CHAPTER XVI.
IN OLD WASHINGTON.
There were many arrangements to make. Only Mr. and Mrs. Mason knew howreally serious the case might be, and Mrs. Mason felt that she couldnot accept the responsibility alone. Dixon, the overseer, was a goodmanager and a trusty man, and his wife a very efficient woman. Indeed,the older house slaves could have run the place without supervision,but it was well to have a responsible head. Louis would come downnow and then and inspect the financial affairs, and bring Jaquelineoccasionally. It would not be quite like going to London, and Mr. Masonmight return if really needed.
So they packed up and put things in order, and went up to Washingtonto settle Annis. Charles seemed really stronger, but the doctor knewit was only excitement. Patty's house was so pretty and the office sohandy, the boy did not see why he could not remain with her.
The house was quite fine for the times. Land was abundant, and housesdid not have to crowd. There were spacious rooms, for people werehospitably inclined. Southern women made charming hostesses. In anell part the doctor had an office, for he was quite ambitious in hisprofession, if he had one eye on the advancement of the City. He hadrented one of his houses, and another was likely to be sold.
There were people who shook their heads dubiously and feared aninvasion; others reasoned there was so little prospect of bootyin Washington compared to the commercial cities, there could be nopossible danger.
Jaqueline had a pretty corner room. Opening into it was a smaller onedevoted to Annis, with its dainty bed curtained with white muslin andfringe that nodded in the slightest breeze. The floor was painted,and a rug made by the slaves at home lay at the bedside. Grandmotherhad sent Patty the mahogany furnishing of one room that she hadbrought from the Mason house when she was married, and it was quite anheirloom. This was in Jaqueline's room.
The baby went far toward reconciling Annis. A pretty, plump littlething, with great dark eyes and a fringe of dark hair over a whiteforehead, she looked like a picture. Judy, one of the slaves from home,was her nurse.
Yet the parting was very hard for Annis. The doctor had taken Charlesin his own carriage. They were to go to Baltimore and rest a day or twoand visit some of the connections.
Annis felt at first as if she must be visiting.
"And do you remember we came up to Mr. Madison's inauguration and wentto the Capitol? It seems as if it must have been years and years ago,so many things have happened since then. And everybody seems grown upexcept Charles and I."
"You were a tiny little girl then. I hope you will not be veryhomesick; there are so many things to see. And when the horses are sentup we can take beautiful rides."
Annis swallowed over a lump in her throat.
"The baby will grow and be very cunning. And every week you are towrite to mamma."
"And to Charles. I am not to mind not getting answers from him; itmakes his head ache to write."
"And, then, there are the children at Aunt Jane's. Her baby talkseverything in the funniest crooked fashion. To-morrow we will call onMadame Badeau. I hope you will like school. It is only in the morning."
"I am fond of learning things if they are not too hard."
"Some of us have to learn quite hard lessons," and Jaqueline sighed.
Madame Badeau lived in a rather shabby-looking rough stone house, quitesmall in the front, but plenty large enough for her and a serving-manand maid, and running back to a pretty garden, where she cultivated allmanner of beautiful flowers, and such roses that lovers of them werealways begging a slip or piece of root. There was a parlor in the frontfilled with the relics of better days, and draped with faded Orientalfabrics that were the envy of some richer people. There was always acuriously fragrant perfume in it. Next was the schoolroom, entered bya side door, where there were small tables in lieu of desks, woodenchairs, and a painted floor that the maid mopped up freshly everyafternoon when the children were gone. Back of this were the livingroom and a very tiny kitchen, while upstairs were two rooms under thepeaked roof, where Madame and Bathsheba slept.
Madame was small, with a fair skin full of fine wrinkles. She wore arow of curls across her forehead, a loosely wound, soft white turbanthat gave her a curious dignity, and very high heels that made a littleclick as she went around. She was quite delicate, and had exquisitehands, and wore several curious rings. Her voice was so finelymodulated that it was like a strain of music, and she still used agood many French words. She had been at the French court and seen thegreat Franklin and many other notables, and had to fly in the Reign ofTerror, with the loss of friends and most of her fortune.
Bathsheba, the maid, was nearly six feet tall, and proud of some Indianblood that gave her straight hair and an almost Grecian nose. She wasproud of her mistress too, and was in herself a bodyguard when Madamewent out. The old man who kept the garden clean and did outside workwas a slave too old for severe labor, and was hired out for a trifle.At night he went home to sleep at the cabin of a grandchild.
Annis was attracted at once by the soft voice that ended a sentencewith a sort of caressing cadence. And when Jaqueline wrote her name infull Madame said:
"Bouvier. That is French. Your mamma's maiden name, perhaps?"
"No," returned Annis, with a little color. "It was my own papa, who isdead. And he could read and talk French. I knew a little, but I was soyoung when he died."
"And our father married Mrs. Bouvier some years ago," said Jaqueline,"so Annis and five of us Mason children constitute the family. Mrs.Bouvier was cousin to our own mother."
"I shall take great pleasure in teaching you French. Poor France hashad much to suffer. And now that detestable Corsican is on the throne,with no drop of royal blood in his veins! but you can tell what hethinks of it when he divorces a good and honorable woman that his sonmay inherit his rank. But my nation did not take kindly to a republic.They are not like you," shaking her turbaned head.
The distance to school was not great, so in fair weather it was a nicewalk. Now the place is all squares and circles and rows of beautifulhouses, but then people almost wondered at the venturesomeness of Dr.Collaston and Mr. Jettson building houses in country ways; for althoughstreets were laid out and named, there was little paving. The Masontract was on Virginia Avenue, but the others had gone back of theExecutive Mansion, on high ground, and had a fine view of the wholecountry; and Georgetown being already attractive, it seemed possiblethe space between would soon be in great demand.
Out beyond them were some fine old mansions belonging to the time ofplantations and country settlements. The very last of the precedingcentury the Convent of the Visitation had been erected, for so many ofthe Maryland gentry were Roman Catholics. There was a school for girlshere, mostly boarding scholars.
Then Rock Creek stretched way up on the heights, threading its pathin and out of plantations where fields were dotted with slaves attheir work, often singing songs with the soft monotonous refrain thatsuggested the rhythm of the distant ocean. Occasionally you met asilvery lake that bosomed waving shadows; then stretches of giganticoaks, somber pines, and hemlocks; and now and then a little nest ofIndian wigwams whose inhabitants preferred quasi-civilization.
To the southeast, on the Anacostia River, was the navy yard, activeenough now. And there was Duddington Manor, with its high wall andstately trees overtopping it, built by Charles Carroll, to be for along while a famous landmark in solitary grandeur. But the Van Nessmansion, nearer the Potomac, was always alight, and often strains ofmusic floated out on the night air to the enjoyment of the passer-by.
Annis had been living in a kind of old world, peopled with the heroesof Homer, the knights of Arthur, and the pilgrims of Chaucer, as wellas Spenser's "Faerie Queene." She had a confused idea that Pope'sgarden was in some of these enchanted countries, and that Ben Jonsonand Shakspere were among the pilgrims who sang songs and told tales asthey traveled on, or stopped at the roadside and acted a play. Charleshad learned where to place his heroes and who of them all were real.
&nbs
p; Annis left the realm of imagination and fancy and came down to actualstudy. At first she did not like it.
"But you must know something about modern events," declared Jaqueline,"to read well and write a nice letter; and to understand the historyof our own country, which is all real. And to keep accounts--everyhousekeeper ought to be able to do that. Grandmamma had to look afterthe big plantation until papa came of age; and women have to do a goodmany different things."
"I think I shall like learning them, or most of them," and Annis' eyesshone.
"There is dancing, too; you must go in a class next winter. You canembroider nicely, so you needn't bother about that. And I have been ina painting class where there were some quite small girls. Some ladiespaint fans and flower pieces beautifully. And Patty thinks she willhave a pianoforte, which would be delightful. Singing classes are invogue, too."
"Oh, dear, can one learn so much?" and the child looked perplexed.
"You do not have to learn it all at once," returned the elder with asmile.
Very few people had any thought of vacations then. True, Washington hada dull spell when Congress was not in session, and some of the peopleretired to country places or went to the Eastern Shore of Maryland,or to Bladensburg to drink medicated waters. But Madame Badeau kepther school going from eight to twelve for the children's classes. Theywere all composed of girls, for while Madame admired well-bred youngmen very much, she could not tolerate growing boys. The afternoons weredevoted to what were called fancy branches. Young women came to learnembroidery and lace-making, the duties on foreign goods were so high,and now the risk of importing was so great.
There began to be a different feeling about education. Intelligentwomen were coming to the fore. To be sure, science was consideredunwomanly, but handsome and well-bred Mrs. Gallatin knew enough onmany subjects to entertain her husband's guests charmingly. Everybodywould have been horrified at the thought of a woman's college, andif a woman's convention had been announced it would have created moreindignation than the war was raising.
Yet women with but few early advantages went to Madame Badeau to betrained in conversation and the art of writing polite notes, and somewho had a facility for verse-making to learn how an acrostic was puttogether, or an anagram, and the proper fashion for congratulatoryverses. A few women poets had appeared, but the French "blue stockings"were quoted in derision. Still, it had occurred to other women besideMrs. Adams that the mothers of sons trained for perilous times neededto be intelligent, at least.
For the first time Annis was thrown with a variety of girls near herown age. None of them were like Varina--but, then, they were not likeeach other. How strange there should be so many different kinds ofpeople in the world! It amazed her.
Jaqueline was much interested in her unfolding. There was a deliciousquaintness about her that contact with Madame Badeau brought out. Shehad some very clear ideas too, and there was so much to write about.
"I shall have to send a letter to mamma one week and to Charles thenext," she said sagely. "Then I shall not tell the same things over."
"That is an excellent idea. You are a bright little girl," returnedJaqueline with a smile.
"And it will save my own time. Jaqueline, can't we go to Washingtonsome time and really see it? One of the girls called me a countrylass because I did not know about the streets and the way everythingran. And how queer they should be named after the letters and numbers!What will they do when the letters are exhausted?--and there are buttwenty-six."
"There are the numbers, you know."
"But the numbers run criss-cross. Do you suppose they will go on as wework a sampler, make little letters and then Old-English text? One girlhas the most beautiful Old-English alphabet worked in red silk, but itis very hard to tell the letters."
Jaqueline laughed. "No! I think they will take names then."
"They make up parties and go to Analostan Island. And, do you know,there are beautiful falls up the Potomac, ever so far!"
"Yes; they are beautiful, indeed; and we will get the doctor to take usup some time."
"Everything is so"--glancing around for a word--"so interesting.And there are so many people. I like it very much. Only if we couldhave mamma and Charles and papa! Then, it would be mean to crowd outVarina."
"We'll have the whole household at Christmas."
Louis was very much interested in the surprise and pleasure overeverything, and he found Annis quite a delightful companion for walks.She was so eager to hear about the founding of the City.
"It has only come of age," said Louis. "For the cornerstone was laid in1793."
"And there are cities in Europe over a thousand years old! Oh, what anold world it must be!"
"But we are a new country altogether. Then, we have much older cities."
"After all," she said reflectively, "the ground was here. And some ofthe houses and the people."
They were still working on the Capitol. Stonecutters andmarble-dressers in their little sheds were a common sight.
A great many people went to Christ Church, which had been erected soonafter the laying out of the City. Then there was old St. Paul's, thathad stood nearly a century, built, as many other places were, of brickbrought from England. Since that day many a secret had been learned,and during the last three years the United States had manufacturedlargely, though many people sighed for foreign goods.
There were two weeks in August when Madame Badeau went away for alittle rest and change of air. Mrs. Collaston decided to spend afortnight at Bladensburg, and though Aunt Jane cheerfully offered tokeep Annis, Jaqueline insisted upon adding her to the party. LittleElizabeth Patricia, commonly called Bessie, and by her father QueenBess, was thriving wonderfully.
Jaqueline had changed a good deal, but she was a greater favoritethan ever, it seemed, and had no end of admirers. One of them, a verypopular and well-to-do gentleman, made her an offer of marriage.
"Are you really going to stay single forever?" exclaimed her sister."I wouldn't take Roger Carrington now if he asked me again. A manwho cannot overlook a little tiff--though you did flirt shamefully,Jaqueline! But it doesn't much matter. I observe the men are just asready to be flirted with again. Only don't wait too long, and don'tpass by the good chances."
Having made an excellent marriage herself, she considered that hercounsel and advice were worth a good deal to her unmarried friends.
Roger Carrington seemed to have passed out of Jaqueline's radius,whether purposely or not. Ralston spent much of his time out ofWashington, inspecting and planning fortifications. Jaqueline kept up afriendly, occasional correspondence with him, and he had been stronglyinterested about Charles' mishap.
She was much too proud to allow herself to think she still cared forRoger, yet she admitted in her secret heart she had seen no one to putin his place, though there might be men quite as worthy.
Dr. Collaston went up to Philadelphia for a few days, and learnedthat his worst fears in regard to Charles had been realized. The mostcelebrated surgeon at that time, who bade fair to do quite as much forthe advancement of medicine as Dr. Benjamin Rush had done in his day, aDr. Physic, had been noting the case carefully, and decided that onlyan operation could prevent a settled deformity. Charles was growingstronger in some respects, and when the weather became cooler thiswould be undertaken.
He told the elders, but they kept Annis in ignorance. She went back toschool; and, though she had been small for her age, seemed suddenly toshoot up and outgrow everything.
"And I shall not be little Annis any longer. I suppose everybody doesgrow taller and older. And now I am past thirteen. When shall I be oldenough to curtsey to Mrs. Madison?"
"Oh, you can do that at any time. And since Varina has gone toCharleston to visit Dolly Floyd, you ought to have some indulgence. Shehas been to a reception at the Governor's."
The election of Madison for a second term had been largely the resultof the victories that had thrilled the nation. The navy was springinginto existence as if by mag
ic. Some fine English ships had beencaptured and graced by the Stars and Stripes, and were doing brilliantwork under their new colors.
The _Constellation_ came up the Potomac, gayly decorated with flagsand bunting, and Captain Stewart gave a grand dinner, at which thePresident and his wife and Mrs. Madison's son, then a handsome andelegantly bred young man, were among the most distinguished guests.Louis had obtained cards for himself and lady through Judge Todd.
"You look pretty enough to be married," said Annis when she sawJaqueline in her pretty pink gauze gown, the lace on it run withsilver threads, and her dainty slippers with silver buckles set withbrilliants that certainly did twinkle. The dinner was spread with everyluxury the season afforded, and enhanced by the brilliant lights andprofusion of cut-glass with its sparkling points. While the elders saton the quarterdeck surrounded by some of the chief men of the nation,beneath an awning of red, white, and blue danced the belles and beaus.
Lieutenant Ralston had come late, but he was in time for the dancing.When he caught sight of Jaqueline he made his way over to her.
"It has been so long since I have seen you!" he exclaimed. "And Ireally had not thought of meeting you to-night, but I shall be inWashington for a fortnight or more. And gay, pretty Patty has settledinto a pattern wife and mother! Does she read you lectures?"
"Sometimes," returned Jaqueline, smiling.
"Tell me about all the others. It seems an age since I have heard ofany of you."
"Then if you make such a little account of my letters I shall not writeyou any more."
"Nay, do not be so cruel. You can hardly call them letters, they areso brief. Still, I am glad to get them, and feel anxious about the poorlittle boy. You think he will recover?"
"Dr. Physic holds out hopes of a successful termination. But it will bevery slow."
"And that dainty little Annis? You are mothering her? Do you know,your charming solicitude made me smile. Was she much homesick after hermother?"
"Only a little at first. She goes to school and is wonderfullyinterested."
"And Varina? Our little wasp?" laughingly.
"Varina is spending the winter with Dolly. You know she married a Floydconnection. He has been elected a member of the State legislature thiswinter. Varina is quite a young lady. We Masons have a trick of growingup soon."
"And your grandmother? How fares it with her?"
Jaqueline smiled inwardly at this mark of respect, and retailedthe little happenings at the Pineries. He listened attentively whenMarian's name was mentioned, and made no bitter comment. Was it utterindifference?
"This is our dance," he said, offering his hand; and they glided downthe polished deck. Then someone else came for her, and she saw verylittle more of him until he marched up to bid her good-by and assureher he should call speedily.
"What a fine fellow Ralston has made!" Louis said as they werereturning home. "He has half a mind to go in the navy, he tells me.They are winning all the glory. But he is very eager about the defensesof Washington. I do wonder if there is any real danger?"
"Oh, I hope not!" anxiously.
"No; we do not want the war brought to our door."
"New York or Boston will offer greater attractions. The enemy is ragingover the loss of the _Guerriere_, and threatens desperate revenge. Oh,we are safe enough!"
Annis was eager to hear all about the ball. Was it prettier becauseit was on a ship? And wasn't Jaqueline glad to see Lieutenant Ralstonagain? Did anyone have a more beautiful frock?
"Oh, yes!" laughed Jaqueline.
"But no one was any prettier, I am sure," she said confidently.
The enthusiasm over the victories was running high. The news cameof Commodore Decatur's famous victory off the Canary Islands, whenhe captured the _Macedonian_ after an hour and a half of terrificfighting, with the loss of only five men killed and seven wounded. The_United States_ brought her prize into New York amid great rejoicing.
The news was hailed in Washington with the utmost enthusiasm. It sohappened that the evening had been selected for a brilliant naval ball,to celebrate the two other victories, and as a compliment to CaptainStewart. Ralston had been in a few days before with invitations for theCollaston household.
"I almost wish I was grown up," said Annis wistfully. "Can't littlegirls ever see anything?"
"Why, she ought to go," declared Ralston. "There may not be suchanother event until peace is declared, and if we go on this way, itmust be, ere long. But it will be a great thing to remember in years tocome. Think of the old ladies who saw our beloved Washington and theheroes of the Revolution, how glad they are to talk it all over! Oh,Annis must go, by all means!"
"But such a mere child!" said Patty.
"Well, she has eyes and ears. I will take her myself. Mistress AnnisMason, may I have the pleasure of escorting you to the grand navalball? It will give me a great deal of pleasure, I assure you. I am abachelor, fancy free, so no one's heart will be broken."
He rose as he said this, and crossed the room to where Annis wassitting, leaning her arm on Jaqueline's knee.
The child colored and glanced up in a puzzled manner.
"Well--why do you not answer?" said Patty in amusement. "Madame Badeauought to train you in polite deportment."
"Can I say just what I should like?" a little timidly, glancing fromone sister to the other.
"Yes," answered Patty laughingly. "Yes," said Jaqueline a little moregravely.
Annis rose and made a formal little courtesy, holding the side of herskirt with charming grace.
"It will afford me the greatest pleasure to accept your invitation,Lieutenant Ralston," she said in a stately and dignified manner.
"Thank you! That is very handsomely done. After this show of proper andceremonious behavior you cannot refuse her permission?" turning to theelders.
"We are vanquished, certainly," admitted Patty. "Now you may be goodenough, perhaps, to tell us what she must wear."
He glanced her over. "Some simple white frock," he said. "Then youmight tie a red ribbon in her hair, and put on her a blue sash, and shewill be the national colors."
"Luckily her hair isn't golden or red or black, so we shall not startleanyone."
"Now, remember there is no white feather to be shown," said thelieutenant. "You may be a soldier's wife some day."
Annis blushed.
Later, when she was alone with Jaqueline, she put her arms about theelder's neck.
"Dear Jaqueline," she said with a tender accent, "do you think you willlike my going to the ball? If it isn't quite right I will stay at home.And are you sure the lieutenant was in earnest?"
"There is no reason why you should not go, except that children arenot generally taken to balls. And it will be a grand thing for you toremember."
Annis kissed her, much relieved.
"I do so want to go," she returned after a little pause.
And that morning the news was announced by an extra from the officeof the _National Intelligencer_. People went about in high spirits. Assoon as the twilight appeared illuminations sprang up at many importantpoints. Private houses were aglow from every window, and more thanone flag waved. Washington was full of gayety and rejoicing. And somewho did not go to the ball had strains of patriotic music to cheer thepasser-by.
Entertainments began early. Tomlinson's Hotel was soon filled withguests, the beauty and fashion of the city. The captured flags ofthe _Alert_ and _Guerriere_ were arranged over a sort of dais whereMrs. Madison and the Cabinet ladies sat, while the secretaries stoodabout them. There was a host of military and naval men. Gold lace andepaulettes and swords gleamed with every movement, while women werelovely in satins and velvets and laces. Mrs. Madison wore a handsomegray velvet, trimmed with yellow satin and lace, and on her head afilmy sort of turban with some short white plumes. A neckerchief offine soft lace rested lightly on her shoulders, but displayed thestill beautiful throat and neck. The little curls across her foreheadwere still jet-black, and though women powdered and rouged, s
he wasone of the few who "wore a natural complexion," said a newspapercorrespondent.
One and another made a bow to her and passed on. Dr. Collaston and hiswife, Jaqueline and a handsome young naval officer, and then LieutenantRalston and his young charge. Annis was a little bewildered. She hadseen Mrs. Madison in the carriage, and at times walking about thegrounds at the White House; but this really awed her, and a rush ofcolor came to her fair face. Mrs. Madison held out her hand, and gaveher a kindly greeting.
"What a pretty child!" she said to one of the ladies. "The Americancolors, too. How proud the lieutenant was of her! I remember now thatMiss Jaqueline Mason is quite a belle. Perhaps it is her sister."
"That was beautifully done, Annis," whispered the lieutenant. "Nowthere is a friend of mine, a young midshipman, that you must meet. Willit be out of order for you to dance, I wonder? And there is CaptainHull. You must see all the heroes, so you can tell the story over yourgrandchildren."
It seemed to Annis that everyone must be a hero. There was the youngmiddy, a Mr. Yardley, who did not look over sixteen, and who was goingout on his first cruise next week.
"Has Miss Mason any relatives in the war?"
How queer "Miss Mason" sounded! She looked about to see who was meant.The young man complimented her on her colors. He had a brother, alieutenant on the _Constitution_, and two cousins in the army onthe frontier. We should gain the victory again, as we did in theRevolution. As a boy he used to be sorry he had not lived then, butthis made amends. Only, nothing could compensate for not having seenWashington, the hero of them all.
Presently the dancing began. Mrs. Collaston and Jaqueline were bothengaged, but Jaqueline put Annis in charge of a charming middle-agedwoman whose daughters were dancing, and who, being a Virginian andresiding at Yorktown, could recall all the particulars of the surrenderof Lord Cornwallis.
Then Annis had her promised dance with the lieutenant. It was likea bit of fairyland. She thought Cinderella could not have been anyhappier with the prince. Afterward Mr. Yardley came, though by thistime the floor was pretty well crowded. He was about to lead her backto Jaqueline, who was talking with Mrs. Todd, when she stopped suddenlyand put out her hand.
"Oh!" she cried, then turned rosy-red.
"Is it--why, it is little Annis Bouvier! Child, how you have grown! Dothey let you go to balls as young as this?"
"I wanted to so much. And it is beautiful! They are all here----"
There was a sudden commotion. Half a dozen gentlemen cut off theirretreat. Then a whisper went round the room, growing louder and louder,and cheers sounded in the hallway.
"Ensign Hamilton with the captured flag!"
Secretary Hamilton rose, and the throng made way for him. Just at thedoorway they met, the son with dispatches from Commodore Decatur andthe captured colors of the _Macedonian_. A cheer almost rent the room.And as he advanced his mother met him with a clasp of wordless joy.
The President had been detained on some important business. But theprocession made its way to the dais where the ladies were sitting, andthe trophy of victory was unfurled amid loud acclamations. The bandplayed "Hail, Columbia!" and when it ceased the young man modestly madea brief speech. The dispatches were for the President; the flag he laidat Mrs. Madison's feet--the flag that was next of kin to that of the_Guerriere_.
The enthusiasm was so great that the dancing stopped. The flag wasraised to a place beside that of the other two trophies. Old veteranswiped their eyes, the ladies waved their handkerchiefs, and more thanone voice had a break in it.
Annis stood breathless. Mr. Carrington towered above her, and he couldbarely see; but he had heard the story in the hall, and was repeatingit. The clasp of her soft hand touched him.
"If you want to go nearer," he said to Mr. Yardley, "I will take careof Miss Annis. I am an old friend of the family."
"It would be hopeless to think of getting her to her sister's just now.Yes--I should like to see young Hamilton."
"That is excuse enough for anyone," and Carrington smiled, bowing apolite dismissal.
"I am so glad to find you!" Annis said with childlike simplicity. "Wehave missed you so much. Where have you been all this long time?"
"We? Who?" He bowed his head a little.
"Charles and I. And do you know Charles is ill and in the doctor'shands at Philadelphia?"
"No; I have been away three months--up on the northern frontier and inBoston. Poor Charles! Is he likely to recover?"
"He was to come home at Christmas, but he can't now," and she sighed alittle. "And papa too," irrelevantly thinking of his earlier question."We were all sorry."
"I don't think everybody could have been," after a little pause.
She raised her soft, beseeching eyes. "Are you still angry withJaqueline?" she asked. "I am sure she is sorry. Patty teases her andsays she will be an old maid because----"
Then Annis hung her pretty head.
"What makes you think she was sorry?"
He looked down into the eyes with an infinite persuasion, and his voicehad an accent hard to resist.
"Oh!--because--she was sometimes so sad and sweet, and used to gowalking by herself in the twilight. Occasionally she would let me come.I can't quite tell--there are some things you feel. And it isn't rightto keep angry forever."
The child's tone was more assured. She was on firmer moral ground.
"Then you think I have been angry long enough?" It had seemed years tohim.
"Papa was very angry and scolded Jaqueline, but didn't keep angry.Charles and I have been so sorry! Oh, you will make up friends?"
"You love Charles as much as ever, then? Happy Charles! When you havelove you have all the best of life."
"Then why don't you ask Jaqueline to love you again? Oh, I am sure shewould!"
There was a sweet seriousness in the face and the tone, the innocenceof the child.
"And why didn't you go to Philadelphia?" he asked presently.
"I wanted to. Don't you think it hard for a little girl to be givingup her mother continually? But if it is best----They could not takeme, and Jaqueline said she would be like mamma, and love me and carefor me. She is ever so sweet. And Patty and the baby are delightful. Ilike Dr. Collaston too. And I am going to school to a queer, delightfullittle French woman, Madame Badeau. And the French I used to know outin Kentucky all comes back to me."
"Yes," smilingly. "I have seen Madame Badeau." The throng was beginningto move. "Suppose we go up and have a look at this wonderful flag?I think war terrible; but it is good to be on the winning side, andcertainly our poor sailors have suffered long enough. When we area terror to our enemies they will learn to respect us. But, thankHeaven, you know nothing about the terrible side here! May God keep yousafely!"
She raised her eyes with a grave half-smile as if to thank him for hisbenison.
The President had come in now. The band was playing patriotic tunes,several inspiriting Scotch pieces, for just now no one seemed anxiousto dance. Ensign Hamilton was one of the heroes of the occasion, andthe pretty women were saying all manner of complimentary things to him.There in the throng stood Lieutenant Ralston and Midshipman Yardley,and, yes, there were Dr. and Mrs. Collaston.
Jaqueline was out of the group, listening to a vivid account of thetaking of the _Guerriere_ and the gala time there had been in oldBoston Town.
Patricia turned and espied Annis, who held her head up proudly andlooked as if she were used to going to balls every week of her life.
"Oh, Mr. Carrington!" reaching over a cordial hand. "What a strangeryou are! I felt I ought to go in search of Annis, but I knew she wasin good hands. Thank you for your care of her. Wasn't it all grand? Areyou not proud of your country?"
"We have worked wonders on the sea, considering how unprepared we wereand the strength of the enemy. I am no croaker, but we are not throughyet. Heaven grant that we may be successful to the end! After all,we are a young nation; and we have fought in almost a new cause, theenlightenment of the people, not the gl
ory or gain of kings."
"Annis, come and curtsey to some of these heroes. She is over-young forsuch a place as this, but it will be a proud thing to remember."
The throng shifted again. Ralston stepped aside and encountered Mr.Carrington.
"Roger, old fellow,"--and though his tone was low it had a cordialheartiness,--"in this time of gratulation private feuds ought to beburied. You were wrong in your surmise, as I told you then. Betweenmyself and Miss Mason there has never been anything but the sincerestfriendliness. Still, I asked her to marry me and she declined. Heartsare not so easily caught in the rebound, after all. And though shehas many admirers she has not been won. Let us be friends again in herhonor, for her sake."
"For our own sake, Ralston. If we are ever to make a grand country wemust be united man to man. There is need enough of it. A scene likethis will go far toward healing many dissensions, public and private.And I beg you to pardon what I said out of a sore and desperate heart."
"Friends!" repeated Ralston joyously.