so kind! What <i>do</i> you think? She actually says she +will give me lessons in singing if Cousin Charlotte will permit her. +She says she would <i>like</i> to. Isn't it lovely! splendiferous! beautiful! +Cousin Charlotte, you will, won't you? I <i>do</i> want to learn, and this is +such a splendid chance. Isn't it wonderful how the very things one wants +most come to one! I never dreamed of such a lovely thing as this."</p> + +<p>Esther got up and walked away without speaking a word. Cousin Charlotte, +who had seen her face, looked after her sadly, and sighed a little as she +watched her go. Then she turned to Penelope. "Yes, dear, certainly. +It is a wonderful opportunity for you here in this out-of-the-way spot, +and I could not deny it to you. I am most grateful to Mademoiselle for +her thoughtful kindness. I must call on her," Miss Charlotte added a +moment later, "whether she likes it or not. I must thank her for her +goodness to all my chicks."</p> + +<p>"Oh, she <i>will</i> be glad," cried Penelope, flinging her arms about Miss +Ashe's neck, and kissing the soft old cheek. "She will love you, Cousin +Charlotte, I know she will. She can't help it. Now I am going out to +think about it all. Oh, I <i>am</i> so happy. Thank you ever so much, +Cousin Charlotte," and she kissed her impetuously again.</p> + +<p>"You are easily made happy, my Penelope," said the little lady with a +sigh, as she put her arm around Penelope's shoulders and gave her a little +squeeze; and she sighed again as she thought of her Esther, and the +expression on her face. "I had that same sort of temper once," she said +to herself, "so I ought to understand her, and help her through; but oh, +I pray she may be spared the sorrow I had to bear, and the bitterness of +such regrets."</p> + +<p>But whatever Esther felt she said nothing. She never once spoke to +Penelope, then or later, of her singing lessons, or mentioned the subject +to any one, and when Penelope returned from her lessons, full of talk of +what had been seen and done and said, Esther might have been dumb and deaf +for all the share she took in the conversation. But she carefully avoided +Edless on those days; in fact she rarely went to the cottage at all from +the time Mademoiselle made her kind offer to Penelope.</p> + +<p>No one knew it, though, for she went off as usual three times a week in +the direction of Edless; but usually she turned aside when she got out of +sight, and wandered on the moor hour after hour, lonely and most unhappy, +breaking her heart for neglecting her beloved Mademoiselle, yet such a +victim to her temper that she could not conquer it. Often and often she +threw herself on the turf in a passion of tears, angry, wretched, ashamed. +More than once, in a better mood, she determined not to be so weak and +contemptible, but to be nobler and braver, and truer to her aims. +She hoped Mademoiselle did not notice anything and understand. But how +could Mademoiselle help noticing? She saw and grieved; and in part she +understood, but she said nothing. She knew that time alone could set +things right. Esther must learn by experience. But how that lesson was +to come, or how bitter was to be the experience, she little dreamed until +the dreadful day I am going to tell you of.</p> + +<p>To begin with it seemed like any other day. Penelope had to go to Edless, +for it was one of her singing-lesson days, and Esther, jealous, angry, +wretched, had watched her start, envying her and full of wrath. +She herself had not been to Edless for a fortnight, and she had lately +felt shy about going again after such a long neglect. She wondered what +Mademoiselle was thinking of her. She was hurt that no message was sent +by Penelope, yet relieved that Mademoiselle was keeping her secret; +she often dreaded what Cousin Charlotte would think of her if she should +discover her deceit, for she had often and often gone out pretending she +was bound for Edless, and had even said, in answer to her inquiries for +Mademoiselle, that she was 'about the same,' or something to that effect, +though she really had no knowledge at all, and the deception made her +conduct trebly bad. She was angry that all this misery should have come +and spoilt her happy life, jealous that Penelope should be able to go off +with such an honest, light heart and smiling face; and blamed every one +but herself.</p> + +<p>Before Penelope was more than out of sight, on this particular tragic day, +Cousin Charlotte came into Esther's bedroom, looking alarmed and bothered.</p> + +<p>"Esther dear," she said, "I wish you would go to Edless to-day and home +again with Penelope, and take Guard with you. If you are quick you can +overtake her. She has gone quite alone, and I am anxious. Ephraim told +Anna that a lot of the cattle have wandered to this part of the moor, and +are in a very wild state. I shall be afraid for you children to go on the +moor at all if they stay in this neighbourhood. I wish Anna had spoken +about it before Penelope started; I would have sent Ephraim with her or +not have let her go. Do you mind going, dear?"</p> + +<p>"Oh no," said Esther, but very coldly.</p> + +<p>"You will be quite safe with Guard, even if they do come near. +He will drive the creatures off," said Cousin Charlotte, thinking Esther +was nervous. "Penelope ought to have taken him. I should not have been +anxious about her if she had."</p> + +<p>But Esther had none of that sort of fear. "Oh, I am not afraid," she said +more heartily, and went away to put on her hat. But when she was actually +on her way to Edless she felt she could not go there; she could not obey +Miss Charlotte and hurry after Penelope until she overtook her, and then +escort her to the very door. In those days she could rarely bring herself +to talk to Penelope at all, so far had her feelings got the mastery over +her, and so deeply did her grievance rankle; and the farther she went the +less able did she feel to do so now.</p> + +<p>"If I keep her in sight it will be all right," she said, with sudden +inspiration; and so they went all the way, the unconscious Penelope +walking on in front, Esther behind dodging and hiding and loitering so +that Penelope might not see her, until at last she knew the cottage was +almost reached, and stopped altogether.</p> + +<p>She had had to lead Guard all the way, for he, catching sight of another +of his mistresses before him, was full of eagerness to tear on and greet +her; but Penelope, still quite ignorant of what was behind her, reached +the cottage safely, knocked, and was admitted. Esther, from her +hiding-place behind a rock, saw the door opened by Laura, Anne's smiling +wife, and closed again, and resentment against her sister grew hotter than +ever.</p> + +<p>"She gets everything," she muttered, "and if I have a friend or a chance +she takes them away; but she doesn't share hers with me." She had told +herself all this so often she really believed it by this time. +Poor Esther! poor unhappy Esther! Guard sat by her watching her with +wistful, wondering eyes. He felt that something was wrong, poor old +doggie.</p> + +<p>She seated herself behind the rock to await Penelope's return. It would +be no use to conceal her presence any longer, for Cousin Charlotte would +certainly speak of it; so she must join Penelope on the way home, and +make some sort of explanation. That, though, would be nothing compared +with the mortification of having to go into the cottage with her.</p> + +<p>Esther in her nook, cut off from every view but the moor in the direction +from which she had just come, sat and dreamed troubled dreams, and brooded +over her grievances, but never once gave a thought to the danger she had +been sent to protect Penelope from. And all the time that danger was +drawing nearer and nearer.</p> + +<p>In the distance, just over the horizon behind her, on her left, there +appeared a shaggy brown form, followed closely by another and another and +another until a whole herd was descending the slope towards her, sniffing +the air and the strange ground, cropping the turf a little here and there, +or gazing about them with curiosity. Closer and closer they came, +the soft turf deadening the noise of their coming.</p> + +<p>"It must be nearly time for her to come out," said Esther at last, taking +out her watch. Guard, at the sound of her voice, rose on his long legs +and, stretching himself, wandered away a little. The foremost of the +shaggy brown creatures looked up sharply, looked again, suspiciously, at +this other occupant of this strange land who had so unexpectedly appeared, +and his eyes wore a new glint as he stood and watched with increasing fear +or suspicion, or both. Then he took a pace nearer, and another, followed +by the others, all staring now at Guard, tossing their heads ominously, +and pawing the ground as they sniffed the air.</p> + +<p>And just at that unfortunate moment Penelope came around the bend, dancing +along light-heartedly, singing to herself the exercise she had just been +learning. Guard, looking about him eagerly, recognised her at once, and +with a yelp of joy dashed towards her.</p> + +<p>Esther was not alarmed at his outcry. She guessed the cause of it, and +rising with feigned indifference went out from her shelter to meet her +sister. With cold, hard eyes and unsmiling face she looked towards +Penelope, framing the while her explanation of her presence there—only to +see that explanation had come too late.</p> + +<p>The cattle, roused to anger by Guard's sudden bark and spring, were coming +down on him in a body, their pace growing faster, their anger increasing +with every step. In charging him they must inevitably charge Penelope +too. There was no escape for her, unless Guard ran away from her, drawing +the enemy off; but that, of course, he was not likely to do, he was too +pleased at seeing her again.</p> + +<p>Esther saw and realised all at a glance, and the horror of it struck her +dumb. Once, twice, three times she tried to call. If she could only get +Guard away the cattle would follow him; but no voice came. She grew +desperate, mad with fear for her sister. Oh, if she could but get them to +come towards her and leave Pen. She tried to whistle, but her lips +trembled too much. She tried to shriek and failed, and when at last she +succeeded, the weak, strained voice could hardly be recognised as hers. +But Guard heard it. "Guard, Guard, come here!" she called, running a +little to draw him after her. The obedient old dog turned, saw the enemy, +and, all his fury aroused by the danger, charged them like a hurricane.</p> + +<p>But what was one amongst so many! They overwhelmed him, were on him, +closed around him, and around Penelope too.</p> + +<p>Esther saw it—saw her sister fall, saw the big beasts trampling over her, +and Guard in their midst barking, snarling, flying at their noses, dodging +away from their horns, and punishing them so severely that in spite of +their numbers the poor brutes gave up the game at last, worsted, and tore +away over the moor in the direction whence they had come, as though they +had a pack behind them.</p> + +<p>When Anne Roth came panting up a moment later, having seen the cattle +disappearing and been filled with alarm lest Penelope should have been +frightened by them, he found the two sisters unconscious on the ground, +with their poor protector lying bleeding and exhausted between them, and +whining piteously as he licked his bleeding wounds.</p> + +<p>Here was a sight for one man in a lonely spot! For a moment Anne was +bewildered; then, picking up Penelope, who he saw was the most injured, +he carried her with all the speed he could back to his own house. +But he was full of a double dread, for to the most casual eye it was plain +that the child was seriously injured, and the sight of her, bruised, +bleeding, and unconscious could not but be a shock to his mistress.</p> + +<p>But Mademoiselle bore the shock well. "Let me attend to her while you and +Laura go to poor Miss Esther and the dear dog," she said promptly; and +Penelope was taken up to her own room, where she undressed her and got her +to bed, and bathed her cuts, while they went out and brought in the other +two.</p> + +<p>Esther was in a swoon, but quite uninjured, so they laid her on the couch +in the little sitting-room and administered restoratives, while Guard was +taken to the kitchen to have his wounds bathed and dressed, and Anne +hurried off for a doctor and Miss Ashe, for Penelope's injuries were far +too serious for home dressing. She was bleeding so profusely from the +cuts on her head that there was real cause for alarm; her arm was broken, +and her collar-bone, too, they feared, while her poor body was bruised and +crushed all over.</p> + +<p>When Esther came back to consciousness twilight had fallen. She looked +about her for a moment in the dimness, bewildered and incredulous. +That she was in the dear familiar room she loved so well, she felt sure, +yet how came she there? and what had happened? She lay still for a +moment, wondering; then, her head growing confused, she raised herself a +Little and looked again. This time she recognised a figure seated by the +window, but so quiet and drooping she scarcely seemed alive.</p> + +<p>For a second or so Esther gazed in sheer bewilderment, then raising +herself still more, she whispered, half-alarmed, half-questioning, +"Mademoiselle, is that you?"</p> + +<p>Mademoiselle rose at once. "Are you better, darling?" she said, bending +over and laying a soft hand on her head. Esther noticed that she spoke in +a strange, hushed voice.</p> + +<p>"Are you ill, Mademoiselle?" she asked anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No, darling. I am well, but—" she paused, as though listening, and then +for the first time Esther noticed the sounds of strange voices and many +footsteps overhead, and with the same, memory returned.</p> + +<p>"Penelope!" she cried frantically. "Oh, Penelope! where is she? +Is she—is she—oh,"—burying her face in her hands as memory returned to +her—"I thought she was killed—I saw her—under their hoofs. I saw them +trampling on her—is she—killed?" in a hushed, gasping voice.</p> + +<p>Mademoiselle laid a soothing hand on her. "No, dear, she is alive and +safe. She is badly injured, but she will recover, please God. The doctor +is with her now, and Miss Ashe, so I came down to see my poor Esther. +My child, we have much to be thankful for that things are not worse. +It might have been—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mademoiselle, Mademoiselle," cried Esther, "I can never tell you how +bad I have been—" but she found herself clasped in a warm embrace that +told of pity and love and sympathy unbounded. Mademoiselle asked no +questions, but the whole story had to be told. Esther knew she would know +no rest until she had unburthened her heart and humbled herself, and was +possessed by a feeling that if she did not do it then she might never +again be able to. And Mademoiselle, with complete understanding, let her +talk.</p> + +<p>"I saw her fall. I heard her scream. She tried to get up, but was +knocked down again. She called 'Esther, Esther,' but I couldn't help +her—and I thought she was being killed. Oh, Mademoiselle, I shall never +be able to forget it—never, never, never!" and Esther clung to her, +shaken with terror and the shock of all she had gone through.</p> + +<p>"Darling, you must try not to dwell upon it. You must try to be strong +and brave, and get well, for Penelope will need you, and Angela and Poppy +will need you—and Guard—"</p> + +<p>"Oh! Guard?" gasped Esther, afraid to ask the question which filled her +mind.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you can bear to see him? He will be so much happier if he +may be with you."</p> + +<p>"Then he is—all right?" breathlessly.</p> + +<p>"No, darling, not all right. He has come out of the battle alive, which +is more than one could have dared to hope; but he is badly injured. +You will not be shocked by the sight of bandages, will you? Guard looks a +poor old battered warrior at present, but we hope he will soon recover."</p> + +<p>A battered warrior indeed did he look as he came creeping, limping in, +his head bound up in bandages, one leg in a splint, and bandages about his +body and chest where big gashes had been stitched and strapped up. +His pain was so great he could scarcely drag himself in, but he crept +forward, wagging his tail bravely; and when Esther laughed a little weak, +almost tearful laugh, at the sight of his long nose coming out of his +'nightcap,' as she called it, he smiled and wagged his tail again, +and tried to raise himself to kiss her.</p> + +<p>The other victim Esther did not see until the next day, for Penelope was +too ill to bear anything more that night, and when Esther went into the +sickroom the next day she could hardly recognise her bonnie, smiling +sister in the pale, bandaged face on the pillow, so drawn with pain, so +dark about the eyes, so wan and changed in even that short time.</p> + +<p>She was too weak and exhausted even then to speak much, but the old smile +flickered for a moment in her tired eyes, and the sound arm was stretched +out to creep around Esther's neck.</p> + +<p>"I am all—all right," she whispered. "I shall be well—soon. It isn't— +so very—bad, now."</p> + +<p>"Pen," Esther whispered back in an agony, "oh, Pen, you don't know all, +but—I'll never, never—"</p> + +<p>Penelope put up her lips to be kissed. "Never—mind," she whispered +faintly. "Nothing shall—ever—come between us—again, shall it, dear?"</p> + +<p>"Never," said Esther decisively, "if I can help it." And she honestly +tried to keep her word.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0018"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER XVIII.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + +<p>It often happens that a big shock which pulls us up with a sharp jerk on +the road we are travelling will show us the danger of the way before us, +and teach us to walk warily all our days. So it was with Esther. +The shock and horror, and the awful fear she endured that afternoon, +showed her, as nothing else could, the way she was going. I do not for a +moment mean to say that she conquered her unfortunate temper all at once, +and became perfectly good and gentle and free from all jealousy from that +moment. That would have been impossible to any one, certainly to a child +of such strong feelings, so reserved and sensitive, so full of failings as +Esther. But she did try, and if she failed she did her best to conquer +next time, and only those who have tried too know how hard that is.</p> + +<p>Others helped her a little without her knowledge. Penelope tried to +restrain herself in a half unconscious habit she had got into of putting +herself before her shyer elder sister.</p> + +<p>Mademoiselle was careful, too, to show her how much she valued her, and to +try not to wound her sensitive, loving heart; so was Cousin Charlotte. +And Esther, on her part, taught herself the lesson that one person can +love two without loving either the less.</p> + +<p>So when Penelope was at last able to creep about again, and Guard seemed +as hale and hearty as ever, a new era of peace and happiness dawned for +Moor Cottage, and never could there have been a happier, busier, more +united little household than that was.</p> + +<p>The summer went by like a golden flash, so it seemed to the children, +so full was every day of work and play, picnics, lessons, walks, +gardening, and a dozen other occupations. No matter what the weather, or +how busy she was, Esther never failed to go to Mademoiselle Leperier's +three times a week, and twice a week Penelope went for her singing lesson. +Penelope was having French lessons of Mademoiselle too, and she and Esther +studied together.</p> + +<p>Miss Row came back from her journeyings, and, entirely oblivious +apparently of all that had passed, sent for Penelope to recommence her +organ lessons, and was quite annoyed that she had not kept up her +practising. But at this Miss Ashe's gentle spirit rose, and she talked to +Miss Row so frankly and seriously that that eccentric lady became very +repentant, and to make up for her unkindness promised Penelope the post of +organist, at a salary of twenty-five pounds a year, as soon as ever she +was capable of filling it.</p> + +<p>To Penelope this was success indeed, and as soon as her arm was strong +enough to bear it she practised with an assiduity which promised that the +time was not so very far distant when she would be fitted to take over her +appointment.</p> + +<p>Angela, before that summer was over, acquired three more chicks and a +fowls' house of her own, and already saw visions of herself presiding over +a farm—which should adjoin Moor Cottage—well stocked with fowls and +ducks, geese and turkeys, cows and pigs, horses and dogs.</p> + +<p>"And I shall write out to daddy and mother to come home," she would say +triumphantly. For Angela never grew reconciled to the thought of her +parents' exile. "It must be so sad and lonely and uncomfortable out +there," she would say. "Mother might find it dull here, but she would +have lots of books to read, and that would make her happy."</p> + +<p>"I should live wiv you, shouldn't I, Angela?" Poppy inquired eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, we should all live together."</p> + +<p>"But what about Cousin Charlotte? I am sure she would be <i>very</i> unhappy +wivout us; so would Anna." Poppy found matters very difficult of +arrangement, owing to her incapacity to live in two places at the same +time. "I shouldn't like to leave Cousin Charlotte and Anna and Guard and +Ephraim."</p> + +<p>"I should stay with Cousin Charlotte," said Esther one day, when the +matter was under discussion. "You see, there would be so many of you, you +wouldn't want me, but Cousin Charlotte would, and we should be next door, +so it would be almost the same."</p> + +<p>But all these premature plans were thrown that autumn into confusion by a +letter from Canada. Instead of waiting to be sent for by his prosperous +daughters Mr. Carroll wrote to say he had made up his mind to come.</p> + +<p>"Your cousin cannot reconcile herself to the life here," he wrote, "and +says she can never be happy here; and as I am not doing well enough to +warrant me in staying on in spite of her objections, I am thinking of +selling out and coming home with her very soon. For the time, to give me +an opportunity to look about me, I can think of no better plan than to +come near you, my dear cousin, if a small house can be found for us. +I cannot describe to you my longing to see my children again, nor with +what pleasure I am filled at the prospect of coming home, even though I +have to write myself down a failure here."</p> + +<p>Then he went on to thank her in most grateful and feeling terms for her +goodness to his children, terms which drew tears from the gentle little +lady's eyes and set her to wondering what she could do really to help this +almost unknown cousin and his children.</p> + +<p>When she told the children the news their excitement was great; but when, +a week later, came another letter, asking, if there was a cottage at +Dorsham or close by to be found, that it should be taken for them, if it +would possibly do, their excitement grew intense.</p> + +<p>"Oh, if only I had my farm!" cried Angela, and she went out and looked at +the ground, as though expecting the foundations might have already begun +to show.</p> + +<p>But no cottage was to be found next door or in Dorsham. There were not +very many all told, and those there were were always full, so that if one +family wanted to change they had to wait until another was in the same +mind, and then just walk in to each other's houses. But up at Four Winds +there was a square, sturdy cottage built expressly, one would think, to +defy those winds that blew over the village. It was the only one, but all +the four girls agreed that it would be just the very thing. It had a +sitting-room and kitchen and scullery and three bedrooms, tiny rooms all +of them, but to the children it was one of the most fascinating little +places ever built; and when stocked with the simple furniture Miss +Charlotte had had instructions to purchase it really did look a dear, cosy +little house.</p> + +<p>And such it seemed to the weary travellers when they arrived, the father +tired, disappointed with his last attempt, and bowed under a burden of +care, but so glad to see his children again that nothing else seemed to +matter. Such it seemed, too, to the mother, so disgusted with the +roughness and want of comforts in the life she had been leading lately +that everything seemed luxurious and replete with comfort.</p> + +<p>Cousin Charlotte and the girls had certainly done their best to make the +place look homelike, and Anna had helped to clean it from top to bottom, +to lay carpets, hang curtains, and polish everything that could be +polished, so that it really was in a perfect state of order and +cleanliness.</p> + +<p>It was in the spring that the travellers finally reached Four Winds, just +when the brooks were beginning to run with a cheerful note, and the scent +of wet moss and primroses to fill the air.</p> + +<p>As they drove from the station on the memorable day of their arrival +Mr. Carroll drew in the sweet fresh breeze as though it were the breath of +life to him, and almost shouted with pleasure at the sight of the catkins +on the nut-bushes, and the 'goslings' on the willows, and the +yellowhammers and thrushes hopping in the hedges.</p> + +<p>They got down for a moment at Moor Cottage to see the children's home, and +be introduced to Anna and Guard.</p> + +<p>"You noble old fellow, you saved my girls' lives," said Mr. Carroll, +patting the dear old dog's rough head; and Guard wagged his tail and +looked as pleased as though he quite understood.</p> + +<p>Then Mrs. Carroll and Miss Ashe mounted the quaint old carriage again, +and drove slowly on with the luggage, while Mr. Carroll and his girls, +and, of course, Guard, walked on behind. The elder girls were a little +shy and constrained just at first, perhaps, and Angela was silent with +happiness. If she talked much she should weep, she felt; but she showed +her father her hens and hen-house before they started on again. +"And in time I shall have a whole farm, father," she said seriously, +"and then I want you to come to live with me on it, and we will have all +kinds of animals."</p> + +<p>"A capital idea," said Mr. Carroll gravely, without a trace of a smile as +he looked at the very modest beginning so much was to spring from.</p> + +<p>But, if the others were silent Poppy, when once her tongue was loosened, +made up for it, and she trotted along by her father's side, holding his +hand, and chattering to him as freely as though he had never been away.</p> + +<p>The greatest joy of all though was when they reached the new cottage, +and displayed their arrangements there—the sitting-room, with its +easy-chairs, and table spread with dainty white cloth, shining tea-things, +and some of Anna's nicest cakes. A fire was burning in the grate, making +it warm and cheerful for the strangers. Upstairs the simply furnished +bedrooms looked equally attractive and spotlessly clean, and then last of +all came the cheerful, cosy little kitchen, looking a perfect picture, +with its bright tin and copper and china reflecting the firelight on all +sides; and where, oh crowning delight, sat the neatest of neat little +maid-servants, her rosy cheeks growing rosier and rosier as her new master +and mistress and all the young ladies trooped in. She rose and curtseyed +when she saw Mr. and Mrs. Carroll, for she was a well-trained country +child, not yet contaminated by the modern 'Board-school manners.' +So she curtseyed civilly, and stood while her master and mistress were +present; and when Mr. Carroll asked her her name, she answered, +"Grace, if you please, sir," and blushed again; and when he said, +"Well, Grace, so you have come to help us. I hope we shall all be very +happy and comfortable together," she curtseyed and said, "Yes, thank you, +sir. I'll try my best."</p> + +<p>The bedrooms, all but Mr. and Mrs. Carroll's, were very tiny. One was so +small it would only hold one little bed.</p> + +<p>"But where is the fourth chick to roost?" asked their father anxiously. +"You don't expect one to sit up while the other sleeps, I hope?" laughing.</p> + +<p>But Cousin Charlotte, to whom he spoke, did not laugh back. "I—I +wondered," she said, looking up at him very wistfully, as though she knew +she was asking a great deal—"I wondered, Ronald, if you would spare me +one, at—at least until I have got used to losing them all. I know it is +a good deal to ask you, but—I shall be so very lonely—" poor Cousin +Charlotte's voice quavered—"and as your house is so small I wondered if +you would let me still keep my Esther?"</p> + +<p>Esther started, and a sense of disappointment made her heart sink. +Remembering her mother's dislike of housekeeping, and her incapacity, +Esther had all this time been picturing herself as housekeeper and real +mistress of this dear little home, presiding over the kitchen and the neat +little maid and generally distinguishing herself as cook and housewife. +She had known, of course, that there was only room for three of them +there, but she had, somehow, thought of Angela as being the one to remain +with Cousin Charlotte, because, perhaps, of her fowls, and her position as +mistress of the poultry yards.</p> + +<p>For the first few moments, therefore, when she heard Cousin Charlotte's +request, she felt a deep pang of disappointment. "But mother will need me +here," she was just about to say, when there rushed over her the memory of +all Cousin Charlotte had done for them, her goodness and patience, +her generosity and unselfishness, and now her loneliness,—and all her +feelings changed.</p> + +<p>"She is my right hand," Cousin Charlotte went on pathetically. "I do not +know what I should do without her now!"</p> + +<p>Then how glad Esther was that she had not spoken, and oh! the joy and +pride that filled her heart, the deep, deep happiness of knowing that she +had been of real use and comfort, that some one really needed her. +With only a little effort she put aside all her feeling about the new +home, and determined, if her parents consented, to go blithely with Cousin +Charlotte, and never, never, never let her know of that moment's +unwillingness.</p> + +<p>Consent was given, of course. How could they refuse to spare one to her +who had taken them all and made her home theirs when they had no other, +and had loved and cared for them, and guided them so well and faithfully +without hope of reward?</p> + +<p>Mr. Carroll was only too happy to be able to do something in return.</p> + +<p>"I think it will be good for Penelope, too, to have a few housekeeping +duties," said Cousin Charlotte, smiling as she laid her gentle hand on +Pen's shoulder. "It will help to balance the dreamy side of her—at any +rate until Angela grows older; while Angela—well, Angela is a born +housekeeper and farmer combined, and I prophesy that within a year or so +she will be keeping the house and all of you in such order and comfort as +to be a pattern to the country round."</p> + +<p>Angela's face grew radiant. "I'd love to," she said joyously; "but I +wish—the only thing I wish is that we could all live together. +I don't want to leave you, Cousin Charlotte, yet I want to be with—you +understand, don't you?"</p> + +<p>Yes, Cousin Charlotte understood. They all felt the same; but when the +three had left their old home for the new one it was only, as one might +say, to live in two houses instead of one, for never a day passed but what +they were down at Miss Charlotte's, and so the change was not such a +wrench as all had feared. Miss Charlotte insisted on continuing to teach +them all—at any rate, she said, until they were obliged to go away to +school.</p> + +<p>Mademoiselle Leperier, who actually went to call on Mrs. Carroll, declared +her health and spirits were so much improved by the new interest the +children had provided her with that she begged to be allowed to give them +all lessons in French, and singing, too.</p> + +<p>"I foresee that I shall have no housekeeper after all," said Mrs. Carroll +with a sigh, "but I suppose I shall manage somehow, and the children are +being educated, which is something. One must think of them first, I +suppose."</p> + +<p>Esther felt a pang of doubt when she heard the words. Ought she not, +after all, to give up her happy home with Cousin Charlotte, where by this +time she had completely settled down, and come up to take care of her +mother? She would see but little of Mademoiselle if she did, she saw that +plainly, and there would be very little time for study, but there was her +father to think of, and his comfort.</p> + +<p>But when she laid her doubts before her father and Cousin Charlotte, +they bade her put them out of her head. She tried to, though she doubted +their advice; and it was only years later, when she was a well-educated, +cultured woman, full of interests and good aims, that she understood the +wisdom of Cousin Charlotte's plan in taking her away, at least until her +education was complete, from where she would have become little but a +household drudge, worked beyond her strength, her talents, her greatest +interests undeveloped, her temper irritated and ruined as it was when +first she came to Dorsham; and she felt deeply grateful for the +understanding and loving care which had surrounded her at so critical a +time.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="2HCH0019"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<br><br> +<h3>CHAPTER XIX.</h3> + + +<br><br><br> + +<p>Five years have gone by since Mr. and Mrs. Carroll returned from Canada to +the little house on the moor which they have never left, or desired to +leave, since.</p> + +<p>Mr. Carroll's health suffered severely from the long strain and the +rigour of his life abroad, and he was never again fit for hard work. +But grandpapa Carroll, recognising the brave fight he had made, +forgave him the misfortunes he had met with earlier and altered his will, +so that when he died, not long after Mr. Carroll's return, the little +family, though still obliged to be economical, and not above being glad of +the girls' little earnings, were placed beyond all want.</p> + +<p>Esther still lived with Cousin Charlotte, the prop and mainstay of the +house, for Anna had married Ephraim and moved into the cottage next door +to Mrs. Bennett's. Angela, pulling her bow at a venture on that birthday +night, so long ago now, had hit the truth when she said that Anna could +not think better of Ephraim after that evening because she thought so well +of him already. A truth Ephraim found out for himself in time, though it +took him two years longer to do so.</p> + +<p>Finding it was no use waiting to speak until he found her in a gentle mood +he spoke out then and there, and no one could decide whether Anna was most +astonished at being asked or Ephraim at being accepted. However, when +once the need for concealment of her true feelings was over Anna's manner +to Ephraim changed so markedly that Ephraim often stopped to wonder if the +woman he had married could possibly be the one who had led him such a life +before. Love can work miracles, Ephraim found, and came to the conclusion +that whether she was the same or not he was quite content.</p> + +<p>It was a great blow to Miss Charlotte to lose her Anna, but more than one +nice little maiden was only too anxious to come to 'a place' where the +last servant had stayed twenty years; and Esther, and the fortunate maid +chosen to fill Anna's shoes, combined to prevent Miss Charlotte feeling +her loss too deeply.</p> + +<p>Esther's hands had grown very full as time had gone on, and the fuller +they grew the happier she was. Slowly and almost imperceptibly +Miss Charlotte gave up more and more of her work, and took life easily, +feeling she could leave all to her Esther, and know that all was well.</p> + +<p>Angela's hens were moved to Four Winds, and Esther took over the +responsibility of the poultry yard as well as the house and the kitchen +and the new maid. But in the midst of all her duties she contrived to +give a good deal of her time to her dearly loved Mademoiselle, for +Mademoiselle was failing, and those who loved her best knew that not for +very much longer would they have the joy of her presence.</p> + +<p>Penelope was away in London, studying with all her heart and strength, +for in the sweet pure air of the moor her voice had developed beyond +everyone's expectation, and Mademoiselle Leperier never rested until she +had been sent to study under a distinguished master. The question as to +ways and means had been a very serious one, but while it was being +anxiously discussed, and almost abandoned in despair, Miss Row came +forward, and with unwonted delicacy asked to be allowed to play the part +of fairy godmother to her favourite.</p> + +<p>"I shall only be laying out a little to buy myself a big return some day," +she pleaded. "If you will let me have a share in Penelope's success the +kindness will be all on your part."</p> + +<p>So Penelope went away from their midst to stirring scenes of life and +work, weeping at leaving her beloved moor, and vowing to return as soon +and as often as might be,—a vow she never forgot.</p> + +<p>Angela's dream in time was realised too. Her dream poultry farm became a +real one, and the most successful in the country. Very slowly at first +she added penny to penny, then shilling to shilling, then pound to pound, +until at last, instead of building more hens' houses, she bought a cow. +It was an experiment, and one those about doubted the success of; but +Angela never doubted, and presently another cow was added to her stock, +and soon after that they all moved to a small farm, where Poppy had to +become the little housewife, for Angela's time was quite taken up with her +dairy.</p> + +<p>Poppy's market-gardening scheme never got beyond the bed of parsley. +With that one success she decided to be satisfied. "It was a most +wonderful pennyworth," she often remarked, "for it brought me quite a lot +of money, and Mademoiselle as a friend, and nothing could have been better +than that."</p> + +<p>"Nothing," said Esther softly. "Life is very wonderful, Poppy dear, isn't +it?"</p> + +<p>"Very," answered Poppy sagely, with a serious shake of her curly head.</p> + +<p>One last scene before we bid them all good-bye!</p> + +<p>It is Easter time once more. In the orchards and woods the daffodils are +bowing their golden heads, as though awed by the beauty of the +pear-blossom spreading between them and the glorious blue sky. +The hedges are starred with primroses, daisies, and king-cups, the air is +sweet with the scent of flowers and the fresh earth. Everything seems +brimming over with sunshine and happiness and joy of living. Easter is in +the heart of all things animate and inanimate.</p> + +<p>Up in 'the Castle' the four girls are gathered as of old, but with one big +gap in their circle. Guard, dear old Guard, will never accompany them +more in their wanderings. He sleeps his last long sleep in the breast of +the moor he loved so well. Yet he is with them in spirit and thought, +for he lies buried close beside 'the Castle,' and they feel he is near +them whenever they go there.</p> + +<p>Easter is in their hearts, too, for Penelope is home for her holidays and +Angela has just returned from a much-dreaded duty visit to Aunt Julia, +and their joy at being together again is intense.</p> + +<p>Penelope lies in her old attitude, flat on the moor, one cheek pressed +close to its breast, her eyes gazing in a perfect rapture of delight over +the length and breadth of it.</p> + +<p>"I <i>almost</i> think," she says softly, "it is worth going away to have the +joy of coming home again; to step out of that dear little station, and +then to turn the corner and see—this," waving her hand in a wide sweep. +"Oh, girls, shall you ever forget the first time we came, and how we +dreaded it, and how shy we were, and frightened—"</p> + +<p>"Until we saw Cousin Charlotte," chimed in Esther. "I never felt +frightened after that."</p> + +<p>"And do you remember," burst in Angela, "our dear little rooms, and how +lovely it all looked when we came that night, and dear old Guard,"—her +voice wavered and dropped—"came out to meet us, and Anna?"</p> + +<p>"And I was so troubled about our clothes because we were so shabby, and— +but it never seemed to matter much. Cousin Charlotte made everything come +right. Isn't it wonderful, all that has happened just through mother's +writing to Cousin Charlotte, and Cousin Charlotte being able to take us!"</p> + +<p>"Wonderful," said Penelope softly; and back to her mind as through a vague +dream came a vision of a child lying amidst the long coarse grass of an +untidy garden, with butterflies, yellow and white and brown, flitting +about over her head, while through her mind as she watched them passed +visions and dreams of the future, and vague wonderings as to what it would +bring.</p> + +<p>"And this is what it has brought," she thought to herself. "I shall not +be afraid to take the next step now. God has been so good to us."</p> + +<h2>THE END.</h2> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Carroll Girls, by Mabel Quiller-Couch + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CARROLL GIRLS *** + +***** This file should be named 29171-h.htm or 29171-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/1/7/29171/ + +Produced by Lionel Sear + +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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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 Carroll Girls + +Author: Mabel Quiller-Couch + +Release Date: June 20, 2009 [EBook #29171] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CARROLL GIRLS *** + + + + +Produced by Lionel Sear + + + + +THE CARROLL GIRLS. + +By + +MABEL QUILLER-COUCH. + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +Up and down, to and fro, backwards and for wards over the sunny garden +the butterflies, white, sulphur, and brown, flitted and fluttered, +lightly poising on currant-bush or flower, loving life as they basked +in the sunshine; and Penelope lay and watched them. What did it matter +to them that the garden was neglected, the grass rank and uncut, +the currant-bushes barren from neglect, the lilacs old and blossomless? +It mattered no more to them than it did to Penelope, lying so lazy and +happy in the coarse grass. + +Penelope had never known the garden other than it was now, except, +perhaps, at very far-distant intervals when a visitor was expected-- +usually Aunt Julia, when a shilling or so had to be found to pay a +gardener to come and 'tidy up.' She herself was always better pleased +when he did not come, for almost invariably he charged too much, +or Lydia said he did, and would tell him of it, not too politely, and tell +her mistress that she was encouraging robbery; and Mrs. Carroll--who would +far rather pay too much and hear no more about it than be bothered--would +be worried, and Lydia would be cross; and to Penelope it seemed a pity to +be made so uncomfortable for the sake of sixpence or a shilling. +She could not bear jars and discords. These, though, were troubles that +occurred but seldom to ruffle the surface of her usually happy life. +As a rule, like the butterflies, she saw only the sunshine, and the green +things growing, and nothing of the sordidness and neglect of everything +about her. If she did, if things jarred or fretted her, she just walked +away, far out into the country and the woods where everything was +peaceful, and nothing seemed to matter; and out there she would very soon +recover again and become her old happy self. + +There were three other Carroll children--Esther, the eldest, Angela, and +Poppy, the baby of them all. Penelope was the second, aged nearly twelve. + +"Four girls! isn't it dreadful?" Esther sometimes sighed. "But there, I +suppose it is better than some of us being boys, for now we _can_ hand our +clothes down from one to the other, and if we couldn't I am afraid the +younger ones would often have to go without." + +In the thirteen short years of her life poor Esther had grown to know all +the shifts and economies and discomforts of poverty only too well. +She had seen, so to speak, the rise and fall of her family, and at last +had become almost the only prop which kept it from falling altogether. +She could remember when the house was always full of company and life and +laughter, when her mother always wore pretty frocks and beautiful jewels, +and drove everywhere in their own carriage. She could remember gay +dinner-parties, when she used to creep out of bed and sit on the stairs to +listen to the singing in the drawing-room. + +The scent of certain flowers still brought back the memory of those days, +when she and Penelope used to go down in their prettiest frocks to +dessert, and were given dainty sweets and fruits, and were made much of. + +Then there came a dark time when, although she was so young, she felt +vaguely that there was trouble overshadowing them, and saw it, too, +reflected in her father's face; and the darkest day of all was when +Grandpa Carroll came, and with scarcely a word or a glance for the +children, went at once to the library with her father, and departed again +that same night, leaving gloom and misery behind him. All the rest of the +day, she remembered, her father remained shut up in the library, and her +mother locked herself, weeping, in her bedroom; and Esther and Penelope +went to bed that night without any good-night kiss from either; and worse +than that, Esther heard nurse and Jane, the housemaid, talking in low, +mysterious tones, and knew that they were talking of her parents' and +their affairs; and, as any child would, bitterly resented it. + +"Why don't you go downstairs, Jane?" she said at last, when she could +endure it no longer; "you know mother doesn't allow gossiping in the +nursery." + +But she had only a shaking from nurse, and a rude answer from Jane, which +made her anger burn hotter than ever. She lay awake a long time that +night, trying to make sense of what they had been saying, but it was not +until years later that she really understood. + +The next day Jane had had a month's notice given her, not because she +gossiped in the nursery, or was rude to Esther--Esther never told tales +about the servants--but because Mr. Carroll said briefly that they must +manage with fewer servants and cut down all expenses. For that same +reason the children's pony was taken away and sold a few days later, +and from that time it seemed to Esther it had been nothing but cutting +down and giving up and doing with less and less. It was only a few +months after the pony was sold that Poppy was born, and soon after that +they left their old home and went to live in a little house where they had +no library and no nursery, and no stables or horses, and the children had +to play in the dining-room; and Esther's chief recollection of this time +was her constant struggle to prevent Penelope and Angela and the new baby +from crying or making too much noise, for she knew by the frown on her +father's face that he was worried and bothered by it, and she could not +bear to see him looking gloomy, or to hear the children scolded. + +Having no nursery they had no nurse--no real nurse; they had a +'cook-general' and a 'nurse-housemaid' as the advertisements put it, and, +in common with most persons who profess to be able to 'turn their hands to +anything,' they could do few things, and nothing well. So it fell to +Esther and her mother to take care of the babies, and as Mrs. Carroll had +not yet learnt to take care of herself even, a very heavy burden rested on +little serious-faced Esther. + +It was better when the summer came, though, for then the family made +another move. True it was to a yet smaller house, and more things had to +be given up; but the smaller house was in a little village called Framley, +and the little village had woods lying behind it, and here was nursery +large enough for any number of children to laugh in or cry to their +hearts' content, without disturbing any one; and Esther's heart was +relieved of one big worry, and the children soon learnt to laugh a again, +and play, and make as much noise as their hearts desired. + +Summer, though, cannot last for ever, and woods do not make an ideal +nursery in winter. The perplexed frown was beginning to pucker Esther's +brow again when once more they were called on to relinquish something. +The nurse-housemaid had to be sent away, and they had to learn how to +manage with one servant; and it was just about that time that she heard +her father say one day, "It will really be easier for you, dear, when I am +gone," at which her mother burst into tears and wailed something Esther +could not quite understand, about being left to bear all the worries +alone. "It is much worse for those who are left than for those who go," +she cried. + +"But you will have the children," Mr. Carroll said sadly. + +"Yes, four of them to feed and bring up on two hundred a year, and only +one servant to help me. I don't know how any one can expect me to do it. +I've not had a new gown myself for nearly a year." + +"It shall not be for long, dear, if I can help it," her husband had said, +very patiently. "As soon as possible I will send for you and the +children. But it is no use to take you all out until I have a home of +some sort ready for you; it would be greater misery than this." + +But Mrs. Carroll had only wept more and more, until the children began to +weep too, though they did not know for what. + +Soon after that there had been a great deal of upset and excitement in the +house: big boxes stood about on the landing, and the children were told +that daddy was packing--he was going away to Canada, where they were all +to join him soon. For a few days this news filled them with a pleasant +excitement, and for months after their father had gone Esther and Penelope +talked and talked of what they would do when they got to Canada, and +Penelope dragged out an old trunk and began to pack a curious assortment +of things that she thought peculiarly suitable for that country. +But as time went on she found she needed the things, and by degrees the +thought of Canada became dim, and of no immediate interest to them. +They were excited at first when their father's letters came because they +thought each one would bring the longed-for summons; then they grew almost +to dread them, for their mother always broke out into tears and wailings +on reading them, finally locking herself in her room for the rest of the +day, and the children were left to themselves to try to throw off the load +of oppression and wretchedness which weighed on them even while they +played. The memory of the wretchedness of those days remained with them +to the end of their lives. + +Two, three, four years passed by, and gradually they forgot Canada, and +Mrs. Carroll ceased to weep on receipt of a letter from her husband; but +whether it was that she grew more used to her trouble, or that the news +was better, the children did not know, though Esther often longed to. + +So things were on that sunny May day when Penelope lay dreaming and +watching the butterflies in the neglected garden, and Esther made a milk +pudding in the kitchen, and the two younger children played about the +house, while nearer and nearer came the postman bearing the letter that +was to alter all their lives for them. + +Esther had just finished making her pudding, and Poppy had that moment +succeeded in inveigling Angela into the cupboard under the stairs and +turning the key on her, when footsteps came up the path, a letter dropped +in through the letter-box, and a postman's rat-tat sounded to the +furthermost corner of the little house. + +The post was the principal excitement of the day to the little Carrolls, +and there was usually a race to the door to try to be first to seize the +letters. This time Poppy had a clear start, for Esther was in the +kitchen, and Angela was safely under lock and key. + +"A letter from daddy," she shouted, recognising the stamp; and in she flew +with it to her mother. + +Mrs. Carroll, roused from her reading, laid aside her novel and bottle of +smelling-salts to take the letter. Having secured and handed over the +prize, Poppy danced off again. She was far more interested, at that +moment, in her prisoner, whose kicks on the door and screams of rage had +brought Esther to her rescue. + +Esther, having released one sister, strolled wearily out into the garden +to seek another and a little rest. She was very tired and very depressed; +but the garden did not look inviting when she got there. + +"How can you like this untidy old place?" she cried, as she made her way +through the long rank grass. + +"Oh, Esther, come gently, do! Look, oh do look at that lovely dragon-fly! +Did you ever see such a beauty? Don't disturb him. Oh, do be careful!" + +But Esther looked with only half-interest at the gorgeous insect; then, +turning away a little impatiently, "I don't know how you can be out here +so much and not try to make it a little tidier," she said vexedly. +"I only wish I had a machine, or shears or something, and more time, and I +would do something to it." + +Esther was by nature a very neat and dainty little person, with none of +Penelope's dreamy indifference to her surroundings. The untidy garden +with its air of neglect would have been irritating to her if it had +belonged to some one else, but being their own, and feeling responsible +for it, it vexed her so she could hardly endure to stay in it. +If the others could have had their way, they would have had all their +meals out there, but not so Esther; the sight of the poor neglected spot +would have quite destroyed her appetite, though no one loved having meals +out-of-doors better than she did. She often took the children to tea in +the woods, but _that_ was different; the woods were always lovely, and +just what they should be. + +Esther's earlier years had given her a brief experience of how things +should be done, and how they should look, and she had never forgotten; +Penelope, on the other hand, had forgotten, or never noticed Angela and +Poppy, fired by Esther's example, had spasmodic passions for improving the +house or garden, during which every one suffered more or less, and they +themselves were exhausted long before the huge tasks they had undertaken +were half completed. + +So here and there the garden showed cleared and scarred patches where the +children had 'worked,' which meant that they had begun to 'tidy' by +pulling up everything that grew, after which they would scrape the bed +over with a rake and replace in a prim row as many of the plants as they +could get in, and a day or two later the eye would be caught by a square +of brown earth, broken by a row of sorry-looking dead or dying plants +standing conspicuous and solitary against the wild, untrained vegetation +round about, while a later search would perhaps reveal, under the tangled +litter in the path, one of the best dinner-knives, covered with rust, and +other lost treasures, such as a trowel, scissors, and occasionally a +silver fork. + +To Esther these attempts were merely depressing and irritating; they +seemed only to emphasise their helplessness, and the uselessness of trying +to make things better. + +"Nothing is right here, somehow," she complained to Penelope now, +"neither the house, nor the garden, nor ourselves. Look at us!" throwing +out her hands dramatically. "We aren't educated, or dressed properly, +or--or anything. Look at that," stretching out her foot, and eyeing +disdainfully the clumsy shoe which disfigured it. "We aren't fit to go +anywhere, and we can't ask any one here because the house is never fit to +be seen, or the meals, or--" + +"Never mind," said Penelope placidly. She was used to Esther's outbursts, +but, though quite unable to sympathise, she was ready with attempts at +comfort. "You don't want to know any one but ourselves, do you? +I don't." + +"No-o," admitted Esther. "But we ought to. It--well, it is always +supposed to be right. We shall grow up like savages, Aunt Julia says, and +not be fit to talk to any one or go anywhere, and we shan't have any +friends; and every one _ought_ to make nice friends; it looks so bad if +one has none--" + +"Miss Esther! Miss Esther!" called a sharp voice from the kitchen door. +"You must all come in at once. Your ma wants you immejutly--all of you." + +Esther rose, a little anxious pucker gathering on her brow as she +remembered the Canadian letter. + +"Come along, Pen," she said impatiently. "I wonder what it is. Bad news +from father, I expect." + +"P'r'aps it's good news," said Penelope hopefully, rising with a sigh of +regret at having to leave her nest and the sunshine and the butterflies. +Somehow, though, she did not really expect any such thing. "P'r'aps we +are to go, at last. Oh," with sudden excitement, "wouldn't it be +perfectly lovely! Oh, Essie, wouldn't it be splendid! Do let's run in +and see if that is what it is mother wants us for." + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +"Children, _do_ make haste! How long you do take coming when I send for +you! And I've had such news I am really quite bewildered, and haven't a +moment to spare. All my plans are changed in a minute, and I can hardly +realise all I have to do. I have heard from your father. He wants me to +come out to him, and I am going, at once; of course, I _must_ go. +I couldn't refuse to, and--you must all go to live with your Aunt Julia. +I know you don't like her--and it is very naughty and ungrateful of you-- +but I can't do anything else, and you must make up your minds to behave." + +Mrs. Carroll paused at last from want of breath, and the children gasped +in sympathy. + +They had barely entered the dining-room when this cataract of speech was +turned on them by their mother, with every appearance of excitement and +gratification. All her usual melancholy apathy was thrown aside; her face +was alight with pleasure, her eyes bright with excitement. Mrs. Carroll +loved to be the bearer of startling news, to spring a surprise on people-- +just as she loved to have a pleasant one sprung on herself. She adored +excitement, and under its influence saw nothing but the one thing that +appealed to her at the moment. + +Now, after hastily scanning her husband's letter, she grasped the one fact +that he thought she might come out to him very soon. What the change +might mean to others, never occurred to her; that it might be for the +worse, never entered her head. She saw simply a chance of a change, an +escape from the monotony and sordidness of her present life. She would +have a new outfit, and travel, and meet new people, and escape from that +dreadful little cheap house and dull village, not to speak of other +tiresome things which had been thrusting themselves on her attention for a +long time, but had been put aside and aside for consideration 'some day.' + +The children stood just within the door, startled and bewildered--too +bewildered for the moment to move or speak. "Going away!" they gasped at +last, "and--and _we_ are to be left _behind!_ Oh, mother, you can't mean +it!" + +They loved their careless, easy-going mother very dearly, and, in spite of +her neglect of them were, as a rule, very happy. She was the one person +in the world, too, that they knew well and were accustomed to; and to be +thus suddenly bereft of her and left entirely to strangers, or worse, was +a prospect too appalling almost to be credited. In spite of her neglect +they loved her; in fact it was only as they grew older that they realised +that she did neglect them, or was not to them all she might have been. +Esther was beginning to realise it; but Esther, in spite of her odd, sharp +temper and reserved manner, had a great love for her mother; she loved her +so much that she wanted her to be different, to be more what the ideal +mother was--such a one as she had read of in books. + +"Oh, mother, you aren't really going away, and going to leave us!" cried +Angela again. "Mother, you can't! We can't be left!" At the thought of +it Poppy began to cry. + +"Yes, your father wants me to come, and I must go as soon as I can make +arrangements. Of course I can't take you all with me, so I am going to +ask your Aunt Julia to let you go and live with her." + +What Esther had been on the point of saying, was never said--her mother's +apparent indifference to their separation hurt her too deeply. +"Oh, then, Aunt Julia does not know it yet?" she remarked shrewdly. + +"No, your father has left all the arrangements to me to make, and I am to +come as soon as I like; so, as I see no use in delaying, I shall try to +get away as soon as I possibly can." + +Mrs. Carroll's brain could work very quickly under certain circumstances. +Now, though only a few moments had elapsed since the momentous letter had +arrived, she had formed plans innumerable, to be carried out at once in +spite of all obstacles. She would give Lydia a month's notice this very +day, and the landlord notice that she was going to leave the house, and +her sister Julia that she was about to send the four children to take up +their abode with her at once--she would feel so much freer when they were +settled, and she was alone. + +"But perhaps Aunt Julia will not have us," said Penelope, joyfully +clutching at the hope. They none of them loved their Aunt Julia. +Not to be going to Canada was bad enough, but to have to go and live with +Aunt Julia, for no one knew how long, was too dreadful to contemplate. + +"Oh, mother, _don't_ send us to her, _do_ take us with you, mother dear," +pleaded Angela tearfully. "Doesn't father say we are to come? I am sure +he wants us too." + +"Don't bother me now, child," said Mrs. Carroll, not crossly, but with a +distracted air, pushing aside Angela's clinging, eager arms. +"I've got more than enough to think of as it is. Of course you can't go +now." + +"Why, mother? Can't we afford it?" asked straightforward Penelope. + +"Oh, do be quiet. Don't bother any more," cried Esther bitterly. +"Don't you see that mother doesn't want us, and Aunt Julia won't want us-- +nobody wants us." And in a tumult of pain and anger she flung herself out +of the room to hide the tears that made her eyes smart and tingle. + +"I really think your Aunt Julia would refuse to have Esther if she knew +how bad her temper has become," said Mrs. Carroll with a sigh. +"She seems quite to have forgotten the respect due to her mother, and to +think I may be spoken to in any way she chooses. I am sure no other +mother would endure such behaviour from their children as I have to." + +"Esther didn't mean to be rude, mother," pleaded Penelope. "I expect she +is upset 'cause daddy didn't send for us too. He _said_ he would, you +know, and we always thought we should go too when you went. It is an +_awful_ disappointment," sadly. + +"Mother," pleaded Angela wistfully, "it isn't true what Esther said, is +it? You _do_ want us, don't you?" + +"I certainly do not want children with me who don't know how to behave," +said Mrs. Carroll in a quick, reproving tone, never dreaming of the love +and longing in the child's heart. A few words of explanation, of love, +and sorrow for the parting, of hope of a speedy reuniting would have +relieved all their young hearts of a load, would have banished that +chilling feeling of being unloved, unwanted, would have filled them with +hope and patience, and have bound their young hearts to their absent +parents for ever. Instead of which they felt rebuffed and unloved, they +were turned in on themselves, until such time as some other love should +warm their chilled hearts and expand their natures, and a stranger, maybe, +should mean more to them than a parent. + +Of all the little brood Angela was the most affectionate, the most +clinging little home-bird. She loved her mother passionately, and her +home too, in spite of its unattractiveness, for the flaws she saw in +persons or things only made her love with a deeper, more sympathetic +desire to help. It was always to the most unlovable and unattractive that +Angela's heart went out. If people or animals had no one else to care for +them, she felt they might be glad of her. + +She turned away from her mother with a little sigh. She did not blame her +for her want of feeling, she only winced as at a new revelation of her own +unlovableness. + +Poppy, who all this while had been standing mute and considering, was at +that moment struck by an inspiriting idea. + +"But, mother," she said gravely, "if we don't know how to behave properly +Aunt Julia won't want us either, and then what shall we do! You will +_have_ to take us with you," with rising hope in her voice, "and I am +_sure_ daddy would be glad, and I _do_ want to go in the big ship and see +daddy," with a deep sigh. "Oh, I _do,_" pathetically, "want to see daddy, +so badly." + +"Don't talk nonsense, child. You can't remember your father. Why should +you want to see him?" + +"I do. I want to see what he is like. Esther remembers him, and she +wants to see him too. _Do_ take us with you, mother. We'll be--oh, ever +so good. I _don't_ like Aunt Julia; she is _always_ cross, and I don't +like cross people." + +Poppy had no fear or awe of any one. Every one but Aunt Julia had loved +her always, and done their best to make her happy, even cross Lydia, and +she in return rewarded them by a placid, sweet acceptance of their +efforts, and allowing them to love her. + +"Mother," burst out Penelope eagerly, "couldn't we all go to +boarding-school while you are away? It would be jolly, and ever so much +nicer than living with Aunt Julia. I know we shall always be getting into +scrapes if we go to her, and no one _could_ please her, Lydia said so." + +"Nonsense," said Mrs. Carroll warmly, "Lydia is a very rude girl to speak +so of a lady, and my sister, and if I were remaining here I should not +allow you all to go into the kitchen so much. It will be very good for +you to try to please your aunt. Children don't know what is best for +them, and--and they should learn to consider others before themselves." + +A grown-up observer might have smiled satirically at Mrs. Carroll's +theories, so easily preached, so neglected in practice. + +"Now run away. I have so much to think of, my poor head is quite +bewildered. I think I must have a cup of tea at once--will you tell +Esther or Lydia to make it for me--or I shall have a dreadful headache, +and I _must_ think out what outfit I shall require, or it will never be +ready in time, and I must try to let the house, or we shall have to pay +another quarter's rent, and there is the furniture to get rid of and--oh +dear, oh dear, my poor head feels quite bewildered already; however +_shall_ I manage it all, and by myself too! It is really too much to face +alone--now, children, don't make a noise or you will drive me distracted." + +Without another word the three walked away in search of Esther, and to +talk over the dreadful and bewildering change the last hour had wrought in +their outlook; but Esther, sitting white-faced and angry-eyed on her bed, +could not be brought to discuss anything. She was bitterly disappointed +not to be going to Canada, furiously angry at having to go to Aunt Julia, +who treated them all invariably as though they were naughty or going to be +naughty, cruelly hurt that her mother showed so little feeling at being +parted from them all, and, curiously, full of pain at the thought of +parting from that mother. + +Poor Esther could not see, of course, that this same parting was really +for her good; that there, under the strain and discord of her home she was +allowing herself to become irritable and captious, despondent and +sharp-tongued. She knew she always felt cross and injured and sore, +but she never set herself to face the reason and combat it. + +Two days later a reply came from Miss Julia Foster, and a frown sat +heavily on Mrs. Carroll's brow. Aunt Julia firmly refused to take over at +a moment's notice the burden her sister was so calmly laying on her +shoulders. + +"People who have children must expect to give up something for them," she +wrote. "You really must not expect to throw off your responsibilities in +this way. It is your duty to stay with them if you cannot take them with +you. I observe you say nothing as to the provision you are prepared to +make for their board and clothing and education. I presume you don't +expect me to take over the responsibility of providing all that too." + +Miss Foster wrote as she talked, very candidly. + +Mrs. Carroll's face flushed with anger and annoyance. + +"Julia never would do anything to oblige any one," she said sharply. +"She has always been the same. I only wonder I thought of asking her." + +It never occurred to her to think what it would mean to a person +unaccustomed to children to have four suddenly introduced into a quiet +home hitherto occupied only by one very prim and particular lady and two +equally prim servants, who did not know what real work was. + +Miss Foster's first thought had been: "Neither of the maids would stay," +and she could not contemplate the terrors of changing. Her second +thought, "Who is to provide for the children?" She felt quite certain +that that important point had never entered into their mother's +calculations, and she felt distinctly annoyed with her sister for the +abrupt and casual way in which she threw such a great responsibility on +others' shoulders, and in her letter she made her feelings plain. + +For a few moments Mrs. Carroll sat considering. One by one all her +relations and friends were passed in review before her mind's eye. +"There seems," she said at last in a musing tone, "no one but Cousin +Charlotte. I wonder--" + +There was not much doubt as to what Mrs. Carroll was wondering. Her face +lightened, determination shone in her eye. + +"Cousin Charlotte," or Miss Charlotte Ashe, was a cousin of Mrs. Carroll's +mother. In her earlier years she had kept a girls' school in London, but +when she found herself growing old she sold it, and retired to a little +house in her native village in Devonshire. Schoolmistresses do not, as a +rule, grow rich, and Miss Ashe was the last person to save money for +herself while there was any one else wanting it; she managed, however, to +save enough to keep herself, and Anna, her former cook, in their little +house in comfort, and put a trifle by for an emergency. + +It was to this quiet, modest little home that Mrs. Carroll's thoughts now +flew, without the slightest feeling of compunction at invading it, as she +meant it to be invaded. Her letter to Miss Ashe was a masterpiece of +pathetic pleading. Miss Charlotte read it with tears of pity for the poor +mother, reduced from affluence and luxury to poverty and the position of +an emigrant's wife torn from her children by stress of circumstance. +Then she read it again to Anna, and Anna's eyes filled too; but it was for +the children that Anna wept. Both kind hearts agreed, though, that they +could not refuse to give the homeless ones a home; and a letter was +despatched at once, full of warm hospitality and affection, and almost +before it was posted a perfect fury of cleaning, planning, rearranging +burst over Moor Cottage, in preparation for the four new inhabitants. + +"Children," cried Mrs. Carroll delightedly, when the letter arrived, +"your dear Cousin Charlotte is quite anxious to have you in her charming +little home in Devonshire. I know you will be happy there, she is so +sweet and kind. I was always very fond of her, and so will you be, I +know; and you must do all you can to help her, and not be too troublesome. +She says she can have you at any time, so I think you really had better go +as soon as I can get you ready. I shall be able to see to things better, +and pay a few farewell visits, when I am quite free. It will be a great +relief to know you are comfortably settled." + +Esther listened in silence. She was terribly sensitive. She was +interested, but troubled. Did Cousin Charlotte really want them, she +wondered, "or had mother forced them on her?" + +Penelope knew no qualms; she simply danced with delight at the thought of +going to Devonshire, and to live on a moor. "I always wanted to go +there," she cried. "I know I shall love it." + +Angela wept quietly at the thought of leaving Framley, and her mother, and +the house and the woods. Poppy stood gazing eagerly from one to the +other, prepared to do whatever her sisters did, but puzzled to know which +to copy. + +"Cousin Charlotte will want a big house," she remarked gravely, "if she +has all of us to live with her. I wonder if she is glad we are coming--or +sorry," she added as an afterthought. + +"What about our clothes and food, and everything," asked Esther presently, +nervously summoning up courage to put the great question that had troubled +her most ever since the move was first mooted. She knew from bitter +experience that the very last person to trouble about such details was her +mother. + +"Really, Esther, you are very inquisitive and interfering," said Mrs. +Carroll, deeply annoyed because the question was one of the most +embarrassing that could have been put to her. "Who do you consider is the +right person to attend to such matters, myself or yourself?" + +Esther sighed, but made no answer. She had no doubt as to who was the +right person, her doubt was as to the right person's doing it. +The matter, though, was too important for her to be easily daunted. +She felt she _must_ know, or she could not go. + +"And--and what about our education?" she asked. She meant so well, but +she spoke in that sullen, aggressive tone that always put her in the wrong +and made her mother angry. It was purely the result of nervousness. +She did so hate to have to be disagreeable and say these things, making +herself seem so forward and important, when she really felt just the +reverse. There was no one else though to do it, so she had to. +"Is there a school there? We all ought to go to school now, even Poppy. +I am thirteen, and--and I don't know as much as the village children, +and I--I'm ashamed to go anywhere or meet any one. Every one sees how +stupid and ignorant we are." A great sob clutched her throat and choked +the rest of her words, tears of mortification and bitterness filled her +eyes. She was painfully conscious of her own ignorance, and had an +exaggerated idea of the contempt others must feel for her. "And some day +the others would come to feel the same," she told herself resentfully, +"if nothing was done for them. It was cruel. No one seemed to care for +them, or how they grew up." + +And then again, she would hate herself for her bad temper, and the nasty +things she said. She knew she was making herself unlovable, and she did +so long for love. + +Mrs. Carroll looked somewhat taken aback at this new question. +"Oh," she stammered, "I suppose I must arrange something. I must talk to +your father about it when I get out to him. In the meantime I daresay +Cousin Charlotte will be able to help you a little with a few lessons. +She has been a schoolmistress all her life; she had a splendid school-- +such nice girls, too. She must miss them so. She will probably be quite +glad to do a little teaching." + +"I wonder what she will think of us," said Esther, "if she has been +accustomed to well-brought-up girls." + +"Well," cried Mrs. Carroll, turning on her sharply, "surely if you are so +anxious to learn, you might have been studying by yourself all this time. +I am sure there are books enough in the house, and you knew there was no +money to spare for education." + +"Yes, there are books," said Esther quietly. "Father's books that he +brought from Oxford, but I can't understand them. It is books for quite +little children that I want," her face flushing hotly. + +"Well, I daresay Cousin Charlotte will have loads of old school-books, +and--and well, at any rate, Esther," reproachfully, "you know how to read +and write, and you might have been teaching Angela and Poppy to do so, you +really might have done that." + +"I have," said Esther. + +"Oh, well, that is something. When one can read there is no excuse for +ignorance in a place where there are books. There are lots of people who +have set to work and taught themselves when they have been too poor to go +to school, and have done--oh, marvels!" responded Mrs. Carroll, relieving +herself of any feeling of self-reproach. Because a few rare geniuses had +done so, by facing difficulties and self-sacrifices such as she could not +even imagine, she felt there was nothing to prevent every ordinary child +from pursuing the same course. + +Esther said no more; a sense of hopelessness and helplessness seized her-- +a feeling common to most who had to do with Mrs. Carroll, but Esther, as +yet, did not know that. She walked away out of the room and the house-- +she felt she must get away somewhere by herself. + +She hurried on quickly till she came to the woods. There, at any rate, +there was peace and rest, and no bickerings. "But oh," she thought, as +she flung herself down on the soft, springy pine-needles which lay so +thickly everywhere, "what shall I do when I haven't the woods to come to?" +and she put out her hand and patted tenderly the rough trunk of the +nearest pine-tree. + +Half an hour later she rose as bewildered and vexed as ever. Her thoughts +had led her nowhere; instead of finding some way to surmount her troubles, +she had just brooded and brooded, and nursed her grievances until they +were larger than ever. She could not go home yet, she felt too depressed +and miserable, so she wandered on and on. + +In one little hollow in the woods was a spot they called their 'house,' +where they spent long days playing all sorts of lovely games, and very +often, when their mother or Lydia wanted to have a free day, they had +their dinner and tea there too. Making for this place now, Esther came +upon Penelope perched in the forked trunk of an old tree, a book in her +hand. She was so absorbed she gave quite a start when Esther called to +her, "What are you doing, Pen?" + +Penelope had a deep pucker in her forehead and a very grave face. +"I am trying to educate myself," she said soberly. "I thought if I could +learn even only a little before I went to Cousin Charlotte's it would not +seem _so_ bad. But I don't seem able to get on _very_ well. I can't +quite make out what it is all about, and the words are very long. +I thought I'd try though. I only wish I'd thought of it sooner." + +Esther felt a twinge of shame. She had thought of it, but she had done +nothing, and her inmost conscience told her she might have spent her time +more profitably than she had. "If we were not going away, Pen," she said +enthusiastically, "we would have lessons here every day. P'r'aps if we +kept on at it we might get to understand better, and we might get some +nice books in time. But," hopelessly, "it is too late now." + +"Oh, I don't think so," said Penelope encouragingly. "It can never be +_too_ late to learn things, and p'r'aps we can make up for lost time. +At any rate, let's try." + +"Very well, we'll begin now. Shall we start together? What book are you +reading?" + +"It is called _The Invasion of the Crimea_" said Penelope slowly. +"I think it will be very interesting--further on." + +"I wonder what the Crimea was," mused Esther. + +"If we read very carefully perhaps we shall find out. There seems to be a +lot about soldiers and battles." + +"I wonder," said Esther, after a moment's thought, "if it will be any good +our reading all this. Don't you think we ought to learn something that +people talk about every day?" + +Penelope looked a little disappointed. "I don't know," she said slowly. +"I don't know how to--or what books to get, and--and p'r'aps some people +do talk about the Crimea. Cousin Charlotte may, and then won't she be +surprised if we know all about it!" + +"Is it long?" asked Esther, still dubiously. Esther wanted to find the +royal road to knowledge, which is easy and short and smooth--so they say, +but no one knows, for no one has found it yet. + +"Eight more volumes," said Penelope, almost apologetically. She was +beginning to feel her zest for self-education considerably damped. +"But," brightening up a little, "we can go on with this, at any rate, +until we find out what we _ought_ to learn. It can't do any harm. +It looks like history, and I am sure we ought to know history." + +"Yes," agreed Esther. So they began taking it in turns to read; but the +words were long, and the names difficult to pronounce, and Esther's mind +was in such a state of turmoil she could not fix it on anything, and line +after line, as Penelope read, fell on deaf ears. "I think I shall go home +now," she said at last. "Penelope, do you think we shall have some new +clothes before we go away? We ought, we are dreadfully shabby." + +Penelope looked up with doubt in her face. "I don't know. I don't expect +so; you see it would cost such a lot to get things for the four of us, and +there will be the tickets too, and it must be a very long journey." + +Esther sighed. "Well, we are disgracefully shabby. I don't know what we +are going to do. Cousin Charlotte will think we are a tramp's children." + +The next day, when the study hour came, Esther took a large basket of +stockings out into the woods with her to darn. "I must try and mend these +again," she said. "We don't seem to be going to have any new ones," and +while Penelope with some trouble made her way through a chapter of the +_Invasion of the Crimea_, and the younger ones collected fir-cones to take +home for the kitchen fire, Esther sorted out and darned a motley +collection of stockings of various sizes and every variety of shade of +washed-out black and brown. She darned them quickly and thoroughly; but +the great excrescences of blue, brown, grey, or black darning-wool would +have brought terror to the heart of any one who suffered from tender feet. +"There," she said, laying aside the last pair with a sigh, "at any rate we +shall be sound if we are shabby. I wish, though, the darns didn't show +quite so much," gazing regretfully at a large light-blue patch in the +middle of one of Poppy's black stockings. + +After that the _Crimea_ was abandoned, and they all fell to talking of the +strange new life which was drawing so close to them now, and by degrees, +and in spite of their first dread, was so exciting, so full of interest, +and all manner of possibilities. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +And now at last the parting was over, and the new life fairly begun. +Esther, Penelope, Angela, and Poppy sat alone in a third-class carriage, +looking out with blurred and smarting eyes at the fields and hedges +rushing past them, at telegraph wires bowing and rising, at people and +cattle and houses, and wondered if it could all be real or if they were +only dreaming. + +They had been very sad for the last few days, for the parting had been a +painful wrench. In spite of all its drawbacks, the little house at +Framley was their home, and they shed many bitter tears when they bade +good-bye to it, and the woods and the walks, and all their well-known +play-places. They wept, too, at leaving their mother, and even Lydia, +cross, careless Lydia, for, after all, their mother and Lydia were the +only two beings they knew well, and to be obliged to leave them and go +entirely to utter strangers, in a quite unknown place, was very alarming. + +"No one knows what it may be like at Dorsham," said Esther tragically, +"and we--and we are not like children accustomed to going about. +We don't know what are the right things to do--you know what I mean, we +don't know how to behave, at least I don't. I hate having to meet any one +in the street, for I never know what to say or do; and if I don't speak I +know I am rude, and they think all sorts of things about me, and then I am +miserable, and--and it'll be like that all the time at Cousin +Charlotte's." + +The other children looked awed until Penelope brightened up a little. +"Never mind," she said hopefully, "we will go on just as we do now. +After all, we can't be so very very dreadful, for mother _is_ a lady, and +knows, and we aren't wild savages; and Cousin Charlotte must tell us if we +don't do things right, and we must remember for another time. +Don't you think that will be all right, Esther?" + +"I wish I could remember all the things Aunt Julia used to tell us," +sighed Angela regretfully. "If we could we should know exactly what to +do; but she was always telling me things and I've got them all mixed up." + +"Will Tousin Charlotte whip us if we don't do right?" asked Poppy, in an +awe-stricken voice. + +"No one knows," said Esther, still in the same tragic, woebegone manner. +"She may. I believe schoolmistresses are _very_ strict. We shall know +when we get there." Poppy's face grew longer and longer. "Mother says +she is a _dear_ old lady, but--but mother forgets, and she never had to +live with her, as we've got to." + +So their hearts were heavy with mingled dread and shyness, as well as +sadness and a sense of desertion, as they took their seats in the train +which was to convey them to Dorsham. In the luggage van were two small +trunks containing their four scanty wardrobes, and all their toys and +other treasures. In her hand Esther carried a large old purse of her +mother's, containing their four tickets, and a sovereign which her mother +had at the last moment given her to provide them all with stamps and +notepaper and pocket-money for the next twelve months. + +To children who had been in the habit of doing without pocket-money at all +it seemed as though unbounded wealth were theirs, and they could never +know want again. + +Penelope carried a basket of provisions, which Lydia, with unusual care, +had insisted on their taking. Penelope consented because she did not like +to refuse Lydia's last request, but neither it nor its contents held the +slightest interest for them until quite a long stretch of their journey +had been covered. They were too unhappy to feel hungry. They would never +care for food again, or for any one or anything but Framley and their +mother and Lydia; and while they were in this frame of mind two or three +hours and many miles passed by. + +But the lapse of time brought some relief and a lightening of their +depression. They became able to take a growing interest in their +surroundings, and a sensation of hunger began to assert itself; so did a +savoury odour from Lydia's basket, an odour so delicious that, in spite of +themselves, they became interested. + +"I wonder what Lydia put in here," said Penelope, looking down at the +despised basket for the first time. "Something smells rather nice." +They had left home before nine, and the meal they ate before starting was +hardly worthy the name, and as it was now past twelve they began to feel +very empty and rather faint, and the savoury whiffs which floated out from +the basket grew more and more appealing. + +Poppy slipped from her seat at last and pressed her small nose close to +the cover. "I believe it's patties, and gooseberries, and--and--" + +Lydia had her faults as to temper, but there was no denying she could cook +when she chose to, and her meat patties were the joy of the children's +hearts on the rare occasions when she could find time to make them. + +Without more delay the basket was unpacked, and Poppy's sense of smell was +amply justified. Four meat patties, some hard-boiled eggs and slices of +bread and butter, cakes, biscuits, milk, gooseberries, and apples, made a +lunch fit for four queens. And the children fairly squealed with delight +as they unrolled packet after packet. + +"We will have a table," cried Esther, springing up and spreading a +newspaper on the seat for a tablecloth, "and lay everything out on it. +I only hope no one else will want to come into this carriage." + +It was not very easy to keep on their feet with the train swaying and +jerking them as it did, but it made it all the more amusing, and when all +was spread it looked so nice it made them feel very grand and grown-up. +It was a wonderful new experience, and their spirits rose quite high under +it. + +"I wish we could go on and on like this always," said Esther. "Wouldn't it +be jolly! There would be no one to worry us, and no strangers to face." + +Penelope looked up quickly, her eyes alight with a sudden idea. +"Oh, Esther, let's do it! Let's go on and not get out at Dorsham," +she cried wickedly. + +"But could we go on much further?" asked practical Angela. "Isn't there +any end to the railway?" + +"I don't know. Perhaps it just goes on and on all round England, and in +and out until it comes to where it started from, and then goes on again," +said Penelope, her mind busy over the problem. + +"But the poor engine-drivers must get down sometimes and go to bed, +mustn't they?" asked Poppy. "They don't sleep on the engine, do they?" + +"I wish I knew," said Penelope. "It would be so lovely just to go on and +on and not know where we were, or anything, and--" + +"But what should we do for food?" asked Esther quietly. "The meat patties +are gone already," throwing the last crumbs out of window, "and we +couldn't get any more, and--and--" At that moment the train drew up at a +station, and a ticket-collector, flinging open the door, came in and +demanded to see their tickets. Trembling with nervousness, certain that +he must have heard what they had been saying, Esther fumblingly undid her +purse and produced them. The man looked at the tickets closely, clipped +bits out of them, and handed them back again, giving at the same time a +keen, curious look at the four young travellers. + +It was not until the train had steamed on again, and he was left behind on +the platform, that either one of them recovered from the shock +sufficiently to speak. + +"He must have heard us," breathed Angela, with wide frightened eyes. +"He _must_ have, and--oh! he must have seen all that," pointing to the +remains of the feast spread out on the seat. + +"I expect he is used to it," said Penelope consolingly. "Most people do +eat when they are travelling, I expect. But it is no use for us to try to +travel on beyond Dorsham, that is certain. They would find us out by +looking at our tickets, and--and p'r'aps we should be sent to jail!" + +Agreeing, reluctantly, that their plan for a life of perpetual travel must +be abandoned, they settled down again to face the more monotonous future +that had been arranged for them. Tired at last of talking, they tried to +read, but no book could enthral them for long, while there was so much to +see and take note of, as they rushed through the beautiful country all +bathed in June sunshine, or stopped at the big bustling stations, +and the funny little country ones. Oddly enough, though they stopped so +often no one got into their carriage, which was very nice, they thought. +By and by, though, they began to grow very weary, the carriage was very +hot, and they grew tired of their own company. It might have been better +for them, perhaps, had they had some fellow-passengers. + +"Only three o'clock!" sighed Penelope, catching sight of a clock at the +station they were drawn up in. "We have two and a half more hours yet. +Oh dear, what a long day it is! I believe I shall be almost glad to get +there, though I do dread it so." + +"I wonder if Cousin Charlotte is nervous, too," remarked Angela, who had +been very quiet for some time. + +Poppy woke up from an uncomfortable nap, looking and feeling very cross. +"Oh, I am so thirsty," she cried. "Esther, mayn't I have an apple?" + +Esther roused herself from her study of the landscape. "Of course you +may, dear--let us all have another meal now, and call it tea. You see, if +we get there at half-past five we are sure to have something to eat soon +after, so it will be better to eat up what we have here soon, unless we +mean to waste it." + +There was complete agreement of opinion on this point, so Esther tidied +their tablecloth and rearranged the remaining food as well as she could, +and they set to work to demolish everything with keen appetites--a task +they accomplished without any great effort; and it is only to be hoped +that Lydia heard of the appreciation the contents of her basket met with. + +Try, though, as they would to spin out the meal, it was not yet four when +the last crumb and drop had vanished; and, finding nothing else to do, +they nestled down in their four corners again with the quiet melancholy of +a dying day settling down on them once more. Though it was June, the land +outside seemed already to take on a look of evening, the wind had changed, +and little dark clouds had come up and hidden the sun. The children were +reminded of the woods at home, and the curious air of gloom they wore, as +though there were a storm outside, even when the sun was shining brightly. + +Poppy crept from her corner and nestled up close to Esther. + +"Essie, let's tell stories that will make us feel happy," she said, +wistfully, with just the faintest quiver of her baby lip. "Something that +will make me not think about mummy and Lydia and home." + +"Pen, you tell us one, will you?" said Esther, lifting her little sister +on to her lap, and holding her very close. "You can tell stories better +than I can." + +Angela in her corner kept her back turned to them, looking out of window +very persistently, and winking very hard. But when the story was fairly +begun she too crept up and nestled close to Esther, with her face well +hidden behind Poppy's back and Esther's encircling arm. + +The request roused Penelope from her own depression. She loved to tell +stories. Usually she made up her own, for she had read but few to repeat; +and the children always preferred hers, for, somehow, she seemed to know +exactly what they liked. Now it seemed as though she understood perfectly +just what would cheer them, and what to avoid, and they listened in +perfect silence, drinking in comfort. + +"Don't stop, don't stop!" pleaded Poppy, when the obvious end had been +reached. But at that moment the train drew up, and Esther's eyes, +wandering idly over the little station to see what place they had reached, +read 'Dorsham' on the signboard, and sprang to her feet with such energy +as to send Angela and Poppy tottering across the carriage. + +"We are come," she gasped. "Oh girls, we are come! What shall we do?" + +"Dorsham, Do-orsham," shouted a porter outside, in confirmation of her +words, and the carriage immediately became a scene of wild confusion and +excitement. + +"I wonder if there is any one here to meet us," said Esther, as she tidied +Poppy's dark hair and put on her hat. "Perhaps some of us had better get +out and see, or they'll think we have not come." + +They were all almost breathless with nervous excitement, and Esther was +just popping her head out of the window to try to open the carriage door +when a little lady came hurrying along the platform, her cheeks very pink, +her eyes bright with anxiety. When she saw Esther she stopped, her face +brightening with an expectant smile. When her eye fell on the three other +little faces gazing out through the side windows with eager curiosity, her +face brightened still more. + +"Oh," she gasped, "are you--I think you must be the little Carrolls from +Framley, my young cousins. I am Miss Charlotte Ashe, Cousin Charlotte-- +and I've come to meet you--are you Esther? I think you must be." + +Esther's face had brightened too, with relief. This gentle little lady +was so unlike the formidable stranger she had been dreading so, she felt +quite at ease at once. + +In another moment they were all on the platform being introduced. + +"This is Penelope, and this is Poppy, the youngest of us, and this is +Angela, the third," she said with the air of a proprietor, "and I am the +eldest." + +"I am delighted to see you all, my dears," said Miss Ashe warmly, kissing +each in turn. She felt a little nervous under the fire of four pairs of +enquiring eyes; there was nothing rude, though, in their stare; it was +simply full of a wistful, half-incredulous pleasure. They could scarcely +believe their eyes and ears that things were turning out so much less +dreadful than they expected. + +Then followed a moment of bustle, while the station-master and the one +porter went in search of the luggage, and the children were led up to +identify the various things as they should be lifted out. When they were +told that the two shabby trunks were all there were to identify, +disappointment was only too plainly written on the men's faces. + +Seeing how little it was, the porter readily promised "to wheel it along +by and by," and Miss Ashe turned away with a sigh of relief. + +"Now then, chicks," she said cheerily, "we will start for home. +You won't mind a walk, I hope, dears. My house is only fifteen minutes +from the station. Are you _very_ tired?" looking anxiously from one to +the other, but most anxiously at Poppy. + +"Oh no," they assured her politely. "We would like to walk, Cousin +Charlotte," added Esther; "after sitting still so long it will be very +nice," and her sisters supported her eagerly. + +The engine, with a good deal of puffing and snorting, glided on its way +again. The children stood to watch it, but they saw it depart without any +of the regret they had expected to feel, and then the little party turned +out of the station, on the last stage of their pilgrimage to their new +home. + +They were accustomed to the country, of course, so that their first view +of Dorsham did not affect them as it would have affected a town child, but +even they exclaimed with delight at the weird, wild beauty which opened +out before them. The station appeared to have sprung up in the heart of a +little forest of firs, as being the most sheltered spot it could alight +upon in that open country, and it was not until they had walked a little +way along the white road which skirted the woods, and came to the other +road which led at right angles to Dorsham, that the real beauty of the +place they had come to burst upon them. + +Then, "Oh!" they gasped. "Oh! oh! Cousin Charlotte, how perfectly lovely! +We did not think it would be a bit like this." + +Angela alone did not speak; she gazed, and shivered as she gazed. +She was too awed by the rugged wildness to be able to find any words--awed +and rather frightened. In the beautiful evening light of the summer's day +there lay before them an immense stretch of wild and rugged moorland, +sloping down on either side till it met a winding silver streak at the +bottom of the valley, and rolling upwards, away and away, rising and +dipping, with every here and there rough boulders and tors, single or in +groups, standing upon its brown bosom like rocks out of a brown sea, +until in the distance high rock-crowned hills bounded and closed it in. + +Then would the eye travel from the wilder beauty back to rest on the +gleaming, gliding river in its rocky bed, and the group of little houses +which stood about so irregularly as to give the impression that they had +been dropped down promiscuously and allowed to remain as they fell; while +close about each house were large gardens snatched from the wealth of +wildness outside and enclosed within sturdy walls, as though to protect +them from the encroaching brown sea outside. + +"Oh, Cousin Charlotte," gasped Angela, "aren't you afraid to live here? +It looks so--so wild and--and sad?" + +Cousin Charlotte smiled. "Oh no," she cried, "it is not as lonely as it +looks. There is quite a village just on beyond, but you cannot see it +from here." Then noticing the look on Angela's face, "You will not be +afraid, will you, children?" she asked anxiously. + +"Oh no," said Esther, replying for them all. "I am sure we shall like it, +Cousin Charlotte. I don't think it is as lonely as a wood really, because +here you can look all about you, and can see if any one is coming. +Angela is tired, I expect, and I think every place looks rather sad when +night is coming on. I think she will like it soon, when she is more used +to it." + +"The village looks more lonely than it is really," said Cousin Charlotte. +"From here it seems as though we are quite unprotected, but when we are at +home that feeling will be gone. It seems then as though the moor is +protecting us. There are other villages just beyond us in each +direction, too, so we are not quite deserted." + +"Oh, I love it, I love it!" gasped Penelope, who had been silent from the +intensity of her emotion all this time. It was almost as though the sight +was too much for her. She felt bewildered, overcome, full of awe and +love, and a feeling she could not describe. She stood still in the wide +white road, and gazed and gazed with her heart in her eyes. The others +walked briskly on, Angela keeping close to Esther, her hand thrust through +Esther's arm, Poppy holding Miss Ashe by one hand and Esther by the other. +The road wound down in almost a straight line, until they could hear the +murmuring of the river, like a welcoming voice, as it hurried along over +the stones. The nearer they drew to the house and the river, the less did +the moor and the hills seem to dominate them, and the feeling of home grew +on them. + +Just before they reached the house Penelope overtook them. + +"Oh," she cried enthusiastically, "it is so lovely. I--I am sorry I have +lived all my life away from it. I might have had nearly twelve more years +here." + +Miss Ashe laughed, well pleased. "I am so glad, children, that you think +you will like it. Anna and I thought it might be dull for you. +Well, here we are at last, and very glad you must be, I am sure, after +your long, tiring day. This is Moor Cottage, dears, and I hope you will +all be very, very happy here as long as I am allowed to keep you. +It shall not," she added gravely, pausing as she stood in the porch with +her hand on the latch, "be my fault if you are not." + +"I am _sure_ we shall be happy, Cousin Charlotte," said Esther earnestly, +longing to throw her arms about the dear little lady, and kiss her, but +feeling too shy. "I know we shall." + +Angela did not only long, but she acted. "And I hope we shall make you +happy, too," she cried, and throwing her arms about Miss Ashe's neck +kissed her lovingly. + +Cousin Charlotte's eyes were dim as she opened the door wide. +"Welcome home," she cried. Then in a louder, brisker voice, "Anna, Anna," +she called, "where are you? Here are our young ladies come, and neither +of you out to meet and welcome them! I am ashamed." + +A wild scratching was heard at the back of the little stone-paved hall, +then a door was flung wide, revealing for a moment a pretty, cosy kitchen +with firelight gleaming on a dresser laden with dainty china; but only for +a moment, for the doorway was almost immediately blocked by a figure which +blotted out every other view--the big, broad figure of Anna, white-capped, +white-aproned, red-faced and smiling. + +"Well I never!" she kept exclaiming, "and to think of me never hearing you +coming. Well I never!" but all further talk was put a stop to by a yelp +of joy, and the wild rush from somewhere of a creature that, for the +moment, Poppy was quite sure was a bear. The creature flung himself on +Miss Ashe so impetuously as to very nearly topple her over. + +"Guard, Guard," she protested, recovering her footing with a laugh, +"behave yourself, sir." But the great dog would not be quiet until she +had given him her hand to kiss and her purse to hold; with that in his +mouth he contented himself with wriggling joyfully at her feet, making +little muffled sounds of welcome. + +"Now come and speak to your visitors," she said, "and shake hands like a +gentleman." But he had to return her purse to her own safe keeping before +he could be induced to do anything more, after which he went round and +solemnly shook hands with each of the girls, smiling very wide with +pleasure at the pats and caresses he got, until, on coming to Poppy, she +flung her baby arms about his great rough neck, crying, "Oh, you darling, +you darling," and kissed his soft brown cheek, upon which he looked up at +her adoringly, and seated himself beside her. Then Anna came forward and +seemed quite pleased when they all shook hands with her; and Guard, seeing +every one else so hearty, began to dash round and round again as he looked +ecstatically from one to the other, making little low cries of pleasure. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +"Now then, Anna," said Miss Ashe at last, "we really must show these poor +children their rooms, and let them wash and refresh themselves before tea; +they must be longing to, and I am sure they are famished--aren't you, +children?" + +They remembered their 'tea' at three o'clock, and blushed; but that really +did seem hours ago now, and they honestly were very hungry again. +Perhaps the moor air had something to answer for already. + +"Well, come along," said Miss Ashe, while, murmuring something about hot +water, she bustled off to the kitchen. "No, Guard, you must wait down +here," said his mistress, as he rose to follow them; and with his feet on +the bottom stair he stood still, gazing after them longingly, but without +attempting to follow. + +At the right of the hall was an archway, and going up a step and through +this, the children found themselves in another little hall, with doors on +two sides of it, and a staircase at the back, all completely cut off from +the view from the front door. The stairs were so wide and shallow they +tripped as they followed Miss Ashe up them. At the top they found +themselves in a little gallery which ran all round with several doors +opening into it. + +"Now, my chicks," said Miss Charlotte, throwing open the first door they +came to, "you must settle amongst yourselves which two shall share a room, +and which room you will have." + +The children, greatly excited, poured after her into what they all thought +the sweetest, loveliest bedroom they had ever seen in their lives--which +it certainly was. The walls were covered with a pretty creamy paper +festooned all over with bunches of pink-tipped daisies tied together with +blue ribbons; two little white beds, with snowy curtains and quilts, stood +with a table between them. But most fascinating of all was the long, low, +lattice-window with its white dimity curtains, and frill across the top. +They flew to it to look out, and there before them lay the river winding +in and out on its crooked course, and beyond it the moor stretching away, +as far as the eye could see, to where, in the distance, it melted into the +sky. The beauty of it so fascinated them that it was not until later they +noticed all the remaining charms of the room--the little white bookcase +full of books, the chairs on either side of the windows, the two white +chests of drawers, one for each of them, and provided with a key, too, +and the charming blue carpet on the floor. + +"I hope we don't do any harm," said Esther nervously. To her, accustomed +to the shabby bare rooms at home, ill-kept and untidy, it looked almost +too dainty and pretty to use. + +"I am quite sure you will not," said Miss Ashe, who appeared to have no +fears. "Now this is the sunniest side of the house, and I think, perhaps, +the Poppy ought to have the sun." + +Poppy laughed. The idea pleased her, and, as though to claim possession, +threw her hat on to one of the chairs. + +"Now, come along, or tea will be ready before we are." Out they trooped +excitedly, each delighted in her own particular way. "That is my room," +said Miss Ashe, touching the next door, which was closed. "My window +looks towards the station, along the road we came just now." She did not +say she had given up the pretty room they had just quitted, in order that +they might have the sunshine. + +At the back of the square gallery she threw open another door. "This is +your other room," she said; and Penelope, who was standing by her, gave +one long, low cry of pleasure, and was across the room in a moment. + +"Oh!" she gasped, "oh my!" She could not find words to express the +feelings which rushed over her as her eyes fell on the view without--the +pretty garden full of flowers, enclosed within a stone wall, and beyond +that the old brown moor stretching far and wide in every direction, until +it broke like a brown sea about the foot of the distant hills. Here and +there were lesser tors and piles of rock, and little footpaths through the +heather, and pools which gleamed with a cold light in the light of the +evening sky. It was wild, weird, fascinating. + +"I think you, at any rate, should have this room," said Miss Ashe, +smiling, well pleased at Penelope's delight. The rest of the children +were looking interestedly about them. "As this has a colder aspect I +thought it should be made to look warmer," Miss Ashe explained; and indeed +the warm red carpet, and the dark-red roses nestling against deep-green +leaves on the walls, gave it a very cosy, comfortable look. + +Esther felt soothed and calmed already. The air of comfort and neatness, +the good taste that met them on all sides, gave her such a sense of +pleasure and ease as she had never known before. This was just how things +should look, how she had always wanted them to look, and had never been +able to get them to, or make the others understand. + +"How do you think you will manage?" said Miss Ashe, turning to Esther. +"Don't you think you and the baby here had better be together in the other +room, so that you may be able to help her a little? I have only the one +servant yet, so we must manage to do as best we can for the time. +I think these two," laying a hand on Angela and Penelope, "had better stay +here;" a plan they all heartily agreed with. Then, after providing them +with brushes and combs until they could unpack their own, Miss Ashe went +away, and left them to prepare themselves for tea. + +And here, perhaps, it would be as well to give you some idea of what the +four little Carrolls were like at this time, for one's first question +generally, on hearing any one spoken of, is, "Is she pretty?" or, "What is +she like?" and quite naturally, too, for people only seem real to us when +we are able to picture them in our own minds as they really are. + +Well, Esther Carroll at this time was a tall, thin girl, with a grave face +and fine expressive grey eyes. She was not pretty, but she would have +been what is generally described as 'nice-looking' if her face had not +been almost always spoilt by her worried, cross expression. She was a +tall, graceful girl, with a good carriage, well-shaped hands and feet, a +good complexion, and an abundance of long light-brown hair. She took +great pains that her hair should look well-kept and glossy, and it hung +long, straight, and gleaming, to below her waist. + +Penelope was shorter and broader, altogether a more portly little person, +with a clever face, dreamy, questioning grey eyes, and a nose which was +decidedly a snub--a fact there was no getting over, though Penelope often +tried. Her hair, which was short and curly, was not so golden as +Esther's; it had deeper, redder tints in it. + +Angela was more like Esther in appearance than either of the others. +She was a lanky, overgrown little person at nine years of age, but her +long, shapely feet and hands gave promise of a graceful woman by and by. +She had long, fair hair like Esther's too, but Angela's had a beautiful +wave in it. Her eyes, blue and soft, and appealing as her warm +affectionate nature, looked out of a beautiful child-like face, full of +gentleness and love. + +Then came the Poppy, the pet and plaything and ruler of them all, +a little round, dark-haired, brown-eyed contrast to the others, +who demanded love and got it, giving it in return when she chose, +and that was not always to those who asked most loudly for it. +Fearless, outspoken, and quick, Poppy had none of Penelope's dreaminess, +or Esther's anxiousness, or Angela's timidity. She was eminently a +practical little person, with deep thoughts and plans of her own, and a +will to carry them through. + +They had had a rough, uncared-for upbringing, which had made Esther +perhaps a little masterful and grown-up in her ways and ideas, +and Penelope, somewhat careless, had not checked Angela's nervousness or +Poppy's independence, but they were all honest and truthful, and full of +good instincts; and as they stood looking out of the windows of their new +home at the new strange world beyond, each in her own way was determining +to make the best of her new life, and be good. + +But they dared not linger at the windows. + +"Tea may be ready even now, and Cousin Charlotte is perhaps a very +particular and punctual person," said Esther, and taking Poppy by the hand +they started to go down. But at the top of the stairs they found Penelope +and Angela debating and looking about them nervously. + +"Ought we to go down, or ought we to wait till we are called?" asked +Angela, turning to Esther, with relief at leaving it to some one else to +decide. "Would it be rude to seem in a hurry, or to keep Miss Charlotte +waiting?" + +Esther could throw no light on the dreadful problem, there were so many +things to think of. If they went down they would not know where to go, +and if they stayed in their rooms Cousin Charlotte might wait and wait for +them, thinking they were not ready. + +"Anyhow, we can't stand here," whispered Penelope. "It will look as +though we are listening and prying. Let's go back to our rooms--and yet-- +oh dear, Cousin Charlotte may be down there now, at this very moment, +getting angry with us and thinking how long we take getting ready, and we +don't really." + +Esther's temper suddenly gave way. "I do wish one knew what to do, +always," she said crossly. "But mother never taught us things like this-- +yet we are expected to know--" + +"P'r'aps it doesn't really matter," whispered Angela, who could not bear +to hear her mother spoken harshly of. + + +"Oh yes, it does," snapped Esther. "It makes all the difference." + +"P'r'aps they'll ring a bell when tea is ready," chimed in Poppy, with +sudden inspiration, "then we will know." And sure enough at that moment a +bell did ring down below, and settled the difficulty. In their relief +Penelope and Angela started off with a rush. + +"Oh, girls, don't hurry so," cried Esther nervously. "It looks so bad, as +though we had been waiting." + +So the impetuous ones slackened their pace, and four very demure little +maidens entered the dining-room a moment later in a manner as decorous and +restrained as the most polite could wish. + +And what a charming scene it was that met their eyes--one that all the +four appreciated to the full: a long, low room with a French window +standing wide open to the garden just a step or two below. On the evening +breeze wafted in the scent of mignonette and flowers, and the low sleepy +clucking of the hens, about to go to roost. Near the window stood the +table, with a silver kettle boiling merrily on its stand, and fruit and +flowers and pretty china in abundance, all looking as dainty and tempting +as heart could desire. There was an abundance too of more substantial +fare, eggs and fish, and jam and cream, a tart, and a big home-made loaf; +and the scent of the flowers and the tea all mingled together in a most +appetising whole. + +To the children it all seemed wonderful, exquisite; and for the first time +they realised how hungry they were. Penelope's eyes wandered through the +window to the flower-beds outside. + +"Oh, what a lovely garden!" she cried, struck at once by the beauty of its +well-kept air, and the cared-for look of everything. Then she grew silent +as her thoughts flew back with tender pity to the old beloved untidy +Framley garden, and she felt a twinge of remorse that she had not tried to +do something with it--it might perhaps have been made to look like this. +Then, at a word from Miss Ashe, they turned away from the window to the +tea-table. + +While the children were taking their places she made the tea. + +"Now," she said, as she drew the cosy over the teapot, "which of you will +say grace?" + +The four looked from one to the other dismayed. Esther and Penelope's +cheeks flamed hotly, Angela looked puzzled. Poppy alone spoke. + +"What is 'grace'?" she asked innocently. + +Miss Ashe grasped the situation in a moment, and, though her heart sank a +little in dismay at their ignorance, she showed no sign. "It is a little +prayer we say before a meal, to ask God's blessing on what He has given +us, and we say one again at the end to thank Him for it." + +"We never say anything at home," said Poppy, with childlike candour. +"What do you say, Cousin Charlotte?" + +"Put your hands together, dear, and bow your head, and you shall hear. +It is very simple; you will be able to say it too in a day or so. +Now," bowing her head reverently, "For what we are about to receive, O +Lord make us truly thankful. Amen." Then Miss Ashe raised her head, and +the children followed suit. + +"I've read in some of my books of people who said grace," said Angela, +"but I didn't know that people really did it." + +Cousin Charlotte's face was very grave. "A great many do, and a great +many more do not, but every one should. Don't you yourselves feel that +you want to, dears? You say 'Thank you!' to any one who gives you even +the least little trifle. You have just said 'Thank you!' to me for the +cup of tea I handed you; then surely much more should you say it to the +good God who gives you everything. Don't you see, darling?" + +"Yes, I see," said Penelope soberly. "I wish I had thought of it before. +How ungrateful we must seem to God! I wonder He goes on being good to +people if they never seem grateful." + +"God is so tender, and loving, and forgiving. He does not punish us +because we are ungrateful, and forget Him; but, though what is done in +ignorance is excusable, when we know and yet forget Him we are committing +a sinful and ungrateful act." + +Poppy sat drinking in eagerly all that was said. "I'll try to remember, +Cousin Charlotte," she said seriously. And Cousin Charlotte smiled, and +blinked her eyes rather hard for a moment and laid one hand on Poppy's +tiny hand resting on the table by her. Then the meal began in earnest. +And oh what a meal it was! The children were wildly hungry, and the new +fare was so tempting compared with what they had been accustomed to at +home. Then, when it was over, and that was not very quickly, and grace +had been said, they all strolled out through the open window and down the +steps to the sweet-scented garden, where they wandered about until it was +time to go in and unpack their boxes, and put Poppy to bed. + +It was great fun unpacking and laying away their things in the places +meant for them, though there was so little to lay away it looked quite +lost in the deep drawers and cupboards. Esther felt horribly ashamed as +she wondered what Miss Ashe and Anna would think when they came and saw +them. At the same time it was great fun running from room to room to look +for missing articles. One of Poppy's shoes was in one box, and the other +in the one Penelope was unpacking in her room. Then no nightgowns could +be found until, after a long search, they were discovered at the very +bottom of one of the boxes underneath the toys they had insisted on +bringing. + +"I don't think the boots ought to have been put in last," said Esther +gravely. "Your old boots were right on top of my best hat, and the crown +has been doubled right in. Look, Pen." + +Penelope looked at it with serious consideration. + +"What a pity! I believe," she added, after vainly trying again and again +to make the crown stay up, "I believe you will have to pretend this is how +it ought to be." + +The Carroll children had had so little in the way of hats and clothes, and +so seldom a pretty thing, they thought very little about dress, so the +catastrophe did not affect them as it would have vainer children; and, in +any case, their minds were too full now of other things to have much time +to spare for trouble. + +That night as soon as they were in bed they fell asleep, and slept like +tops; their long day had tired them out, and the moor air made them +sleepy, so sleepy that when morning came they slept on and on, in spite of +the sun shining outside, and the birds calling, and the voices of the men +and boys shouting 'Good mornin'!' 'Bootiful day,' to each other as they +went on their way to their work. + +When Esther did awaken at last it was to find Anna knocking at her door, +and calling, "Time to get up, young ladies; it is half-past seven, and +breakfast will be ready at half-past eight. Are you awake, missie?" + +"Come in," called Esther in a very sleepy tone, stretching herself +luxuriously in her comfortable bed. They had rarely known the luxury of +being called--never, certainly, of having hot water brought them. + +Anna opened the door, and her big person filled the aperture. When she +caught sight of Poppy's dark head so still and quiet on the pillow, she +came further in. "Well, I never!" she breathed softly, as she gently +placed down the can of hot water, "how sound she do sleep, the pretty +dear; it do seem a shame to wake her. P'r'aps she'd better 'bide on for a +bit, and rest herself." + +"Oh no," said Esther, rousing herself. "Poppy is all right, she is a +dreadful sleepy-head. Poppy!" she called, raising herself on one elbow, +"Poppy! Wake up! It will soon be breakfast time, and Cousin Charlotte +will be awfully angry if you are late." + +"Ah, now, it do seem crool to frighten her like that," said Anna, half +smiling, half troubled. + +Poppy stirred herself, opened her dark eyes, and then, recognising her new +surroundings, sat bolt upright in bed, looking about her with deep +interest, but no sign of alarm or fear. + +"I couldn't think where I was, just at first," she exclaimed in a sleepy +voice. "It's Tousin Charlotte's. Is it time to get up? Oh how lovely! +Now we've got all day to go and look at where we are." + +She was out of bed at once, dancing about on her little white toes, her +short curls all tumbled about her pretty flushed face. + +"Now I'm going on to call your sisters," said Anna. "The bath water is +all ready, missie; you've only got to turn the tap to get it just to your +liking. You know where the bathroom is, don't you?" + +"Bags I bath first!" shouted Poppy, who, all the while Anna had been +speaking had been edging nearer and nearer the door; and with a triumphant +laugh she had flown along the corridor and shut herself in before any one +could stop her. + +Esther felt distinctly aggravated. She had considered herself obliged by +politeness to remain in bed and give Anna her undivided attention while +she was talking, and now Poppy, troubled by no such scruples, had taken +this mean advantage. She would really have to be kept in better order, +and taught to behave. Anna went away to call the others. + +"Well, she hasn't got any towels, or sponge, or anything," said Esther, +looking about the room. "Serve her right, she deserves--oh dear! I forgot +the water would be hot; she's sure to scald herself, Or do something mad +with the taps or the water. I _must_ go and see to her." + +At home the bathroom had had no bolt or lock on the door, and she would +have gained admission at once by simply storming it. But here, as yet, +she felt constrained to do things in a more gentle manner. So she crept +softly along the corridor and tapped at the door lightly. "Poppy," she +pleaded in an anxious whisper, "Poppy, do open the door, and let me get +the bath ready for you. I am sure you will scald yourself, or swamp the +house. _Do_ let me in, dear; just think how angry Cousin Charlotte would +be if any accident were to happen." + +But no answer came to her pleading. "Poppy," more seriously, "do you hear +me! Let me in at once, as I tell you." But the only response was a +mighty rush of water and a great splashing, and Esther retreated, +defeated, to nurse her wrath and await Miss Poppy's return. + +"I do hope the children won't behave like savages," she muttered angrily, +"and so disgrace us all." And a few moments later she had cause to echo +this wish, for with a good deal of rattle and noise the bathroom door was +flung open, and Poppy, having discovered nothing to dry herself with, flew +dripping back to her bedroom, leaving a trail of wet footmarks all along +the speckless carpets. + +It really was enough to make Esther very cross, and it did, and Miss Poppy +was rubbed dry with more vigour than she at all appreciated, a vigour +which was not lessened by a rush from the other bedroom and the capture of +the bathroom by Penelope. Esther felt very injured. As eldest she +considered she had the first right. On her way back again, Penelope, +unconscious of the state of feeling in the blue bedroom, unceremoniously +opened their door and popped her head in. "How are you?" she asked, her +face all beaming with smiles. + +"I don't know how I am, but I know how I shall be," said Esther tartly. +"I shall be late, and it won't be my fault." + +To Penelope this seemed a matter too trifling to think of. +"Isn't everything jolly?" she breathed loudly, remembering suddenly that +Miss Charlotte was in the next room. "I couldn't think where I was when I +woke up, it was so funny--" + +"Go and dress," said Esther, "or you--oh, it really is too bad!" she +exclaimed abruptly as a soft swish along the corridor and the click of a +latch told her that she had been again forestalled, and Angela was now in +possession of the bathroom. "I ought to go first, because I am the +eldest, and Poppy last because she is the youngest." + +Poppy chuckled, "_I_ was first and _you'll_ be last, to-day," she said +aggravatingly. + +"I didn't know it mattered, as long as we all got washed," said Penelope, +and finding the atmosphere uncongenial, began edging away. + +"It matters very much," said Esther with dignity. "I have to dress Poppy, +and tidy the room. If I am dressed first I can--" but Penelope had melted +away, and Poppy was kneeling by her bed, saying her prayers. Esther could +have cried with annoyance. + +She was ready in time after all, but barely. She was just fastening her +frock when the bell rang, and her waistband she put on as she went down +the stairs. A frown still rested on her face and she felt very cross. +She had not said her prayers, and she had not been able to put her room +tidy as she meant to, and she felt that her first morning, that she had +thought would have been so lovely, was quite spoilt. + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +Poppy's boldness vanished when it came to going downstairs, and, though +she had been ready so long, she waited for Esther after all. So did the +others; they all felt rather shy at meeting Miss Charlotte again. + +In the breakfast-room they found their cousin sitting at the table with +some books before her. She looked up and smiled brightly when they +entered, and beckoning to them, drew each in turn to her for a morning +kiss. A quite unusual beginning to their day. + +"Now, darlings," she said, "will you find seats for yourselves for +prayers?" + +The request startled them. They had never before heard of such a +proceeding; but Esther, quickly recovering herself, tried to appear as +though she were used to everything, though, with Poppy looking at her with +such interested, astonished eyes, it was difficult. + +"I've said mine," whispered Poppy, in rather an injured tone. +Esther looked at her warningly. "Yes, I know, but Cousin Charlotte +hasn't, and--and this is different. Lots of people do this. +Sit there, and don't talk." + +Poppy obeyed. Anything that her sisters approved was right, in her +judgment. Penelope seated herself by the window, Angela on a little chair +by the empty hearth, a grave, devout look on her pretty face. +Then Anna came in, and Miss Ashe opened the Bible and read. +She read only a few verses, but they were such as would appeal to the +hearts of children. Then she closed the book and knelt down; at a sign +from Esther they all knelt too, and Miss Ashe asked God's blessing on this +new day and their new life, and thanked Him for His care and love, after +which she began to repeat the Lord's Prayer. + +"Oh, I know that," exclaimed Poppy delightedly. She repeated the prayer +sentence by sentence; Anna did the same, and Esther and the others joined +in; and to Esther, at least, as the sacred words were spoken, the whole +world seemed to alter. The worry and irritability, the dread of she knew +not what, all slipped away from her; and life seemed brighter and happier, +and full of good things. + +"What a lovely way to begin a day," she thought. "I hope we always have +prayers. She got up and helped Poppy to her feet, and, after a moment or +two, they all drew up to the table. Poppy looked about her with frank +interested eyes. + +"Oh, _what_ a lovely breakfast!" she sighed, apparently overwhelmed by the +loveliness, and every one was obliged to laugh. It was what they were all +thinking, but the elder ones did not like to put their thoughts into +words. Yet it was a simple enough meal; but the clean white cloth and +shining silver, the flowers and fruit, and the dainty neatness of +everything made it seem perfectly beautiful to little people accustomed to +Lydia's untidy, careless ways, to soiled and ragged cloths, badly washed +silver and dirty knives, and food put down anyhow, and often not enough of +it. This was what Esther had always instinctively yearned for; to the +others it came as a surprise. + +"I've been thinking, children," said Cousin Charlotte--who had indeed been +lying awake half the night, realising for the first time all she had +undertaken, and trying to grasp all her duties. "I have been thinking you +had better perhaps have a few days' holiday to begin with, so as to get +accustomed to your new surroundings, and then by and by we must begin to +think about lessons. I am expecting to hear from your mother or father as +to their views on the subject of your education. I expect they are +anxious that you two elder ones should go to a good school at once. +And that is one of my greatest difficulties, and the greatest drawback to +your coming here, for there is no good school within reach, and I am +puzzled to know what to do. It is so important that you should have every +advantage now." + +Esther's heart sank, for Cousin Charlotte's sake as much as anything. +She knew as well as possible that Cousin Charlotte would have to settle +this matter for herself, and bear the responsibility entirely. +She knew, too, that the importance of it appealed as little to her mother +as it did greatly to her cousin. Mrs. Carroll was one of those +happy-go-lucky persons, so difficult to deal with, who think that +'sufficient for the day is the evil thereof,' and 'the future will take +care of itself,' so what is the use of worrying--something is sure to turn +up, and everything will turn out right, somehow. + +It never occurred to her that her four children's future depended almost +entirely on the education given them now; or to ponder what, poor and +ill-educated, their future would be. + +"Oh, something will be sure to happen," she would have answered. +"What is the use of planning, no one knows what the future may bring." +Miss Ashe's idea, on the other hand, was that with a good education any +child had, at any rate, one strong weapon with which to fight her way. + +At Dorsham the post did not come in until ten o'clock, so that there was +no correspondence to discuss over the breakfast-table. Not that the +children expected any letters; they had never received one in their lives. + +Breakfast over, Miss Ashe was a little at a loss to know what to do with +her charges; her life had suddenly become so changed and complicated, +that the little lady had difficulty in grappling with it all at once. +"I think you may like to go out and look about you," she said at last. +"You can come to no harm, I am sure, if you keep away from the river. +You may play in the garden, or wander on the moor a little way. But if +you go beyond the garden, take Guard with you; he will be a companion and +protector. Don't go very far, dears; I want you all to come back at +eleven for some milk and biscuits." + +The children were enchanted. This was a happy life indeed! As quickly as +ever they could they got on hats and boots and started. They had never a +doubt as to where they would go. The garden was very nice, but the moor! +--a heaven-sent playground, miles of freedom, and all to themselves. +The thought of having to return at eleven was the only thing that marred +their perfect joy; they felt they wanted to have the whole long day before +them to cover all the ground and make all the discoveries they wanted to. +Guard, a proud and delighted protector, rushed about as excitedly as any +of them. The new interest that had come into his life promised to be all +that he could desire. + +"I do want to get to the very top of that mountain," said Penelope, gazing +earnestly at what was really a very modest hill, and apparently at no +great distance from them. + +"Well, let's," said Esther encouragingly, "it can't be very far away," and +off they started. But the grey tor seemed to possess the power of gliding +backwards, and the more the children walked, the further it seemed to +recede; until at last, when, on scaling what they thought was the last +height, they saw still a long stretch of moorland before them, with more +deceptive dips and rises, they gave in and postponed their climb for +another day. Moor air has a way of increasing the appetite at an alarming +rate. + +"I am afraid it must be past eleven," said Esther as they gave up the +quest, and sat down to rest before turning homewards. "I wish I had put +on my watch; but I was afraid of losing it." + +Esther had a silver watch of her very own, one she had earned for herself. +She had won it as a prize in a competition offered by a magazine the +children took in. Her success had come as a surprise to them all, but +most of all to herself, and the proudest moment of her life had been that +when a carefully sealed-up jeweller's box had come directed to +'Miss E. J. Carroll,' and she had lifted out her prize under the admiring +eyes of Lydia and the children, and the astonished gaze of her mother. + +Mrs. Carroll was doubly astonished, firstly because she had not considered +Esther capable, secondly because she had not grasped the fact that Esther +was really seriously competing; but when she saw this proof of her +labours, she made her a present of a pretty silver chain, with two little +silver tassels at the end, and Esther's cup of joy overflowed. + +From that moment she would have bodices to her frocks that buttoned up in +front, that she might pass the little silver bar through the buttonhole; +and she set herself to make watch-pockets in all her skirts, which she +managed by cutting slits in them just below the waistband, and sewing to +the slits on the inside little pockets like small bag purses. Lydia +showed her how to do it; and if the work was somewhat rough, and not quite +finished, the pocket answered very well, and we cannot all reach +perfection at once. + +But at this moment the precious watch stood on the mantelpiece in the blue +bedroom, on the watch-stand which was another of Esther's treasures. +Lydia had given it to her on one of her birthdays; it was made of white +wood, and had a little view on it of Blackpool, where Lydia had been +spending her holidays. In her shabby, ugly bedroom at home Esther had not +used her precious stand, it was all too dusty and ill-cared for; but here, +where everything was so nice, it was to be given a prominent position. + +When the children got home at last, tired and very hungry, they found four +mugs of milk awaiting them, and a tin of biscuits; they found also that +the postman had been with letters. There were none for them; but they +never expected any, and postmen and posts held little interest for them as +a rule. To-day, though, it had brought them something. + +"I have heard from your mother, dears," said Cousin Charlotte, "and she +sends you her love, and hopes you have arrived safely." + +"Oh, we ought to let her know," cried Penelope, with sudden remorse that +they had none of them thought of doing so before. + +"It is all right," said Miss Charlotte consolingly. "I sent her a +telegram last evening, after you came. She knew before Poppy went to bed. +Ephraim took it to Gorley for me. Oh, you don't know Ephraim yet, do you? +He is our handyman. He attends to the garden, and the poultry, and does +all kinds of useful things. But, of course, you want to hear about your +mother, more than about Ephraim. Well, dears, I cannot tell you much, for +I have broken my glasses and cannot read very well. I was waiting for +Esther to come home and be my eyes for me for once. I did make out, +though, that she is very busy, and leaves Framley to-morrow. No, dear," +to Esther, "I won't ask you to read it now. We will wait till you have +had your lunch. I expect you are all hungry, and there is no great +hurry." + +Their milk and biscuits disposed of, Penelope and the two younger ones +sauntered away to the garden. Esther waited. Miss Charlotte took Mrs. +Carroll's letter from a little pile, and handed it to her. Esther, who +was burning with impatience to know if her mother wrote of those things +that were troubling her, began to read at once: + + "DEAREST COUSIN CHARLOTTE, + + "It is _more_ than good of you to have my four poor children and give + them a _home_. They will be as _happy_ as possible with you, I + _know_. I expect by this time they have reached you. To come to the + _business_ part of our plan, which I know _you dislike_ as much as _I_ + do, I am _very_ thankful you can keep them, clothe and educate them, + for the hundred and fifty pounds a year. Their clothes need cost but + _very little_; after all, it does not much matter what _children_ wear + in a country place." + +"I have my friends here," Miss Charlotte was thinking, "and I cannot let +my little cousins run about dressed like little tramps." + + "While as for their _education_, we need only think of Esther and + Penelope _yet_, and theirs must be of the _simplest_; it matters so + much _less_ for_ girls_ than for _boys_." + + "Oh dear, oh dear," thought Miss Charlotte, "what a mistaken notion!" + + "Ronald _hopes_ to send more when the children are a little older. + Oh, this _dreadful_ want of money! I have been nearly _distracted_ to + know what to do. _Do_ you mind, dear Cousin Charlotte, if I do not + send you the cheque for this quarter till later on, but keep it for + my own needs, which are _so_ urgent? I _have_ to get _so_ much for + my outfit, and so _many_ things besides, I find I have not nearly + enough money for it all. I _hope_ you do not mind. I am up to _my + eyes_ in work, turning out the house and packing; and to-morrow I go + to stay with friends in the North. I think the change will _brace_ + me up for the journey; _I sadly need_ it. + + "My love to the chicks and to yourself. + + "Your affectionate cousin," + "MAUDE CARROLL." + +For a moment Esther could not lift her eyes from the sheet, they were too +full of bitter tears of mortification. "Oh, why does mother always act +like this," she was crying to herself, "and make people think unkind +things of her? It is cruel of her, too, to leave us like this with a +stranger, and not a penny to pay for it all." + +Esther's heart burnt hot with shame as well as anger, for she knew +instinctively that Miss Charlotte Ashe would never see one penny of that +money. She knew, oh, she knew only too well! She had had six years' +experience of debt and trouble and shame, of money being diverted from its +destined use and frittered away and wasted, of tradesmen and servants +continually asking for their money, their threatenings, and all the shifts +and contrivances that had to be resorted to to get a little to satisfy +them for the moment. + +The cheque her father had intended for their needs would, she knew, be +frittered away on useless, foolish things; and never, never would her +mother be able to get together so large a sum again, for she would never +tell her husband of the debt; she would not have the courage; it would +mean 'a scene,' and she hated to be scolded. If Miss Charlotte worried +and made continual demands, a sovereign or a few shillings might be sent +to her now and again; but if she were too proud or too kind to ask, she +would never have a penny of it. Esther knew, oh, how well she knew and +understood it all; and how it hurt and humiliated and maddened her, +as she realised their position! Helpless, penniless, homeless, four of +them, and dependent on this gentle little lady, who was neither rich nor +young, and could have no great love for them. They had no claim on her +whatever. Esther could scarcely summon courage sufficient to look up; her +shame and trouble burnt in her eyes and wrung her young heart. +It was a bitter, bitter moment, how bitter Miss Charlotte had no +conception, for she did not know all. But never, throughout the whole of +her life, did Esther lose the memory of that scene, and the shame and +misery which swamped her. + +But, though she did not realise Esther's trouble, Miss Charlotte was +greatly troubled too, for she had but a limited income, and to make it +provide for six where it had only been expected to suffice for two was a +matter that required some consideration, and when the extra four were but +scantily supplied with clothes, and had to be provided with education too, +the matter became very serious indeed. + +But Miss Charlotte was not one to worry unduly. In the first place she +had been accustomed all her life to facing difficulties, and in the +second, she had too much faith to worry about things. + +"The dear Lord has His own plans for us," she would say, "and He will +guide us through if we only have faith and hope." She said it to herself +now, as she tried to put troublesome thoughts into the background. + +But poor Esther had as yet none of Miss Charlotte's faith. Troubles to +the young appear so much more appalling than they do in later life, +for they have no experience to look back upon and learn from. + +Cousin Charlotte began to perceive, though, that Esther was very troubled +too, seriously troubled. With quick intuition she divined something of +what she was feeling, and her whole heart flew out in sympathy to the +child. + +"It will be all right, dear," she said, smiling cheerfully. "We shall do. +Don't let the matter trouble you. We grown-ups will see to it all. +Don't upset yourself, Esther dearest." + +The kindness of her words and tone broke down Esther's last powers of +restraint. "But--I can't help it--you didn't want us, you couldn't have, +and--and here we are--so many, filling up your house, and--and costing so +much, and--and--oh, Cousin Charlotte, I am so sorry. We must go away, +go back, we can't stay here--" Esther's voice and manner grew almost +hysterical. + +"Oh, but, dear, you must stay, _please_," pleaded Cousin Charlotte gently. +"You would not go away and leave me lonely again, would you, and upset all +my plans and my pleasure, would you? Don't you know that it is a very +great pleasure to me to have you? It is," seeing Esther's look of +incredulity, "I assure you. I love girls of all ages, and I have missed +them terribly here. Never let such a thought trouble you again. +After all, dear, I could not expect to have the money in advance. +I might, you know," smiling, "take it and spend it on myself, and pack you +all up and set you adrift if I had it beforehand. Every one has to earn +their money before they get it. It is about your education and Penelope's +that I am troubled most. Your mother does not mention it. I wanted to +send you to a good school, but if I did it would cost the whole of the +money your father is able to spare for you all, and I think I am hardly +justified in running him into so much expense. I would gladly put out the +money--" + +"Oh no, please, you mustn't," cried Esther eagerly. "Please don't, +Cousin Charlotte, you mustn't think of it." Again Cousin Charlotte was +perplexed by her very real distress. "I will teach myself and the others +if I can only have some books, but it mustn't cost you anything." + +Miss Ashe would not allow a glimmer of a smile to show in her face or +eyes. "Well, dear," she said gravely, "we will think about it and have +another talk. We cannot settle such a big question in a moment, can we? +At any rate, if you cannot manage the teaching you can help me in other +ways." + +"How?" asked Esther eagerly, her whole face brightening. "Oh, I do so +want to help." + +But at that moment Anna came in to say Miss Ashe was wanted, and the +conversation had to end. + +"Run out and amuse yourself now, dear, and keep an eye on the others," +said Miss Charlotte, laying a gentle hand on Esther's shoulder with a +little caressing touch. "I am afraid I am leaving the care of them very +much to you, but we shall settle down in time. I hoped to have got +another maid; but well, Anna has lived so long alone now it is a little +difficult to find any one she would live with happily. I want a girl, +too, who would not require high wages. Now run along, dear. I hear Poppy +calling to you," and with the same Miss Charlotte bustled away, and Esther +was left alone. + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +"Girls," said Esther solemnly, as she hurried down the garden to where +they were sitting, "I've got a lot to talk about. Let's go somewhere +where we can be quiet." + +There was a door in one wall of the garden, which led out directly on to +the moor. Penelope had already discovered this, and at once led her +sisters through it. At no great distance up the slope was a large group +of rocks, which afforded them seats and shelter; it had other advantages, +too, for from it they could look along the winding road, or down on the +river and the cottages. Here the four of them ensconced themselves, with +Guard beside them, and the three looked eagerly at their eldest sister. + +"What is it?" asked Penelope. + +"It isn't bad news from mother, is it?" gasped Angela, with a frightened +face. + +Esther sat looking very grave and absorbed, yet eager. "There is so much +to say I hardly know where to begin," she said at last, and the excitement +of the others increased. + +"Begin anywhere," urged Poppy, who was not noted for her patience, and the +others echoed her suggestion. + +Methodical Esther, though, began at the beginning, and at great length +told her story. The others listened with interest, but only Angela +sympathised with Esther entirely. Penelope and Poppy were impressed, +but they did not feel her peculiar horror of the situation as Angela did, +nor her sensitive pride and shame. They grew more alert, though, when +she, having finished her story of the letter, said gravely, "Girls, we've +all got to do something, and I'll tell you what we've got to do." + +"What?" they demanded in one breath. + +"Well, we've got to save Cousin Charlotte all we can, and not cost a penny +more than we can help." + +"Must I only eat a very little teeny tiny bit?" asked Poppy gravely. + +Esther laughed. + +"Oh no, dear, you must eat as much as you want, or Cousin Charlotte will +be angry. But we must manage so that she won't have to have another +servant, and if we all help Anna and do a lot of the work, I don't think +she need. We managed with only Lydia at home. But what I want most of +all is to try and earn some money so as to be able to give it to Cousin +Charlotte for what we cost her. But I can't think of _any_ way, can you? +Do let's try and think of something," she ended anxiously. "I am sure I +would if I only knew how. I wish we weren't all so small." + +"I saw a littler girl than me selling bootlaces once," said Poppy eagerly. +"I could do that." + +They all laughed, and the laugh inspirited them; the four faces grew +bright and eager, the four brains went to work busily, and the maddest, +wildest schemes chased each other through those little heads. + +At dinner Miss Ashe was struck by the air of gravity which hung over them. +She feared they must be tired or homesick, or suffering from the change of +air, and grew quite troubled. They disclaimed all three when questioned, +and spoke quite cheerfully when spoken to, and apparently were quite well; +it seemed to be more an abstraction that enveloped them than depression. + +Poppy at last gave a clue to their feelings. "We are finding," she said, +looking at Miss Charlotte, as though she felt some explanation were +necessary; but catching Esther's warning glance she said no more. + +"We must not let Cousin Charlotte know," Esther had said. "She is so kind +she would not like us to worry, so we won't say anything about it to her +if we can help." + +"We'll s'prise her," Poppy had cried gleefully; so, catching Esther's eye, +she remembered, and grew silent again, leaving Cousin Charlotte more +puzzled than ever. + +"I wonder," said Miss Charlotte, as they rose from the table, "I wonder if +you children would mind going to Mrs. Bennett's for me for some rice. +Anna tells me she has run out of it. You haven't seen our shops yet, have +you?" + +"Shops! Oh no, we didn't know there were any." And off they ran +delightedly and put on their hats at once. Esther took her purse with her +too. She wanted to change the sovereign; she was so dreadfully afraid of +losing it, and several silver and copper coins seemed safer than one small +gold one. + +Mrs. Bennett's shop was not difficult to find. Just beyond Miss Ashe's +house, round a bend in the road, they found themselves in what was called +'the street.' There were at least a dozen cottages close together; +a little further on were two or three more, and up the hill were scattered +others, at greater distances apart. The children were perfectly +delighted. Here was life and interest in plenty, and Moor Cottage was not +so lonely as they had imagined. + +The shops were in two of the first group of cottages they came to, and +here was more delight--a perfect feast. Such fascinating windows they +had, so full of all sorts of interesting things, and all at such +reasonable prices too, or so it seemed to the children. + +Mrs. Bennett's held groceries and drapery, and boots and writing-paper, +kettles and saucepans, little china images and 'surprise' packets. +Mrs. Vercoe's held ironmongery and drapery, and dolls and groceries, +sweets and toys of various sorts, bread, cakes and books. Mrs. Bennett +sold china too, and glass, some homely medicines, and hoops and thimbles +and skipping-ropes. Mrs. Vercoe included cheese and bacon, rope and +twine, and baskets. + +Of the two they were most drawn to Mrs. Vercoe's. Her stock appealed to +them more. But as they had been told to go to Mrs. Bennett, thither they +went; and Mrs. Bennett, who kept the post office too, sold Esther some +stamps and changed her sovereign for her, and while they gazed fascinated +about her shop, she gazed at them with frank curiosity. But nothing she +could say could draw them into conversation. For some reason, they could +not have said what, they did not like her. It may have been that she +'talked fine,' as her neighbours said, and minced her words in a somewhat +affected way, or that she seemed very inquisitive, or that her rather cold +manner unconsciously offended them. The children could not have explained +why it was, but fascinating though the shop was, they hurried away from it +and crossed the road to Mrs. Vercoe's. + +Mrs. Vercoe's window was certainly more enticing to them than Mrs. +Bennett's. A prolonged and critical gaze showed them not only all the +things already mentioned, but dear little rough red pitchers which would +hold just half a pint, and a larger size which would hold a pint; packets +of flower-seeds with gay pictures on the outside, and only a penny each; +the pitchers were only a penny and twopence; there were the dearest little +watering-cans too, and fancy handkerchiefs with a nursery rhyme round the +border, and funny little books, with roughly done pictures in the +brightest of colours, and money-boxes, some like little houses, others +representing miniature letter-boxes. + +Angela longed and longed for a pitcher. Poppy wanted a penny +watering-can, painted bright red inside, and green out. Penelope wanted a +book and some sweets, and Esther a money-box, that she might begin to save +at once. + +"_Do_ let's go inside," whispered Penelope. "There may be lots of other +things inside." + +"But wouldn't it look rude to come out of one shop and go right into +another?" asked Esther, who was really as interested as Penelope. + +"Can't we walk on a little way, and then on our way back go in as though +we had just seen something we wanted?" suggested Angela, who was an adept +at trying to spare people's feelings. "P'r'aps Mrs. Bennett won't be in +her shop by that time." + +They all agreed to this, and sauntered on with a simulated air of +unconcern. They walked on past all the cottages, keeping to the wide +granite road which led with many windings up and up a hill beyond the +village. How far they went they had no idea, but by and by they heard a +clock strike in the distance. + +"I do believe we have come to a town, or something," said Penelope +excitedly. "There isn't a church or a big clock in Dorsham, only a +chapel. Let's go on and see." + +But Esther checked her enthusiasm. "We had better not stay away too long, +or Cousin Charlotte may be frightened, and we want to stop at Mrs. +Vercoe's before we go home. Let's go there now, shall we?" + +The suggestion was seconded with alacrity. But if they thought that their +little manoeuvrings were going to blind Mrs. Bennett, or spare her +feelings, they made a mistake. They had yet to learn that no single thing +happened in Dorsham 'street,' no single person went up it or down, without +the fact being known sooner or later--generally on the instant--to every +dweller therein; and for four strangers, newly come to live in the place, +to expect to escape notice was absurd. + +The only result of their plan was to attract more attention to themselves; +but of this they were happily unconscious, and once inside the little, +low, dim, crowded place, their joy seemed unbounded. If Mrs. Bennett had +repelled them, plump, jolly-looking Mrs. Vercoe, with her round rosy face +and kindly, smiling eyes, attracted them at once. + +"Well, my dears," she said warmly, "and what can I do for you to-day?" + +There was a delicious smell of hot cake pervading the place, and Mrs. +Vercoe herself had come out streaked with flour, and carrying a big black +'sheath' full of new currant cakes and buns. + +"I--I hardly know," said Esther. "There are such lots of nice things +here," she added politely. "Do you mind if we look about for a few +minutes first?" + +"Look about to your heart's content, my dear," she said genially. +"Well, little missie," to Poppy, "'tis nice to see so many young ladies +about Dorsham; 'tis what we ain't over-blessed with. I'm afraid you'll +find it dull without any little companions; 'tis very quiet here, not that +I'm complaining," she added hastily, afraid of seeming disloyal to her +native place. "And what do 'ee think of our village?" she asked, seeing +Penelope's eyes fixed interestedly on her. "Fine and lonely I reckon it +looks to strangers, but 'tis airy," with a little laugh, "and bootiful air +too. Makes 'ee hungry, I expect, missie, don't it? Could 'ee eat a new +bun now?" + +Penelope was about to decline, thinking it would be correct to do so, +but her finer natural instinct told her that it might be politer to +accept, and in response to Mrs. Vercoe's bidding she helped herself. +The old dame delightedly invited them all to do the same. Angela and +Poppy accepted; Esther held back with shy reluctance. + +"Oh no, thank you," she said. "We are so many." + +"Well, they'm only farden buns," said Mrs. Vercoe, with a little chuckle; +"but p'r'aps you'd rather have one of these," and she held out to Esther +an apple. Esther felt more embarrassed than ever. Mrs. Vercoe seemed to +think she had declined the bun because she wanted something better. + +"Oh no, thank you," she said, with a great effort. "I like the buns very +much, but I am not hungry. We had dinner just before we came out." + +Mrs. Vercoe laid the apple down without saying any more; but Esther +thought she looked rather hurt, and felt that it would have been more +tactful to have taken it. To break the awkward pause which followed, she +plunged into business. + +"Please how much each are those little pitchers?" she asked hastily. + +"Tuppence, missie," said Mrs. Vercoe, as pleasantly as ever, to Esther's +great relief. "And the littler ones are a penny." + +"May I have one of the tiny ones?" whispered Angela eagerly. + +"It was for you I wanted it," said Esther, who would have liked one for +herself, too. "Aren't they dears!" + +"I must look 'ee out a perfect one," said Mrs. Vercoe, tapping up one +after another and rapping them with her knuckles. "They'm terrible things +for getting chipped. There, I think those are all right." + +Angela, in a high state of delight, chose the one she thought the +prettiest. Poppy, meanwhile, was tugging at Esther's skirt. She had been +very quiet for some time, absorbed in a boxful of the packets of +flower-seeds, with gay pictures outside. + +"Esther, may I have a packet of seeds? and one of those dear dinkey little +watering-cans? May I, Essie? Do say 'yes,' please do." + +Poppy was not only fascinated, but she was possessed by a sudden, +brilliant idea which the packets of seeds had suggested. She could not +rest until Esther had consented, and she could not keep from dancing with +excitement as she bent over the box, trying to make a selection. + +"Bless her pretty face," cried Mrs. Vercoe, much amused. The old lady was +as delighted with her customers as though they were spending pounds +instead of pennies. Penelope, meanwhile, was perched on a corner of a +sugar-box, absorbed in one of the funny little books which were lying in a +pile on the counter, and was quite oblivious of all that was going on +around her. + +Esther paid for Poppy's purchases. "And will you take for the book, too, +please," she said, as she held out a shilling. "The book my sister is +reading." She blushed as she spoke, for she was shocked at Penelope's +behaviour. + +But Mrs. Vercoe would not hear of it. "Why no, my dear; 'tisn't likely +she'd be wanting to buy it now she mostly knows what's in it. +You'd rather have another, wouldn't you, missie? and it don't make no +manner of diff'rence to me." + +Penelope looked up with a start, and blushed too, but an end to the +discussion was put by Poppy, who came up very excitedly with a packet of +parsley seed in her hand. It was not one of those with a picture on the +outside, but a larger, plainer packet. + +"Please, how much is this?" she asked eagerly. + +"Ah, you wouldn't like that, dearie, that isn't pretty. It's parsley. +Very good parsley it is, but it don't have no pretty flowers." + +"I know," said Poppy, nodding her head vigorously. "How much does it +cost?" + +"A penny." + +"Well, I'll take it, please, instead of the other," and she held out her +hand for the packet as though she was afraid of having it wrested from +her. + +Mrs. Vercoe held it while her eyes searched Esther's face. It seemed to +her such an extraordinary choice for a tiny child to make. She was +reluctant to let her have it. "Hadn't she better have the one she chose +first?" she asked anxiously. But Esther was accustomed to her sister's +vagaries. + +"No, thank you. I expect she would rather have this. Perhaps she thinks +she gets more." + +Poppy smiled, and pursed her lips, and hugged her secret to herself +delightedly. + +Then, having paid for Penelope's book, and bought some sweets for them +all, Esther led her little troop out of the shop and home. + +Miss Ashe was out when the children returned, so they strolled into the +garden to amuse themselves as best they could. But the garden was too +neat and well-tended to allow of much in the way of games, so very soon +they wandered further, and escaped on to the moor, Penelope with her new +book, Esther with another book and the sweets, Angela carrying her beloved +pitcher. Guard followed them devotedly. + +Poppy, though, decided to remain behind. She did not say so; nor did +they, so busy were they with their plans, at first notice her absence. + +Miss Ashe's garden was a large one. In Dorsham land was of little value, +and one could have almost as much as one chose, if one took the trouble to +enclose it. The Moor Cottage garden was large enough to allow of its +being divided up into several small ones, the dividing being done chiefly +to provide shelter from the storms which so often swept over the moor, +though the strong stout walls provided excellent space for fruit-trees. + +Poppy, when she saw she was alone, walked quickly from one part of the +garden to another, looking about her eagerly, her watering-can in her +hand, her packet of seeds in her pocket. No one else was about. Anna was +in the kitchen, she heard her voice there, singing hymns; Ephraim, whom +she was most afraid of meeting, was away, apparently. Probably he had +gone to Gorley with Miss Charlotte's broken glasses. Having made quite +sure that she had the place to herself, Poppy carefully deposited her can +on the ground, and ran to a corner where she had seen some tools stacked. +There were a spade, a large fork, a rake, and a little fork. Poppy seized +the spade, but after she had struggled with it a few yards and tumbled +down twice, she exchanged it for the little fork. + +Close by where she had dropped her can was a neat square bed of nice +earth, all beautifully sifted and raked over. This pleased her critical +eye immensely. With the fork she made several little holes not far from +the edge, then she got out her packet of seeds and opened it. + +"What _lots_!" she cried delightedly, and proceeded to place carefully one +seed in each hole. But the seeds she planted seemed not to lessen the +number in the packet in the least. "I must make another row," she +murmured, and carefully covering in the first holes, she stepped on the +bed and made some more. + +When she had made a third row and filled them in she sighed a little. +Before she had finished she had had to commandeer the whole of the bed, +and was weary and confused. There seemed to be nothing but footprints all +over it, and where the seed was, or how to make the earth look nice and +smooth again so that no one should guess her secret, she was puzzled to +know. She could have cried with weariness, but she bravely kept back her +tears with the thought of the splendid thing she had done, and the delight +and surprise there would be when her secret came to light. While she was +standing looking in some dismay at the trampled bed, she remembered the +rake standing in the corner. + +It was heavy, so heavy she could hardly carry it, and far too clumsy for +her to wield properly, but she worked bravely, and tried to forget her +aches; she had not a very critical eye either, and soon the bed, to her +eyes, looked quite neat and tidy. Then came the crowning moment. At the +water-tap, which stood over a butt sunk in the ground by one of the paths, +she filled her new water-can, and proceeded to give her seeds a good +watering. + +This was joy indeed, pure joy. The can poured splendidly, Poppy was +delighted. She had to run many times to the tap to get water enough for +the whole bed, and by the time it was done to her satisfaction her +pinafore was well soaked, and she herself was almost too weary to stand. +Her task was perfected, but when she looked down over herself, at her +mud-clogged shoes, her dripping clothes, her begrimed hands, and realised +what she would have to go through in the way of questioning and scolding, +her spirits sank altogether. Cousin Charlotte or Anna she dared not face. +Her only resource was to try to find Esther, or the others. They would +scold too, but she knew them and their scoldings; they were not very bad, +and were soon over. With the aid of the fork she managed to lift the +latch of the garden door, and stepped out on the great wide waste; but in +all the length and breadth of it, as far as her eyes could see, she caught +no glimpse of the others. They were nowhere in sight, and the moor looked +big, and lonely, and frightening. + +Poppy felt very forlorn, and miserable, and homesick, standing there in +that great waste; and under the weight of her troubles her lip began to +quiver, though she did her best to steady it. She dared not go indoors, +and she was too weary to go in search of the others, so she crept up the +slope to the nearest rocks large enough to hide her, determined to sit +there and wait until she saw the others coming home, when she would call +to them. She slipped off her pinafore, spread it on the ground to dry, +and with much care and trouble cleaned first her hands and then her boots +on the short coarse grass, after which, utterly weary, she lay down +herself and knew no more. + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +Esther, Penelope, and Angela reached home at just about what they thought +must be tea-time. They came in the way they had gone out, through the +garden door. In the garden path they saw Poppy's new watering-can lying. +They expected to see Poppy too, but she did not appear, and the garden +seemed quite empty. She must have gone indoors, they concluded, and +Esther began to feel very compunctious for having left her alone so long. +With this feeling on her she hurried in to find her little sister, +but the house seemed quiet and empty too. They ran up to their own rooms. +No one was there. They came down and looked in the sitting-rooms, +Esther with a sudden fear that Poppy might be at some mischief; but both +rooms were quite empty. They next ran out and tapped at the kitchen door. + +"Come in," said Anna cheerfully. She liked to have the children about +her. + +"Is Poppy here?" asked Esther. + +"Miss Poppy! No, miss. I haven't seen her since she went out with you." + +"She hasn't been with us. We have been on the moor ever since, and she +must have stayed in the garden, but I can't see her there now. We saw her +little can in the path, that was all, and I can't find her in the house +anywhere. I thought perhaps she was here with you." + +Anna looked anxious. "Have you been all over the house, miss?" + +"I have been in our rooms and the dining-room and drawing-room, and we +have all called her, but we can't find her." + +"I'd look again, miss, if I was you; look in the missus's room, and mine +too, if you like. I'd come with you, but I can't leave my bread for a few +minutes." + +"Oh, we will find her," said Esther cheerfully, and they ran off again. + +She was back in a short while, though, and not quite so cheerful. Just as +she reached the kitchen Ephraim came in at the other door. + +"Who hev been meddlin' with my new turnip-bed?" he demanded. He did not +see Esther. + +"What's the matter with your turnip-bed?" asked Anna shortly. She was +just lifting her loaves out of the oven, and it was a critical moment; +besides, Anna was always 'short' with Ephraim; she had a theory that it was +good for him. + +"Why, it's in such a mess as you never saw in your life; anybody'd think +there'd been a month's rain emptied over it, and all the hens in Dorsham +scratching it over, and me only sowed the seeds this morning and left it +as tidy as ever you see a bed, only so long ago as dinner-time." + +Anna, looking up, caught sight of Esther. "Have 'ee found her, missie?" +she asked, taking no further notice of Ephraim. + +"No," said Esther anxiously, "she isn't in the house, I'm sure." + +Anna always grew cross when she was frightened. "Here," she cried, +turning sharply on Ephraim, "never mind your old turnip-bed. You just +take and look for Miss Poppy; she's the youngest of our young ladies, a +little bit of a thing, and she's lost, so you'd best go and look for her +this very minute. Look in the garden first of all. Time enough to worry +about an old garden bed when the children's all safe." + +Esther, in spite of her growing trouble, could not help laughing, their +speech sounded so odd and funny, and Ephraim's face was such a picture of +offended dignity. + +Penelope meanwhile, without saying a word to any one, had gone down to the +garden again, and out on to the moor. She had a feeling that Poppy might +be out there somewhere. Very likely she had gone in search of them and +missed them. + +Esther, not knowing this, followed Ephraim. "She couldn't come to any +harm, even if she opened the door and got out, could she?" she asked +eagerly. + +Ephraim shook his head with ponderous gravity. "I wouldn't go for to say +so much as that," he said soberly, "there's wild beastes about in plenty +on these here moors." + +"Wild beasts!" Esther almost screamed with horror at the thought. +She pictured her poor little Poppy flying shrieking before a cruel wolf, +frightened nearly to death, calling for help, for her sisters--and no one +near to save her. Beyond that she dared not let her imagination go. +She felt sick and almost fainting. "Do you mean wolves and bears, and-- +and--" + +"Well, no," said Ephraim slowly, as he searched a bed of young carrots as +though he thought Poppy might by chance have got under the feathery +leaves. "I won't say there are any of them there kinds exactly, but wild +cattle, and 'osses, and sheep; there's plenty 'nough of they about, and +they'm 'most so bad." + +Esther's heart was relieved. ''Osses and cattle' seemed so very mild +after what she had pictured. + +"I think we'd better go and look on the moor," she said impatiently, as +Ephraim showed every sign of making a prolonged search amongst the +sea-kale pots, taking the cover off each one in turn. Almost reluctantly +he followed her. In the path there still stood Poppy's little +watering-can. Esther's eyes filled with tears as she caught sight of it. +Ephraim saw it too, and picked it up. + +"Perhaps we'd better take this here along as a clue," he said, looking +very wise. + +Esther could not see what possible use it could be, or how it could help +them, but she consented in order to hurry him along; so off they went, +Ephraim carrying the tiny can. But hardly had they stepped through the +doorway than they saw that their search was ended. Poppy, led by +Penelope, was coming down the hill towards them. + +"There she is! oh, there she is!" cried Esther, and flew up to meet them, +Ephraim following. + +On getting outside, Penelope had, by good fortune, at first followed +almost exactly in Poppy's footsteps. By stopping to search every bush and +boulder she had got somewhat out of her way, but, as she was stooping to +look under a large clump of broom and gorse not so very far from where her +little sister lay asleep, something white fluttering about had caught her +eye. It was Poppy's pinafore, dried now by the breeze. A moment later +she caught sight of Poppy's shoes standing alone, without any wearer in +them. The sight of her little sister's clothes lying about the moor in +this fashion turned Penelope perfectly sick and cold with a horrible, +indescribable fear. With feet weighted with terror, and quivering limbs, +she hurried to the spot, and dropped on her knees half senseless by her +sister's body. A moment later all her terrors fled, replaced by a +wonderful ecstasy of thankfulness and joy. Poppy stirred, turned in her +sleep, and showed a dirty but rosy face to her frightened sister. In her +relief Penelope, with a shout of happiness, flung her arms about her and +hugged her. + +Suddenly awakened, Poppy sat up and looked about her in a dazed way; then +her eyes fell on her muddy pinafore and boots, and a hot blush spread over +her baby face. + +"I didn't mean to make my pinny dirty," she said anxiously, "but I +_touldn't_ help it; there was such a _lot_ of seed, and I _had_ to water +it, and the silly water would run out over the can, though I was _ever_ +and _ever_ so careful." + +"But how did you come to be lying here, darling?" said Pen, drawing her +little sister closer into her arms. In her relief she was quite unable to +scold her for the fright she had given them. "We left you in the garden. +You shouldn't have come out here alone. We thought you were lost, and we +were awfully frightened!" + +Poppy sat up very erect. She suddenly felt herself very important and +interesting. "I wanted to find you and Essie. I was 'fraid to see Cousin +Charlotte with my dirty pinny on; and I came out here and you weren't +anywhere, and then I was _so_ tired I lay down. Oh, it took me such a +long time, but Mrs. Vercoe said it was _beautiful_ parsley. Do you think +it is beginning to grow yet, Pen?" + +"I don't know," said Pen absently; "we must make haste back, now, to let +them know you are safe. You see, if you go getting lost, Cousin Charlotte +won't let us come out on the moor alone. Come along," raising her sister, +after putting on her shoes for her. + +For a moment Poppy looked troubled, but quickly cheered up. "I don't fink +Cousin Charlotte will be cross when she knows," she said confidently. + +"Knows what?" asked Penelope curiously. + +"My secret," said Poppy solemnly. "I'll tell you if you'll promise not to +tell any one else." But at that moment all confidences were stopped by +the appearance of Esther and Ephraim. + +Poppy accepted Esther's rapturous greeting calmly. She, of course, did +not realise yet the state of alarm they had all been in on her account; +her whole attention was absorbed by the sight of a strange man in +possession of her precious watering-can. It was too much for her to pass +unnoticed. + +"That's my tan, please, I fink," she said politely but firmly, and Ephraim +felt his wisdom in bringing this means of identification had been fully +justified. + +Happy and triumphant the whole party returned to the house, to be received +by Anna with open arms and a face beaming with joy. What did it matter if +Poppy's apron was covered with mud, and her frock and boots and hands the +same? Instead of being treated as a culprit, she was made a heroine of, +and appreciated the difference. + +When Anna had finished crooning over her, and the story of the discovery +had been repeated more than once, she was taken upstairs by Esther, and +washed and changed, so that by the time Miss Ashe returned, instead of the +bedraggled, dirty little maiden of an hour before, she saw only a +perfectly neat and spotless one, and had no suspicion of all that had +taken place during her absence. + +Ephraim came into the hall to speak to his mistress just as Poppy came +down the stairs. + +"Well, Ephraim, how far did you get with your morning's work? Did you get +the turnip-seed planted?" + +"Well, yes, ma'am, I did," said Ephraim slowly. "I made a nice bed for it +right there under the lew wall there in the far corner. But--well, +whatever has come to it since, it passes me to know; when I went away that +there bed was so smooth and tidy as my hand; when I comes back to it-- +well, ma'am, you honestly might have knocked me flat with a feather, that +there newly made bed was--well, 'twas more like a mud-heap than anything +you ever saw in your life, ma'am, and trampled--well, out of all shape and +semblance. I neer see'd the likes of it in my life. So soon as it's +dried I'll have to go and do it all again, and have a second sowing, but +it'll be a day or so before it's fit to touch; 'tisn't no use to trust to +that first crop--it's my belief it's all ruined." + +Poppy drew up suddenly on her way to the dining-room. Her face had grown +very red, her hands were working nervously. "You--oh, you mustn't disturb +it, please," she gasped. "I--I've planted some thing, and it mustn't be +disturbed, it's _very good_ seed, and I watered it to make it grow +quickly--it--it did look rather muddy, but--but it'll soon dry." + +Ephraim stared in dumb bewilderment. Miss Ashe looked from him to the +child and back again, scarcely taking in the situation. She looked again +at Ephraim, but getting no help from him, she turned to Poppy. + +"What do you mean, darling? Have you been sowing seeds?" + +"Yes," said Poppy, but with marked hesitation. "You shall know soon, but +it's a secret now, and I mustn't tell, only I was afraid he,"--nodding at +Ephraim--"would dig them all up again." + +"But, Poppy dear, you shouldn't have done it without asking permission; +you see you might do considerable damage by taking a piece of ground like +that, not knowing whether there is anything in it or not. As it is, you +see, you have spoilt all my turnips. If we hadn't found it out in good +time, we should have been left without any for the whole season. +Don't you see, dear, how important it is?" + +The importance of it was so apparent, and what she had done appeared so +overwhelmingly naughty, it seemed to Poppy as though all joy and happiness +had gone out of her life for ever. It was dreadful, intolerable. +In trying to help Cousin Charlotte as Esther had wished, she had done harm +instead of good. Her beautiful secret was over, and instead of being a +help she had been a naughty, foolish little girl, whom these strange new +people would wish they had never seen, while every one else would laugh +when they heard the story. She felt herself covered with shame and +disgrace; she was humiliated and miserable; her little lip quivered +piteously, her eyes filled, and she was too tired and hurt to fight +against her woe. + +Miss Charlotte's kind eyes saw the humiliation in the pretty, tired little +face, and held out her hand. "Never mind, dear; as it happens there is no +harm done; Ephraim shall choose another spot for the turnips, and you +shall have that piece of ground for your own garden. It would never do to +destroy a second lot of seeds by digging the bed all over again. +Good evening, Ephraim, I'll see you to-morrow." + +So, thanks to Cousin Charlotte, Poppy was saved the disgrace of having +cried before Ephraim; her tears did not fall; she winked them away, and +her lip grew steadier. The thought restored her spirits, but her great +pleasure in her scheme was dashed. + +"And I sowed the parsley on purpose for Tousin Charlotte, only 'twas to be +a secret," she confided to Esther as she was being put to bed that night, +"to help her, like you said. She could have some to use, and I was going +to sell most of it and give the money to her." + +Esther did not smile; indeed her eyes were misty as she took her little +sister on her lap and kissed her on the top of her head. "It will be all +right, dear," she said, "and--and you are the first of us to begin to do +something useful; it was splendid of you to think of it. I wish I knew +what I could do," she added wistfully, her cheek resting on Poppy's curls. + +"I'll try and fink of something for you," said Poppy gravely. "P'r'aps by +the morning I'll have finked of something _very_ nice--then won't you be +glad?" + +But she fell asleep before she had come to any satisfactory conclusion, +and Esther, downstairs, in spite of her busy brain and sober face, was +equally unsuccessful. She was still thinking when she got up to say +'good-night' and kiss Miss Charlotte. But Miss Charlotte did not bid her +good-night at once; instead, she asked her to wait a few moments. + +"I wanted to have a little talk, dear, now we are alone," she said, with +her pretty smile. + +Penelope and Angela had already gone to bed. + +Esther sat down again, wondering what was coming. + +"I have been thinking," said Miss Charlotte, laying down her pen and +coming to sit by Esther, "I have been thinking over our plans, dear, and I +have come to the conclusion that I might superintend your studies myself, +for a time at any rate." + +Esther looked up quickly, her pleasure showing in her eyes. "Oh, that +_would_ be nice, Cousin Charlotte," she cried. "I do want to learn so +much, but--but you have such a lot to do already, and we are _very_ +backward, and I am so--so stupid." + +"I don't think you are that, dear," said Miss Charlotte gently, and her +words, quiet though they were, brought deep pleasure to Esther. + +"I think we might manage it," she went on cheerfully. "Of course I have +many calls on my time, and I shall not be able to give you all the +attention I should like to; but we can but do our best, and this seems the +best plan I can think of. I cannot very well manage to have a governess +to you, and there is no school nearer than Gorley, and that is not only +four miles away, but a school I do not approve of. So, at any rate, we +will try this plan for the present." + +Esther got up and stood by Miss Charlotte, her colour coming and going, +her fingers playing nervously with her pinafore. "I--I think you are too +good to us, Cousin Charlotte," she said huskily, speechless almost with +nervousness, but determined to say something of what was in her heart. +"I--I don't know how to thank you, but I _do_ want to, and--and--" + +Cousin Charlotte's arm was round her, drawing her to her. "We can never +be _too_ good to one another, dear; and what are we here for but to help +each other over hard places, to try to make each other's lives easier? +I am only thankful to have this opportunity of doing good. I was growing +narrow and selfish all by myself. I think you were sent to rouse me." + +"Oh, Cousin Charlotte, I want to help too," cried Esther wistfully. +"I do want to be useful, but I don't know how. Will you tell me? +Nothing ever seems to happen to me; I never get a chance of helping +people." + +"Opportunities, small or great, occur every day, dear," said Miss +Charlotte; "it is the little opportunity we must look out for, the small +things that we must do. Big ones come sometimes, but little ones every +day; if you look for them you will find them. We will help each other, +dear. Now we will say good-night. You are tired with your long day in +the open air. We will not begin lessons until Monday, there will be so +much else to do and arrange. Good-night, my love," and with a warm kiss +they parted. + +Esther went up to her room with a great glow of happiness at her heart. +For the first time in her life she had met some one who understood her; +at least, some one who could draw out the good side of her, and not the +bad. Esther did not understand what it was, but she felt a difference, +and she undressed and said her prayers with Cousin Charlotte's words still +ringing in her ears: "We can never be _too_ good to one another, dear; and +what are we here for but to help each other over hard places?" + +She prayed very especially that she might be shown how to do her share in +helping others. Like Poppy, she lay down, determined to think and think, +hoping that perhaps by morning she would have thought of some way of +helping Cousin Charlotte; and, more successful than Poppy, before even she +fell asleep an idea had come. Quite suddenly there came back to her Miss +Ashe's remark, that 'it was not convenient then to have a governess.' +"It must be on account of the expense," thought Esther, with sudden +inspiration. "She talked of getting another servant; but I am sure, if +she can't afford a governess she can't afford a servant; and I do believe +we could do without one, if I helped quite a lot, as I did at home. +And I can. I did all right there. I will ask her to let me try. +Oh!"--enthusiastically, as the idea took a firmer hold on her--"I _hope_ +she will. She _must_--and I am sure Anna would be glad." + +Too excited and pleased to sleep, Esther slipped from her bed, crept to +the window, and looked out. A bright moon lighted up the moor opposite +and the river below, until she could see the old brown boulders quite +plainly; birds called to each other across the distance, and far away a +cow lowed monotonously for its calf. Esther stood and gazed and listened +with uplifted heart, yearning for something, she knew not what, something +higher and better to be and do. + +"Oh, I am so glad we came here!" she murmured, "so glad! I am sure it +will be easy to be good here, and I do so want to be good! I wish I +hadn't been so horrid to mother sometimes, and--and now I can't ever be +anything else, to her." And there came back to her mind her mother's +words, "I am sure your Aunt Julia would not have Esther if she knew how +bad her temper had become," and her eyes filled with tears at the +recollection. + +"I will try," she whispered. "I will try that no one else shall ever say +that of me--and I will write to mother, and tell her I am sorry." +And it was a very grave and serious Esther who fell asleep at last. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +When Esther awoke the next morning, she wondered for a moment why she felt +so happy and light-hearted. Then memory returned. She recollected the +talk of last night, Cousin Charlotte's kiss, and the plan for Monday. She +would begin to learn at last! But even greater was her joy at the other +thought--her own plan to help Miss Charlotte. She could hardly lie still +when she thought of all she meant to do. She would dust, and tidy and +sweep, and sew, and polish the furniture, and she even pictured herself +making bread and cleaning windows. + +She longed to be dressed, and beginning already. She sat up in bed and +looked across at Poppy. She wanted to tell her and the others all the +news, but Poppy was sleeping in the most aggravatingly persistent way. + +Too impatient to wait for her to wake, she slipped out of bed and crept +along the corridor, past Miss Charlotte's room, to Penelope's. + +Angela was asleep, but Penelope lay awake reading. + +"What is that you are reading?" asked Esther, eyeing the red-covered book +with a sort of feeling that it was familiar to her. + +"Oh, it's only _The Invasion of the Crimea_," said Penelope, withdrawing +her eyes almost reluctantly from the page. + +"I didn't know you were going on with it," said Esther, a touch of +resentment in her voice. She did not like to feel that Penelope was more +persevering than she herself, and had outstripped her. She was conscious +in her inmost heart that she had not been sorry when the readings were +broken off; the history did not interest her. At the same time it +mortified her a little that it did interest Penelope. + +"It's awfully exciting," said Penelope. "Of course I have to skip some, +I can't understand it, but here and there it's lovely." + +Esther's first fresh joyful feeling was a little dashed, but as it came +back to her mind what it was that she wanted to say, she recovered +herself. "In a few days I shall be learning properly," she thought, and +then Penelope would not outstrip her. + +"Listen to me," she said eagerly, as she perched herself on the foot of +Penelope's bed. Angela stirred, and catching sight of Esther, was wide +awake in a moment. + +"What is it?" she demanded. "Has anything happened?" + +"Listen," said Esther again, "both of you. I want to tell you about our +schooling. Cousin Charlotte stopped me last night as I was going to bed, +to have a talk; it was about our lessons. We are to begin on Monday." + +"Where are we going?" asked Penelope. "There isn't any school here, is +there?" + +"No, Cousin Charlotte is going to teach us herself. Isn't it good of +her?" + +"I am sure I shall never learn. She will be shocked at me," said Angela +nervously. "She doesn't know how backward I am. Fancy me, nine years +old, and not able to read yet. I shall be ashamed to look, and there she +will be all day long. I would rather go somewhere where I could get away +when lessons are over." + +"Don't be silly," said Esther. But Angela had only expressed something of +her own feeling. + +Penelope was sitting up in bed now, her eyes alight. "How jolly," she +said, half absently. Then in low, eager tones, "I wonder if she will let +us learn just what we want to? I don't want to learn grammar and sums. +I want to know about people, and wars, and battles, and revolutions, and I +want to learn French and music and to sing. When I grow up I should like +to be able to sing and play _very_ well. I would rather do that than +anything. I wonder if Cousin Charlotte would let me learn?" + +Esther looked up in mild disapproval of Pen's enthusiasm. It worried her +when her sisters showed any unusual traits, or expressed desires that +differed from her own. Penelope very often worried her in that way. +Poppy too, at times. She felt a twinge of jealousy always that the idea +had not first come to her, and of resentment that they should have tastes +apart from her. + +"I don't suppose Cousin Charlotte would if she could," she said coldly. +"Of course you must learn grammar, and history, and geography, and all +those things first. Every one has to learn them." + +Penelope looked disappointed, but she was not one to worry. +"Perhaps before long I shall be able to do both," she said cheerfully. +"I wish Cousin Charlotte had an organ. I do want to be able to play the +organ." + +Esther grew impatient; these things seemed so trifling and useless +compared with what she had in her mind. "I think you ought to try and +think how you can help Cousin Charlotte instead of giving her more to do." + +"That's just it," persisted Penelope. "If I only knew how to play well, +I could be an organist, and teach people, too, and earn quite a lot of +money." + +"Not for years and years," said Esther, in a very crushing manner. +"And we ought to begin to help at once. I'll tell you what I am going to +do--I thought of it last night when I was in bed; it is not nonsense, +but something very sensible. I am going to ask Cousin Charlotte to let me +help Anna; I can do a lot if I have some big aprons like Anna's, and big +white sleeves to go over my frocks. I know Cousin Charlotte and Anna +don't want to have a strange servant in; she would cost a lot, and Anna +wouldn't like her in the kitchen--and I could save all that." + +"And I could help too," cried Angela excitedly. She was a born housewife, +and all her tastes lay in that direction. "I can dust, and clean silver, +and all sorts of things--" + +"I am going to do all that," said Esther loftily, resenting at once any +encroachment on her domain. "You can keep Poppy out of mischief, and play +with her. I can do the hard work, if you will only be good and keep out +of harm." + +Angela's face and spirits fell. She did so love to do real work, it was +so much more interesting than play; and keeping out of harm was not a bit +interesting--it was very dull and stupid, in fact. But Angela was used to +disappointments; besides which experience had already taught her that if +she waited patiently she could often find little things to do, little ways +of helping, that others forgot, or did not care about, so she said no +more, but waited. "When I am older, perhaps I'll be able to do the things +I like," she very often said to herself, by way of encouragement. + +Esther crept back to her room and to her bed, and lay there impatiently, +waiting to be called. The minutes seemed endless, and Anna so slow in +coming! + +And when at last she was dressed and downstairs she had scarcely patience +to endure prayers and breakfast, she was so longing to broach her great +idea to Cousin Charlotte. But Cousin Charlotte seemed to be wanted by +everybody. First Ephraim kept her ever so long talking over the day's +work; then Anna came in with a question to be answered; then Cousin +Charlotte began to talk to the others about the lessons which were to +begin on Monday, and Penelope was telling her all about her longing to +learn to play and sing, and Cousin Charlotte seemed so interested, she +talked on and on for quite a long time about it; and all the while Esther +was growing more and more vexed, until, when Cousin Charlotte at last +sprang up, exclaiming, "My dear children, do you know how long we have +been talking? I must hurry away this minute, or I shall be behindhand all +day!" the limit of poor Esther's patience was passed. + +Angela looked up eagerly. "Can't I do something to help you, +Cousin Charlotte?" she asked eagerly; "I should love to." + +Cousin Charlotte paused and looked down at the pretty, eager face +thoughtfully. "I wonder if you could pick some strawberries for us. +Would you like to?" + +"Oh, yes!" cried Angela delightedly. "I should like to do anything to +help." She did not mean to trespass on Esther's plan. This, she thought, +was quite different work from what Esther was going to do. But her +promptness added to Esther's vexation. + +"Well, there are a great many ripe ones, and I want some for ourselves and +some to give away; and Anna has no time this morning to pick them, and-- +well, my back is not young enough to enjoy such work." + +"I will do it," said Angela, very pleased and proud. + +"May I help, Cousin Charlotte?" pleaded Poppy. "I'd love to." + +"Yes," said Cousin Charlotte, smiling. "Can you whistle? +Strawberry-pickers must whistle all the time they are at work; you know +that, don't you?" + +Poppy looked up very gravely. "I can't whistle," she said regretfully, +"but I can sing. Will that do, Cousin Charlotte?" + +Miss Charlotte laughed and kissed her. "Yes, my pet, anything that will +prevent too many strawberries finding their way down Red Lane." + +The others laughed merrily. Poppy began to understand. + +"Put on your shady hats, and I will get you some baskets." And off they +ran in a high state of delight. + +Esther waited. Though she had been full of excitement and pleasure about +approaching Miss Charlotte, she had felt very nervous, too, and this long +delay only increased her nervousness. + +Anna came in to clear the table; Penelope strolled away, no one knew +where. Esther stood by the window looking out and drumming impatiently on +it with her fingers. Anna looked at her once or twice as though she would +like to say something. No one cares to see a window covered with +finger-marks. But she did not say anything; she was in a hurry, and +presently retired to her kitchen, and Esther was left alone. + +"I thought last night it would be quite easy to be good here," she said to +herself, "but it doesn't seem so now." She stood and gazed out at the +river disconsolately. It seemed to her that the others, who were not +nearly as anxious to help as she was, were taking all her opportunities, +and she was left, to seem idle and unkind--and really she meant so +differently. + +Poor Esther! Once more, while full of big aims, she was overlooking the +little chances. + +"Well," she said at last in a very proud tone, "if no one wants me I will +go for a walk by myself. I shan't be in any one's way then!" She knew +quite well she was in no one's way, but she was very aggrieved and full of +self-pity. + +She was just crossing the hall to put on her hat, when Miss Charlotte +entered it. Then was her chance, and she knew it; but the old sullen +temper had the upper hand, and forbade her to speak. By this time she had +let herself feel as hurt as though Miss Charlotte had known what was in +her mind and purposely ignored her. + +She passed on, put on her hat, and went out. She would not go to the +garden because she did not want to see the others happily at their work; +so, when Miss Charlotte turned in to the kitchen, she slipped out at the +front door and walked away quickly up the road towards the station. +She would not go past the cottages, she wanted to avoid every one; +for that reason she avoided that part of the moor behind the house, +where Penelope would probably be, if she were not in the house or garden. +A little way up the road, on the right-hand side, a bridge crossed the +river. Esther went over it and found herself on the moor beyond, but she +turned away from it lest she should be seen, and clambered down to the +river's edge, where boughs and bushes shut her off from view. It was +lonely there, and she wandered on and on, through sun and shadow, under +low-hanging branches, by tiny beaches of clean river-sand, and all the way +she went the river ran beside her singing a low, cheery song as it rippled +over its uneven bed. + +It could not be long before such loveliness must have a soothing effect on +any troubled spirit. By degrees Esther's mood changed, her sense of wrong +grew less, and presently she began to wish she had acted differently. +If she only had, she might now have been busy and happy too. She began to +feel ashamed of herself. How foolish she had been. She would go back +again and see if she could not be more sensible, and she rose from her +seat and turned her face homewards. + +The house seemed deserted when at last she reached it. She went into the +hall, looked in the dining-room and drawing-room, saw no one, and strolled +out to the garden. + +"Where can they all be?" she wondered, "and what can they be doing?" + +From the kitchen came a great clatter of crockery. Anna was washing +dishes, and by the noise one could gather that Anna's temper was not of +the smoothest. + +As Esther stepped out she saw Miss Charlotte coming towards her from the +group of outbuildings, carrying a basket of eggs. She was looking grave +and worried, and for a moment Esther felt she could not speak to her then; +she must wait until she found her again in such a mood as last night's. +But a second glance told her that Miss Charlotte looked tired, and without +giving herself time to think, Esther stepped up to her. + +"Cousin Charlotte," she said, "I have nothing to do; let me help you--may +I?" + +Cousin Charlotte's face brightened. "Oh, could you, dear? I am so busy I +don't know what to do first. I wonder if you could wash those eggs for +me, and write the date on them?" + +Esther assented joyfully, and Miss Ashe led her to the pantry and showed +her where to find a cloth and a pencil and a place to store the eggs. + +"While you are doing that, I can make out my list to send to Gorley; that +will be capital!" + +"Cousin Charlotte," said Esther, in a voice that trembled a little with +nervousness, "I--I wanted to speak to you. I--I--you said you were trying +to get another servant." Miss Charlotte sighed. "I know you don't want +to, and--and don't you think we could manage without one, if I--if I +helped Anna?" Her voice was trembling, uncertain, but there was no +mistaking the earnestness of her purpose. "I used to help a lot at home, +and I should like to here. I can sweep, and dust, and make beds, and +clean silver, and cook some things, and--oh, I can do lots of little +useful things. I could keep our bedrooms dusted, and the drawing-room-- +and it would all help, wouldn't it?" + +Miss Ashe, who had paused in what she was doing, listened attentively. +"My dear," she said, as gravely as Esther herself, "it is very good and +thoughtful of you to think of such a thing, and you can certainly be most +useful in many ways, but I hardly know what to think about trying to do +without an extra servant. I cannot let you work too hard; you will have +your studies, you know, and we are rather a large family now. I cannot +let you become a little slave with no time for enjoyment; at the same +time, I must admit I really do not know how Anna and another maid would +get on. Anna does not like the idea, and to prove that one is not +necessary, she slaves and slaves to do everything herself, gets over-tired +and worried, and--and--well, she is very difficult; her only fault is her +temper, but that _is_ rather trying. I know she means well, and I keep on +telling myself so. She gets so hurt and offended if I try to help her; +she seems quite to resent it; and it requires a great deal of tact, +more than I possess, I am afraid," concluded Miss Ashe with another deep +sigh. + +"Perhaps she wouldn't mind so much if I helped her," said Esther shrewdly; +"you see, it is we who have made so much extra work. Do let me try, +Cousin Charlotte, if it is only for a time." + +Esther's face was very eager, her voice very pleading; Cousin Charlotte +could not resist the appeal, and gave in with another sigh, but of relief +this time. Esther, in her joy and excitement, marked every egg twice with +the wrong date, but what did it matter when she had gained her point? + +For a few minutes Miss Ashe went on making her list, but in an +absent-minded fashion. "I wonder," she said at last, rather nervously, +"how it would be best to broach the subject to Anna?" + +Esther looked up somewhat puzzled; she would have gone straight out to +Anna and told her she was going to undertake this, that, and the other +thing, and give all the help she could, but Miss Ashe had other views, +born of experience. + +"My dear," she said, smiling rather shamefacedly, as though aware of her +weakness, "it all depends on how we manage it, whether all goes smoothly, +or there is constant friction. I think the best way will be not to speak +to Anna about it as though we had planned it, but just begin gradually, +doing what you can. I think it is always wiser not to begin violently +with changes and reforms. No one likes to have new plans made and thrust +on them, or their work taken from them, even though they grumble at having +to do it. We should not like it ourselves, should we, dear?" + +Esther's memory flashed back to the morning, and her objection to Angela's +desire to share in the new scheme; she understood something of what Miss +Charlotte meant. + +"I think, dear, if you just go about quietly, with your eyes open, ready +to give a little help when you see an opportunity, that would be the best +way; then by degrees you will build a little niche for yourself, and get +your own duties; and Anna, instead of resenting your help, will grow to +trust you, and count on you, and be grateful." + +"Yes, Cousin Charlotte," agreed Esther, but in a not very enthusiastic +voice. She saw the wisdom of the plan, but it was rather a descent from +the beautiful scheme by which she was to have been the help and comfort of +them all, and she felt she might as well say 'good-bye' at once to the big +aprons and white sleeves which had formed such a delightful feature of her +plans. + +"Things never turn out just as we want them to," she sighed, "and they +might so easily if people's tempers were not so tiresome." But at that +point she paused suddenly, and had the grace to blush warmly, though no +one was there to see her. + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +"Oh dear!" sighed Esther, dropping wearily into the chair by her bedroom +window. "I _am_ so tired!" + +Anna looked up in surprise from her task of bed-making. + +"Tired, Miss Esther!" she exclaimed. "Whatever with? You oughtn't to be +tired at this time of day." + +"I am though," said Esther, sighing again; "tired of doing nothing, +I suppose. You see, I used to have lots to do at home, and I miss it." + +"Did you, missie? Well, I'm thinking if I had a chance to sit still I'd +be only too glad, and not grumble, I know." And Anna thumped a pillow +vigorously. + +"I don't think you would," said Esther. "You would soon get tired. +But perhaps you don't like doing housework. I do; I love it." + +"Do you really, miss?" said Anna, as though such a taste were past her +comprehension. "Well, you'll have enough to do next week, when your +lessons begin." + +"Yes," assented Esther, "but they won't take long; and it's dusting and +tidying, and all that sort of thing that I like. I wish I had a little +house of my very own. I would do all the work in it myself. I'd love to +blacklead a grate, and clean windows, and scrub tables and things--oh, +Anna, do let me help you, or I shall grow homesick and miserable. +Do let me do some dusting for you; I'd love to--will you?" + +Anna was quite touched by Esther's piteous appeal; also she herself +detested dusting and 'finicking work,' as she called it. + +"Would you really like to, dearie? Then you shall. I know it's miserable +not to know what to do with yourself; I used to feel like it when I was a +child. I was never so happy as when I'd got real work to do; 'twas better +to me than play. You shall dust your own room presently, if you like." + +"Shall I? Oh, that will be nice." Esther was on her feet in a moment, +all her melancholy gone. "Where shall I find a duster, Anna?" + +"Don't be in too much of a 'urry, Miss Esther. I reckon you wouldn't feel +so pleased if you'd got to do it," added Anna, laughing. "I'll give you +the duster and brush in a minute. You lend me a hand with this, if you +will," turning the mattress on Poppy's bed, "and I'll be ready in half the +time; it's ever so much quicker done if there's two at it; you see, when +one's alone, one wastes so much time running round and round the bed." + +"Of course," said Esther. "I wish I'd helped you sooner. I wonder how +long I should be learning to make a bed. Is it very difficult?" + +"Not a bit," said Anna, "once you've got into the way of it. First you +spreads the blanket like so, and tucks it in--you must always begin at the +bottom." + + "First the foot and then the head, + That's the way to make a bed." + +"My old grandmother taught me them lines when I wasn't more'n eleven, and +I've never forgot 'em. Next you spreads the sheet just so, and you must +be careful not to leave any creases in it. Then you beat up the bolster +and pillow, and lay them like that," suiting the action to the words. +"Then comes the top sheet, and the blankets. You must tuck each one in at +the bottom first, and then at the sides, and leave the top end loose, so +that when you've got the blankets spread, you turn the sheet neatly down +over the blankets; and then you see it's all tidy under the quilt, ready +for when you come to turn down the bed at night." + +Esther followed her instructions closely to the end. "Shall I come and +help you with the others?" she asked, as Anna moved off to Penelope's +room; and Anna quite graciously consented. + +"I shall be glad enough to have the dusting done," she said, as they +finished off the other two little beds. "I've got to make jam to-day, and +that means that I can't leave the kitchen a minute when once I've put it +on," and Esther could have danced with joy. She was managing wonderfully, +she told herself, and felt very proud. + +From the French window below they heard Miss Charlotte's voice. +"Penelope!" she called. "Penelope, dear!" + +Penelope came running up the garden at once. + +"Do you think you could walk as much as two miles without getting +over-tired?" + +"Oh yes," said Penelope, without a moment's hesitation. "I often walked +five or six miles at home. Do you want me to go somewhere, Cousin +Charlotte?" + +"Well, dear, I very much want some one to go to Four Winds for me. +I promised some strawberries to a friend of mine, Miss Row, who lives just +outside Four Winds. She is giving a garden-party to-day, and I know she +is relying on my sending her some fruit. I thought Ephraim would have +been able to go, but he started for Gorley before I could speak to him." + +"I should love to go," said Penelope. "I will start at once. Which way +is it, Cousin Charlotte?" + +"You go past the houses here, and keep on the main road, right up the +hill, until you come to the top; just before you reach the top you will +come to a church." + +"Oh, I know," cried Penelope. "I went there yesterday, and when I came to +the church it was open, and some one was playing the organ, and I went in +and sat in one of the pews for ever so long to listen." + +"Oh, is that where you were?" said Miss Charlotte. "I wondered what had +become of you. Well, when you go so far another time, dear, take Guard +with you. We rarely, if ever, get a tramp, or any other undesirable +person about these parts, we are too remote, and too poor to be worth +coming so far to find, but all the same I do not like you to go about +quite alone. Take him with you now, dear. When you reach the church you +must go on a little further, until you come to the village; then you cross +the square straight, keep down the next hill a little way, and you will +soon come to a large white gate with 'Cold Harbour' painted on it. +That is my friend's house. Go in, and ask for Miss Row, and if you can +see her, give her the basket and this note. If you can't see her you must +leave them; but I hope you will, for I should like you to rest a little +before you take the walk back." + +Penelope took the basket, and was starting straight away with it. + +"I think, dear, you had better wash your hands and brush your hair before +you go," said Cousin Charlotte. "Miss Row is very good and kind, but she +is a very particular lady, and I want you to make a good impression on +her; besides, one lady never calls on another with soiled hands." + +"Oh, of course!" Penelope blushed and ran upstairs, and some few minutes +elapsed before she walked out and through the village, her basket of +strawberries on her arm, and Guard at her heels. + +It was a glorious day, with rather a stiff breeze blowing, and clouds and +sunshine chasing each other along the road. If it had not been for the +clouds, and the intervals when the shadows had overtaken the sun, the walk +would have been a hot one; but Penelope did not notice that, her mind was +absorbed by other things, for suddenly it seemed to her that it was rather +an alarming thing to be going alone to face a strange, and very +particular, lady, and she felt a great shyness coming over her. +She tried to forget it by racing the cloud, as it chased the sunshine, +and the sunshine as it overtook the cloud, and so, at last, she came to +the church. She paused a moment to listen, but the organ was silent +to-day, so on she went again, but more soberly, and soon found herself in +the village square, with little low-roofed houses on either side and a +pump in the middle of the square, and two or three happy ducks paddling +about in the damp earth by the trough. Guard, as though he knew it of +old, went up to the pump for a drink. The ducks fled, tumbling over each +other in their hurry, scrambling and quacking indignantly at the great +creature who had so disturbed their pleasure; but Guard, quite +unconcerned, drank, and went calmly on his way again until he led Penelope +straight to the white gate with 'Cold Harbour' painted on it. + +A short drive led from the gate to the house, and Penelope felt horribly +shy and conscious as she made her way up it. It seemed to her that +somebody might be watching her from every window, and there were so many +windows it was quite embarrassing. + +But, apparently, no one had witnessed her approach, for she stood quite a +long time at the door, not able to reach the knocker or find the bell. +She rapped with her knuckles; but they grew sore and produced no result, +for the sound did not reach beyond the door-mat, or so it seemed to her, +and the vast, still hall within appeared to swallow up everything. +Guard lay down at last on the gravel and went to sleep, and Penelope +longed to sit beside him. She was tired, and her arm aching a good deal +from carrying the basket. + +But at last, just as she was beginning to get anxious and a little vexed, +a servant crossed the hall on her way to one of the rooms, and saw her. + +"Good morning," said Penelope. "I have been trying to ring the bell, but +I don't know where you keep it." + +The servant, an elderly woman, who looked like the cook, smiled. +"There's a brave many can't do that," she said. "There," showing Penelope +a little knob like a button, "there 'tis; 'tis one of them new-fangled +electric things. I can't abide 'em myself; they may be very fine and nice +for towns, but in the country, where we don't have to count every inch of +room, give me the good old sort. 'Tis such a silly noise these makes, +too, like a child's toy, yet it never sounds but what I jumps nearly out +of my skin." + +Penelope wished one would sound then, that she might see so wonderful a +sight. But she only smiled. + +"I wanted to see Miss Row, please. I've come from Miss Ashe." + +"Please to walk inside, miss," said cook, very amiably; and Penelope +followed her through the dim hall to a large room where a lady was sitting +at a table littered with vases, cans of water, and quantities of cut +flowers. She was rather a severe-looking lady, and glanced up so sharply +when cook opened the door and showed the visitor in, that Penelope was, +for the moment, quite frightened. But it was not Penelope's way to remain +frightened for long, and she soon recovered herself, as did Miss Row when +she saw that the intruder was not a very formidable person. + +"I have brought you these from Cousin Charlotte," said Penelope, advancing +to the table with her wide, frank smile; "and I was to give them to you +myself if you were at home." + +Miss Row took the basket and the letter, but she was paying more attention +to their bearer than to either. + +"I suppose you are one of Miss Ashe's young cousins?" said Miss Row +abruptly. + +"Yes, I am Penelope, the second eldest." + +"Well, sit down for a little while, and rest before you walk back again." + +Penelope, not being directed to any particular seat, and seeing by the +window a little low, upright chair, evidently made for small people like +herself, went over and seated herself on it with much satisfaction. + +But Miss Row, glancing up presently from her letter, felt no satisfaction +at all; in fact she gave quite a scream when she saw her. "Oh, child," +she cried. "Get off that chair this moment, quick! quick! It isn't meant +to be sat on; it is far too old and valuable. Oh dear! you might have +broken it right down, or--oh dear, oh dear, to think that out of all in +the room you should have chosen that one!" + +Penelope sprang to her feet at once. At first she felt terribly alarmed, +then very angry; it made one feel so small to be screamed at in that way. + +"I--I didn't know--how could I?" she said crossly. "Is it a broken +chair?" What she longed to say was, "Why do you keep it there if it is so +unsafe?" but she felt that would be rude. "I am very sorry," she added, +forcing herself to be polite. "Is it a very old chair?" + +"Yes, very old. It was made for my great-great-grandmother, when she was +a little girl, and I value it exceedingly. Unfortunately the last two or +three years worms have got into the wood, and have eaten it so it is quite +crumbling away." + +"But can't you do anything for it?" asked Penelope, her vexation swallowed +up in pity for the chair. She was thinking that if she had valued it so +much she would have taken better care of it. + +But Miss Row had returned to her letter again. When she had done she rose +and rang the bell. "You can take some milk and cake before you go, can't +you?" she asked. + +"Yes, I think so, thank you," said Penelope modestly. "But I left Guard +outside. Will he stay, do you think?" + +"Oh yes, he is used to waiting here." + +Cook came in presently with a tray, on which was a large jug of milk, some +glasses, and a plate of cakes of various kinds. Penelope thought they +looked beautiful, so beautiful that she longed to take some back to the +others. She knew exactly how thoroughly they would enjoy them; but, of +course, no sign of what she was thinking escaped her. + +She was wondering which of all them she might take for herself, when Miss +Row took up the plate. "I think you will find that very nice," pointing +to a piece of uninteresting-looking shortbread, "or that," pointing to a +slice of ginger-cake. "They would be less likely than the others to +disagree with you." + +Penelope longed to say that nothing disagreed with her, but she did not +like to, and helped herself with the best grace she could to the +shortbread. + +Miss Row continued arranging her flowers, sipping a glass of milk +meanwhile, and eating one after another of the fascinating little sugared +cakes Penelope was eyeing so wistfully, while she nibbled at her thick +piece of shortbread, unable to get a real bite. There really was no +satisfaction about that shortbread. It was so hard as to be unbiteable, +and so crumbly it scattered all over the floor; while with one hand +occupied holding the glass of milk, and the other the cake, she could not +pick up the crumbs, or break the piece. When she saw the crumbs filling +her lap and pouring off on to the carpet, poor Penelope wished she had +declined to have anything, and sat in misery wondering what she could do. + +Presently Miss Row looked around at her, and her sharp eyes fell +immediately on the litter on her usually speckless carpet. "Oh dear," she +said with the little click of her tongue which expressed annoyance more +effectually than any words could. Then, perhaps catching sight of the +child's mortified face, she tried to pass it off. + +"I expect your Cousin Charlotte has a trial with the four of you," +she said, in what she meant to be a joking manner; but her words, and the +little laugh that accompanied them, were worse to Penelope than anything. + +"I--we--try not to be more troublesome than we can help," she said +shortly, without a trace of a smile on her face. "Cousin Charlotte +doesn't seem to mind--and we try to help as much as we can." Then, after +a moment's silence, "I--I wish I hadn't taken it. It was so crumbly I +_couldn't_ eat it without its falling all about; and the chair is so high +my feet don't touch, so they all ran off my lap." She meant the crumbs, +though it sounded as if she was speaking of her feet. + +Perhaps something told Miss Row that she had not been very kind, for her +tone changed. "I ought to have thought of it, dear," she said. +It was the first time she had ever been known to call any one 'dear'. + +"I think I had better go now, please Miss Row," said Penelope very +gravely. She still felt mortified and unhappy. + +"I wonder if you would mind waiting just a little longer, then I could +have your company as far as the church. I must go and have my practice, +or I shall not be ready for Sunday." + +Penelope looked up with sudden interest, all her mortification and +resentment forgotten. "Oh, was it you who was playing there on Tuesday?" + +Miss Row nodded. "Probably, I don't know of any one else who plays that +organ. Why? What do you know about it?" + +"I walked up there the day after we came, and I heard the organ, and I +went in and listened for ever so long. I hope you don't mind. +The door was open, and I thought any one might go in." + +"Mind? Oh dear no! I am only thankful some one besides myself takes any +interest in it. Are you fond of music?" + +"I love it! I love to hear it! I can't play yet, but I want to learn, +and I _think_," gravely, "I'd rather play the organ than anything. +I do want to learn to play so well that I can earn money by it." + +"Oh, you mercenary little person," laughed Miss Row. "What can you want +with money?" + +Penelope did not know what 'mercenary' meant. She understood the second +question, but she did not know whether she was at liberty to answer it or +not. Miss Row seemed, though, to be waiting for a reply, so she felt +obliged to. + +"We all want to help Cousin Charlotte and father," she added, with great +earnestness. "You see we are so many, and it costs such a lot to keep us +all, so Esther says, and I don't know _how_ to help, but I am trying to +think of a way." + +Miss Row looked at her little companion very thoughtfully, with a somewhat +puzzled expression. She herself had never known what it was to want +money. She was a wealthy woman, and she did a certain amount of good with +her wealth, subscribing to many charities, but it never occurred to her +that there might be anxiety and need amongst people of her own class, +still less among those she knew. Penelope's words opened a new vista +before her, and set her wondering if there were not many things she had +missed for want of eyes and understanding. + +"If you could play the organ," she said at last slowly, "it would be years +before you could earn your living by it. You could not do much until you +were seventeen or eighteen." + +"No," said Penelope sadly. "That is the worst of it, and by that time +perhaps daddy will be able to have us out to Canada; but it would always +be useful, for I daresay there are organs in Canada, and I don't suppose +daddy will ever be very rich again, and--and if I only knew how to play I +could help if I was wanted to." + +"It is always a great pleasure and solace too, even if one only plays for +one's own pleasure," said Miss Row softly. + +She led the way into the hall, unhung a hat and put it on, and preceded +Penelope to the door. Guard, hearing their footsteps, rose from his sleep +in the sun, and expressed his delight. + +On their way through the garden Miss Row gathered quite a large nosegay of +lovely roses and carnations and mignonette, and as she wandered from bush +to bush, Penelope followed her in a state of perfect delight. +She was passionately fond of flowers. + +At last they made their way into the road and up the hill. Miss Row was +rather silent. Penelope talked and Miss Row listened, but she did not say +much until they came to the gate of the church and stopped. + +"Tell Miss Ashe I will come and see her tomorrow. Give her my love and +thanks for the fruit, and for introducing one of her cousins to me--you, I +mean," touching Penelope's cheek lightly with her finger. "And these are +for you," placing in Penelope's hands the lovely flowers she had been +carrying all this time. + +Penelope gasped with delight. "For Cousin Charlotte! oh, how lovely, I +thought they were for the church." + +"They are for neither. They are for you yourself," said Miss Row, with +just the faintest tinge of colour in her cheeks. For one second Penelope +looked incredulous; then in a kind of rapture she held her bouquet closer. +"Oh, thank you very, very, _very_ much," she said earnestly. "I never had +anything so lovely in my life before," and she put up her face with the +prettiest grace imaginable to kiss her new friend. + +"I am glad you are pleased," said Miss Row smilingly. "Now, good-bye. +Perhaps I may see you on Sunday." + +"On Sunday?" said Penelope puzzled. + +"If you come to church." + +"Oh, do we come up here to this dear little church? I am so glad, +I didn't know. I hope we shall all come. Good-bye, and thank you, +and,"--hesitating a little and colouring warmly--"I am _so_ sorry about +the crumbs;" and waving her hand to her new friend as she disappeared +within the church, she ran off in a state of high glee. + +Mrs. Vercoe was standing at her door as Penelope passed. "Good-morning, +missie," she said. "I reckon you'm fond of walking. I was the same when +I was young. Oh my! what bootiful flowers!" + +Penelope stayed to display her treasures. "You must have one of them, +Mrs. Vercoe," she said, selecting one of the handsomest roses from her +bouquet. + +Mrs. Vercoe was vastly pleased. "'Tisn't often one has a flower like that +now," she exclaimed delightedly. "It'll brighten up my bit of a place +wonderful. Thank you kindly, missie "; and she disappeared into her house +to place her treasure in water. + +Penelope was hurrying on, when, glancing round to look for Guard, her eye +fell on Mrs. Bennett standing at her shop door. Mrs. Bennett said +"good-morning," and Penelope returned the greeting; but she had gone a +step or two before it occurred to her that she had not been very gracious +or kind to the post-mistress. Mrs. Bennett must have seen her stop and +give a flower to Mrs. Vercoe. She paused, then slipped back to Mrs. +Bennett's door. "Would you like one of my pretty flowers?" she asked. + +"Oh no, thank you, miss. Don't you pull your bookay to pieces for me," +she answered civilly, but with just the slightest toss of her head. +She was really a little hurt and jealous, for she had seen that Penelope's +offer to Mrs. Vercoe was quite spontaneous. Penelope, conscious of the +feeling that had been in her own heart, was ashamed and sorry. +"Do please let me give you one," she said earnestly. "I want to. +I have such a lot it would be greedy to keep them all." + +Mrs. Bennett backed into her shop. "Won't you come inside, missie?" she +said, much more graciously. "Your little hands are almost too small; +you'm in danger of dropping some of them." + +Penelope followed her in gladly enough. She could not bear to think she +had hurt any one's feelings, even any one she did not particularly like. +Mrs. Bennett led the way into her parlour, where Penelope had never been +before. It held all the treasures she was most proud of, and the window +was full of geraniums, fuchsias, and hanging baskets of 'Mothers of +Thousands,' blocking out most of the light. While Penelope was selecting +a flower Mrs. Bennett stepped to the window. + +"Are you fond of flowers, miss?" + +"Oh, _very_," said Penelope, "I _love_ them. I wish I could grow some. +I think I shall ask Cousin Charlotte to let me have a little bit of garden +of my own. Do you think I should ever get anything to grow?" + +She talked on rapidly, partly because she was really interested and partly +in the hope of ministering balm to Mrs. Bennett's wounded feelings. + +"Oh yes, missie, of course you could, and if you'd like a split or two of +geranium I'd be glad to give 'ee some off of any of mine, or you could +have 'em in pots in your own windy. Have 'ee got a windy-ledge to your +room?" + +"Yes," said Penelope eagerly. + +"Then you could grow mignonette and lots of things there. Look at mine. +I've got flowers 'most all the year round." + +Penelope stepped over to look closer at the beautiful pelargoniums, the +great white geraniums, and graceful fuchsias, all blooming as happily in +their narrow space as though it had been a handsome conservatory. + +"Oh, and what is that?" + +Two halves of a cocoanut shell hung from the top of the window with a +curious little creeping plant growing in them, and sending long, hanging +tendrils down over the sides. + +"I was going to ask you if you would accept one of these, missie, by way +of a beginning. We calls 'em 'Mothers of Thousands' here, and a very good +name for 'em. I tilled both those last year from my old plant there, and +look how they've growed a'ready." + +Penelope was overjoyed. To have a plant of her very own, and growing in a +cocoanut shell, too, gave her the greatest delight. She thanked Mrs. +Bennett profusely, took her new present almost reverently, and hardly knew +how she got home, her hands were so full of treasures and her mind of +excitement. + + + +CHAPTER X. + +The next day, according to promise, Miss Row came to call on Miss Ashe. +The children were all out and very busy when she came, and did not know +anything about the call until Cousin Charlotte came to the garden to them +after. + +Esther was shelling peas, Penelope was filling flower-pots in which to +plant some mignonette seeds she had bought at Mrs. Vercoe's that morning. +Angela and Poppy were playing shops. They had the long stool Anna used +for her washing-trays on washing-days. This was their counter, and on it +they had arranged their stock of goods--a little pile of unripe +strawberries, another of currants, a heap of pebbles to represent nuts, +gravel for sugar, and earth for tea. One of their greatest treasures was +a little tin scoop which Anna had presented to them, and which they took +it in turns to use. They both stood behind the stool, with a pile of +newspaper cut into all kinds of shapes and sizes in front of them, and +were apparently kept as busy as could be by the constant stream of +invisible customers which flowed into their shop. + +When Miss Charlotte came out she found them as busy as possible. +"Penelope," she called, "I want to speak to you, dear. I have something +to tell you--something that I think will please you very much, dear." + +Penelope looked up from her seed-sowing with a face full of pleased +surprise. + +"I have had a visitor, Miss Row, and she has offered to give you lessons +on the organ if you would like to learn. She tells me she thinks you +would. It is very kind of Miss Row, and a great opportunity for you." + +"I'd _love_ to, I told her so." Penelope stopped abruptly, her face +crimsoning. "Oh, I hope she did not think I was asking!" + +"No, dear, she certainly did not think that," said Miss Charlotte +reassuringly. "I know my friend well enough to know that she would never +have made the offer if she had." + +"But where can I learn?" asked Penelope. "I shouldn't be allowed to use +the organ in the church, should I?" + +"I think so; but Miss Row will settle all that. You see, her father used +to be the vicar at Four Winds, and she has been the organist ever since +she was sixteen--" + +"Sixteen!" cried Penelope. "Can I be an organist when I am sixteen?" + +"As I was saying," said Cousin Charlotte, in a slight tone of reproof, +"she has been the organist there since she was sixteen, and all for love, +so no one would be so ungrateful as to object to her using it." + +"Oh, how beautiful, how beautiful, and just the very thing I wanted." +Penelope fairly danced with delight. "Isn't it strange," she said, +"how one gets just the very things one has been longing for?" + +Esther did not make any remark. The old demon jealousy surged up in her +heart and forbade her saying anything that was nice or kind. + +"Why was it that Penelope always attracted all the notice, and made +friends, and got the very things she longed for?" she asked herself +angrily. She wished she had said she would like to learn to play the +organ, and had made friends with Miss Row; then perhaps she would have had +lovely flowers given her, and be thought a lot of. Having finished her +task she picked up her things and walked away into the house. +Penelope looked after her, a little hurt at her seeming want of interest. +Angela and Poppy had dropped their play and were bubbling over with joyful +sympathy. + +"Angela dear," said Miss Charlotte, "will you go to the henhouse for me, +and see if there are any eggs there?" + +Angela was delighted. She was always longing to be employed, and she +loved anything to do with the fowls or the garden. + +Miss Ashe's fowl-houses were models of what fowl-houses should be, airy, +snug, and beautifully clean; and her fowls were something to be proud of. +Angela ran off at once, found three eggs, and took them into the house. +Miss Ashe was busy in the pantry tying down jam. + +"I wonder if you could mark them for me," she said. "My fingers are very +sticky." + +Angela took the pencil and did her best. The figures were clumsy, but +they were her neatest. They were something like this--22/6. + +She looked up at her cousin with shamed eyes and rosy cheeks as she held +out the eggs. + +"That will do," said Miss Charlotte kindly. "You will soon be able to +make tiny figures." Then, as Esther had done once before, Angela put the +eggs in their box; but Esther had forgotten all about her first task in +her anxiety to get others. + +"Cousin Charlotte, if I learn to write better, may I always collect the +eggs and mark them? I'd love to. I love the chicken and fowls, and I'd +try to do it properly." She was very eager and very shy about making her +request. + +"I shall be very glad indeed of your help," said Cousin Charlotte. +"Anna seems too busy and Ephraim forgets; he thinks eggs and hens too +unimportant for his notice. I, though, think them very important indeed; +they make quite a nice little addition to one's income, I find." + +"Do they?" said Angela, full of interest. "When I grow up I shall keep +fowls too, I think." + +"You will have to learn all about them first," said Cousin Charlotte, +"but that you can begin to do at once. You have them here always under +your eyes, and you must keep your eyes open and take in all you can." + +Angela felt, as Penelope had done, that all her dearest wishes were being +granted at once. "Is there something else I can do for you, Cousin +Charlotte?" she asked. + +"Yes, dear, if you will. I want to send those fresh eggs up to Miss +Bazeley. She has a lady lodging there who is ill, and Miss Bazeley's hens +seem to have all stopped laying just as she most wants fresh eggs." + +"I'd like to go. I'll go now," said Angela, running off to get her hat. + +"You can take Poppy with you, dear. It is not far, and you can't make a +mistake. Miss Bazeley's house is the very last in the village; it stands +at the side of the hill on the way to Four Winds." + +"I think I know; it has a honeysuckle arch over the gate, hasn't it?" + +"Yes, sharp eyes. Now run along." + +Esther was up in her room, trying to work herself into a better state of +mind. She knew she was jealous of Penelope's good fortune, and she was +vexed with herself for being so. When people recognise their weaknesses, +and see the wrong of them, they are on a fair way to recovery--if they +choose. + +Esther did really want to get the better of the nasty moods and tempers +that she, better than any one, knew she suffered from, and presently she +came down in quite an altered frame of mind, though a little embarrassed +to know how to express herself. + +Penelope was in the garden alone, busy over her flower-pots once more. +Esther went up to her wondering what she could say, but Penelope looked up +with so grave a face Esther found her speech at once. + +"Aren't you glad?" she asked in surprise. + +"Oh yes," cried Penelope enthusiastically. + +"So am I," said Esther, and with the same felt her burden of jealousy fall +from her. "It will be fine; it was the very thing you wanted. But you +don't look glad." + +"I am," said Penelope emphatically; "but I was thinking how kind every one +is, and I do want to do something for them--and I don't know how. +There don't seem to be any ways for children to help grown-ups." + +Esther stood very still and quiet for a moment. Then, after a little shy +hesitation, she said, "Cousin Charlotte says we can always help each +other, only we must not be always looking out for big things to do. +If we do the little things, we shall do big things, too, in time." + +"Oh," said Penelope. "I suppose I shall get to know what little things to +do. What I would like would be to give Miss Row a beautiful organ, and +Mrs. Bennett a greenhouse, and Cousin Charlotte--oh, a lot of money and +things, and--and--" + +"I don't suppose Mrs. Bennett would know what to do with a greenhouse if +she had it," said Esther wisely. + +"Don't you?" said Penelope disappointedly, and was silent for some time, +pondering the matter. "Well," with a sigh of resignation, "I'll give her +one of my pots of mignonette when it grows--that will be something--just +to show I care, and perhaps--" + +But what Penelope intended to say further was lost for ever, for at that +moment there was a rush through the house and garden, a chorus of cries +and exclamations, and Angela and Poppy and Guard burst on them like a +small hurricane. + +"Oh, do look!" cried Angela, her face flushed, her eyes dancing with joy-- +"do look what Miss Bazeley has given me! Oh, it is such a darling! +And the poor mite has no mother, or brothers or sisters. And _do_ you +think Cousin Charlotte will let me keep it? It is a very good one, Miss +Bazeley says. What sort did she call it, Poppy? I said it over and over +so as to remember, and have forgotten it after all." + +"It was somefin like the name of a sweety," said Poppy, racking her brain +so hard she brought a frown to her brow. "Was it somefin drop, or rock, +or--" + +"I know it was something like Edinburgh Rock." + +"Plymouth Rock, perhaps," said Miss Ashe's voice, close behind them. +In their excitement they had not heard her coming, and they all sprang +around with a start. "What is it, dear?" looking at the little basket +Angela was holding so carefully. + +As if in reply, a tiny, very forlorn 'che-ep' came from the inside. + +"It is a dear little motherless chick, Cousin Charlotte," cried Angela +eagerly. "A tiny baby one, and it's an orphan. A fox killed its poor +mother, and the other hens won't be kind to it; they are very cruel to it, +Miss Bazeley says, and she asked me if I would like to have it. May I, +Cousin Charlotte? Do you mind? I will take care of it, and then some +day, when it lays eggs, you shall have all the eggs." + +"Well, we will see about that when the time comes," said Cousin Charlotte. +"Yes, dear, you may certainly keep it. I foresee I shall have a rival +poultry-yard in my own garden." + +Angela and Poppy ran off in a state of the highest glee; but when they got +to the yard, and all the hens ran towards them in expectation, they were +afraid to trust their treasure alone among the crowd. + +"You will have to try to get one of the hens to mother it," said Miss +Charlotte, who had followed them, "or it will die of cold and loneliness." + +This presented some difficulty. As soon as the little chick was put down +it would run to the nearest hen as if it thought it had found its mother, +but the hens would have nothing to say to it; first one and then another +pecked it savagely, until the poor little thing was nearly scared to +death. + +At last Miss Charlotte threw down some oatmeal before a coop where a +solemn old hen sat with half a dozen chicks playing about her. As soon as +they saw the food, the greedy little creatures poured out, while the +mother rose and clucked noisily with annoyance at not being able to +follow. Angela put the orphan chick down amongst the others; for a second +it cheeped pitifully; then it, too, began to eat. As soon as the last +grain had gone some more was thrown into the coop for the old hen. All +the chicks poured back helter-skelter into the coop, the orphan amongst +them, and the hen took it into her family circle without demur, and the +baby Plymouth Rock's life was saved. + +After that, to say that Angela was as fussy as a hen with one chick was to +speak but very mildly of her condition. She looked on it as the +foundation of her fortunes, and, surely, she thought, no one had ever +owned such a beautiful chick before. + +The next day Penelope went to the church at twelve o'clock to have her +first lesson. She went off jubilantly; she returned a little less so. +Miss Row was unaccustomed to children, or to teaching, and she had never +been considered a patient woman. + +"I believe it is going to be dreadfully hard," Penelope confided to the +others, as they gathered round her. They had all gone to meet her, and +hear her experiences. They had always been so much together that what +happened to one was of the keenest interest to all. + +"I don't believe I shall ever learn, there are such lots of things to +remember, and Miss Row doesn't like to explain a thing more than once, and +you've _got_ to remember." + +Esther began to feel thankful that she had not expressed a desire to know +how to play the organ. She much preferred to do housework and not be +scolded. Penelope's next words then came as a shock. + +"Oh, and what _do_ you think! Miss Row wants us to sing in the choir! +She says we _must_. She can get scarcely any one to sing, and she says it +will be good for us, and we shall be very glad by and by--" + +"Oh, I couldn't!" cried Angela, overcome with nervousness. "I haven't got +any voice, and I don't know how to; and I couldn't sing with all the +people looking at me." + +"It will be dreadful," said Penelope drearily. "But Miss Row says we +shall be glad later on--" + +"People always say that when they want one to do anything one simply hates +doing. But she can't make us, can she? I shall ask Miss Charlotte to say +we can't. I am sure she will when she knows how much we don't want to. +I wish you had never said anything, Penelope, about the organ, and +learning to play, and all that. Miss Row would never have thought of it +if you hadn't," grumbled Esther; and Penelope, feeling the truth of it, +looked more dejected than ever. After her first encounter with Miss Row +as a teacher, the prospect before her looked anything but enticing, +and she was haunted by a feeling that she had not declined the honour as +firmly as she might have done, for the sake of the others. + +They all turned and walked homewards very gloomily. The only cheerful +member of the party was Poppy. "I wouldn't mind singing in church," she +said, "if nobody wouldn't look at me. I can sing 'Once in Royal David's +City' all through." + +"It doesn't seem so bad if you haven't _got_ to," said Angela miserably. +"But when you have, it is awful. I--I almost wish I'd never come to +Dorsham, and yet--I loved it so till this happened." + +During dinner Miss Charlotte looked at the four from time to time, first +with faint surprise, then with anxiety. They were so quiet, so gloomy, so +changed. When she had spoken two or three times and received polite, but +the briefest of answers, she began to feel she must get to the bottom of +the mystery. + +"Well, Penelope, did you enjoy your organ lesson, dear?" she asked +briskly. + +Penelope looked up with the ghost of her old comical smile gleaming in her +eyes. "Well, I--I didn't exactly _enjoy_ it," she said, trying to be +polite and truthful at the same time. "It is rather hard at first, but-- +but I wouldn't mind that if--if--" + +"If what, dear?" asked Miss Charlotte gently. "Is it anything I can help +in?" + +"No-o, I am afraid not, thank you. It's the singing--Miss Row wants us +all to sing in the choir!" + +The great and terrible news was out, the shadow that hung over them was +explained, and eight eyes gazed at Miss Charlotte, expecting to read in +her face something of the shock and dismay they had felt, instead of which +she sat looking quite unmoved and rather amused. "Well, dears, I don't +see anything very dreadful in that. Do you?" + +"But we can't," cried Esther. "We can't sing, except just a little bit to +ourselves." + +"But you can learn. I don't suppose Miss Row, or any one else, would +expect you to sing perfectly at first. She would teach you. You said you +wanted to learn all you could, didn't you, dear?" + +"Ye-es," said Esther slowly, feeling she was having the worst of the +argument, but unmoved in her dread and dislike of joining the choir. +"But I never thought of this; this is different." + +"Yes; but, dear, you will find very few things happen just as you would +have them to. We may miss the best chances of our lives if we insist on +that. You told me you wanted to save money and expense--now here is your +opportunity. You will gain a knowledge of music and singing such as you +could not gain in any other way, for even if we had the means, there is no +one here to teach you. I dare say you feel a little shy and nervous, but +don't be foolishly so, dears. All your lives you will be thankful you had +this chance." + +Esther had no word to say. She felt she was in the wrong again, and that +is never a pleasant feeling. + +"But I could never sing before so many people, Cousin Charlotte," said +Angela. "I wouldn't mind so much if it was only just ourselves, but I am +sure I couldn't sing before strangers." + +"Then, dear, it will be good for you in another way. You must learn to +get over your self-consciousness. You must not imagine the eyes of every +one are on you. You must try to forget all about yourself. Remember that +every one there has a lot else to think about, and that you are only one +little person amongst a number." Cousin Charlotte laid her hand on +Angela's to take away any seeming severity from her words. + +"I know Miss Row is always trying to make up a choir, and she has such +difficulty. You would be doing her a real kindness if you help her; and I +know you would like to do that," with a smile at Esther. + +Esther sighed. "Yes," she said hesitatingly. "But--but can't one ever do +things just in the way one likes, Cousin Charlotte? There are lots of +kind things I should love to do." + +"We may choose, generally, whether we will do a thing or not, or whether +we will do it in our way, or the way that is mapped out for us. +But usually if we choose our own, it is ourselves we please, and not the +person we are doing it for. But this we can always do, dearie--if we have +to do a thing we do not like, we can teach ourselves to like to do it." + +"It sounds like a riddle," said Penelope. + +"It very often is," said Miss Charlotte. "But am sure you will all grow +to love your singing and your choir when the first shyness is over, and +then you will be glad you gave in, and did not choose your own way. +And of one thing you may be quite sure: if, as you think, you have no +voices, Miss Row will soon tell you so, and you will not be bothered any +more about having to sing." + +But, after all, somehow it did not seem to them that that was what they +wanted. + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +To the girls' relief they were not expected to appear at the very next +choir practice. Miss Charlotte had a talk with her friend, which tempered +her enthusiasm with common sense, with the result that the children had +their voices tried and two or three lessons given them before they were +expected to appear in public, with the result that poor Poppy, the only +one who really longed to be in the choir, was the only one denied that +honour. All their voices were pronounced quite good. But Poppy was too +young; it would strain her voice, she was told, and to her chagrin she had +to sit in an ordinary pew with Miss Ashe while the others sat in what +Poppy called the 'dear little' choir stalls in the chancel. + +But, to show her defiance of this objectionable, and, as she thought, +unnecessary care for her voice, she sang always at the top of it. +It happened often that she did not know the right words, but she always +managed to pick up the tune quickly, and with just one sentence to repeat +over and over again, she got along to her own satisfaction, at any rate +convinced in her own mind that it would not be very long before they would +be glad to _ask_ her to come into the choir. + +So the days flew by and the summer slipped away; autumn had gone and +winter, almost, before they realised it, so full were their days with +their lessons and their singing, their housework and gardening, walks on +the moor, and games and play. By degrees, as Miss Charlotte had foretold, +each had made a little niche for herself. Esther had obtained almost +complete charge of the drawing-room--no one else dusted it or arranged a +flower in it. Penelope sometimes tried to find room in it for one of her +pet plants, but unless permission was asked, and Esther chose the place +where it might stand, the treasure was certain to be found 'in the way.' + +She dusted their own bedrooms, too, and helped to make the beds, and did +lots of other little duties; and at Christmas, to her great delight, +Miss Charlotte had given her the much-longed-for sleeves and aprons. + +Angela had become, meantime, almost sole mistress of the hens and the +eggs. She had begun by just collecting the eggs, and washing and marking +them, and she did her work so well that no one else ever thought of +troubling about them; and before very long, to her enormous pride, she was +given the task of packing them for market. And oh! the joy of it! the +pleasure she took in laying the rich brown and creamy-white eggs in cosy +nests in the sweet-smelling hay; her pride in their appearance! The only +flaw in her happiness was the fact that she could not carry the basket and +dispose of the contents herself to the customers. She pictured herself +turning back the snow-white cloth from the top of the basket, and counting +out her beloved treasures one by one. + +After that she began to feed the fowls, and keep account of the corn that +was used, and the number of eggs that were laid. Anna consulted her quite +gravely about the house scraps. + +Perhaps, though, the very happiest day of all her life, at any rate the +proudest, was that on which Fluffikins laid her first egg. Angela, when +she saw it and the little hen strutting up and down before the nest in +which it lay, stood in a kind of speechless ecstasy, much as a young +author when his first work has been accepted, or an artist before his +first completed picture. Then she held out her arms to the proud +Fluffikins, who mounted to her shoulder, clucking happily; and, rubbing +their cheeks against one another, they gazed ecstatically at the precious +egg. + +"Oh, Fluff, I _am_ so sorry to take it from you," she cried, "but I _must_ +show it to Cousin Charlotte. Fluff, you darling, do go on and lay lots +more. I want one every day, then you shall sit on some, and hatch out +some dear little baby chicks of your very own; and you shall live with me +till you are an old, old bird, Fluffikins darling, and no one shall dare +to--to--" she hesitated to name the dreadful word 'kill,'--"shall +interfere with you. You are what they call the 'founder' of my fortune, +you precious bird." + +She did not take the egg in to show to Miss Charlotte after all. +She thought of another plan. She took it in and showed it to Anna, and to +the girls, who gazed at it and marvelled at its beauty, but Miss Charlotte +was not to see it until it appeared on her plate at tea, with an +inscription on it to say whose it was. + +It hurt Angela very much to deprive poor Fluffikins of her treasure, but, +while she was not looking, she slipped another new, warm egg in the nest +in its place, and hoped the dear bird would not see through the fraud; and +Miss Charlotte did deserve the honour, after all her goodness to Fluff and +her mistress; in fact they were pledged to it. + +Cousin Charlotte could not suppress a slight start of surprise when she +saw the black-speckled thing in the egg-cup on her plate; but she was as +pleased as the girls could wish when she read, 'My and Fluff's first egg +for you,' and assured them, as she ate it under their united gaze, that +she had never in her life tasted a better one. + +Poppy had constituted herself every one's hand-maiden and handy-maiden. +If she were allowed to have a duster and dust-brush and help Esther, her +cup of joy was full, but she was just as pleased to run to the post, or to +the shops, or to help Ephraim gather windfalls in the orchard, dig +potatoes, or assist Anna in any way she was allowed to. And now that her +parsley bed was really in full growth, in spite of its troubled beginning, +she was very full of happy importance. To be asked if she could spare a +pennyworth of parsley filled her with pleasure for days. + +"I never saw anything like it," she would say seriously, shaking her +little purse the while. "It only cost me a penny, and I've made fourpence +by it already. I wonder every one doesn't grow parsley." + +"If they did, dear, there would be no one to sell to," Cousin Charlotte +explained. + +Of them all Penelope did least to help. She had her flowers--quite a +collection of them now. "But she doesn't do anything with them," +complained Esther one day. + +"They make the house pretty," urged Angela, always ready to defend her +room-mate, "and they make our room so sweet and pretty." + +"But she should try to sell them," argued Esther, "or--or do something. +She seems to have forgotten all about helping Cousin Charlotte." + +"She doesn't get much time," pleaded Angela, "by the time her lessons are +done, and her organ lesson, and the practice, and her reading--she always +reads for an hour a day, sometimes more. And--and there isn't any one +here to sell flowers to--" + +At that moment Penelope herself dashed in on them, her eyes dancing, her +face glowing. "Oh, girls, what _do_ you think?" she cried, as she flung +her music-case on to one chair, her hat on another, and herself on a +third. + +"What?" asked Esther, as she picked up the music-case and straightened the +cushion it had knocked over. + +"Oh, _do_ tell, do tell quick," urged Angela. + +"Well!" sitting up and clasping her hands tight in an ecstasy of pleasure, +"you know Miss Row has friends staying with her." + +"Yes; but I don't see much in that to be excited about," said Esther. + +"Well, one of them is called Mr. Somerset, and he is a musician, and he-- +he heard me sing. Miss Row made me sing on purpose. I was awfully +frightened, but I got through all right, and--and what _do_ you think he +said?" + +Esther felt the old demon jealousy clutching at her heart at once. +"I don't know, I'm sure," she said coldly. "Do tell if you are going to, +Penelope. I am too busy to wait." + +"Oh, what?" gasped Angela, with eager, questioning eyes. + +"He said,"--in an impressive, almost awed voice--"he said I had the +promise of a very fine voice, and--and no expense ought to be spared in +training it!" Penelope repeated the words slowly, like one in a dream. + +"Oh, Pen!" Angela gasped, almost speechless with delight, "did he really?" + +Pen nodded. + +"What nonsense!" said Esther, in a strained voice, quite unlike her usual +tones. + +Angela turned on her reproachfully. "Essie, aren't you glad?" + +"Of course I am," snapped Esther shortly; "but it is so silly to put such +things into people's heads when there _is_ no money. I suppose he thinks we +all ought to give up everything for this, and--and never thinks that the +rest of us might like to--to have lessons--" + +Esther really did not mean a tenth of the hard things she was saying, and +she hated herself for saying them, but that wretched temper of hers got +the upper hand of her again. She knew she was being mean and unkind, and +it added to her vexation; but she had not the strength of will to get the +better of it. In her calmer moments she longed to be one of those who +could rise above such mean jealousies, and be unselfish and brave and +strong, but when the trial came she succumbed. + +Penelope was too lost in happy dreams, though, to heed or be hurt by +Esther's remarks. + +"Of course I can't have it trained, but all the same I _am_ glad I have a +nice voice," she said in a happy, dreamy voice. "Fancy me, _me_, with a +beautiful voice! Isn't it strange? Doesn't it seem as though it can't be +true? Oh, I _am_ so happy!" + +"I always loved to hear you sing, dear," said Angela, seating herself on +the ground at Penelope's feet and hugging her sister's knees. +"And, Pen, just imagine if you could have lessons, and could sing at +concerts, and everybody wanted to hear you, and you made lots and lots of +money--wouldn't it be _lovely_! Esther, come and sit down and talk about +what we would do if Pen were famous and made a heap of money." +Angela never doubted that what good fortune came to one would be shared by +all. "Come and sit here, Esther." + +"It will be Penelope's money," said Esther coldly. "It would be for her +to say what she would do with it, not for us. I am busy; I can't stay +talking nonsense," and away she walked out of the room, leaving Penelope +and Angela with their spirits considerably lowered. + +"I don't know why it is," sighed Penelope, roused at last from her happy +oblivion, "but whenever I bring home what I think is good news it always +seems to upset Esther. I thought she was just dying for us all to be able +to do something to help father and Cousin Charlotte, and this seemed such +a lovely thing! Of course there is all the expense first, but _if_ I have +a really good voice, later on I should be able to keep you all, and give +you all you want. I think she might have seemed a little bit glad." + +"Perhaps she is worried," said Angela, "because she wants you to have +lessons, and there isn't any money for them, and--and I think she is +tired." + +"I wish she would not do so much and get so tired," said Penelope +wistfully. "We scarcely ever see her now; she hardly ever has any time to +play, and--and it is disappointing when she acts like that." Penelope's +voice quavered a little, in spite of herself, and she rose and looked out +of window that Angela might not see her misty eyes. + +"Never mind, dear," coaxed comforting Angela, "don't you fret. Essie is as +glad as either of us, _really_, and by and by she will be all right. +Let us go out on the moor, and talk over what we will do when you are +rich, shall we?" + +"Yes," said Penelope, with a little sigh, and a shake to shake off her +gloom. "Dear old moor, I feel I want to lie down on it and hug it when +big, nice things happen, and tell it all about them. Come along, Angel." + +Esther, from upstairs, saw them go out together, Angela's arm about Pen's +waist, Penelope's arm about Angela's shoulders. With angry eyes and +aching heart she watched them go through the garden, and guessed whither +they were bound; and a sense of loneliness, of being shut out, stole over +her. + +Cousin Charlotte had gone to Gorley and taken Poppy with her, so she was +quite alone. With a hasty movement she flung on her hat, and dashed +downstairs and out of the front door. "If they went out, she could go out +too," she told herself angrily, and could find her own company sufficient. +If they went one way she would go another, the moor was large enough, +and--and at any rate the tors and the gorse and the birds liked her as +much as they liked Penelope. She would not there be put aside for her +younger sister. + +By that time she had worked herself up into such a state of resentfulness +of imagined injuries and fancied wrongs, she felt she could hardly endure +her unhappy lot. She walked along the road in a perfect turmoil of mind, +and, fearing she might meet some one, turned down towards the bridge and +the river; but the weather had been rainy lately, and the river was +swollen, and the bank all wet and slippery. + +She had never been further than the bridge and the river-bank before, +and as she clambered up from the muddy, slippery river-path, and pushed +through the sheltering brushwood which lined it, she found herself, a tiny +speck, apparently the only living creature, in a huge great stretch of +moorland which was all new ground to her. There were a few big rocks here +and there, but no big hills, as on the other side, with their friendly +sheltering look; and the great stretch of bare land, stretching away and +away, looked the picture of desolation. + +The spirit of it seemed in tune with Esther's own sense of loneliness; but +it touched her heart with the softening touch of sadness. She sank down +on a big boulder beside her, and, stretching out her arms on its rough, +lichen-covered breast, buried her face in them and burst into sobs. + +"Why is it? why is it? Why should every one like the others and no one +like me? Why should Penelope have everything and me nothing, and why +can't I feel nice about it? Why do I care, or why can't I pretend I don't +mind?" At that moment Esther really did believe that no one in all the +world cared in the least for her. "Penelope is pretty and clever, and-- +and taking, and--and now she has a beautiful voice, and I have nothing. +I am not pretty or clever or nice, and I shall never be anything, or do +anything, and--and no one wants me. She will be able to go about and +travel, and be rich and have everything she wants, and be able to help the +others, and--and I am no better than a drudge!" + +A little field-mouse, creeping out of its hole, heard the sobs and flew +away again, nearly scared out of its wits. A goldfinch came and perched +on a furze-bush near, looked wonderingly at the odd-shaped thing that made +such funny noises, and then flew away to a thistle and began to search for +any stray seeds that might have been overlooked. Little spiders ran over +the boulder and put out delicate feelers to try to discover what curious +pinky-white things those were that lay on the old stone; then, after a +first venture, finding them harmless, ran over and over Esther's hand in a +perfect fuss and fury of excitement. + +Esther, feeling the slight tickling of the little creatures' feet, raised +her head to look, and kept it raised to watch their busy movements. Her +storm of tears had relieved her heart, and done her good. She felt less +injured, and in a better frame of mind. She did not dare to move until the +last spider had finished his investigations, for fear of alarming him; but +when he had scurried away home, evidently eager to tell of his adventures, +she raised herself and looked about her. + +Her face and eyes were hot and swelled and aching. She could not meet any +one while looking such a sight as she was. She would walk on until the +fresh breeze should have cooled down her burning features. She turned +away from Dorsham in the same direction as the river ran. It was all a +strange country to her, and she would explore it. No one would miss her +at home. The anger and jealousy were gone, but she still felt sad and +lonely, and full of pity for herself. + +She walked on and on and on, still too absorbed in herself to pay any heed +to the voice of the birds or the river or the myriad little creatures +moving about her. She was thinking how much she would like to frighten +them all at home, and make them anxious about her; she felt she would like +to walk on and on until twilight and darkness fell, and she and the moor +were left to their loneliness together. It was all very foolish; but as +long as there are boys and girls, or men and women, these moods will come +to them, to be fought down and overcome; and we must remember that to the +sufferer they do not seem foolish at the time. + +How far she did walk she had no idea at the time; it seemed to her it was +miles and miles;--in reality it was only about a mile and a half,--and the +sun was going down, and she was beginning to admit doubts to her mind as +to whether she should turn back or not, when suddenly, in a hollow in the +moor before her, she saw, though at first she could hardly believe her +eyes, a real little house with real smoke coming out of the chimney on the +thatched roof. + +If it had not been for the smoke, whirled and beaten about by the breeze, +she would have thought the house was not really a human habitation, but a +bit of the moor itself risen up, so brown and rough and weather-beaten it +looked under its old lichen-grown thatch. But the smoke was real smoke, +and Esther, stepping nearer, saw one window lit by the leaping, cheery +glow of a fire. + +Fascinated and surprised, she drew nearer and nearer. Before the cottage +was a little garden surrounded by a sturdy railing and a thick-set, +close-clipped holly-hedge, within the shelter of which whole beds of +crocuses and daisies and polyanthuses bloomed gaily. The crocuses were all +asleep now, their little petals fast closed, and the daisies too, but the +polyanthuses looked bravely with their beautiful eyes at the fast +darkening sky. Over the cottage walls, as well as on the thatch, lichen +and house-leeks grew, as though to prove it was but a boulder, one of the +many scattered thereabouts in all directions, and not a house at all. + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +Ester stood staring fascinated, quite unconscious of the fact that a pair +of bright but dim eyes were peering out at her wonderingly; and she +started, quite guiltily, when presently the cottage door opened, and a +lady came along the garden path towards her. + +Esther began to move away, feeling ashamed that she should have stared so +rudely; but the lady hearing her, spoke. + +"Don't go away, please," she said in a pretty soft voice with a foreign +accent. "I saw you, and I wondered if you had lost your way. It is not +often we see strangers here, we are so far away from other houses." + +"No-o, thank you," stammered Esther shyly. "I--I don't think I have lost +my way. I was out for a walk, and had never been this way before. +I have come from Dorsham." + +"Dorrsham, oh!" the lady rolled her r's, and poke in the prettiest way +imaginable. "It is rather a long walk home for a young lady when the +light is beginning to fail. Have you no one with you?" + +"No," said Esther, suddenly realising her disobedience in not having +brought Guard. "I am not afraid; at least--I--I shall be home before it +is dark." + +"I do not feel so sure of that." + +Neither did Esther as she looked about her, and saw how quickly twilight +had fallen since the sun had gone. + +"I hardly like to let you go, my child, by yourself only, over the moor. +You could so easily miss your way, and get into the river, or fall over a +boulder and injure yourself. Will you come into my house and rest; and +after you have had some tea--" + +"Oh, thank you, no," cried Esther, overcome with shyness at the thought of +giving so much trouble. "I am sure I shall get back all right." + +"Will you not do it to oblige me?" And the lady, who was very pretty and +graceful and charming, spoke so coaxingly, so prettily, Esther could not +refuse her. + +"I--I--but it would make me later," she began. + +"Ah, but I was going to say, Anne is going to Dorsham presently, and he +shall conduct you safely home." + +"Who?" breathed Esther, puzzled beyond politeness. + +"Anne. He--well, he is not exactly my servant--he is my friend and +factotum; he and his wife live in the cottage at the back," explained the +little lady. "His wife is ill, unfortunately, and he is going to get some +mustard for poultices for us to apply, and he will see you home." + +"Oh, thank you," stammered Esther, interested but uneasy. She was +beginning to feel uncomfortable about Cousin Charlotte, and the anxiety +she might be causing her; but she really did shrink from the long walk +home in the gathering darkness, and, too, she did not know how to refuse +the kind stranger's request. So she stepped in at the open gate, and put +her hand in the one outstretched to welcome her. + +"My name is Esther Carroll," she said, feeling some introduction was +necessary, "and I and my sisters live with Miss Ashe at Moor Cottage." + +"Oh," said the lady vaguely. Evidently she did not know Miss Ashe or the +cottage. "I have not the pleasure of knowing Miss Ashe. I never go to +Dorsham. I seldom go beyond my garden; in fact--I cannot walk much," and +Esther noticed for the first time that she was lame. "My name is +Mademoiselle Leperier. I am not one of your countrywomen, though I might +claim to be, having lived in England most of my life. Now I think," with +a bright smile, "we know each other. Come inside, do. Anne had just +brought in the tea-tray when he caught sight of you, and drew my +attention. We thought perhaps you had lost your way. Come in, we will +have tea at once, and you shall start very soon for home, or your cousin +will be anxious." + +Esther, following her kind hostess, thought she had never in all her life +seen anything so pretty as the little firelit room into which she now +stepped, with its pure white walls, its green dresser hung with priceless +old blue china, the high white mantelpiece, loaded, too, with china, the +high-waisted lattice window, with its prim little creamy silk curtains. + +By the fire stood two comfortable easy-chairs, and a little square table, +on which was spread a white cloth and dainty tea-things, bread-and-butter, +and tempting little cakes. To Esther it all seemed perfect, as perfect a +picture as Mademoiselle Leperier herself in her soft grey gown, with her +white hair, bright eyes, and pale face. + +In a very short time they were seated on either side of the table, +drinking fragrant creamy tea and chatting as friendly as though they had +often met before. Anne, who had brought another cup and saucer, had been +told his errand, and with quiet politeness expressed his eagerness to +oblige. Esther looked at him with interest. Somehow she had expected to +see quite a young man, but Anne was old--older than his mistress. +That he was a foreigner, too, there could be no doubt; his speech, +his appearance, his every action bespoke the fact. + +"Is--is Mr. Anne French too?" asked Esther, and then blushed, fearing she +had been rude. + +But Mademoiselle nodded brightly. "Yes. Call him 'Anne,' please, dear. +His name is Anne Roth. His parents came to England with mine, when they +had to fly from France, and he and his have been with me and mine ever +since. Ah! but he is a dear, faithful soul is Anne, and so is Laura, his +English wife. They would not leave me, even when I came to this far-away +spot. At first it made them sad, I think, but now they have come to like +it." + +"Were you exiles?" asked Esther, with eager interest. "Oh, how +interesting!" + +Mademoiselle Leperier's heart warmed towards her sympathetic visitor with +the eager face, and soon they were deep in talk, so deep that they were +surprised when Anne knocked at the door to say he had come to know if the +young m'amzelle was ready to be conducted home. + +Under the spell of her hostess's kind face and voice Esther had told some +of her story too--told more, really, than she could have believed possible +considering that she had not spoken of the events of that afternoon, nor +to what led to her appearance at Edless, as the spot was called where +Mademoiselle lived. + +"May I come to see you again?" she asked impulsively, as she put up her +face to kiss the gentle, fragile-looking French lady. + +"Will you, dear? I shall be so pleased if your cousin will permit you. +It is a little desolate here, and _triste_ at times, for I cannot read or +write much, or use my needle; my eyes are not strong." + +"Those bright, shining eyes not strong!" thought Esther with surprise. +"Could I read to you sometimes, or write for you, or sew?" she asked +eagerly. "I am sure Cousin Charlotte would be pleased for me to, and--and +I should _love_ to. May I?" + +"If _la cousine_ does not object, dear child, I should be grateful indeed; +but, remember, she does not know me, or anything of me, and you must not +be angry if she does not permit you. It would be but natural." + +"Oh, I am sure she will," said Esther confidently, and out she stepped +into the darkness with Anne. + +To the end of her life Esther will never forget that walk across the moor +under the cold blue of the darkening sky--the long, mysterious-looking +Stretches of darkness with here and there a big rock standing up grim and +gaunt in the silence, the vastness in which they seemed but specks, the +shrill, sweet voices of the birds calling to each other, and the busy, +persistent voice of the river, added to the weirdness and loneliness of +the experience. The only lifelike sounds were their own footsteps, and it +was only here and there, when they got on to rough ground and off the +turf, that these could be heard. + +Esther grew oppressed by the awe and silence. She longed for her +companion to speak. She would have said something herself, only she did +not know what to begin about, and it needed courage to break, with her +small voice, that vast silence. + +At last though, a rabbit, or some other wild animal that loves the +night-time and the silence, darted right across their path, making her +start and scream. The shock past, she laughed a little with shame of her +own weakness. The scream and the laugh broke the spell. + +"It was very silly of me, but it came so suddenly," she explained +apologetically. + +"It did, m'amzelle. I expect you are not used to such places at night?" + +"No, not at night. We love the moor, though, by day, and know it well, +and I am not really afraid of the wild things." + +"No, m'amzelle," politely. Silence followed again. Esther grew +desperate. + +"I--I hope your wife will soon be better," she said sympathetically. + +"Thank you, m'amzelle. I hope so, too." + +"Is she very ill?" + +"Well, not--not dangerous, but she troubles. Our M'amzelle Lucille is not +strong, she suffers so, and when Laura--my wife--is ill, M'amzelle does +too much, she is so good." + +"Can't you have some one in to help you?" asked practical Esther. + +"No, m'amzelle, we are so far away. But we do not want any one really. +I can do all. I know how to nurse," with evident pride, "but M'amzelle +likes to help us, and--and she is not strong, she suffers so." + +"Does she?" asked Esther sympathetically. "I am so sorry. I noticed she +was lame. Does she suffer pain from her lameness?" + +"Yes, m'amzelle. She had a fall some years ago. You know, I daresay, +that M'amzelle Lucille was at one time a famous singer. No? She has not +told you? Then perhaps I should not have, but I thought that when she +told you her name you would know." + +"I can keep a secret," said Esther. "I will never mention it if I may +not. Why did M'amzelle stop singing and come here?" + +"Ah, she stopped singing long, long before she came here. She never sang +after the great trouble came to her life, when the great English gentleman +she was so soon to marry was killed." + +Esther gave a little cry of horror. "Oh, how dreadful, but--but how--was +it an accident?" + +Anne's tongue was loosened now, he needed no questioning; he had so few +opportunities to talk, he could not resist this one, and he wanted every +one's sympathy for his beloved mistress. "Yes, it was an accident, +a fearful, a cruel accident, and it happened less than a week before the +wedding day. They were together at a station waiting for a train, when +some one ran against him with so great force he reeled, he lost his +balance, he fell forward, right off the platform--the train was just +coming in!" Anne's voice died away in an awful impressive silence. +"M'amzelle Lucille sprang to catch him--" + +"Oh!" gasped Esther, in horror. + +"They saved _her_," he added significantly; "but she was injured, she was +lame always from that day, and her eyes were injured. She may be blind, +some day--if she lives. He was killed before her eyes." + +"Oh, poor M'amzelle Leperier," groaned Esther, her heart aching with the +tragedy of the terrible story. "I wonder it did not kill her." + +"It nearly did," said Anne significantly. + +"And her singing?" + +"She never sang again, m'amzelle. She says her voice broke with the +shock--but it was her heart that broke. She loved him so; it was too +cruel, too terrible." + +"Did you come here to live then?" + +"No, m'amzelle, not for a long time. We travelled from place to place. +M'amzelle Lucille said she would go alone, but my wife and I would not +leave her, she was so lonely, so _triste_, she had no one but us. +Wherever we went people stared at her and annoyed her so. Very often they +recognised her, she was so well known; or they saw she was beautiful, and +they knew her story, or found it out, and they had no delicacy, no +feeling. We always had to leave. Last year we came here. M'amzelle does +not suffer here, except from loneliness, and I think she never will, but +it is too lonely for her. I hope you will come to see her, m'amzelle. +She likes you, I can see." + +Esther was delighted. Here, at last, was some one who really needed her. +In her heart she determined to devote all her spare time to M'amzelle +Lucille. The walk home was over much sooner than she wished. She could +have gone on listening to Anne for miles further, but the bridge was +crossed, the lights began to show in the cottage windows, and soon they +were at the gate of Moor Cottage. + +Here Esther's new joy began to moderate. It was quite dark now. +Anne told her it was nearly six o'clock. What would Cousin Charlotte be +thinking? Now she had time to spare a thought for her, Esther felt sorry +and ashamed. + +The sounds of their footsteps or voices must have reached the anxious ears +within, for even while she was saying 'good-night' to her companion the +cottage door was opened wide, letting a flood of light pour along the +pathway. "Esther, dear, is that you?" asked Cousin Charlotte's gentle +voice reproachfully, and Esther flew to her and flung her arms about her. + +"Oh, Cousin Charlotte, I _am_ so sorry," she cried repentantly. "I can't +tell you _how_ sorry. I didn't mean to be so late, really--at least, at +first I did--but--but--I shouldn't have--" + +"Never mind now, dear. Come in and warm yourself, and you can tell me all +about it later. You have frightened me dreadfully, Esther; but just now I +am too relieved to scold, only--only don't do it again, it is more than I +can endure bravely," and Cousin Charlotte leaned down and kissed her. + +Esther saw then that she was white and trembling, that tears glistened in +her eyes, and understood for the first time how much Cousin Charlotte +cared. + +"Oh, Cousin Charlotte, Cousin Charlotte," she cried remorsefully, "if only +I were like you. I wish I could be good. I do want to be, I do really." + +"Try to be good, but not like me, dear," said Cousin Charlotte huskily, +"or you will be a very weak and foolish old woman. Now," with another +kiss, "run upstairs and take off your hat and shoes, and come and tell us +all your adventures. We have all been dreadfully anxious." + +Esther went upstairs feeling far more remorseful than if Miss Charlotte +had scolded her well. When she had taken off her hat and shoes, and made +herself tidy, she felt really shy of going down to face them all. +But while she was hesitating, the door opened and Poppy flew into the room +and straight to Esther's arms. + +"Oh, Essie, I couldn't wait, and Cousin Charlotte said I might come up for +you. Are you all right? You are not hurt or--" + +"You have been crying," broke in Esther. "Oh, Poppy, I made you!" + +"I couldn't help just a teeny tiny little cry, but it was only a tear or +two when I thought the wild beasts had got you and were eating you right +up. Come down now." + +In the dining-room it was all so cosy and pleasant that Esther soon forgot +her embarrassment, and, seated in the midst of the circle round the fire, +was soon telling her story to a rapt audience. + +"I should love to see the little cottage, and have tea in that dear little +room," said Angela, after Esther had described her sudden discovery of the +little brown house and the flower-filled garden. + +"Mademoiselle Leperier!" cried Miss Ashe quite excitedly. "Why, child, I +remember her quite well; at least her name and fame, and the tragedy of +her lover's death. I have often wondered what had become of the poor +lady." + +"Have you?" cried Esther, delighted. "Cousin Charlotte, I wish you would +get to know her. I am sure she is very lonely." + +"Perhaps she prefers loneliness, dear. I should be only too pleased to +show friendly neighbourliness to the poor lady if she would like it, but +sometimes it is greater kindness not to intrude. You can go there, dear, +if you and she wish it, and perhaps the friendliness will increase by +degrees." + +"Is she very ill? Does she have a great lot of pain?" asked Poppy +anxiously. "I wonder if she knows she may be blind some day. Why doesn't +she have a doctor?" Poppy had no doubt in her mind that a doctor could +cure every ill human beings can suffer. + +"She has seen nearly every famous doctor there is," said Esther, "so Anne +said. But, Poppy, if you ever see Mademoiselle, you must never let her +know that we know about it, and _never_ speak about her to _any one_. +Do you hear? You won't, will you, dear? She might not like it." + +Poppy promised. "_Oh, no_," she cried emphatically, "tourse not "; and +Poppy's promises were always kept. "Esther, hasn't she got any eyes, +and is she very sad, and--and--" + +"Not at all. She was anxious about Laura, and she looked thin and +delicate, but you would never know she was suffering; and her eyes are as +bright and pretty as any I have ever seen." + +Then Penelope, who had been all this time thinking things over, began to +put her questions. All her curiosity was about Mademoiselle's singing, +but Esther could tell her little on that point. "Perhaps she will tell me +more when I know her better," she said hopefully, and went to bed in high +spirits at the thought of the new friend she had made, and of another +visit to the dear little cottage soon. + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +"Angela, has Fluffy laid an egg to-day?" + +"Yes. Why?" + +"Will you sell it to me? I've got the money for it." Poppy opened her +hand to display the penny she had been tightly grasping. + +"What do you want to buy an egg for?" asked Angela, with sudden caution. +"I don't think you had better eat any more without asking Cousin Charlotte +first. You had a big breakfast." + +"I don't want to eat it," cried Poppy, in a tone of wounded dignity. +"I want it to--to give to some one." + +"Some poor person?" + +"Well, yes, I think she is poor. I know she is not well, and eggs are +good for people who are not well." + +"Yes, very. Well, there's the egg. Isn't it a beauty? _I_ call it +perfectly lovely." Angela looked at it lovingly. To her there never were +or would be such eggs as her Fluffikins laid. "Now do be careful. +How are you going to carry it?" + +Poppy ran off, and in a moment was back again with a little covered basket +lined with hay. Evidently it had been prepared beforehand for this +purpose. The egg was laid in and carefully covered over, and the lid shut +down and secured. + +"Are you going with it now?" asked Angela. + +"In a minute. I have to get something else too." + +The girls were always very considerate to each other over their little +mysteries and secrets, so Angela, without further inquiry, went away to +her hens, and Poppy hurried off to the end of the garden, where she +gathered a bunch of beautiful green parsley, and wrapped it round with a +piece of paper which she tied with a little piece of pink ribbon she had +saved on some previous occasion. + +Miss Charlotte and Anna were in the kitchen arranging the meals for the +day. Esther was busy in the bedroom, Angela was in the hen-house, and +Penelope already at the church, practising, for although it was Easter, +and holiday time, she continued her organ-practice daily. So no one saw +Poppy as she and Guard started off together. She was bound on a secret +expedition to Mademoiselle Leperier, carrying with her all she could +compass as suitable offerings to an invalid--a new-laid egg and a bunch of +her own fresh parsley. She had not mentioned her plan to Miss Charlotte-- +not because she was afraid of being stopped, but because she wanted to +give of her very own, and not make demands on Cousin Charlotte. +She knew if she did speak of it that Miss Ashe would be thinking of all +sorts of things to send, and Poppy did not want that. She wanted it to be +entirely her own little scheme, in gratitude to the poor lady for her +kindness to Esther. + +She did not know in the least how long the walk would be, but she was +prepared for it to take her a very great while. Essie had said it was a +long way there but a short way back, and it had not occurred to either of +them to wonder how this could be possible. Thinking, though, of the +expedition before her as something very great, she hurried along without +once pausing to look at the river or play on the bridge or pay heed to any +of the hundreds of attractions which lie on a walk on a beautiful spring +day. Guard made little dashes and excursions in all directions, but was +never absent for more than a moment or two from his little mistress's +side. + +Now and again Poppy sat down on a big boulder to rest, standing her basket +on the ground beside her, and she and Guard would gaze eagerly about them +at the wide-spreading sunny moorland; and probably both of them thought of +the games they might be having there if matters so serious were not +engaging their attention, but no thought of doing so crossed their minds +now. + +The result of all this haste was that, long before she expected it, Poppy +found herself face to face with the little brown cottage, and felt there +must be some mistake. This could not be the place, she thought; it must +be another. Perhaps, oh dreadful doubt! she had come the wrong way. She +was a very wise little person, though, and to make sure, before she went +further, she determined to go in and inquire. + +Rather timidly, but full of interest, she walked along the paved garden +path, and tapped at the door with her knuckles, not being able to reach +the knocker. It was a feeble knock, but soon called forth an answer. A +man opened it, an elderly man--Anne himself, in fact. + +"Please does Mademoiselle Le-le-, the French lady, live here?" she asked, +finding some difficulty in pronouncing the long French name. + +"Yes, m'amzelle. M'amzelle Leperier lives here." + +Poppy was a little non-plussed. She had not thought out any plan or +reason to give for her visit, nor how she was to reach the presence of +Esther's new friend, but her usual ready frankness stood her in good +stead. "I have come to ask how she is, and how--how Anne's wife is. +My sister Esther was here last night. Made--Miss, the French lady, asked +her to tea, and--and sent her home with a Mr. Anne." The man smiled. + +"Ah! I know. The young lady I conducted to her home last night-- +Miss Esthaire. Come inside, m'amzelle. I know M'amzelle Leperier will +wish to see you." + +A sudden shyness rushed over Poppy. "Oh, I--I don't think I had better +come in, thank you. I didn't mean to do that. I have to go all the way +home, and it will take me rather a long time. I--I only brought a fresh +egg that Angela's hen laid this morning, and some parsley out of my own +garden for--for Miss Leperier, and perhaps if she didn't like it she might +give it to your wife. I am sorry I had nothing nicer." + +"There couldn't be anything nicer, m'amzelle," said Anne Roth with ready +tact. "It will come in for an omelette for the mistress's lunch, and the +parsley too, it will be most useful. How fine it is. We have none here. +It is always a difficulty to get any." + +"Oh, I am so glad I brought it!" cried Poppy, flushing with delight. +"If ever you want any, _do_ come and have some of mine. I have a whole +bedful, and all from a penny packet of seed that I sowed myself. +I should be delighted to give you some at any time." + +She refrained from mentioning the fact that it was her only source of +income. She had thrust the basket and the parsley into the man's hand, +and was edging away. + +"But M'amzelle will be annoyed with me if I let you go all the way back +without any rest," he pleaded. "Please to enter, m'amzelle." + +At that moment Mademoiselle Leperier herself appeared. Anne turned to her +with relief. + +"Here, M'amzelle, is the sister of the young lady who was here last night. +She has come with kind inquiries for M'amzelle and my wife." + +Mademoiselle Leperier stepped to the door, and taking the blushing Poppy's +hands in both her own, stooped and kissed her. "Oh, you dear child, +how sweet of you," she cried with warm delight. "Come in, you must come +in. Is that beautiful dog at the gate yours? I saw him there and felt I +must go out and speak to him, and then I heard your voice and Anne's. +Do call him in, I want to know him too. You must both come." + +There was no shyness or hesitation about Guard; he hurried in almost +before he was invited to, and he and his little mistress found themselves +in the room Esther had described so vividly the night before, only now it +was lit by sunshine instead of fire and lamp. Poppy did not like to look +about her, she knew it was not polite to do so, but her eye fell on the +dresser with its lovely china, and the blue bowl of primroses and moss and +ivy leaves on the little black table, and thought it all more perfect even +than she had imagined. + +Guard, as though feeling he was too large for the small room, went over +and sat close against the wall by the window, shedding around him genial +smiles in return for all the attentions lavished on him. Anne was +despatched for milk and biscuits; and while he was gone Mademoiselle +inquired for Esther, and how she got home, politely hoping they had not +been very anxious. + +"Yes, we were; we were very anxious, thank you," said Poppy, half +absently. She was looking at her hostess, and thinking of the story she +had heard of her. It seemed so wonderful that after going through such +terrible tragedies she could laugh and talk and be interested in little +every-day matters. But she was, especially when Poppy, at last recovering +her tongue, told her all about themselves, and their father and mother in +Canada, and how they four came to Cousin Charlotte's because no one else +could have them, and how frightened they ware until they saw her, but were +never frightened after, she was so kind; and how they all wanted to help +her, and how they tried all sorts of ways. + +Mademoiselle was very interested in the parsley-bed, and Angela's hen, +and Esther helping in the house, and Penelope's desire to be able to play +the organ and sing; and Poppy chattered on, delighted to find so +interested a listener. + +"I think it quite cheered her and did her good," she confided to Angela +later. "She said it did, and she asked me to come again; and I am to keep +threepennyworth of parsley for her every week. Isn't it lovely! +A whole shilling a month! Oh, I wish I had a whole garden to sow parsley +in. Do you think it will go on growing for ever, Angela?" + +Angela did not know, but she was hopeful. Ephraim, however, thought that +at the rate she was picking it her crop would not last another month, and +strongly advised the clearing of a part of the bed and tilling more seeds. + +But when Poppy went to Esther to tell her about her expedition, she met +with a disappointment. Esther did not seem at all pleased at the +attentions she had shown the invalids. She seemed, in fact, quite +annoyed. + +"I was going myself," she said coldly, "by and by; but I sha'n't now, of +course. I don't suppose Mademoiselle Leperier wants the whole Carroll +family continually going to her house. It was not right for you, either, +to go all that way alone; it was not safe." + +"I had Guard with me," said the crestfallen Poppy. "I didn't know you +wouldn't like it, Essie. I thought you--you would be glad." Her lip +would quiver a little as she spoke. "I--I only wanted to be kind to the +poor lady because she was kind to you, and I--didn't mean to go inside, +but she made me. Aren't you really going again, Esther? She expects you, +she said so." + +"I can't go if all the rest of you keep going. Besides, Mademoiselle +won't want me." + +"Oh yes, she will," cried Poppy, almost in tears. "She _does_ want you; +and--and I won't go any more if you don't like me to. You can take the +parsley for me. I wish now I hadn't promised to bring it; but they can't +get any one to come, and--and--" and then a tear really forced its way out +and fell; but at the sight of it Esther's better nature conquered her +temper, and she took her little sister in her arms with real remorse. + +"No, darling, you shall go, and we will go together; but not always," +she added presently. "I should like to go alone sometimes, Poppy, to have +a quiet talk with Mademoiselle." + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +To-morrow was Poppy's birthday, and all day long there had been mysterious +whisperings and signs and nods, hasty dashes in and out of the house, +invasions of Mrs. Vercoe's and Mrs. Bennett's shops, and great +mysteriousness on the part of Ephraim, who had to make a special journey +to Gorley. + +And all the time Poppy, with a little thrill of excitement at her heart, +went about pretending to see and hear nothing, and half wishing her senses +were not so acute. + +Miss Charlotte was very vexed with herself. She had made an engagement +for the very afternoon of the great day, and could not get out of it. + +"I am _so_ vexed I did not remember, dears," she said; "but it was so long +ago I was asked, and I had to accept or refuse then and there, and I +really did not realise what the date actually was. I should have liked, +above all things, to have been home with you on that day." + +The children were very sorry too; but seeing Cousin Charlotte so vexed +they made light of their own disappointment. + +Anna was vexed too. To her the birthday tea was the great feature of the +birthday, and she had, days before, with a great deal of trouble to keep +it a secret from the children, made and baked a beautiful birthday cake, +which now lay hidden away in a white cloth in a tin box in the copper in +the wash-kitchen. + +On this day, the day before the great day itself, when she had for the +first time realised that the children would be alone on the important +occasion, her mind had grown very seriously troubled, so troubled that she +could think of nothing else, until suddenly a beautiful idea came into her +head, so beautiful an idea that Anna fairly gasped. Later on, when she +had really sorted out her plans, she went upstairs to a big box in her +bedroom which held untold stores of treasures, and searched until she drew +from the depths a box of little sheets of fancy note-paper and envelopes. +This was hid in the copper too, along with the cake; but only until the +children had all gone to bed and the house was quiet. + +As soon as ever she was sure there would be no more rushes into the +kitchen that night, Anna got out the wooden box with 'Hudson's Soap +Powder' stuck all over it, in which she kept her writing materials; and +then, withdrawing the box of fancy note-paper from its hiding-place, +she sat down, and taking out sheet by sheet, spread them all on the table +before her. + +"It do seem a pity to use it after keeping it all these years," she said +regretfully, as she examined each one. They were all different. +"But there, there couldn't be a better time. They'm just what I want." +So hardening her heart against any further regrets, she proceeded to make +her choice. + +"I think Miss Poppy ought to have the roses. They'm considered the best +of all the flowers, and 'tis her day. Then Miss Esther shall have--let me +see. They'm all so pretty I don't hardly know which to choose for which-- +oh, Miss Angela shall have the daisies, somehow they remind me of her, +and vi'lets seems like Miss Esther's flower, and I'll give the sunflowers +to Miss Penelope." + +That settled, and four envelopes picked out and inscribed each with one of +the children's names, Anna squared her elbows and began the real work of +the evening. First she took some old scraps of paper, and wrote note +after note on them before she succeeded in pleasing herself. At last she +accomplished what she wanted, and feeling satisfied, copied it out, word +for word, on the four sheets of note-paper. She hesitated as to whether +she should not put her writing on the plain side, and so avoid marring the +fair beauty of the flowered side, but she thought better of it, +and hardened her heart; and after one had been done she did not mind so +very much. + +It was almost late when at last she went to bed, her task had taken her so +long, and the clock actually struck ten as she crept into Esther's room +and left two of her little notes on the dressing-table, after depositing +the other two in Penelope's and Angela's room. + +Poppy, being the heroine of the day, was naturally the first to wake the +next morning. At the remembrance of what the occasion was, she sat +straight up in bed with excitement, and nearly shouted; then she saw that +Esther was asleep still. It seemed very hard that every one else should +be asleep, and quite lost to the greatness of the occasion, while she was +awake and alert, all ready to receive congratulations. + +As her eyes grew accustomed to the dimness she could make out a square, +fascinating-looking parcel on the table by Esther's bed, after which it +became almost intolerably hard to lie still and wait for the others to +wake. The little heroine's excitement began to give way to quite a hurt +feeling. It seemed as though no one could care, or they would never +sleep on like this. She actually began to feel aggrieved; but she sprang +out of bed to try to drive away the feeling by looking out to see what +the morning and the weather were like. She might, if she had liked, +have pulled back the curtains in a way that would have waked Esther at +once; but she drew them as gently as though her one anxiety was not to +disturb her sister, and opening the window, looked out. + +Oh, how lovely it was! Poppy, child as she was, gasped at the sight +before her. Road and river, houses and moor, lay bathed in the clear glow +of the beautiful pure morning sunshine. Every leaf and twig sparkled with +dew; even the little window-panes in the cottages glittered and looked +beautiful. On the moor opposite great cloud-like masses of mist rolled +away quickly before the advancing sun, leaving the old brown moor behind +it, flashing from thousands of tiny leaves and blades. The river gleamed +and scintillated as it danced along, singing as it went. + +"Everything seems to know what day it is," said Poppy gleefully. +"Oh, you dear river, you dear sun, you dear, dear moor and houses, _how_ I +love you all!" + +She softly closed the window and turned away to get back to bed. As she +turned her eye fell on two little envelopes, one pink, the other +lilac-coloured. + +"What _can_ they be?" she cried, as she read the inscriptions on them. + +'Miss Esther.' + +'Miss Popy.' + +Taking up the one addressed to her, and carefully opening it, she took out +the pretty sheet with the spray of rosebuds scattered over the page. +Across the rosebuds, sprawled in big letters,-- + + "Anna rekuests the pleasure of Miss Popy's compny to tea in the + kitchun at five o'clock. + + "Yours respectfly + + "Anna." + +The rustling of the paper had aroused Esther at last. First she opened +one eye, then the other, and would have shut both again, only they +happened to fall on the white parcel beside her. + +"Why, it has come! The day has come! It is Poppy's birthday!" she +thought. She sprang up in a moment, wide awake. "Many happy returns of +the day," she cried. "Oh, Poppy, have you been out of bed long? +Come into my bed and get warm. Here is something for you. Why, what have +you got there?" Poppy was dancing about the room in a high state of glee, +waving a letter in her hand. + +"Oh, thank you, darling," she cried, seizing the parcel and hugging Esther +at the same time. "And here's something for you. Won't it be fun! +Isn't Anna a dear! I _do_ love her. I fink I love _every_ body." + +"Get into bed," commanded careful Esther, and Poppy hopped into her +sister's bed before she even stayed to open her first birthday present. + +Esther's gift was a book, which she had bought for her little sister the +last time she was at Gorley. Poppy was delighted. New books, or even old +ones, came to her so seldom. She loved them with such a love as only the +unspoiled child can know. While she was still crooning over it, looking +at the pictures, examining the covers, patting it and loving it as +though it were a living, feeling thing, the other two came flying in, +all excitement. Each held in one hand a letter, in the other a small +parcel. + +"Many happy returns of the day. Oh, you darling!" as they caught sight of +Poppy's dark head and beaming face in Esther's bed. "Just look at our +letters,--oh, you have got some too? Isn't it lovely of Anna? I think +she is a perfect dear." Both talked at once, and as fast as their tongues +could wag. "Here's a present for you," said Penelope, laying her parcel +very carefully in Poppy's lap, and kissing her on the top of her curly +poll. + +"Jump in too, at the bottom," said Esther; and soon all four were tightly +packed into the little bed. + +Poppy's fingers shook as she fumbled with the string. It was a +curious-shaped parcel, and Penelope kept enjoining her to be very careful, +and not to turn it over. When at last she did undo the wrappings, and the +box inside, and found a tiny red flower-pot with a baby cactus in it, +her joy knew no bounds. + +"I am afraid you won't care for mine very much," said Angela meekly. +"It is something for your room." But Poppy was equally delighted with the +little blue pincushion, with her name, 'Poppy,' outlined in bright new +pins. "It is stuffed with tiny, soft, beautiful feathers from our own +hens," explained Angela. "I've been saving them, and Anna baked them for +me." + +They all agreed that it was a perfectly lovely birthday morning, one of +the nicest they had ever known, and when the presents had been examined +and discussed, Anna's pretty writing-paper came in for a long examination. + +"I like mine best," said Esther, and all agreed they each preferred their +own. + +"Mine ought to have had poppies on it," said their little namesake; "but I +do like roses best." + +"Anna gave you the roses because the rose is the queen of flowers, and you +are the queen of the day, I expect." + +Then Anna came in to call them, and at the sight of the four figures in +the bed immediately collapsed on to a seat by the door, and laughed and +laughed until they laughed too from the infection of it. + +"We'd best stop ourselves," she said presently, rising, and trying to make +her face very grave. "Laugh before breakfast, cry before night, they do +say; and we don't want no tears this day, do we?" + +"Oh no," they all agreed, and tried very hard to draw long serious faces +at once; but it was difficult on a birthday, and holiday, with the sun +shining, and the birds singing, and tea in the kitchen in prospect. + +When Poppy presently danced singing down to breakfast, she found by her +plate another present--a pretty scarlet housewife from Cousin Charlotte, +containing a little pair of scissors, a silver thimble, a case of needles, +a stiletto, a bodkin, and two of the tiniest reels of silk she had ever +seen. When the case was closed it looked like a dear little red hand-bag. + +There was a letter, too, from Canada from father, for the mail happened to +come in that very day. Such a nice letter it was--so full of love for his +little daughter, and longing to see her, and all of them. "Sometimes I +feel I cannot bear this exile from my little ones any longer," he wrote. +"If I do run away from here and return, will you help to make a home for +your old father and mother? or will you want to remain with Cousin +Charlotte always? Give her my love and grateful thanks for all her +kindness to my chicks." + +Angela cried a little over this letter. "I don't believe father is a bit +happy out there," she said. "I do wish he would come home and live here, +and mother too. It would be so jolly, and I'm sure they would love it." + +A little cloud of sadness rested on them for a while, but for Poppy's sake +they put away all sad thoughts, and began to make all kinds of nice plans +for the day, and before very long they were all as merry as grigs. +Cousin Charlotte was really very pleased when she heard of Anna's +invitation. + +"I wish you were coming too," cried Esther, "then it would be all quite +perfect,--oh, and there's Ephraim. I do think Anna ought to invite him +too--don't you, Cousin Charlotte?" + +"You had better ask her," said Miss Ashe with a smile. But Anna did not +smile when they put the question to her. "Me ask Ephraim!" she cried +indignantly. "Me ask him! No, my dears, 'tain't likely as I shall ask +him to tea in my kitchen, so he needn't expect it," and she bustled away, +sniffing and snorting in a perfect fury of disgust apparently. Why she +should show such scorn and contempt of poor Ephraim no one could ever +understand; but some very wise, sharp-eyed people had been known to say +that she over-acted her contempt for all men, and Ephraim in particular, +and that really--well, they even went so far as to say she had so warm a +spot in her heart for him, she was always afraid some one would find it +out. + +But, if it was so, she acted so well that neither Ephraim nor the children +ever suspected it was acting. + +Having made their suggestion, and not met with the success they had +expected, they turned their thoughts next to the spending of their +morning. With one consent they agreed it was to be spent on the moor. + +"I will wear my watch," said Esther, "and we will see how far we can get; +but we will come back to 'the castle' for lunch, won't we?" + +All agreed joyfully; and Miss Charlotte's permission having been obtained, +Anna packed them two noble baskets of provisions, and gave them a can of +milk. Poppy was loth to go away and leave her new treasures, and debated +long whether she would not carry her book or her cactus with her--one +would be so nice to read on the way, and the sunshine would be so good for +the plant; but on the others pointing out to her that she would not be +away so very long, she finally agreed to leave both in Anna's care. + +"Don't you think," said Penelope, when at last, after many wanderings this +way and that, they reached the castle, and she had dropped her basket and +thrown herself on the ground beside it--"don't you think we might leave +the baskets and can here? It will be ever so much nicer not to have to +carry them all the way, and I should think they would be quite safe if we +hide them very carefully." + +All agreed at once that it was a splendid idea, and quite safe, for they +scarcely ever saw any one on the moor but themselves; and the baskets were +heavy, and the milk was apt to slop, and it would be much nicer to go on +with free hands. + +"We will try a new way to-day, shall we?" cried Penelope; and they bore +away to the right instead of keeping straight on up the slope, wandering +hither and thither, it is true, but still bearing in the same direction, +until presently they came out by the station. + +A train was just coming in, and they stopped to watch it--a great delight +to them always, for the coming and going of the trains was one of the +greatest excitements of their lives. They never expected to see any one +they knew; but the sight of the people in it, even if they did not get +out, afforded them interest and food for talk, wondering where they were +going, and whether they wanted to go or not, and making up all sorts of +tales about them and the people they were going to. An engine is always +fascinating, too. + +To-day, though, was quite an unusual day. First Anne Roth got out, and +then Miss Row and her guest Mr. Somerset. Anne left the platform first, +and was walking briskly away when he caught sight of the children, and +came up to them smiling and bowing. + +"How is Mademoiselle?" asked Esther, who never forgot her inquiries. + +"Not very well, m'amzelle," Anne answered sadly. "I think she is +suffering, and her spirits are low. If m'amzelle could find time to come +and cheer her, she would be glad, I know, and it would do her much good." +He glanced at the others; but they had learned that Esther disliked any +encroachment on what she considered her rights. + +"Oh, yes, I will come," she answered gladly. "I will come to-morrow. +I cannot to-day, for it is my little sister's birthday, and we have had an +invitation to tea; but I will come to-morrow, and I will bring a book. +Perhaps Mademoiselle would like to be read to." + +"I am sure she would," agreed Anne. "Thank you, m'amzelle. _Bon jour_ "; +and with a bow which included them all, Anne hurried on. + +As he went Miss Row was rapidly approaching the spot where the children +stood. She looked with curious, suspicious eyes after Anne, and then at +the children. + +"Who is your friend?" she asked with frank curiosity.. + +"That is Anne Roth, Mademoiselle Leperier's man," said Esther, not without +a touch of importance in tone and manner. "Mademoiselle Leperier is a +friend of mine," she added. She still felt a little sore that Miss Row +had passed her over for Penelope, and she was not sorry to let her know +she had friends who could appreciate her. + +Mr. Somerset had been teasing Poppy in the meantime, and laughing with the +others. + +"What a pretty name," said Miss Row, who was very curious and wanted to +find out more; but she already knew enough of Esther to understand that +she must not let her curiosity be apparent. + +"Yes, it is," agreed Esther, by her little vanity falling easily into the +trap laid for her; "and she is so pretty, too, and she had such a lovely +voice once. She was a very famous singer years ago, but she never sings +now--" + +Then remembering, she stopped suddenly in her chatter, colouring hotly +with anger with herself, and embarrassment, as she glanced round and saw +all eyes fixed on her. It seemed to her that every one was listening to +her indiscreet, foolish talk. Mr. Somerset had ceased playing with Poppy, +and was listening with particular interest. + +"Mademoiselle Leperier," he cried, drawing nearer. "You don't mean to say +she is in the neighbourhood! You never told me," turning to Miss Row, +"what a celebrity you had in your midst. I should so much like to meet +her--quite an interesting personality. I have always wanted to know her. +Don't you know her story?" And in a few brief, cold words he gave the +outline of the bitter tragedy of the singer's life. + +Esther chafed and boiled with anger against them, and resentment and rage +with herself. She realised to the fall now what she had done. She had +destroyed Mademoiselle Leperier's peace and seclusion. She had laid her +open to curiosity and unwelcome visitors, and--and she might even have +driven her from that neighbourhood, and Mademoiselle would know it was her +fault, and blame her, and never like her again. + +Oh! it was bitter to think that she had done it, she who loved +Mademoiselle so, and knew and understood her, who meant to have been such +a comfort to her. Poor Esther was heartbroken as she realised it all. +Something must be done, she determined. She must do something to undo +some of the mischief. She could not let things go on like this; it was +too dreadful. + +They turned to her full of inquiries. Where did Mademoiselle Leperier +live? What did she look like? Who lived with her? etc. etc. +Esther set her lips tight. They should get no more out of her. +In the first place she could decline to tell them where Mademoiselle +lived. If they determined to find out, she must find some means of +preventing their going. + +When Miss Row had asked three or four questions and got no answer, +she began to grow annoyed. "What is the matter with you, child? +Why don't you speak when you are spoken to? Don't you know how rude it +is?" + +"Yes, I do know," said Esther, in a very trembling voice, "and I am very +sorry, but I am not going to tell any one anything more about +Mademoiselle. I--I ought not to have said anything. I promised her I +wouldn't. I am _very_ sorry I did--" + +"Dear me! dear me! how important we are!" cried Miss Row, whose temper was +far from being one of the best. "Let me inform you that we all knew of +Mademoiselle Leperier before you were born, and Mr. Somerset knew her +personally--" + +Mr. Somerset stepped forward, colouring a little. "I--I am afraid I can +hardly claim that much," he said hastily. "She was so great and so sought +after, and--and so exclusive, it was difficult to get to know her-- +unless,"--with a smirk--"one were a celebrity too." + +Miss Row looked at him as crossly as she had at Esther. She hated to find +herself mistaken at all. + +"But I thought," he went on hastily, "I would very much like to see this +celebrity of a past generation, the heroine of such a romance, in her--ah +--in her retirement. Perhaps she would not be so exclusive now. +A chat with her would be most interesting--such valuable 'copy.' I really +must try to accomplish it. Shall we call, dear Miss Row? I am sure you +and she would be mutually pleased." + +Esther's feelings became too much for her. She did not know what 'copy' +meant; but she felt certain that this kind of person was the very last +Mademoiselle would wish to see. + +"Oh, please don't," she cried anxiously. "Please, you mustn't go there. +Mademoiselle herself told me she did not want any visitors, and Anne told +me she came here on purpose that she might be quite quiet, because she +can't see them. Please don't go. If people call she will go away-- +I'm sure she will. Anne says she had to move from ever so many places +because people would not let her be quiet. _Please_ don't let her know +that I said she lived here. I did not mean to--" + +"Dear me! I suppose you have the exclusive right to the lady's society-- +that, knowing Miss Esther Carroll, she does not require any other +friends!" Miss Row's sneering, sarcastic words brought the colour to +Esther's cheeks and the tears to her eyes. + +"I didn't--mean--that," she stammered confusedly, bitterly hurt. +"You know I didn't," then turned away hastily that they might not see how +weak she was. + +All this time the others had stood by listening, growing more and more +indignant with Miss Row, and more and more sorry for Esther. At first +they were afraid to say anything for fear they might make matters worse, +but Miss Row's last speech was more then they could bear. Angela ran to +Esther with blazing cheeks and flashing eyes. "Never mind, dear," she +cried, putting her arms about her. "You were very brave to speak up so." + +Penelope stepped nearer to Miss Row. Her cheeks were white, her eyes very +bright and indignant. + +"It is not fair to speak to Esther like that, Miss Row," she said +reproachfully. "It was by accident she came to know Mademoiselle +Leperier, and Mademoiselle _asked_ her to go again, or she wouldn't have +gone, for Esther knew she did not want to have strange visitors--she told +her so. She said she didn't want any one to know she was living here, +for she was not strong enough to have visitors, or to go anywhere. +Esther ought not to have said anything about her, and she was frightened +when she had; but when she had, she had to tell you--about--about not +going there." + +Miss Row was not in the frame of mind to be reasonable. She felt she was +in the wrong, and that made her the more cross. "Well, Penelope," she +said icily, "I did not expect to be spoken to like this by you, after all +I have done for you, too. I did expect civility and some gratitude in +return, I must confess; but I find I have been grossly mistaken in you." + +Penelope started, and her face flushed crimson. + +"I suppose," went on Miss Row, turning to Mr. Somerset, "I was foolish to +expect it from children brought up as they were." Then turning to +Penelope again--"Esther's unfortunate temper one has grown accustomed to; +but you--" + +Penelope hung her head for a moment, overcome with mortification; +then suddenly raising it she looked fearlessly, but wistfully, into Miss +Row's angry eyes. "I wish you would understand," she said earnestly. +"We neither of us mean to be rude or--or ungrateful." She stammered a +little over the last word. "It was only Mademoiselle we were thinking +of--and--and then you were unfair to Esther, and--and I couldn't bear +that." + +"And I can't bear rudeness," said Miss Row, beginning to move away. +Her face was very red, and her eyes ugly. "Don't come to me again this +week for a lesson," she said, turning round to face Penelope once more. +"I--I don't want to see you for a while. When I do I will send for you."; +and Miss Row walked away very quickly, chattering volubly all the way to +her companion, while Penelope stood, stunned and wounded, scarcely able to +believe her own ears. + +For a few seconds she remained looking after the retreating pair, then +turned, walked silently for a little distance, and suddenly dropped on the +old brown turf in a passion of sobs. + +For a moment Poppy gazed, too entirely astonished to know what to do. +She could not remember when she had last seen Penelope weep; it happened +so rarely. Flinging herself on the turf beside her, she threw her arms +lovingly about her. "Don't cry, darling. Oh, Pen, don't cry," she +pleaded. "It doesn't matter what that horrid old Miss Row says, and we +all love you. Don't cry, dear." She was too young to comprehend what was +hurting Penelope most--the words that rankled, and stung; the charge of +ingratitude; the taunt; the throwing up to her of favours she had +received--things no lady should ever permit herself to do. + +Under the lash of it all Penelope sobbed on uncontrollably. When she did +weep, she did weep--a perfect storm of tears that shook and exhausted her. +Poppy grew frightened at the violence of her grief. There seemed to be +something more here than she could understand. "Oh, where is Essie? +Essie must come," she cried, raising herself on her knees and looking +about for her sisters; but Esther and Angela were at some distance, +walking slowly but steadily away, apparently absorbed in talk. + +Poppy sighed a big sigh which sounded almost like a sob. "My poor little +birthday," she murmured wistfully, "that I fought was going to be so +lovely!" + +The words and the tone touched Penelope. Her sobs grew less, broke forth +again, then stopped, and she struggled up into a sitting position. +"Oh, you poor little Poppet," she cried. "It _is_ hard on you. I _am_ so +sorry, dear. It is too bad that your birthday should be spoilt like this. +I wish--I wish we had kept to the moor, and not come anywhere near human +beings." Tears welled up into her eyes again, but she only threw up her +head and tilted her nose a little higher, as though to make them run back. + +"Never mind, darling. We will try to forget all about it, and enjoy +ourselves."; but a sob shook her even as she spoke. + +"And it began so beautifully," Poppy was murmuring. "Anna said 'Laugh +before breakfast, cry before night,' and it's come true. I'll never laugh +before breakfast again." + +Penelope listening to her, suddenly made up her mind. It _should_ be a +beautiful day, after all. They would put away all unpleasant thoughts for +Poppy's sake. It rested with her to be cheerful herself, and to comfort +and cheer up the others. She put her arms about her baby sister and drew +her closer. "Poppy dear, don't tell Esther about--Miss Row being so-- +nasty, and about my crying. It will only trouble her more, and I want her +to forget, and we will all try to be very jolly to-day, won't we?" + +Poppy nodded her head vigorously; but there was a doubtful expression on +her pretty face. "She will see you've been crying," she said gravely. + +"No. We will sit here facing the breeze, and that will soon make my face +and eyes look all right, and--we will laugh and talk as if nothing had +happened. We are going to have a really jolly day, aren't we?" + +Poppy nodded again; but a second later she shook her head gravely. +"I sha'n't ever forget what Anna said about laughing before breakfast," +she said very seriously. "It comes true." + +Side by side on the springy turf the two little figures sat, leaning +against each other lovingly, waiting for the sweet breeze to take away all +traces of sorrow; telling secrets the while of what they would do by and +by, when they were grown-up, and trying bravely to forget their own +troubles for the benefit of others. + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +At last, finding the others did not come back to them, Poppy and Penelope +got up and prepared to follow them. "I suppose they don't mean to go any +farther in this direction," said Penelope. "Are my eyes all right, +Poppy?" + +Poppy assured her, truthfully, that no one would know she had shed a tear, +and Esther and Angela, seated on a boulder waiting for them, saw no trace +on either face, and suspected nothing of the storm that had come and gone +since they parted. + +"I am frantically hungry, aren't you?" called Penelope gaily, as they drew +near. + +They were all ravenous. + +"Let's go back and have lunch at once," suggested Esther. "Did you get +away from that horrid old thing pretty soon?" + +They all understood who the 'horrid old thing' was without explanation, +and none of them felt inclined to quarrel with the description. + +"Oh yes, pretty soon," said Penelope, in an off-hand way, as she stooped +to pick some sweet wild thyme. + +"I shall never like her any more," said Angela emphatically. "She was so +horrid to Esther." + +"I wouldn't be taught by her for something," said Esther. "I don't envy +you, Pen." + +Pen felt a big sinking at her heart at the thought of her music lessons, +and Miss Row's last words to her; but she made a brave effort to be +cheerful. "She--she _can_ be very nice," she said lamely. + +"It's all very well for you to talk," said Angela, whose usually gentle +spirit was greatly roused. "She didn't speak to you as she did to +Esther." + +Penelope gave Poppy a warning glance. "Well, she _can_ be nice," she +repeated, for want of something else to say. "Now come along, girls; do +let's get back to 'the Castle' and have some lunch, and we'll forget all +about Miss Row being so nasty. It is the Poppy's birthday, and we've +_got_ to think only of nice things. Now let's join hands and run down +this slope." + +With Poppy tightly grasped by her two eldest sisters, they flew over the +ground as fast as their legs could go. Poppy, her feet scarcely touching +the ground, shrieked with the greatest delight. Guard, who had been +distractedly hovering between the two couples while their party was +divided, barked and danced, and raced away and back again, as pleased as +any of them. + +They were quite exhausted before they reached 'the Castle,' and Poppy and +Angela had to be allowed to sit down to recover their breath. + +"I will go on and begin to get out the baskets," said Esther, "and unpack +them by the time you come. You won't stay here very long, will you?" + +Penelope was lying on her back gazing up at the blue sky and the swarms of +tiny insects which hovered and darted between her and it. She was too +comfortable to move, even to help get the lunch, so Esther and Guard went +alone. + +'The Castle,' the children's favourite play-place, was a group of huge +boulders, like closely set rough pillars, so arranged by nature as to +enclose a considerable space, like a tiny room, while outside was a kind +of natural staircase leading to what they sometimes called 'upstairs,' and +sometimes 'the roof,' which was formed of a large flat boulder, forming a +natural roof, and keeping the interior dry and cosy save for the breezes +which blew through the various openings, large and small, between the +pillars. + +It was in this centre, close to a pillar, and well out of sight, that the +children had hidden their things; and here Esther came now, and pushing +her arm through a narrow opening, groped about for the familiar baskets, +and groped in vain. + +"I thought we put them here," she said to herself, "but I must have come +to the wrong opening." She went to another, and groped again in vain. + +"Well," she said perplexed, and beginning to feel troubled, "I am certain +it was in one of those. We didn't go round to the other side, I am sure +we didn't. I'll go inside and look." + +She went to what they called their secret entrance, and creeping in, stood +up in the 'room' and looked about her. Not a basket was to be seen. +The place was bare. + +She scrambled out again more quickly than she had moved for a very long +time. "Penelope," she shouted, "girls, quick--come--we've been--" + +Then the thought suddenly came to her that perhaps the thieves were in +hiding somewhere near, and were chuckling over her dismay, and she drew +herself up abruptly. If a trick had been played them the perpetrators +should not gloat over their discomfiture. + +Guard was still sniffing eagerly about the spot when Esther walked with +dignity back to the others, and, still with that fear of watching eyes on +her, sat calmly down by them before she spoke; but when she did speak her +tragic, mysterious voice and manner filled them all with awe and dismay. + +"Girls, keep very quiet and listen to me. What _do_ you think has +happened! There are thieves about. They have stolen our baskets and the +can--everything. There isn't a crumb left. Isn't it awful! Don't shriek +or make a fuss. They may be watching us, and we won't let them see that +we know, or--or care, will we?" + +To the two younger ones it was an impossibility to suppress all signs. +To them thieves meant robbers, bandits, a horde of savage creatures who +might spring from anywhere, who, having consumed their provisions, +might next run away with themselves. There were other troubles, too. + +"And I am _so_ hungry," cried Poppy. "I am starving. It isn't a bit like +a birthday. I wish I hadn't had one." + +Esther sat down by her and put her arms protectingly round her. +Penelope looked fierce. + +"We cannot put up with it," she cried indignantly. "It's such +impertinence to take our things, such wickedness, such thievery. +The children will be starved. What can we do? Where can we look? Who do +you think can have done it? Come and search for them, shall we? +Guard ought to be able to catch them. Perhaps some one has done it just +to play us a trick." + +"But suppose they are looking on and laughing," said Esther, who had a +perfect horror of being made to look foolish. "And do you think it is +safe? They must be horrid people, and might do anything if we found them +out." + +"I expect they have run away by now, if they stole the things," said wise +Penelope, who could be very practical when she did come out of her dreamy +state, "and they would laugh more if the baskets were only just hidden for +a joke, and we went hungry because we wouldn't look for them." + +Esther saw the sense of all that; but Angela repeated anxiously, +"Do you think it is safe?" + +"Yes, safe enough with Guard to protect us," said Penelope, rather +impatiently. She was dreadfully hungry, and very disappointed and rather +cross. They all got up and looked about them. Guard was at a little +distance from them, sniffing excitedly about a big clump of furze and +blackberry bushes. + +"I believe they are there," cried Penelope. + +"What, the thieves!" cried Angela, turning pale. + +"Don't be silly, Angela," Penelope retorted crossly. "Can't you see you +are frightening Poppy? I meant the baskets. If you are afraid, stay +here, and I will go alone." + +Angela looked 'squashed.' "Oh no," she stammered, "I--I will go too." + +"We will all go," said Esther promptly. "Come along, children, don't +let's be silly." + +They went along hand in hand, trying hard to look unconcerned and brave, +and succeeding fairly well. Guard, seeing them coming, ran back to them +excitedly, then tore back to the bushes again, while they followed as fast +as they could, peered in where he was thrusting his nose, and there, right +in the middle of the furze brake, they saw the two baskets and the can, +quite empty. + +They were so hungry, so shocked, so disappointed, and so mortified by the +trick that had been played them, they had hard work to keep back their +tears. Angela and Poppy quite failed to. "I never knew such a horrid old +birthday," sobbed Poppy; "and the patties looked so lovely, and the cake, +and now we've got to wait till we go home." + +Esther stood with the baskets in her hands, gazing at them with a troubled +face. "I am glad we have these to take home with us," she said +thoughtfully. "Girls, do you think we had better go straight back and +tell what has happened, or--or shall we say nothing and let Cousin +Charlotte and Anna think we have eaten it all up. Anna would be so +awfully disappointed to think all the meat patties and the sandwiches she +had made, and all the other things, had been eaten by thieves, and--and +very likely we shouldn't be allowed to come out like this any more, and +that would be dreadful." + +The consternation on all faces when Esther began was almost ludicrous, +and, indeed, it was no light matter to contemplate hours of hunger in that +hungry air; but the thought of Cousin Charlotte's and Anna's +disappointment, wrath, and alarm made them think of another side of the +question. + +"Will it be very long?" asked Poppy, in a piteous little voice. +Esther took out her watch. "Four and a half hours to tea-time, I am +afraid," she said reluctantly. She could not bear to doom her sisters to +such a spell of waiting, it seemed really too dreadful; and so they all +thought as they groaned aloud. + +"Can I go home and pretend to Anna we want more lunch, we are so hungry +to-day?" suggested Penelope. + +"I am sure she would think we were ill, and make us all come home at +once," said Esther, laughing, "and perhaps make us go to bed. She gave us +such a lot we couldn't possibly be hungry if we ate it all." + +"I have a penny," said Angela. "Shall we go and buy four tea-cakes at +Mrs. Vercoe's? That will be one each, and better than nothing." +Better than nothing indeed! One of Mrs. Vercoe's tea-cakes seemed then +the most desirable thing in the world--except two. + +They were all starting off when Angela exclaimed again, "Oh, and I've +thought of something else. If I could creep into the garden without being +seen, and get to the fowls' house, I believe I should find an egg in +Fluffikin's nest." + +"One raw egg between four wouldn't be much good," said Penelope +hopelessly. "It isn't worth going for." + +"But I didn't mean that, I didn't mean to eat it. I meant to take it to +Mrs. Vercoe's, and sell it. I dare say she would give me a penny for it, +and that would buy four more tea-cakes." + +The suggestion was pronounced a noble one, and hailed with joy, and in +another moment they were all running in the direction of home as fast as +they could go. + +"I feel like a thief myself," said Angela, as she crept out of the garden +again, and rejoined them, a beautiful great egg in her hand. + +"I wish I knew who stole our food," said Esther, "I should feel much +happier. I don't like to tell, yet I don't think it is right to say +nothing about it." + +It was a knotty problem, and lasted them all the time they were skirting +the end of the garden and crossing the moor, until they came out close to +Mrs. Vercoe's shop. + +What had not occurred to any of them was that there might be any one else +in the shop, and least of all that it should be any one they knew. +And this was exactly what did happen. + +The four of them walking quickly in at the door, as into a haven of refuge +reached at last, found themselves face to face with Cousin Charlotte. + +It was so unexpected that for a moment they wavered, and nearly turned and +fled. Colouring hotly, and looking the picture of confusion, they could +think of nothing to do or say. But Cousin Charlotte, guessing nothing, +only smiled and looked amused. Their dismay escaped her. "Well, chicks," +she said, "are you managing to enjoy your holiday?" + +"Yes--thank you," they stammered, with as much enthusiasm as they could +muster. + +"That's right. Don't overtire yourselves, but have a nice day. Now I +must hurry home to my meal. I expect you have had yours by this time. +Ah, I see," glancing at the empty baskets, "every crumb cleared. This is +wonderful air for giving one an appetite," she remarked, turning to Mrs. +Vercoe, and Mrs. Vercoe agreed; but the children felt that neither of them +understood that fact as they did. It was almost torture to hear Cousin +Charlotte say she was going home to her meal. Their longing to join her +was almost more than they could bear. They were thankful, though, that +she did not ask them how they had enjoyed their lunch, and what Anna's +patties were like, or anything of that sort. + +"Well, good-bye, dears, for the time. You won't be late, will you? +It would be wise to have a nice rest before tea-time. Don't eat a lot of +sweets now, will you? After your big lunch you should reserve yourselves +for Anna's big tea. She will expect you to do justice to it." +Then turning to Mrs. Vercoe again to explain, "It is this young lady's +birthday, and Anna has invited them to tea with her, as I, unfortunately, +have to be out." + +"My!" exclaimed Mrs. Vercoe, looking at them with amused interest, +"that _will_ be nice. Good-day, miss," as Cousin Charlotte hurried away. + +On the counter stood a large tray of buns and tea-cakes--'splits' as they +call them in those parts. They were new, and the smell was perfectly +delicious. Mrs. Vercoe, saying, "I wishes you many returns of the day, +missie," was about to take one up and present it to Poppy, when she stayed +her hand. "If you've just had your dinner you'd rather have a bit of +sweety, I reckon." + +"Oh no," gasped poor Poppy, in her desperation almost clutching at the +tempting food. "I--I--thank you very much," she stammered. "I love plain +buns. There's miffing I like so much." But when she had it she hesitated +to begin to eat it; it seemed so selfish and greedy right there under +those three pairs of hungry eyes. She longed to divide it, but did not +like to. Esther, seeing her perplexity, came to her rescue. "Eat it, +dear," she said softly, and Poppy never in her life was more glad to obey. + +Angela stepped forward, colouring a little. "Please, I want four farthing +tea-cakes," she said, as calmly as she could speak. She was painfully +conscious of Mrs. Vercoe's look of surprise. "And--and please," she went +on, growing painfully embarrassed, for it was not easy now it had come to +the point, "do you want an egg, Mrs. Vercoe?" + +Mrs. Vercoe looked even more surprised, but she only said civilly that she +"could do with a dozen." + +"I've only one at present," said Angela. "It is one my own hen laid, but +you can have some more to-morrow morning." + +"Very well, my dear," said amiable Mrs. Vercoe, "that will do. I'll put +the one here until I get the rest. Shall I give you the money, missie, or +would Miss Ashe prefer to have it in goods?" + +"Oh please," said poor Angela, "this one is my own, and I should like-- +some more tea-cakes for it." + +"Tea-cakes!" said Mrs. Vercoe in a bewildered voice. "Why, yes, my dear, +of course; but--you'll excuse my asking, but--there isn't nothing the +matter, is there?" she inquired confidentially, peering at them over her +big glasses. + +Then Esther stepped forward. "Yes, Mrs. Vercoe, there is. It's--it's +nothing wrong that we've done, but you must promise not to say a word +about it to anybody, please. It wouldn't have mattered _quite_ so much, +but now we have pretended to Cousin Charlotte that we enjoyed our lunch it +would be dreadful. You will never say a word to any one, will you, +Mrs. Vercoe?" + +Mrs. Vercoe promised solemnly, whereupon the four tongues were unloosed, +and the whole tale of the calamity and their hunger and disappointment was +poured out. Mrs. Vercoe listened with the keenest interest, every now and +then raising her two fat hands in amazement, then resting them again on +her plump sides. + +"Oh, my dears! oh, my dears!" she kept gasping. "What owdacious +wickedness there do be in this world, to be sure. To think of it! Well, I +never did! And if they ain't caught and punished it'll be no more nor +less than a crying shame." + +By the time they had finished she was leading them all into her little +parlour, bent on making tea for them and preparing them a good meal; +but Esther would not hear of it. + +"Thank you very much," she said warmly, "but if we may have a few +tea-cakes it will be quite enough. We only want something to prevent our +feeling so hungry and faint and horrid till tea-time." + +Mrs. Vercoe insisted, though, on their all having some milk to drink with +their splits, on which she spread butter liberally, and an apple or so +each to take away and munch on the moor. It was too soon to go home yet, +they felt, yet their love for wandering had been somewhat dashed by the +unpleasant experience of the morning. Somehow the moor did not seem the +same while they felt that it held thieves too. + +Guard, who had been given some biscuits and stale cake, looked up at them +inquiringly, as much as to say, "Aren't we going home now?" Visions of +his comfortable bed rose before him, and he felt very inclined for a +noon-day nap. But the children told him he was not to go home yet, and he +agreed, with his usual amiability, to follow where they led. + +"I think we will go down by the river," said Esther. "It will be a +change, and will seem different. It won't remind us so much of thieves." + +So on they went, past Moor Cottage, where they saw through the curtains +Cousin Charlotte at her solitary meal, and waved gaily to her; over the +bridge and down on the fascinating river-bank where all sorts of treasures +lurked, and the roots of the trees, rising out of the soft earth, formed +steps and seats and balustrades and all sorts of things. + +"I think we won't go so very far," said Esther, looking at her watch. +"It is two o'clock now, and I think we might go home at half-past three. +Let's sit down here, shall we?" + +"Shall we just go a teeny tiny way further?" pleaded Angela. "There is a +beautiful place a little way further on, a dear little cosy, cubby corner +where we should be shut in, and as comfy as possible. Shall we, Esther?" + +Esther nodded, and on they went again. Guard, as though he knew what they +had been saying, ran on in front, making for the very spot. + +"He _couldn't_ have understood what I said could he?" asked Angela +eagerly, "but he has gone into the very place." + +"And seems inclined to stay there," said Penelope. She whistled once or +twice, but the usually obedient Guard did not appear. + +"I wonder what he is doing?" said Angela, growing anxious at once, as she +always did. "I will run on and see," and, no one stopping her, she went. + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +The others, scarcely noticing that she had gone, went on their way very +slowly, watching the river as it swirled past, rushing by some places, +at others apparently not moving. They were absorbed in sailing twigs down +the stream when a flying white-faced figure dashed into their midst, +chattering confusedly and almost weeping. + +"Oh, what shall we do, what shall we do!" gasped Angela. "Guard found +them. They are in there, dead or asleep. I don't know which. He is +sniffing at their pockets. There are three of them, and he won't let them +go, and it is Cousin Charlotte's cloth. I recognised it hanging out of +his pocket, the one Anna wrapped the patties in--" + +"_What are you talking about?_" demanded Esther, grasping Angela by the +arm. "Don't be so frightened. What has happened?" + +Angela tried to be calmer and more coherent. "There are three boys asleep +in the very place where we were going. Guard found them. He was sniffing +at their pockets when I got there, and he _wouldn't_ come away, and--I +believe they are the thieves that stole our lunch. One had a bit of white +sticking out of his pocket, and Guard sniffed at it and pulled it out, and +I am certain it is Cousin Charlotte's doyley! Oh, Esther, what shall we +do? Shall we go away, or--or shall we--" + +"Go away!" cried Esther, scornful and indignant. "No, indeed, except to +fetch a policeman. I am going to tax them with it, and hear what they +have to say. What boys are they, do you know?" + +"I believe I have seen them at 'Four Winds,' but I don't know their +names--but, Esther, do you think it is safe to accuse them--" + +"Safe!" cried Esther scornfully. "What is there to be afraid of? +If there was anything I shouldn't care. I am not going to let them get +off scot-free, nasty, wicked thieves. They have spoilt our day, too, and +all our fun. Let's be quick and catch them before they manage to escape." + +The four turned and hurried to the spot. As they drew near they heard now +and again a low growl from Guard, then voices half-whimpering, +half-bullying. "Get away, get away you ugly great thing. You leave me +alone." + +Esther's and Penelope's eyes lightened at the scent of battle. + +"Oh, don't let them hurt poor Guard!" pleaded Poppy piteously. + +"No, dear, they won't hurt him. They are horribly afraid of him, really, +I expect. Perhaps you had better stay here. Would you rather?" + +But Poppy clung close, begging not to be left. If there was to be battle +she was not going to let her sisters face it alone. + +There was not much battle left, though, in the three young scamps Guard +was keeping prisoners. The sight of the big, angry-looking dog, and the +knowledge that they were trapped with proofs of their guilt on them, had +quenched all their spirit. Torpid after their big meal, they had fallen +asleep in their hiding-place, feeling perfectly secure from detection. +They had been awakened by something touching them, breathing into their +faces, diving into their pockets where the remains of their feast lay +hidden, and had awakened with a start to find a huge, eager, angry animal +standing over them. They would have yelled but for the fear of drawing +still more attention to themselves and their whereabouts. + +When they heard footsteps approaching their terror increased a +hundredfold, but when the owners of them turned the corner, and they found +they were nothing worse than four little girls--the eldest no bigger than +themselves--their relief was great, and their courage began to return. +They assumed at once a superior 'don't-care' air, as though they thought +it all a great joke. In their own minds they felt they could easily defy +such antagonists and get the better of them; but their attitude only made +Esther and Penelope more indignant with them. + +"Now," said Esther severely, "you are caught. You are three thieves, and +we have caught you, and it only remains for us to decide what we shall do +with you. Guard, come here." + +Guard obediently came to her side, but he only helped so completely to +block the entrance that the boys recognised at once that they were no +better off than they were before. + +"You go away and leave us alone," cried the tallest of the young scamps, a +boy of about fourteen. "We've got as much right here as you, and you've +no right to stop us if we wants to go. I'll tell the p'lice as 'ow you +set your great savage dog on us. Yes, I will, see if I don't!" + +Esther laughed scornfully. "I should like to see you," she said +contemptuously. "You wouldn't _dare_!" + +"Wouldn't I! wouldn't I dare! You just wait and see then," he went on in +a bullying tone. + +Penelope could keep quiet no longer. "That's easily proved," she said +loftily. "I will go and get one. Constable Magor will be in the village +about this time, it won't take me long to get him," and she turned away. + +The boys' faces were a picture. Fear, confusion, astonishment took the +place of their bragging. They still kept up a semblance of defiance, +but it was very lukewarm. "No, you won't. You know you don't mean it. +You needn't try to kid us. We know better." + +Penelope without another word walked away. When first she spoke she had +hardly intended really to get a policeman, but their taunts roused her +spirit and determined her. The boys listened to her departing footsteps, +and the look that came into their faces was not pretty. For a moment they +looked only foolish, then their expression changed to one of bullying +anger. + +"Let's knock 'em down and run for it," urged one. "They don't know who we +are. Tip they there things out of your pocket, Bill, so's they won't have +no clue." + +Esther's eyes darkened and deepened, her lips grew a little more +compressed, but otherwise her expression did not change from its look of +scornful disgust. Poppy clung closer. "Oh, Essie, don't let them hurt +us," she whispered nervously. + +Esther drew her closer and stood in front of her. "They won't hurt us, +darling," she said, with calm defiance. + +Angela, who all this while had been standing white to the lips and shaking +uncontrollably, now suddenly pulled herself together. "If either of you +dare to touch my little sister," she called out, "I'll--I'll--" + +"Dear me," mimicked one boy rudely. "Will you really? What very fine +people we are. Ain't we brave too! Come on, Bill," and they came towards +the girls with a rush. But they had reckoned without a very important +antagonist. Guard, sitting quiet, obedient, apparently unconcerned, had +watched every movement. At their first step forward he was on his feet, +when they made their rush he sprang towards them, knocking the first boy +off his feet, and the others sprawling over him, and across the wriggling, +bellowing, gasping heap he planted his big, rough body determinedly, +growling fierce low growls every time they attempted to move, and even had +his mistresses called to him then it is doubtful if he would have moved, +so enraged was he. + +But Esther did not call him. Her anger had flamed as hot as his at this +attack of the bullies on Angela and little Poppy, and she felt no pity. +"They shall stay there," she determined, "for the time, at any rate. +We will see what will happen next." + +The next thing that happened was a very meek voice coming from the +prostrate trio. "Please, miss, if you'll call your dog off, we won't +touch you, we won't really, honour bright!" + +"Honour bright," scoffed Esther. "You have none. You don't know what +honour is! I didn't know before that boys ever were such cowards." + +"Please, miss, if you'll call him off and not let him hurt us, we'll +promise--" + +"I don't want your promises," cried Esther. "You are thieves and cowards, +and I wouldn't take your word. Besides, _we_ are not afraid of your +touching us. Why did you steal our things?" + +"Well--we found them," grumbled one of the boys. "Findings is keepings, +and how was we to know they was yours?" + +"You knew they were not yours, and you had no right to touch them." + +"You shouldn't leave things about if you don't want them took. As like as +not your dog would have had 'em if we hadn't." + +"_He_ is _honest_," said Esther scathingly, "and we are accustomed to +honest people. The things were put in a safe spot, out of sight." + +"Not so very safe," taunted Bill. "We found 'em easy enough." +But his energy only called forth an alarming growl from Guard. + +"We will find a safe spot for you, at any rate," said Esther meaningly, +and the boys became thoughtful for a moment. + +"Please, miss, your dog's 'urting. He's treading on my chest, and he's +'eavy," whined Bill, but Esther paid no heed. Silence reigned, broken +only by the voice of the river, and the singing of the happy birds. +Guard stood at his post, the three girls kept the entrance, the boys +waited in increasing alarm, wondering what was going to happen. +They were beginning to feel genuinely frightened. + +Esther was thinking deeply. The truth was she did not know what step to +take next. She did not really want to give them in charge, she did not +want the affair to reach Cousin Charlotte's ears, and she did not know how +to dispose of her prisoners with dignity. + +At last the silence was broken by a pitiful wailing voice. "Please, miss, +if you'll let us go, we'll promise never to do no such thing no more. +Please, miss, we ain't thieves really; we done it for fun more'n anything, +and--and now I--I wish I hadn't never seen the old things," and then the +hero broke down and began to sob and call "Mawther, mawther, I want my +mawther!" + +Angela's anger evaporated. "I dare say he isn't really a bad boy," she +whispered to Esther. "Let's forgive him, Essie." + +Esther was making up her mind. "Look here, you boys," she called out at +last, "if you apologise to us and say you are sorry, and will never do +such a thing again, we will let you off this time. But you must tell me +your names and where you live." She did not in the least know what good +an apology would be, nor did the boys know what it was, but they promised +readily. + +"Guard, come here," commanded Esther. + +Guard moved away reluctantly. He had not forgotten the sudden attack on +his little mistresses. The boys sat up. + +"His name is John Thomas, and his is Bill Baker, and mine's Silas Hawken," +said the eldest of the three, "and we lives to Four Winds." + +"Um!" said Esther sternly. "We know Four Winds and a lot of people there, +so we shall hear if you don't behave yourselves, and if you don't we will +tell the police about this. Now go." + +With intense relief and quickening steps the boys were hurrying by them, +Guard, still suspicious, following at their heels, when suddenly it was +his turn to be bowled over by the enemy. With a roar of terror the three +boys recoiled one on the other, and all three on top of Guard, for at the +entrance stood Penelope and Constable Magor. + +Angela and Poppy looked almost as frightened as the boys. They did not +want them to be really taken to jail, and it seemed now as though matters +were being taken out of their hands. They felt sure the culprits would be +led away handcuffed. Poppy, with this in her mind, forgot everything. + +"Oh, please," she cried, running to the constable, "please we have +promised to forgive them. Don't take them to jail, please. They said +they were sorry, and they won't ever be naughty again, and we let them go. +Didn't we, Esther? Please don't hurt them." + +Constable Magor looked at Esther, and Esther explained. The boys, looking +the picture of miserable fear and shame, stood huddled together as far as +possible from every one. The constable, with a knowing shake of the head +to Esther, said, "All right, miss. I knows how to deal with they there +young rogues." Going over to them he pushed them apart, and made them +stand at equal distances from one another. + +"Now you turn out your pockets, every one of them," he commanded sternly. +"Right there afore me, you turn 'em out, and turn 'em out thorough, or +I'll be doing it for you. Do you hear?" + +They heard plainly enough, and with shaking hands turned out a collection +of marbles, crumbs, sticky sweets, twine, broken patties and sandwiches, +and sundry other odds and ends. One had the little doyley Angela had +first recognised, another reluctantly produced a silver folding +fruit-knife with 'C. Ashe' engraved on the handle. When the girls saw +this they looked at each other. "Cousin Charlotte and Anna would have +missed that," they whispered, "and then we should have had to tell." + +The constable looked grave, too, when he saw the knife and the doyley. +"This is serious," he said sternly, "and if it wasn't that the young +ladies perticler asked me not to, I'd clap the handcuffs on the lot of you +for it, and as like as not you'd get a week in jail, and have your jackets +warmed with that there cat-o'-nine-tails you may have heard tell on. +Don't you think, miss," turning to Esther with a very grave face, "as 'ow +I'd better, after all?" + +"Oh no--don't let him!" pleaded Poppy frantically. + +Esther pretended to think deeply for a moment, debating the question; +then, with great importance and dignity, "No, I think we will let them go +this time, thank you," she said, "though when I gave them my promise I +didn't know they were going away with stolen things in their pockets. +I gave them my promise, and I'll keep it, but,"--very severely--"it is more +than they deserve." + +"That it is," said Constable Magor emphatically; "and if they don't look +after their ways they'll taste that 'cat' yet. Do you hear, you young +scamps? Let this be a lesson to you, and thank your stars you've got such +kind-hearted young ladies to deal with, or I wouldn't say what would have +happened to you by now! Now go. Right about face, quick march, and don't +you let me have no more complaints of you, or I'll know how to act. +You won't have a second such chance. Do you hear? Now go!" + +They did not need a second bidding, but dashed out of the place as though +they feared if they lingered their chance would be gone, and soon even +their stumbling, scrambling footsteps could no longer be heard. + +Then the policeman took his leave too, and the four were left looking at +each other. The scene had tried their nerves and their courage more than +they realised; they felt suddenly very tired and very depressed. +Poppy began to sob from sheer weariness. The others felt as though they +would like to follow suit, but pride forbade them. The moor and the river +and the day seemed suddenly to have grown chilly and gloomy and sad. + +"I think we will go home," said Esther. "Shall we?" + +They all agreed, with something like relief in their voices. Poppy's sobs +ceased. "It doesn't seem a bit like a burfday, does it, Essie? Oh, I am +_so_ tired." + +Esther bent down and kissed her and picked her up in her arms. +She herself was tired, and Poppy was a heavy load for fourteen-year-old +Esther; but she loved her baby sister so dearly she could not bear to see +her sad and weary. "Put your arms round my neck and hold tight, and we +will soon get home, and you shall rest a little; and then we will have +tea, and all the rest of the day shall be one of the beautifullest you +ever had. We will play games, 'Hot and Cold,' 'Pepper, Salt, and +Mustard,' and all the ones you like best, and we will have a lovely time, +won't we?" + +Poppy nodded the weary little head resting on her sister's shoulder. +"Yes," she agreed gladly, comforted greatly by Esther's tone. +Esther herself did not feel at all inclined for games or jollity, or +anything of the sort, but the mere pretending helped her. Penelope and +Angela strolled on ahead, linked arm in arm. Guard trotted along slowly +between the two couples, as though determined to be prepared for any more +attacks, and so they reached home again at last, and thankfully they made +their way to their comfortable bedrooms to prepare for the next event of +that exciting day. + +"I do hope," said Esther, as she slowly mounted the stairs, "that we don't +have another angry word with any one all the rest of the day. It seems to +have been nothing but quarrelling, so far." + +"Laugh before breakfast, cry before night," murmured Poppy in a very weary +voice; but when Esther had given her a nice warm bath, and tucked her away +in her little bed for a rest, her spirits had recovered. "She didn't say +'keep on crying,' did she, Essie? So perhaps I have cried enough, and +it's all over. Oh my! what lovely things Anna must be cooking," sniffing +in the savoury odours which were finding their way from the kitchen. +"I wonder what they are. _I_ am going to have some of _everything_, +because it's my birthday," and then the little heroine of the day dropped +off into a dreamless sleep, while Esther turned over their scanty stock of +clothing to try to find something worthy of the occasion. + +When Poppy awoke the scent of hot jams and spicy cakes, and all sorts of +other good things, was stronger than ever, reminding her, the moment she +opened her eyes, what day it was, and what was before her. She jumped up +in bed with a start. "Oh, I haven't slept too long, have I? Esther, is +it very late? Do help me to dress quick!" + +"It is all right," said Esther, in a calm, reassuring tone. "I am ready, +and now I can attend to you. It is only four o'clock. There is plenty of +time. I wouldn't have let you sleep too long, dear." + +"But supposing you had slept too, and we had all slept!" Poppy's eyes +grew very large and round at the mere thought of so dreadful a +possibility. + +"Oh my!" said Esther calmly, as she put the last finishing touches to her +hair, "wouldn't it have been dreadful! Don't let's think about it." + +Esther had put on her best frock and an old muslin fichu about her +shoulders. The fichu was one her mother had thrown away long ago, and +Esther had rescued. It was old, but it looked quite pretty and +picturesque over her plain red frock. Poppy was better off than the +others. She owned a little soft, white silk frock, which still looked +festive and partyfied, in spite of frequent washings and not too careful +ironings. Her pretty dark hair Esther tied with her own best rose-pink +hair-ribbon. "Now if I had only got a sash for you, dear, your frock +would look lovely." + +"Never mind," said Poppy cheerfully. "I will wear my locket." From her +jewel-case, as she called it, she took carefully a thread-like gold chain +and a tiny old-fashioned gold locket; it had an anchor on one side and +held two photographs. Poppy did not know whose photographs they were, and +no one had ever been able to tell her, but she would not have had them +removed for any consideration whatever. The other contents of her +jewel-case were a large green malachite brooch in the shape of a Maltese +cross, a tiny silver pig, and a broken gold safety-pin; but no child ever +possessed treasures more greatly prized. + +Before the toilette was complete Penelope and Angela came in, looking very +neat and nice, and then an anxious consultation was held as to whether +they ought to go down or wait until the bell rang. They compromised by +going half-way and sitting on the stairs. The last few minutes did seem +very long, for they were ravenous again by that time; but so prompt was +Anna that before the clock began to strike the hour she came to the +kitchen door, and had just begun to make a terrific clanging with the bell +when they ran through from the inner hall. + +"Well! 'tis a compliment, sure enough," she said, with a beaming smile, +"when folks comes and waits outside for the doors to open. Come along in +then, my dears. 'Tis all ready." + +Anna was in her best frock with her Band of Hope scarf on, and looked +flushed and pleased, and no wonder, for the kitchen looked beautiful. +It was decorated with no fewer than twenty nosegays of flowers, arranged +on the dressers and mantelpiece and every available space in jugs and pots +and vases of every description; while on the table were bread and butter, +'splits' spread with jam and cream, seed-cakes, currant-cakes, an apple +tart covered with cream, on a plate, and _the_ birthday cake. Oh! how +good it all smelt and looked. + +Anna took her seat at the head of the table before the tea-tray, with the +heroine of the day on her right hand and Esther on her left. + +"I hope you've all got good appetites," she said, as she handed them their +cups. + +"Oh yes," they said meekly, but thought, as they looked at each other, it +was as well Anna did not know how good, and why. + +"You look tired, I think," she went on. "You've been out too long, +perhaps; but your tea will refreshen you." + +Esther thought if Anna only knew all they had been through since she saw +them last she would not wonder at their looking tired. She did long to +pour out all their adventures to her. She would have been so interested +and sympathetic, and it would have been such a relief to have talked it +all over with some one older than themselves, and thus have thrown off the +fear of a chance word or hint escaping one or the other of them. Once or +twice the tale almost got beyond the tip of her tongue; but she thought of +the curtailed freedom which might follow, so held her peace. + +The others were, for a time, completely absorbed by the meal. +Never greater compliment was paid to any feast. Very soon there was not a +dish on the table but what showed gaps. The 'splits' vanished in no time; +the apple tart looked quite shabby. Anna was kept quite busy helping them +to one thing after another. At first she fairly beamed with delight; +but by and by she began to look a little perplexed. + +"I suppose it _is_ a long time since you had your lunches," she said +reflectively, "and the air do give one a appetite. P'r'aps you hadn't +better have any more tart, Miss Poppy, dear. Hadn't you better try a bit +of plain bread and butter?" She did not like to say much, but she really +began to grow quite troubled at the size of their appetites. + +Before they had finished their tea Ephraim came to the door. He had +tidied for the evening, but had come back with a message for Miss +Charlotte. + +"Oh, _do_ ask him in," pleaded Poppy earnestly. "Anna, do. It would seem +so unkind to let him see us having such a _lovely_ tea and not offer him +any." + +"I shouldn't think he'd want any," said Anna, with seeming reluctance; but +she called out to him, "Come inside, Ephraim, and close that door. +You'm keeping the young ladies in a draught. Miss Poppy wants to know if +you can stay and have some of her birthday tea. You'm welcome to if you +can." + +Ephraim seemed able, and even glad, to stay. "I wanted to see Miss +Poppy," he said. "I've got something for her, as that there furrin chap +down to Edless was bringing along. I met un at the gate and told un I'd +take it in for him as I was coming in," and he laid a neat white parcel on +the table beside the astonished little maid. + +"For me!" she cried, looking all round the table, wide-eyed with +excitement. "Are you _sure_ it's for me, Ephraim?" she asked, as she +began to undo the pretty ribbons which tied the parcel--rose-colour +ribbons like that in her hair. The excitement of all very nearly equalled +hers, and when she lifted out of the soft white paper a beautiful +silk-fringed sash of the same shade, they all shrieked with joy. + +"The very, very, very thing I was wanting for you just now!" cried Esther. +"Oh, how lovely! It is from Mademoiselle. How kind and beautiful of +her." + +Poppy handed the sash round for inspection, while she read the little note +enclosed. + +"It is not poppy-colour, but will my dear little market-woman accept it +from a grateful customer with much love and every good wish for many happy +returns of the day?" + +Their excitement was so great they could not eat another mouthful, +somewhat to Anna's relief, for she had really grown quite anxious lest +they should make themselves ill. + +Ephraim's appetite almost rivalled theirs, but at last even he had done, +the table was cleared, and space made for games to begin. It was then +that Ephraim came out in a new and unexpected light, for if any one had +told Anna or the children that he could be a leading spirit in games and +jokes, and riddles and such-like, they would have refused to believe it; +but he proved it beyond all doubt or denial, for the next hour or two flew +by with shrieks of laughter and endless fun, and Ephraim was the leader of +it all. + +"Anna," said Poppy, as she was being put to bed that night, "don't you +like Ephraim now better than you did?" + +Anna refused to own to any such weakness, but she blushed a little as she +denied it. + +"P'r'aps," said Angela, in a half-absent way as she brushed out her hair +in Poppy's room, "p'r'aps Anna likes him so much already she can't like +him better if she tries"; and Anna blushed as though Angela's chance shot +had reached home. + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +To Penelope the weeks that followed the great day were very sorrowful +ones. Miss Row apparently could not forgive her. Day after day she +waited, hoping for a message bidding her come to renew her lessons; but no +message came, and Penelope grew sick with disappointment and grief that +she should have given such offence to her good friend. She went to Cousin +Charlotte about it--she had told her at once the story of how they had +given offence--but Cousin Charlotte only shook her head. + +"I think you cannot do anything, dear, but go and apologise if you feel +you spoke rudely; but--well, to tell you the truth, Penelope, Miss Row has +a most unfortunate temper. She was born with it, and she was never taught +to check it, and now it is too late. I tell you this as a warning, +child." + +Penelope did go to Cold Harbour to apologise. She thought she would feel +happier if she did; but there she only met with another blow. Miss Row +had gone away, and no one knew when she would come back. Returning more +dejected than ever, she looked in at the church on her way home. If she +could have practised a little it would have comforted her, but the organ +was locked. Miss Row had probably left the key with some one, but +Penelope felt she could not ask for it, as Miss Row had not said anything +to her about it; so everything seemed at a standstill and full of gloom. + +Esther, meantime, was spending what were perhaps the happiest weeks she +had ever known. She went to Mademoiselle Leperier three times a week to +sit with her and read to her and do little things she needed done, and in +return Mademoiselle gave her lessons and talked to her in French, so that +very soon Esther began to feel she was becoming quite proficient in the +language. So the visits were a double and a treble joy to her. +She loved to be with Mademoiselle in the dear little brown house where all +was so quiet and peaceful, and nothing rubbed her the wrong way; or to +stroll about the moor together. She loved to learn, and, perhaps best of +all, she loved to be of use and feel she was some help. Such pleasant +walks they had, and such long talks as they strolled slowly about, or sat +in the sunny sweet garden, looking over the great empty space where nature +dwelt alone, or in the cosy little parlour, fragrant always with the scent +of flowers and the pot-pourri with which the old blue bowls and teapots +were filled. One of Esther's self-appointed duties was to keep the vases +always fresh and sweet. + +The days were very full and happy now for Esther. She had quite a number +of duties at Moor Cottage, duties that were now left entirely to her, and +for which she was held responsible. She worked hard at her studies with +Cousin Charlotte, and she was still to some extent 'little mother' to +Poppy, so her mind and her time were very much occupied. This perhaps +made her a little blind to Penelope's distress, yet poor Penelope's +distress was very complete and apparent, for Miss Row had been away for +months, and never once in all that time had she sent a word to her little +pupil. The truth was she was so absorbed, as was her habit, in the people +and things she was amongst that she quite forgot all else. + +It was Angela who felt most distressed by Penelope's trouble, and most +sympathetic; and Angela it was who, on one of her rare visits to Edless, +told the tale to Mademoiselle Leperier. + +"Poor child, poor child," sighed Mademoiselle sympathetically, and asked +many questions until she drew from Angela all details, even to what +Mr. Somerset had said about her voice. "Ah!" she said. "It ought not to +be neglected, it ought not to be neglected. It will soon be too late." + +She said no more then; but when Angela and Esther were leaving she sent a +message to Penelope. "Tell her to come to me to-morrow. We may be able +perhaps to do something that will fill up the waiting time." + +Angela returned home in a high state of joy, which was scarcely damped by +Esther's silence during the first part of their walk, or her vexed remark, +"I do think you should know better than pour out all the family troubles +to Mademoiselle. I wonder you didn't ask her to teach--" but she stopped +before she finished what she had been going to say. "You three never go +there but what you make me wish you hadn't." + +"But I haven't done anything, Esther. Mademoiselle asked how Pen was, and +when I told her she was very unhappy about something she asked me why, +and what it was, and I had to tell her; and then she just asked me all +about it, and I--I told her. I couldn't help it--could I? I couldn't +say I wouldn't." + +"Penelope isn't very unhappy, nothing to make such a fuss about," grumbled +Esther. "When _I_ am unhappy no one takes any notice of me. I don't see +anything wrong with her." + +"Oh, don't you? I do. She is always so quiet, not like she used to be. +She frets so about having vexed Miss Row, and not going on with her +music." + +"If Miss Row had acted so to me I should have too much pride to grieve. +Why doesn't Penelope ask Mr. Jeffry to lend her the key of the organ? +He would in a moment." + +"She won't because she feels Miss Row did not mean her to have it." + +"That is nonsense," retorted Esther. "She can't want it so very much if +she won't take the trouble to speak to Mr. Jeffry. After all, it is not +Miss Row's organ." + +"Pen does want it _very_ much," said Angela gently. + +"I never did like Miss Row," Esther went on, still in her most +disagreeable mood. "I could see she had a horrid temper. If Pen lets +herself be taken up and made a lot of she must expect what she gets." + +"But Miss Row didn't make more of Penelope than Mademoiselle has of you," +urged Angela, always ready to defend her adored Penelope, "and you would +feel it if Mademoiselle acted so to you." + +"Oh, Mademoiselle is quite different from Miss Row," said Esther loftily. +She did not admit even to herself that much of the charming difference lay +in the fact that she had singled out her, Esther, from her sisters. + +She underwent some change of opinion, though, when, a few days later, +Penelope came dancing down the road from Edless beside herself, almost, +with happiness. "Oh, Cousin Charlotte!" she cried as she rushed into the +house. "Oh, Cousin Charlotte! oh, girls! Mademoiselle has been talking +to me. She _is_ so kind! What _do_ you think? She actually says she +will give me lessons in singing if Cousin Charlotte will permit her. +She says she would _like_ to. Isn't it lovely! splendiferous! beautiful! +Cousin Charlotte, you will, won't you? I _do_ want to learn, and this is +such a splendid chance. Isn't it wonderful how the very things one wants +most come to one! I never dreamed of such a lovely thing as this." + +Esther got up and walked away without speaking a word. Cousin Charlotte, +who had seen her face, looked after her sadly, and sighed a little as she +watched her go. Then she turned to Penelope. "Yes, dear, certainly. +It is a wonderful opportunity for you here in this out-of-the-way spot, +and I could not deny it to you. I am most grateful to Mademoiselle for +her thoughtful kindness. I must call on her," Miss Charlotte added a +moment later, "whether she likes it or not. I must thank her for her +goodness to all my chicks." + +"Oh, she _will_ be glad," cried Penelope, flinging her arms about Miss +Ashe's neck, and kissing the soft old cheek. "She will love you, Cousin +Charlotte, I know she will. She can't help it. Now I am going out to +think about it all. Oh, I _am_ so happy. Thank you ever so much, +Cousin Charlotte," and she kissed her impetuously again. + +"You are easily made happy, my Penelope," said the little lady with a +sigh, as she put her arm around Penelope's shoulders and gave her a little +squeeze; and she sighed again as she thought of her Esther, and the +expression on her face. "I had that same sort of temper once," she said +to herself, "so I ought to understand her, and help her through; but oh, +I pray she may be spared the sorrow I had to bear, and the bitterness of +such regrets." + +But whatever Esther felt she said nothing. She never once spoke to +Penelope, then or later, of her singing lessons, or mentioned the subject +to any one, and when Penelope returned from her lessons, full of talk of +what had been seen and done and said, Esther might have been dumb and deaf +for all the share she took in the conversation. But she carefully avoided +Edless on those days; in fact she rarely went to the cottage at all from +the time Mademoiselle made her kind offer to Penelope. + +No one knew it, though, for she went off as usual three times a week in +the direction of Edless; but usually she turned aside when she got out of +sight, and wandered on the moor hour after hour, lonely and most unhappy, +breaking her heart for neglecting her beloved Mademoiselle, yet such a +victim to her temper that she could not conquer it. Often and often she +threw herself on the turf in a passion of tears, angry, wretched, ashamed. +More than once, in a better mood, she determined not to be so weak and +contemptible, but to be nobler and braver, and truer to her aims. +She hoped Mademoiselle did not notice anything and understand. But how +could Mademoiselle help noticing? She saw and grieved; and in part she +understood, but she said nothing. She knew that time alone could set +things right. Esther must learn by experience. But how that lesson was +to come, or how bitter was to be the experience, she little dreamed until +the dreadful day I am going to tell you of. + +To begin with it seemed like any other day. Penelope had to go to Edless, +for it was one of her singing-lesson days, and Esther, jealous, angry, +wretched, had watched her start, envying her and full of wrath. +She herself had not been to Edless for a fortnight, and she had lately +felt shy about going again after such a long neglect. She wondered what +Mademoiselle was thinking of her. She was hurt that no message was sent +by Penelope, yet relieved that Mademoiselle was keeping her secret; +she often dreaded what Cousin Charlotte would think of her if she should +discover her deceit, for she had often and often gone out pretending she +was bound for Edless, and had even said, in answer to her inquiries for +Mademoiselle, that she was 'about the same,' or something to that effect, +though she really had no knowledge at all, and the deception made her +conduct trebly bad. She was angry that all this misery should have come +and spoilt her happy life, jealous that Penelope should be able to go off +with such an honest, light heart and smiling face; and blamed every one +but herself. + +Before Penelope was more than out of sight, on this particular tragic day, +Cousin Charlotte came into Esther's bedroom, looking alarmed and bothered. + +"Esther dear," she said, "I wish you would go to Edless to-day and home +again with Penelope, and take Guard with you. If you are quick you can +overtake her. She has gone quite alone, and I am anxious. Ephraim told +Anna that a lot of the cattle have wandered to this part of the moor, and +are in a very wild state. I shall be afraid for you children to go on the +moor at all if they stay in this neighbourhood. I wish Anna had spoken +about it before Penelope started; I would have sent Ephraim with her or +not have let her go. Do you mind going, dear?" + +"Oh no," said Esther, but very coldly. + +"You will be quite safe with Guard, even if they do come near. +He will drive the creatures off," said Cousin Charlotte, thinking Esther +was nervous. "Penelope ought to have taken him. I should not have been +anxious about her if she had." + +But Esther had none of that sort of fear. "Oh, I am not afraid," she said +more heartily, and went away to put on her hat. But when she was actually +on her way to Edless she felt she could not go there; she could not obey +Miss Charlotte and hurry after Penelope until she overtook her, and then +escort her to the very door. In those days she could rarely bring herself +to talk to Penelope at all, so far had her feelings got the mastery over +her, and so deeply did her grievance rankle; and the farther she went the +less able did she feel to do so now. + +"If I keep her in sight it will be all right," she said, with sudden +inspiration; and so they went all the way, the unconscious Penelope +walking on in front, Esther behind dodging and hiding and loitering so +that Penelope might not see her, until at last she knew the cottage was +almost reached, and stopped altogether. + +She had had to lead Guard all the way, for he, catching sight of another +of his mistresses before him, was full of eagerness to tear on and greet +her; but Penelope, still quite ignorant of what was behind her, reached +the cottage safely, knocked, and was admitted. Esther, from her +hiding-place behind a rock, saw the door opened by Laura, Anne's smiling +wife, and closed again, and resentment against her sister grew hotter than +ever. + +"She gets everything," she muttered, "and if I have a friend or a chance +she takes them away; but she doesn't share hers with me." She had told +herself all this so often she really believed it by this time. +Poor Esther! poor unhappy Esther! Guard sat by her watching her with +wistful, wondering eyes. He felt that something was wrong, poor old +doggie. + +She seated herself behind the rock to await Penelope's return. It would +be no use to conceal her presence any longer, for Cousin Charlotte would +certainly speak of it; so she must join Penelope on the way home, and +make some sort of explanation. That, though, would be nothing compared +with the mortification of having to go into the cottage with her. + +Esther in her nook, cut off from every view but the moor in the direction +from which she had just come, sat and dreamed troubled dreams, and brooded +over her grievances, but never once gave a thought to the danger she had +been sent to protect Penelope from. And all the time that danger was +drawing nearer and nearer. + +In the distance, just over the horizon behind her, on her left, there +appeared a shaggy brown form, followed closely by another and another and +another until a whole herd was descending the slope towards her, sniffing +the air and the strange ground, cropping the turf a little here and there, +or gazing about them with curiosity. Closer and closer they came, +the soft turf deadening the noise of their coming. + +"It must be nearly time for her to come out," said Esther at last, taking +out her watch. Guard, at the sound of her voice, rose on his long legs +and, stretching himself, wandered away a little. The foremost of the +shaggy brown creatures looked up sharply, looked again, suspiciously, at +this other occupant of this strange land who had so unexpectedly appeared, +and his eyes wore a new glint as he stood and watched with increasing fear +or suspicion, or both. Then he took a pace nearer, and another, followed +by the others, all staring now at Guard, tossing their heads ominously, +and pawing the ground as they sniffed the air. + +And just at that unfortunate moment Penelope came around the bend, dancing +along light-heartedly, singing to herself the exercise she had just been +learning. Guard, looking about him eagerly, recognised her at once, and +with a yelp of joy dashed towards her. + +Esther was not alarmed at his outcry. She guessed the cause of it, and +rising with feigned indifference went out from her shelter to meet her +sister. With cold, hard eyes and unsmiling face she looked towards +Penelope, framing the while her explanation of her presence there--only to +see that explanation had come too late. + +The cattle, roused to anger by Guard's sudden bark and spring, were coming +down on him in a body, their pace growing faster, their anger increasing +with every step. In charging him they must inevitably charge Penelope +too. There was no escape for her, unless Guard ran away from her, drawing +the enemy off; but that, of course, he was not likely to do, he was too +pleased at seeing her again. + +Esther saw and realised all at a glance, and the horror of it struck her +dumb. Once, twice, three times she tried to call. If she could only get +Guard away the cattle would follow him; but no voice came. She grew +desperate, mad with fear for her sister. Oh, if she could but get them to +come towards her and leave Pen. She tried to whistle, but her lips +trembled too much. She tried to shriek and failed, and when at last she +succeeded, the weak, strained voice could hardly be recognised as hers. +But Guard heard it. "Guard, Guard, come here!" she called, running a +little to draw him after her. The obedient old dog turned, saw the enemy, +and, all his fury aroused by the danger, charged them like a hurricane. + +But what was one amongst so many! They overwhelmed him, were on him, +closed around him, and around Penelope too. + +Esther saw it--saw her sister fall, saw the big beasts trampling over her, +and Guard in their midst barking, snarling, flying at their noses, dodging +away from their horns, and punishing them so severely that in spite of +their numbers the poor brutes gave up the game at last, worsted, and tore +away over the moor in the direction whence they had come, as though they +had a pack behind them. + +When Anne Roth came panting up a moment later, having seen the cattle +disappearing and been filled with alarm lest Penelope should have been +frightened by them, he found the two sisters unconscious on the ground, +with their poor protector lying bleeding and exhausted between them, and +whining piteously as he licked his bleeding wounds. + +Here was a sight for one man in a lonely spot! For a moment Anne was +bewildered; then, picking up Penelope, who he saw was the most injured, +he carried her with all the speed he could back to his own house. +But he was full of a double dread, for to the most casual eye it was plain +that the child was seriously injured, and the sight of her, bruised, +bleeding, and unconscious could not but be a shock to his mistress. + +But Mademoiselle bore the shock well. "Let me attend to her while you and +Laura go to poor Miss Esther and the dear dog," she said promptly; and +Penelope was taken up to her own room, where she undressed her and got her +to bed, and bathed her cuts, while they went out and brought in the other +two. + +Esther was in a swoon, but quite uninjured, so they laid her on the couch +in the little sitting-room and administered restoratives, while Guard was +taken to the kitchen to have his wounds bathed and dressed, and Anne +hurried off for a doctor and Miss Ashe, for Penelope's injuries were far +too serious for home dressing. She was bleeding so profusely from the +cuts on her head that there was real cause for alarm; her arm was broken, +and her collar-bone, too, they feared, while her poor body was bruised and +crushed all over. + +When Esther came back to consciousness twilight had fallen. She looked +about her for a moment in the dimness, bewildered and incredulous. +That she was in the dear familiar room she loved so well, she felt sure, +yet how came she there? and what had happened? She lay still for a +moment, wondering; then, her head growing confused, she raised herself a +Little and looked again. This time she recognised a figure seated by the +window, but so quiet and drooping she scarcely seemed alive. + +For a second or so Esther gazed in sheer bewilderment, then raising +herself still more, she whispered, half-alarmed, half-questioning, +"Mademoiselle, is that you?" + +Mademoiselle rose at once. "Are you better, darling?" she said, bending +over and laying a soft hand on her head. Esther noticed that she spoke in +a strange, hushed voice. + +"Are you ill, Mademoiselle?" she asked anxiously. + +"No, darling. I am well, but--" she paused, as though listening, and then +for the first time Esther noticed the sounds of strange voices and many +footsteps overhead, and with the same, memory returned. + +"Penelope!" she cried frantically. "Oh, Penelope! where is she? +Is she--is she--oh,"--burying her face in her hands as memory returned to +her--"I thought she was killed--I saw her--under their hoofs. I saw them +trampling on her--is she--killed?" in a hushed, gasping voice. + +Mademoiselle laid a soothing hand on her. "No, dear, she is alive and +safe. She is badly injured, but she will recover, please God. The doctor +is with her now, and Miss Ashe, so I came down to see my poor Esther. +My child, we have much to be thankful for that things are not worse. +It might have been--" + +"Oh, Mademoiselle, Mademoiselle," cried Esther, "I can never tell you how +bad I have been--" but she found herself clasped in a warm embrace that +told of pity and love and sympathy unbounded. Mademoiselle asked no +questions, but the whole story had to be told. Esther knew she would know +no rest until she had unburthened her heart and humbled herself, and was +possessed by a feeling that if she did not do it then she might never +again be able to. And Mademoiselle, with complete understanding, let her +talk. + +"I saw her fall. I heard her scream. She tried to get up, but was +knocked down again. She called 'Esther, Esther,' but I couldn't help +her--and I thought she was being killed. Oh, Mademoiselle, I shall never +be able to forget it--never, never, never!" and Esther clung to her, +shaken with terror and the shock of all she had gone through. + +"Darling, you must try not to dwell upon it. You must try to be strong +and brave, and get well, for Penelope will need you, and Angela and Poppy +will need you--and Guard--" + +"Oh! Guard?" gasped Esther, afraid to ask the question which filled her +mind. + +"Do you think you can bear to see him? He will be so much happier if he +may be with you." + +"Then he is--all right?" breathlessly. + +"No, darling, not all right. He has come out of the battle alive, which +is more than one could have dared to hope; but he is badly injured. +You will not be shocked by the sight of bandages, will you? Guard looks a +poor old battered warrior at present, but we hope he will soon recover." + +A battered warrior indeed did he look as he came creeping, limping in, +his head bound up in bandages, one leg in a splint, and bandages about his +body and chest where big gashes had been stitched and strapped up. +His pain was so great he could scarcely drag himself in, but he crept +forward, wagging his tail bravely; and when Esther laughed a little weak, +almost tearful laugh, at the sight of his long nose coming out of his +'nightcap,' as she called it, he smiled and wagged his tail again, +and tried to raise himself to kiss her. + +The other victim Esther did not see until the next day, for Penelope was +too ill to bear anything more that night, and when Esther went into the +sickroom the next day she could hardly recognise her bonnie, smiling +sister in the pale, bandaged face on the pillow, so drawn with pain, so +dark about the eyes, so wan and changed in even that short time. + +She was too weak and exhausted even then to speak much, but the old smile +flickered for a moment in her tired eyes, and the sound arm was stretched +out to creep around Esther's neck. + +"I am all--all right," she whispered. "I shall be well--soon. It isn't-- +so very--bad, now." + +"Pen," Esther whispered back in an agony, "oh, Pen, you don't know all, +but--I'll never, never--" + +Penelope put up her lips to be kissed. "Never--mind," she whispered +faintly. "Nothing shall--ever--come between us--again, shall it, dear?" + +"Never," said Esther decisively, "if I can help it." And she honestly +tried to keep her word. + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +It often happens that a big shock which pulls us up with a sharp jerk on +the road we are travelling will show us the danger of the way before us, +and teach us to walk warily all our days. So it was with Esther. +The shock and horror, and the awful fear she endured that afternoon, +showed her, as nothing else could, the way she was going. I do not for a +moment mean to say that she conquered her unfortunate temper all at once, +and became perfectly good and gentle and free from all jealousy from that +moment. That would have been impossible to any one, certainly to a child +of such strong feelings, so reserved and sensitive, so full of failings as +Esther. But she did try, and if she failed she did her best to conquer +next time, and only those who have tried too know how hard that is. + +Others helped her a little without her knowledge. Penelope tried to +restrain herself in a half unconscious habit she had got into of putting +herself before her shyer elder sister. + +Mademoiselle was careful, too, to show her how much she valued her, and to +try not to wound her sensitive, loving heart; so was Cousin Charlotte. +And Esther, on her part, taught herself the lesson that one person can +love two without loving either the less. + +So when Penelope was at last able to creep about again, and Guard seemed +as hale and hearty as ever, a new era of peace and happiness dawned for +Moor Cottage, and never could there have been a happier, busier, more +united little household than that was. + +The summer went by like a golden flash, so it seemed to the children, +so full was every day of work and play, picnics, lessons, walks, +gardening, and a dozen other occupations. No matter what the weather, or +how busy she was, Esther never failed to go to Mademoiselle Leperier's +three times a week, and twice a week Penelope went for her singing lesson. +Penelope was having French lessons of Mademoiselle too, and she and Esther +studied together. + +Miss Row came back from her journeyings, and, entirely oblivious +apparently of all that had passed, sent for Penelope to recommence her +organ lessons, and was quite annoyed that she had not kept up her +practising. But at this Miss Ashe's gentle spirit rose, and she talked to +Miss Row so frankly and seriously that that eccentric lady became very +repentant, and to make up for her unkindness promised Penelope the post of +organist, at a salary of twenty-five pounds a year, as soon as ever she +was capable of filling it. + +To Penelope this was success indeed, and as soon as her arm was strong +enough to bear it she practised with an assiduity which promised that the +time was not so very far distant when she would be fitted to take over her +appointment. + +Angela, before that summer was over, acquired three more chicks and a +fowls' house of her own, and already saw visions of herself presiding over +a farm--which should adjoin Moor Cottage--well stocked with fowls and +ducks, geese and turkeys, cows and pigs, horses and dogs. + +"And I shall write out to daddy and mother to come home," she would say +triumphantly. For Angela never grew reconciled to the thought of her +parents' exile. "It must be so sad and lonely and uncomfortable out +there," she would say. "Mother might find it dull here, but she would +have lots of books to read, and that would make her happy." + +"I should live wiv you, shouldn't I, Angela?" Poppy inquired eagerly. + +"Oh yes, we should all live together." + +"But what about Cousin Charlotte? I am sure she would be _very_ unhappy +wivout us; so would Anna." Poppy found matters very difficult of +arrangement, owing to her incapacity to live in two places at the same +time. "I shouldn't like to leave Cousin Charlotte and Anna and Guard and +Ephraim." + +"I should stay with Cousin Charlotte," said Esther one day, when the +matter was under discussion. "You see, there would be so many of you, you +wouldn't want me, but Cousin Charlotte would, and we should be next door, +so it would be almost the same." + +But all these premature plans were thrown that autumn into confusion by a +letter from Canada. Instead of waiting to be sent for by his prosperous +daughters Mr. Carroll wrote to say he had made up his mind to come. + +"Your cousin cannot reconcile herself to the life here," he wrote, "and +says she can never be happy here; and as I am not doing well enough to +warrant me in staying on in spite of her objections, I am thinking of +selling out and coming home with her very soon. For the time, to give me +an opportunity to look about me, I can think of no better plan than to +come near you, my dear cousin, if a small house can be found for us. +I cannot describe to you my longing to see my children again, nor with +what pleasure I am filled at the prospect of coming home, even though I +have to write myself down a failure here." + +Then he went on to thank her in most grateful and feeling terms for her +goodness to his children, terms which drew tears from the gentle little +lady's eyes and set her to wondering what she could do really to help this +almost unknown cousin and his children. + +When she told the children the news their excitement was great; but when, +a week later, came another letter, asking, if there was a cottage at +Dorsham or close by to be found, that it should be taken for them, if it +would possibly do, their excitement grew intense. + +"Oh, if only I had my farm!" cried Angela, and she went out and looked at +the ground, as though expecting the foundations might have already begun +to show. + +But no cottage was to be found next door or in Dorsham. There were not +very many all told, and those there were were always full, so that if one +family wanted to change they had to wait until another was in the same +mind, and then just walk in to each other's houses. But up at Four Winds +there was a square, sturdy cottage built expressly, one would think, to +defy those winds that blew over the village. It was the only one, but all +the four girls agreed that it would be just the very thing. It had a +sitting-room and kitchen and scullery and three bedrooms, tiny rooms all +of them, but to the children it was one of the most fascinating little +places ever built; and when stocked with the simple furniture Miss +Charlotte had had instructions to purchase it really did look a dear, cosy +little house. + +And such it seemed to the weary travellers when they arrived, the father +tired, disappointed with his last attempt, and bowed under a burden of +care, but so glad to see his children again that nothing else seemed to +matter. Such it seemed, too, to the mother, so disgusted with the +roughness and want of comforts in the life she had been leading lately +that everything seemed luxurious and replete with comfort. + +Cousin Charlotte and the girls had certainly done their best to make the +place look homelike, and Anna had helped to clean it from top to bottom, +to lay carpets, hang curtains, and polish everything that could be +polished, so that it really was in a perfect state of order and +cleanliness. + +It was in the spring that the travellers finally reached Four Winds, just +when the brooks were beginning to run with a cheerful note, and the scent +of wet moss and primroses to fill the air. + +As they drove from the station on the memorable day of their arrival +Mr. Carroll drew in the sweet fresh breeze as though it were the breath of +life to him, and almost shouted with pleasure at the sight of the catkins +on the nut-bushes, and the 'goslings' on the willows, and the +yellowhammers and thrushes hopping in the hedges. + +They got down for a moment at Moor Cottage to see the children's home, and +be introduced to Anna and Guard. + +"You noble old fellow, you saved my girls' lives," said Mr. Carroll, +patting the dear old dog's rough head; and Guard wagged his tail and +looked as pleased as though he quite understood. + +Then Mrs. Carroll and Miss Ashe mounted the quaint old carriage again, +and drove slowly on with the luggage, while Mr. Carroll and his girls, +and, of course, Guard, walked on behind. The elder girls were a little +shy and constrained just at first, perhaps, and Angela was silent with +happiness. If she talked much she should weep, she felt; but she showed +her father her hens and hen-house before they started on again. +"And in time I shall have a whole farm, father," she said seriously, +"and then I want you to come to live with me on it, and we will have all +kinds of animals." + +"A capital idea," said Mr. Carroll gravely, without a trace of a smile as +he looked at the very modest beginning so much was to spring from. + +But, if the others were silent Poppy, when once her tongue was loosened, +made up for it, and she trotted along by her father's side, holding his +hand, and chattering to him as freely as though he had never been away. + +The greatest joy of all though was when they reached the new cottage, +and displayed their arrangements there--the sitting-room, with its +easy-chairs, and table spread with dainty white cloth, shining tea-things, +and some of Anna's nicest cakes. A fire was burning in the grate, making +it warm and cheerful for the strangers. Upstairs the simply furnished +bedrooms looked equally attractive and spotlessly clean, and then last of +all came the cheerful, cosy little kitchen, looking a perfect picture, +with its bright tin and copper and china reflecting the firelight on all +sides; and where, oh crowning delight, sat the neatest of neat little +maid-servants, her rosy cheeks growing rosier and rosier as her new master +and mistress and all the young ladies trooped in. She rose and curtseyed +when she saw Mr. and Mrs. Carroll, for she was a well-trained country +child, not yet contaminated by the modern 'Board-school manners.' +So she curtseyed civilly, and stood while her master and mistress were +present; and when Mr. Carroll asked her her name, she answered, +"Grace, if you please, sir," and blushed again; and when he said, +"Well, Grace, so you have come to help us. I hope we shall all be very +happy and comfortable together," she curtseyed and said, "Yes, thank you, +sir. I'll try my best." + +The bedrooms, all but Mr. and Mrs. Carroll's, were very tiny. One was so +small it would only hold one little bed. + +"But where is the fourth chick to roost?" asked their father anxiously. +"You don't expect one to sit up while the other sleeps, I hope?" laughing. + +But Cousin Charlotte, to whom he spoke, did not laugh back. "I--I +wondered," she said, looking up at him very wistfully, as though she knew +she was asking a great deal--"I wondered, Ronald, if you would spare me +one, at--at least until I have got used to losing them all. I know it is +a good deal to ask you, but--I shall be so very lonely--" poor Cousin +Charlotte's voice quavered--"and as your house is so small I wondered if +you would let me still keep my Esther?" + +Esther started, and a sense of disappointment made her heart sink. +Remembering her mother's dislike of housekeeping, and her incapacity, +Esther had all this time been picturing herself as housekeeper and real +mistress of this dear little home, presiding over the kitchen and the neat +little maid and generally distinguishing herself as cook and housewife. +She had known, of course, that there was only room for three of them +there, but she had, somehow, thought of Angela as being the one to remain +with Cousin Charlotte, because, perhaps, of her fowls, and her position as +mistress of the poultry yards. + +For the first few moments, therefore, when she heard Cousin Charlotte's +request, she felt a deep pang of disappointment. "But mother will need me +here," she was just about to say, when there rushed over her the memory of +all Cousin Charlotte had done for them, her goodness and patience, +her generosity and unselfishness, and now her loneliness,--and all her +feelings changed. + +"She is my right hand," Cousin Charlotte went on pathetically. "I do not +know what I should do without her now!" + +Then how glad Esther was that she had not spoken, and oh! the joy and +pride that filled her heart, the deep, deep happiness of knowing that she +had been of real use and comfort, that some one really needed her. +With only a little effort she put aside all her feeling about the new +home, and determined, if her parents consented, to go blithely with Cousin +Charlotte, and never, never, never let her know of that moment's +unwillingness. + +Consent was given, of course. How could they refuse to spare one to her +who had taken them all and made her home theirs when they had no other, +and had loved and cared for them, and guided them so well and faithfully +without hope of reward? + +Mr. Carroll was only too happy to be able to do something in return. + +"I think it will be good for Penelope, too, to have a few housekeeping +duties," said Cousin Charlotte, smiling as she laid her gentle hand on +Pen's shoulder. "It will help to balance the dreamy side of her--at any +rate until Angela grows older; while Angela--well, Angela is a born +housekeeper and farmer combined, and I prophesy that within a year or so +she will be keeping the house and all of you in such order and comfort as +to be a pattern to the country round." + +Angela's face grew radiant. "I'd love to," she said joyously; "but I +wish--the only thing I wish is that we could all live together. +I don't want to leave you, Cousin Charlotte, yet I want to be with--you +understand, don't you?" + +Yes, Cousin Charlotte understood. They all felt the same; but when the +three had left their old home for the new one it was only, as one might +say, to live in two houses instead of one, for never a day passed but what +they were down at Miss Charlotte's, and so the change was not such a +wrench as all had feared. Miss Charlotte insisted on continuing to teach +them all--at any rate, she said, until they were obliged to go away to +school. + +Mademoiselle Leperier, who actually went to call on Mrs. Carroll, declared +her health and spirits were so much improved by the new interest the +children had provided her with that she begged to be allowed to give them +all lessons in French, and singing, too. + +"I foresee that I shall have no housekeeper after all," said Mrs. Carroll +with a sigh, "but I suppose I shall manage somehow, and the children are +being educated, which is something. One must think of them first, I +suppose." + +Esther felt a pang of doubt when she heard the words. Ought she not, +after all, to give up her happy home with Cousin Charlotte, where by this +time she had completely settled down, and come up to take care of her +mother? She would see but little of Mademoiselle if she did, she saw that +plainly, and there would be very little time for study, but there was her +father to think of, and his comfort. + +But when she laid her doubts before her father and Cousin Charlotte, +they bade her put them out of her head. She tried to, though she doubted +their advice; and it was only years later, when she was a well-educated, +cultured woman, full of interests and good aims, that she understood the +wisdom of Cousin Charlotte's plan in taking her away, at least until her +education was complete, from where she would have become little but a +household drudge, worked beyond her strength, her talents, her greatest +interests undeveloped, her temper irritated and ruined as it was when +first she came to Dorsham; and she felt deeply grateful for the +understanding and loving care which had surrounded her at so critical a +time. + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + +Five years have gone by since Mr. and Mrs. Carroll returned from Canada to +the little house on the moor which they have never left, or desired to +leave, since. + +Mr. Carroll's health suffered severely from the long strain and the +rigour of his life abroad, and he was never again fit for hard work. +But grandpapa Carroll, recognising the brave fight he had made, +forgave him the misfortunes he had met with earlier and altered his will, +so that when he died, not long after Mr. Carroll's return, the little +family, though still obliged to be economical, and not above being glad of +the girls' little earnings, were placed beyond all want. + +Esther still lived with Cousin Charlotte, the prop and mainstay of the +house, for Anna had married Ephraim and moved into the cottage next door +to Mrs. Bennett's. Angela, pulling her bow at a venture on that birthday +night, so long ago now, had hit the truth when she said that Anna could +not think better of Ephraim after that evening because she thought so well +of him already. A truth Ephraim found out for himself in time, though it +took him two years longer to do so. + +Finding it was no use waiting to speak until he found her in a gentle mood +he spoke out then and there, and no one could decide whether Anna was most +astonished at being asked or Ephraim at being accepted. However, when +once the need for concealment of her true feelings was over Anna's manner +to Ephraim changed so markedly that Ephraim often stopped to wonder if the +woman he had married could possibly be the one who had led him such a life +before. Love can work miracles, Ephraim found, and came to the conclusion +that whether she was the same or not he was quite content. + +It was a great blow to Miss Charlotte to lose her Anna, but more than one +nice little maiden was only too anxious to come to 'a place' where the +last servant had stayed twenty years; and Esther, and the fortunate maid +chosen to fill Anna's shoes, combined to prevent Miss Charlotte feeling +her loss too deeply. + +Esther's hands had grown very full as time had gone on, and the fuller +they grew the happier she was. Slowly and almost imperceptibly +Miss Charlotte gave up more and more of her work, and took life easily, +feeling she could leave all to her Esther, and know that all was well. + +Angela's hens were moved to Four Winds, and Esther took over the +responsibility of the poultry yard as well as the house and the kitchen +and the new maid. But in the midst of all her duties she contrived to +give a good deal of her time to her dearly loved Mademoiselle, for +Mademoiselle was failing, and those who loved her best knew that not for +very much longer would they have the joy of her presence. + +Penelope was away in London, studying with all her heart and strength, +for in the sweet pure air of the moor her voice had developed beyond +everyone's expectation, and Mademoiselle Leperier never rested until she +had been sent to study under a distinguished master. The question as to +ways and means had been a very serious one, but while it was being +anxiously discussed, and almost abandoned in despair, Miss Row came +forward, and with unwonted delicacy asked to be allowed to play the part +of fairy godmother to her favourite. + +"I shall only be laying out a little to buy myself a big return some day," +she pleaded. "If you will let me have a share in Penelope's success the +kindness will be all on your part." + +So Penelope went away from their midst to stirring scenes of life and +work, weeping at leaving her beloved moor, and vowing to return as soon +and as often as might be,--a vow she never forgot. + +Angela's dream in time was realised too. Her dream poultry farm became a +real one, and the most successful in the country. Very slowly at first +she added penny to penny, then shilling to shilling, then pound to pound, +until at last, instead of building more hens' houses, she bought a cow. +It was an experiment, and one those about doubted the success of; but +Angela never doubted, and presently another cow was added to her stock, +and soon after that they all moved to a small farm, where Poppy had to +become the little housewife, for Angela's time was quite taken up with her +dairy. + +Poppy's market-gardening scheme never got beyond the bed of parsley. +With that one success she decided to be satisfied. "It was a most +wonderful pennyworth," she often remarked, "for it brought me quite a lot +of money, and Mademoiselle as a friend, and nothing could have been better +than that." + +"Nothing," said Esther softly. "Life is very wonderful, Poppy dear, isn't +it?" + +"Very," answered Poppy sagely, with a serious shake of her curly head. + + +One last scene before we bid them all good-bye! + +It is Easter time once more. In the orchards and woods the daffodils are +bowing their golden heads, as though awed by the beauty of the +pear-blossom spreading between them and the glorious blue sky. +The hedges are starred with primroses, daisies, and king-cups, the air is +sweet with the scent of flowers and the fresh earth. Everything seems +brimming over with sunshine and happiness and joy of living. Easter is in +the heart of all things animate and inanimate. + +Up in 'the Castle' the four girls are gathered as of old, but with one big +gap in their circle. Guard, dear old Guard, will never accompany them +more in their wanderings. He sleeps his last long sleep in the breast of +the moor he loved so well. Yet he is with them in spirit and thought, +for he lies buried close beside 'the Castle,' and they feel he is near +them whenever they go there. + +Easter is in their hearts, too, for Penelope is home for her holidays and +Angela has just returned from a much-dreaded duty visit to Aunt Julia, +and their joy at being together again is intense. + +Penelope lies in her old attitude, flat on the moor, one cheek pressed +close to its breast, her eyes gazing in a perfect rapture of delight over +the length and breadth of it. + +"I _almost_ think," she says softly, "it is worth going away to have the +joy of coming home again; to step out of that dear little station, and +then to turn the corner and see--this," waving her hand in a wide sweep. +"Oh, girls, shall you ever forget the first time we came, and how we +dreaded it, and how shy we were, and frightened--" + +"Until we saw Cousin Charlotte," chimed in Esther. "I never felt +frightened after that." + +"And do you remember," burst in Angela, "our dear little rooms, and how +lovely it all looked when we came that night, and dear old Guard,"--her +voice wavered and dropped--"came out to meet us, and Anna?" + +"And I was so troubled about our clothes because we were so shabby, and-- +but it never seemed to matter much. Cousin Charlotte made everything come +right. Isn't it wonderful, all that has happened just through mother's +writing to Cousin Charlotte, and Cousin Charlotte being able to take us!" + +"Wonderful," said Penelope softly; and back to her mind as through a vague +dream came a vision of a child lying amidst the long coarse grass of an +untidy garden, with butterflies, yellow and white and brown, flitting +about over her head, while through her mind as she watched them passed +visions and dreams of the future, and vague wonderings as to what it would +bring. + +"And this is what it has brought," she thought to herself. "I shall not +be afraid to take the next step now. God has been so good to us." + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Carroll Girls, by Mabel Quiller-Couch + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CARROLL GIRLS *** + +***** This file should be named 29171.txt or 29171.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/1/7/29171/ + +Produced by Lionel Sear + +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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