A fortnight passed and during that time Miss Gordon and Faith had startedMuriel's development in several directions. In fact, the younger of herteachers soon triumphantly announced that not a pupil at High CliffSeminary could make a more graceful curtsy than Muriel.
The day before the expected arrival of Miss Humphrey, who was to tutorthe island girl, she confided to Faith that she just knew that she couldmake far greater headway with writing and reading if she might continuepracticing them with her best friend than she could with a teacher,however learned, who was strange to her. It was evident to the threegirls who were her closest comrades that Muriel dreaded the first hourthat she was to spend with Miss Humphrey.
As usual, the island girl seemed almost to foreknow what was going tohappen, and when the moment arrived Muriel retreated within herself soentirely that, at the close of a very trying hour, Miss Humphrey wentdown to the office of Miss Gordon and remarked: "I must confess that I amextremely disappointed in your prodigy. Her English is deplorable. Tocorrect it will take indefinite patience and far more time than I canspare from my legitimate classwork. Is there not some one who couldundertake her instruction during the fall term in the fundamentals?" IfMiss Gordon was discouraged her voice did not betray it, when, after athoughtful moment, she replied: "I am sorry that I asked you to undertakethe tutoring of the island girl. I hoped that you would see in her thepossibilities of an unusual nature that I still contend are there, but itwill, as you say, require infinite patience to develop them. Perhaps Ihad better make some other arrangement, at least until Muriel has caughtup with your Junior English class."
There was real relief pictured on the face that was lined before itstime. Rising, Miss Humphrey said: "I am indeed glad that we are agreed onthis matter and if Muriel Storm is advanced enough at the midwinter termto enter the junior class I will do all that I can to aid her, but thisdialect which she now speaks must be overcome, and that means tirelessprompting on the part of some constant companion."
Miss Gordon also arose and said, not unkindly: "Give Doctor Winslow'sprotege no more thought until the midwinter term begins." Then theprincipal added, with a brightened smile: "I'll prophesy that Muriel willthen be prepared to enter your sophomore class and not your junior."
"Impossible!" Miss Humphrey declared with conviction.
"Wonders never cease!" laughed Miss Gordon, who now wished to end theinterview.
"But who will tutor Muriel Storm that she is to make such phenomenalprogress?" With her hand on the knob of the open door Miss Humphreyawaited the answer.
"I shall," Miss Gordon replied.
Joy was in the heart of the island girl when she heard this wonderfulnews.
"Oh, I'm that glad, Miss Gordon," she exclaimed the following eveningwhen, just after dinner, she was summoned to the attractive littleapartment in a remote wing of the school to which the principal retiredwhen the tasks of the day were over.
The larger of the two rooms was a library and study in which there was awide fireplace, and on either side long, vine-hung windows thatoverlooked the Hudson. Low shelves circled the walls and they were filledwith book-friends, actually read and loved by their owner. Here and therewere soft-toned copies of famous paintings and a few charming originalsin water color. Too, there were ferns growing in the wicker window-boxesand a blossoming plant on a low wicker stand. The comfortable, invitingchairs of the same weave were cushioned with soft hues and a shade on thereading lamp harmonized. The little room just beyond, in which MissGordon slept, had disappearing windows on all sides, and at night, whenthese were opened, only the screens sheltered her from the out-of-doorsshe so loved. As the principal had prophesied, Muriel, in this congenialatmosphere, blossomed not only rapidly but also beautifully. No one butFaith guessed how her friend was advancing and she did not have to guess.She knew.
Miss Gordon had sent for Faith on the very day that Miss Humphrey hadvisited the office, and together they had divided the work and the joy ofassisting Muriel.
In the beginning the principal had merely planned asking Faith's advice;it had not been her desire to burden the girl, but at once Faith hadsaid: "Oh, Miss Gordon, I have not told you that for the past two weeks Ihave been instructing Muriel in penmanship and also in reading andspelling. It is a great pleasure to me to aid her, and if you are willingI shall continue our little class."
The principal's sweet face brightened. "Thank you, Faith. If you willtutor Muriel in the fundamentals, I will gladly instruct her in thehigher branches."
Then she added, and there was a twinkle in the sweet grey-blue eyes:"Miss Humphrey would never be able to understand it, but I actually enjoyreading poetry to that island girl. She sits on a low stool at my feetand with those liquid hazel eyes she drinks into her very soul the beautyof the thought and the music of the rhythm."
"Miss Gordon," Faith said, "don't let us tell anyone of Muriel'sprogress. Let's keep it a secret until the midwinter term. I would liketo surprise Miss Humphrey--and--and others." Faith was thinking ofMarianne, whom she knew wished to humiliate Muriel.