Chapter Twenty-fourth.
"The fields did laugh, the flowers did freshly spring,The trees did bud and early blossoms bear,And all the quire of birds did sweetly sing,And told that garden's pleasures in their caroling."--SPENSER'S FAERY QUEEN
Nothing could be lovelier than was Viamede as they found it on theirarrival.
The children, one and all, were in an ecstasy of delight over the orangeorchard with its wealth of golden fruit, glossy leaves, and delicateblossoms, the velvety lawn with its magnificent shade trees, the varietyand profusion of beautiful flowers, and the spacious lordly mansion.
They ran hither and thither jumping, dancing, clapping their hands andcalling to each other with shouts of glee.
The pleasure and admiration of the older people were scarcely less,though shown after a soberer fashion. But no check was put upon thedemonstrations of joy of the younger ones: they were allowed to gambol,frolic, and play, and to feast themselves upon the luscious fruit totheir hearts' content.
Nor was the gladness all on the side of the new arrivals: to the oldhouse servants, many of whom still remained, the coming of their belovedyoung mistress and her children had been an event looked forward to withlonging for years.
They wept for joy as they gathered about her, kissed her hand andclasped her little ones in their arms, fondling them and calling them byevery endearing name known to the negro vocabulary.
And the children, having heard a great deal, from both mamma and mammy,about these old people and their love and loyalty to the family, wereneither surprised, nor displeased, but quite ready to receive and returnthe affection lavished upon them.
The party from Lansdale arrived only a few days after the others, andwere welcomed with great rejoicings, in which even Bruno must have ashare: he jumped and gamboled about Harry and May, tried to kiss thebabies, and finally put his nose into Aunt Wealthy's lap, saying, "Ye'rea dear auld leddy, ma'am, and I'm glad ye've come!"
"Ah," she answered, patting his head and laughing her low, sweet silverylaugh, "you betray your Scotch accent, my fine follow; and I'm too old achaff to be caught with a bird."
Mr. Mason was still chaplain at Viamede, and with his wife and childrenoccupied a pretty and commodious cottage which had been built on theestate expressly for their use.
When he and Mr. Daly met they instantly and delightedly recognized eachother as former classmates and intimate friends, and the Dalys, byurgent invitation, took up their abode for the winter in the cottage;but Mr. and Mrs. Travilla were careful that it should still be entirelyat their expense.
A suite of apartments in the mansion was appropriated to each of theother families, and it was unanimously agreed that each should feel atperfect liberty to withdraw into the privacy of these, having theirmeals served to them there, if they so desired; or at their pleasure tomingle with the others in the breakfast parlor, dining-room,drawing-rooms, library, etc.
The first fortnight was made a complete holiday to all, the days beingfilled up with games, walks, rides, drives and excursions by land andwater.
In consequence of the changes occasioned by the war, they found butlittle society in the neighborhood now, yet scarcely missed it; havingso much within themselves.
But at length even the children began to grow somewhat weary of constantplay. Harry Duncan and Horace Jr. announced their speedy departure toattend to business, and the other adults of the party felt that it wastime to take up again the ordinary duties of life.
Mr. Daly, anxious to make some return for the kindness shown him,offered to act as tutor to all the children who were old enough forschool duties; but Rosie put her arms about her father's neck andlooking beseechingly into his eyes, said she preferred her oldtutor;--at which he smiled, and stroking her hair, said she should keephim then, for he would be quite as loth to give up his pupil,--andElsie's children, clinging about her, entreated that their lessons mightstill be said to mamma.
"So they shall, my darlings," she answered, "for mamma loves to teachyou."
The young Carringtons too, and their mother preferred the old way.
So Mr. Daly's kind offer was declined with thanks: and perhaps he wasnot sorry; being weak and languid and in no danger of suffering fromennui with horses to ride and plenty of books at hand.
A school-room was prepared, but only the Travillas occupied it, Sophiepreferring to use her dressing-room, and Rosie studying in her own room,and reciting to her papa in his or the library.
Elsie expected her children to find it a little hard to go back to theold routine; but it was not so. They came to her with bright, happyfaces, were quiet and diligent and when the recitations were over,gathered about her for a little chat before returning to their play.
"Mamma," said Eddie, "we've had a nice long holiday, and it's reallypleasant to get back to lessons again."
"So it is!" said Vi, "don't you think so, Elsie?"
"Yes, indeed! nice to get back to our books, but we've had lessonsalmost every day, grandpa and papa and mamma teaching us so much aboutthe birds, insects, and all sorts of living things, and the flowers andplants, trees, stones and oh, I don't know how many things that aredifferent here from what we have at home."
"At home! why this is home; isn't it, mamma?" exclaimed Eddie.
"Yes, my son, one of our homes."
"Yes, and so beautiful," said Vi; "but Ion 'pears the homest to me."
"Does it, darling?" asked mamma, giving her a smile and a kiss.
"Yes, mamma; and I love Ion dearly: Viamede 'most as well, though,because you were born here, and your dear mamma."
"And because that dear grandma is buried here;" remarked her sister,"and because of all those dear graves. Mamma, I do like those lessons Iwas speaking of, and so do Eddie and Vi; but Herbert and Meta and Harrydon't; they say they think them very stupid and dull."
"I am glad, my children, that you love knowledge," their mother said,"because it is useful; the more knowledge we have the more good we cando if we will."
"And then it is a lasting pleasure. God's works are so wonderful that wecan never learn all about them while we live in this world, and Isuppose throughout the endless ages of eternity, we shall be everlearning, yet always finding still more to learn."
"Mamma, how pleasant that will be," said Elsie thoughtfully.
"And oh, mamma!" cried Vi, "that reminds me that we've been out of doors'most all the day-times, and haven't seen grandma's play-room and thingsyet. Won't you show them to us?"
"Yes, we will go now."
"Me too, mamma?" asked Harold.
"Yes, all of you come. I want you all to see everything that I have thatonce belonged to my dear mother."
"Aunt Rosie wants to see them too," said Vi.
"And Herbert and Meta and the others," added Elsie.
"They shall see them afterwards. I want no one but my own littlechildren now," replied mamma, taking Harold's hand, and leading the way.
She led them to the room, a large and very pleasant one, light and airy,where flowers were blooming and birds singing, vines trailing over andabout the windows, lovely pictures on the walls, cosy chairs andcouches, work-tables, well supplied with all the implements for sewing,others suited for drawing, writing or cutting out upon, standing hereand there, quantities of books, games and toys; nothing seemed to havebeen forgotten that could give pleasant employment for their leisurehours, or minister to their amusement.
There was a burst of united exclamations of wondering delight from thechildren, as the door was thrown open and they entered. Now theyunderstood why mamma had put them off when several times they had askedto be brought to this room: she was having it fitted up in a way to givethem a joyful surprise.
"Do you like it, my darlings?" she asked with a pleased smile.
"Oh, yes, yes! yes indeed!" they cried, jumping, dancing and clappingtheir hands, "dear, dear mamma, how good, how good you are to us!" andthey nearly smothered her with caresses.
Releasing herself, she opened another door le
ading into an adjoiningroom which, to Eddie's increased delight, was fitted up as a work-roomfor boys, with every sort of tool used by carpenters and cabinet makers.He had such at Ion and was somewhat acquainted with their use.
"Oh what nice times Herbert and Harry and I shall have!" he exclaimed."What pretty things we'll make! Mamma, I don't know how to thank you andmy dear father!" he added, catching her hand and pressing it to his lipswith passionate affection.
"Be good and obedient to us, kind and affectionate to your brothers,sisters and playmates," she said, stroking his hair: "that is the kindof thanks we want, my boy; we have no greater joy than to see ourchildren good and happy."
"If we don't be, it's just our own fault, and we're ever so wicked andbad!" cried Vi, vehemently.
Mamma smiled at her little girl's impetuosity, then in grave, tendertones, said, "And is there not some One else more deserving of love andthanks than even papa and mamma?"
"God, our kind heavenly Father," murmured little Elsie, happy, gratefultears shining in her soft eyes.
"Yes, it is from his kind hand all our blessings come."
"I love God," said Harold, "and so does Fank: Mamma, can Fank come uphere to play wis me?"
"Yes, indeed: Frank is a dear, good little boy, and I like to have youtogether."
Mamma unlocked the door of a large light closet, as she spoke, and thechildren, looking eagerly in, saw that its shelves were filled withbeautiful toys.
"Grandma's things!" they said softly.
"Yes, these are what my dear mother played with when she was a littlegirl like Elsie and Vi" said mamma. "You may look at them."
There was a large babyhouse, beautifully furnished; there were manydolls of various sizes, and little chests and trunks full of nicely madeclothes for them to wear--night-clothes, morning wrappers, gay silks andlovely white dresses, bonnets and hats, shoes and stockings too, andribbons and laces, for the lady dolls; and for the gentlemen, coats,hats, vests, cravats and everything that real grown-up men wear; and forthe baby dolls there were many suits of beautiful baby clothes; and allmade so that they could be easily taken off and put on again.
There were cradles to rock the babies in, and coaches for them to ridein; there were dinner and tea-sets of the finest china and of solidsilver; indeed almost everything in the shape of toys that the childishheart could desire.
The lonely little girl had not lacked for any pleasure that money couldprocure: but she had hungered for that best earthly gift--the love offather, mother, brothers and sisters--which can be neither bought norsold.
The children examined all these things with intense interest and a sortof wondering awe, then begged their mother to tell them again about"dear grandma."
They had heard the story--all that mamma and mammy could tell--manytimes, but it never lost its charm.
"Yes, dears, I will: I love to think and speak of her," Elsie said,sitting down in a low chair while they gathered closely round her, theolder two, one on each side, the others leaning upon her lap.
"Mamma, it is a sad story; but I love it," little Elsie said, drawing adeep sigh, as the tale came to an end.
"Yes, poor little girl, playing up here all alone," said Eddie.
"'Cept mammy," corrected Vi.
"Yes, mammy to love her and take care of her, but no brother or sisterto play with, and no dear mamma or papa like ours."
"Yes, poor dear grandma!" sighed little Elsie. "And it was almost ashard for you, mamma, when you were a little girl: didn't you feel verysad?"
"Ah, daughter, I had Jesus to love me, and help me in all my childishgriefs and troubles," the mother answered, with a glad smile; "and mammyto hug and kiss and love me just as she does you."
"But oh, didn't you want your mamma and papa?"
"Yes, sorely, sorely at times; but I think no little child could behappier than I was when at last; my dear father came home, and I foundthat he loved me dearly. Ah, I am so glad, so thankful that my darlingshave never suffered for lack of love."
"I too, mamma."
"And I."
"And I," they exclaimed, clinging about her and loading her withcaresses.
"Hark!" she said, "I hear your dear grandpa's step, and there, he isknocking at the door."
Eddie ran to open it.
"Ah, I thought I should find you here, daughter," Mr. Dinsmore said,coming in. "I, too, want to see these things; it is long since I lookedat them."
She gave him a pleased look and smile, and stepping to the closet hestood for some moments silently gazing upon its treasures.
"You do well to preserve them with care as mementoes of your mother," heremarked, coming back and seating himself by her side.
"O grandpa, you could tell us more about her, and dear mamma too, whenshe was a little girl!" said little Elsie, seating herself upon hisknee, twining her arms about his neck, and looking coaxingly into hisface.
"Ah, what a dear little girl your mamma was at your age!" he said,stroking her hair and gazing fondly first at her and then at hermother, "the very joy of my heart and delight of my eyes! though notdearer than she is now."
Elsie returned the loving glance and smile, while her namesake daughterremarked, "Mamma couldn't be nicer or sweeter than she is now; nobodycould."
"No, no! no indeed!" chimed in the rest of the little flock. "Butgrandpa please tell the story. You never did tell it to us."
"No," he said, half sighing, "but you shall have it now." Then went onto relate how he had first met their mother's mother, then a verybeautiful girl of fifteen.
An acquaintance took him to call upon a young lady friend of his, towhom Elsie Grayson was paying a visit, and the two were in thedrawing-room together when the young men entered.
"What did you think the first minute you saw her, grandpa?" asked Eddie.
"That she had the sweetest, most beautiful face and perfect form I hadever laid eyes on, and that I would give all I was worth to have her formy own."
"Love at first sight," his daughter remarked, with a smile, "and it wasmutual."
"Yes she told me afterward that she had loved me from the first; thoughthe longer I live the more I wonder it should have been so, for I was awild, wayward youth. But she, poor thing, had none to love or cherishher but her mammy."
"Grandpa, I think you're very nice," put in little Vi, leaning on hisknee, and gazing affectionately into his face.
"I'm glad you do," he said, patting her soft round cheek.
"But to go on with my story. I could not keep away from my charmer, andfor the next few weeks we saw each other daily.
"I asked her to be my own little wife and she consented. Then early onemorning we went to a church and were married; no one being presentexcept the minister, the sexton, and her friend and mine, who wereengaged to each other, and her faithful mammy.
"Her guardian was away in a distant city and knew nothing about thematter. He was taken sick there and did not return for three months, andduring that time Elsie and I lived together in a house she owned in NewOrleans.
"We thought that now that we were safely married, no one could everseparate us, and we were very, very happy.
"But one evening her guardian came suddenly upon us, as we sat togetherin her boudoir, and in a great passion ordered me out of the house.
"Elsie was terribly frightened and I said, 'I will go to-night for peacesake; but Elsie is my wife, and to-morrow I shall come and claim her assuch, and I think you'll find I have the law on my side.' Elsie clung tome and wept bitterly; but I comforted her with the assurance that theparting was only for a few hours."
Mr. Dinsmore's voice faltered. He paused a moment, then went on in toneshusky with emotion.
"We never saw each other again. When I went back in the morning thehouse was closed and quite deserted; not even a servant in it, and Iknew not where to look for my lost wife.
"I went back to my hotel and there found my father waiting for me in myroom. He was very angry about my marriage, the news of which had broughthim fr
om home. He made me go back with him at once and sent me North tocollege. I heard nothing of my wife for months, and then only that shewas dead and had left me a little daughter."
"And that was our mamma!" cried the children, once more crowding abouther to lavish caresses upon her.
They thanked their grandfather for his story, and Vi looking in at thecloset door again, said in her most coaxing tones, "Mamma, I should so,_so_ like to play a little with some of those lovely things; and I wouldbe very careful not to spoil them."
"Not now, daughter, though perhaps I may allow it some day when you areolder. But see here! will not these do quite as well?"
And rising, Mrs. Travilla opened the door of another closet displayingto the children's delighted eyes other toys as fine and in as greatprofusion and variety as those she considered sacred to her mother'smemory.
"Oh, yes, yes, mamma! how lovely! how kind you are! are they for us?"they exclaimed in joyous tones.
"Yes," she said, "I bought them for you while we were in New Orleans,and you shall play with them whenever you like. And now we will lock thedoors and go down to dress for dinner. The first bell is ringing."
After dinner the play-room and the contents of the two closets wereshown to Mrs. Dinsmore, Rosie, and the Carringtons: then Mrs. Travillalocked the door of the one that held the treasured relics of herdeparted mother, and carried away the key.