CHAPTER XVII
A GIRL'S WEAPON
Tavia's plans took shape next morning--there was nothing visionaryabout them. She did surprise her father with a neat breakfast table,and Johnnie surprised himself with a clean linen suit.
"Nothing succeeds like success," said the father, pleased and happythat, at last something had "happened" to brighten the make-shift home.
"And when mother comes," Tavia announced, "she will find that I havediscovered how to keep house, for I have already provided for dinner.Now Johnnie, be careful that you do me credit--go right straight toschool when it's time, and don't, as you value your place in--in--myheart, miss a single lesson!"
"Good!" said the father, actually taking a tiny rosebud from the cleanmilk bottle, in the center of the table, and putting it in hisbuttonhole.
"Would it be silly for a boy to wear a flower?" faltered Johnnie, "JoeDale often does."
"Indeed every boy in school will know to-day that pop is the 'headconstable' so why shouldn't you decorate?" and the sister put in thefresh linen waist a bud that exactly matched the one chosen by thesquire.
Mr. Travers recalled that this was the first morning he could rememberwhen his two children sat at table with him. They were always busy orsleeping--any place but where they should be at breakfast time.
"Now, I must see Dorothy before school," said Tavia, leaving the table."Johnnie, just eat all your toast while I clear up. Then you can bringin fresh water, and some wood to have ready for noon, in case mothershould not get home in time to do everything."
Mr. Travers was also in a hurry to get down to the Green, he had madean appointment to talk with Major Dale and he did not delay afterbreakfast. A new world had been discovered by him--the land ofprosperity; ambition for his children, and perhaps even contentment forthe incompetent little woman who had suffered too, and who now mightfind a way and heart to do what seemed not worth while before.
But Dorothy had "anticipated" Tavia's visit and was at the door beforethe latter had entirely cleared away the table.
"Why!" exclaimed Dorothy, when her eyes rested on the flowers, "you arecelebrating!"
"Good reason why!" responded Tavia proudly, "my dad's a squire!"
"I am so glad," murmured Dorothy, giving Tavia a kiss. "Now you will besomebody, won't you?"
"I am already--somebody else. You won't know me; better ask for anintroduction," and she walked haughtily to the sink with the last ofthe dishes.
"Delighted, I'm sure!" simpered Dorothy, imitating the society voice.
"Pray be seated," went on the new Tavia, "I'll be disengaged directly."
Tavia's happiness was so entirely self-evident there was no need forher to make formal expression of it to Dorothy, yet, as she hadpromised herself to be "just like other girls" Tavia felt theobligation to say something polite.
"I know, Dorothy," she began, "we owe everything to you. But it hasreally made a new world for us, and now, you will see how we appreciateit. I am going to get through school, if I can, and perhaps, when weget better off, I may go on with you at school and grow up--like you."
"Tavia dear," said Dorothy earnestly, "I am sure you will always be myfriend, whether you have a fancy education or not. We have learned morethan can be taught from books--we have learned to help each other, andto understand each other."
"Yes, I cannot imagine anything ever coming into our lives that wouldkeep us apart--even distance does not separate minds and hearts."
Tavia had finished her work now, and surprised Dorothy by neatlywashing out the dish towels.
Dorothy was ready to go now for it was getting close to the hour forschool.
"I must tell you something in confidence," said she, "father thinks hehas a clew to the little Burlock girl's whereabouts."
"Yes, and I thought the same thing when what do you suppose?--Aunt Marywrites me that the woman--Mrs. Burlock--is dead!"
"Dead!" exclaimed Dorothy.
"Yes, and the society cannot now find her girl--she did have adaughter."
"But surely, in a place like Rochester, they should be able to trace alittle girl," Dorothy insisted.
"They should be, but they were not. Aunt Mary wrote that the charitablesociety had buried the woman, and when a young lady from theorganization went back to the rooms with the little girl she allowedher to escape. That is, the young lady went out to buy something andwhen she came back the girl was gone."
"Did she run away?"
"Haven't the least idea. But say, Doro, we will be late, sure pop, andme putting on airs this morning. Quarter of nine. Now let's see if wecan beat last night's record. I'll set the pace," and so saying thegirls started off on a run, for it was most desirable that they reachthe school a few minutes, at least, before the bell rang.
Dorothy insisted Tavia should go straight to Miss Ellis and tell herhow she was so anxious to keep up with her class.
"You might change your mind," Dorothy remarked laughing, "and Tavia,there is nothing like outside help for keeping troublesome resolutions."
"Guess you're right," said Tavia with a sigh. "I may as well clinch it."
"No slang now," interrupted Dorothy. "Graduates never use slang."
"Then I've changed my mind already," pouted Tavia, "I must have slangor die--'Liberty of speech or death!'" she exclaimed with a dramaticgesture.
"Come on," pleaded Dorothy, who was really anxious that Tavia shouldspeak to Miss Ellis before the classes assembled.
To her surprise Tavia learned from her teacher that she had not so verymuch to make up, and could, no doubt, do it if she tried.
"You have been doing very well lately," said Miss Ellis, "and duringthe days you were away we had scarcely any new lessons--nothing butreview. You were always fair in mathematics when you put your mind toyour work. Now let us see if you cannot surprise everyone by gettingall through--not conditioned in anything."
Such encouragement was all Tavia needed. She went to work with a willthat day, and every time Dorothy glanced over at her (for Dorothy wasas anxious for her success as if it were entirely her own affair) shewould see Tavia "poring" over her book as if her very life dependedupon her accomplishing just so much work and she was bound she would doit.
How quickly the morning passed! It was so different to be busy inschool, Tavia thought, so much better than having the hours drag along.At recess Alice hugged her in congratulation.
"I knew he would get it," she said, referring, of course, to the newposition of Mr. Travers, "and father says we girls elected him. I seeyou are already doing credit to the confidence with which Dalton peoplehave intrusted your family."
"I am sure father will give satisfaction," Tavia answered, ignoring theintended compliment for herself. "He had a splendid record inMillville."
"And the picnic," said Alice. "Have you heard it is really coming offthis time? Next Monday."
"Then Sarah will be able to come," remarked Tavia, "I am just glad wewaited for her."
All the girls agreed it would be especially nice to have a genuinereunion, as this would be the last holiday until vacation, and that, ofcourse, would mean a scattering of classmates.
"It will be a star picnic," declared Alice, as the girls returned tothe school room.
"If nothing else happens," said Dorothy with apprehension for which shecould not account.
"Why did you say that?" asked Tavia.
"I don't know. But somehow I feel as if something will happen," andDorothy had sufficient reason afterward to remember the premonition.