CHAPTER III
Shaking Down
If Katrine and Gwethyn had taken a dislike to the "Toadstool", as theynicknamed Githa Hamilton, that elfish damsel seemed ready to return thesentiment with interest. She divined their weak points with horribleintuition, and her sharp little tongue was always armed with causticremarks. She would stand watching them like a malign imp when theyplayed tennis, sneering if they made bad strokes, and rejoicing overtheir opponents' scores with ostentatious triumph. At Katrine's airsof dignity she scoffed openly, and she would call in question Gwethyn'sreally quite harmless little exaggerations with ruthless punctiliousness.The new-comers tried to preserve an airy calm, and treat this offensivejunior as beneath their notice; but she was a determined enemy, returningconstantly to the assault, and the skirmishes continued.
A complete contrast to Githa's spirit of opposition was the behaviour ofLaura Browne. As Coralie had predicted, she took up the new girls hotly.She walked with them or sat next to them on every possible occasion,asked for their autographs, obtained snapshots of them with her Browniecamera, and gushed over their home photos and private possessions.
"It's so nice to have someone at the school with whom I really feel Ican become friends," she assured Gwethyn. "The moment I saw you both, Ifell in love with you. I believe strongly in first impressions--don'tyou? Something seems to tell me there's to be a link between our lives.How romantic to have a brother at the front! I think his portrait inuniform is simply perfect. I shall ask you to lend it to me sometimes,when you can spare it. It does one good to look at a hero like that. Iwish my brothers were old enough to join. They're at the mischievous ageat present. I envy you your luck."
And Laura sighed dramatically. Katrine, mindful of Coralie's hint,received these advances with caution, but Gwethyn, who was not a verydiscriminating little person, felt rather flattered. After all, it ishighly pleasant to be openly admired, your friendship courted, yourwishes consulted, and your opinions treated with deference. In the firstflush of her enthusiasm she readily drew a sketch in Laura's album,embroidered a handkerchief for her, and proffered peppermint creams aslong as the box lasted. She submitted peaceably to lend penknife,scissors, pencils, or any other unconsidered trifles, and when she wasobliged to ask for them back, her new friend was so ready with apologiesfor their non-return that she felt almost ashamed of having mentionedthe matter.
Between Githa's evident dislike and Laura's fawning sycophancy was awide gap. These two had openly declared themselves "for" or "against";the solid block of the school stood aloof. During their first week, atleast, the new girls must be on approval before they settled into theplaces which they would eventually occupy. Their sayings and doings wereclosely noted, but public opinion reserved itself. The monitresses werekind, but slightly cool. They did not altogether like Katrine'sattitude. She had given them to understand that she had come toAireyholme as an art student, and not as a pupil, and they resented theassumption of superiority implied.
"We're all art students here," Diana Bennett had replied stiffly.
"But you're not taking special private lessons from Miss Aubrey?" askedKatrine, feeling that she scored by this point.
"Viola and Dorrie and I are going in for the matric., so we haven't muchtime for painting. It's a jolly grind getting up all our subjects, I cantell you!"
In the privacy of their own study, the three monitresses discussed thematter at some length.
"I rather like them both," said Dorrie. "Katrine's quite an interestingsort of girl, only she has at present far too high an idea of her ownimportance."
"She's inclined to be a little patronizing," commented Viola. "Of coursethat won't do. I'm Captain here, and she'll have quite to realize that.We can't let a girl come into the school at seventeen and begin to bossthe whole show."
"Rather not! There ought to be a rule to admit no one over fifteen."
"Thirteen would be better."
"Well, at any rate when they're juniors, and have time to get used toAireyholme ways. I've been here six years, and if anyone knows theschool traditions, I ought to. No, Miss Katrine Marsden mustn't beallowed to give herself airs. That I've quite made up my mind about."
"What do you think of Gwethyn?"
"She's a harum-scarum, but I like her the better of the two."
"She's inseparables with Laura Browne."
"Well, you know Laura! She goes for every new girl, and toadies tillshe's got all she can, or grows tired of it. Gwethyn will find her outin course of time, I suppose."
"The real gist of the matter," said Dorrie, wrinkling her browsanxiously, "is whether I'm to put them in the tennis list. They playuncommonly well."
"Oh, it wouldn't be fair to let new girls represent the school!"
"You think so? On the other hand, the school must win by hook or bycrook."
"Well, I don't think it would do to make either of them a champion,putting them above the heads of those who have been here for years."
"It's a difficult question, certainly."
"Difficult? Not at all; I think it's conclusive!" snapped Viola rathersharply. "Those who are trained in Aireyholme methods are best fitted torepresent Aireyholme. There can't be two opinions about it."
There was certainly some occasion for the rather jealous attitude whichthe monitresses were inclined to adopt towards Katrine. By thearrangement which her mother had made with Mrs. Franklin, she wasreally more in the position of the old-fashioned "parlour boarder" thanof an ordinary pupil. She had been placed in the Sixth Form, but tookless than half the classes, the rest of her time being devoted to artlessons. While others were drudging away at Latin translation, orracking their brains over mathematical problems, she was seated in thestudio, blissfully painting flowers; or, greater luck still, sallyingforth with paint-box and easel to sketch from nature. As the studio wasthe favourite haunt of most of the seniors, these special privilegeswere the envy of the school. Nan Bethell and Gladwin Riley, inparticular, hitherto the Aireyholme art stars, felt their noses much putout of joint, and were injured that their mothers had not made a likearrangement on their behalf. They went so far as to petition Mrs.Franklin for a similar exemption from certain lessons in favour ofpainting. But the Principal was adamant; the Sixth was her ownparticular form, she was jealous of its reputation, and by no meansdisposed to excuse members, whom she had been coaching for months, thecredit which they ought to gain for the school in the examination lists.Though art was a pet hobby at Aireyholme, it must not be allowed tousurp the chief place, to the detriment of Mrs. Franklin's own subjects.
In the meantime Katrine, quite unaware of these difficulties, wore herpicturesque painting apron for several hours daily, and revelled both inher work and in the companionship of her new teacher. Miss Aubrey wasthe greatest possible contrast to her sister, Mrs. Franklin. Instead ofbeing tall, imposing, and masterful, she was small, slight, and gentlein manner. "A ducky little thing", most of the girls called her, andKatrine endorsed the general opinion. Miss Aubrey certainly would nothave made a good head of the establishment; she was absent-minded,dreamy, and made no attempt to uphold discipline; but in her owndepartment she was delightful. The pupils talked with impunity in herclasses, but they nevertheless worked with an enthusiasm that many astricter teacher might have failed to inspire. There was an artisticatmosphere about Miss Aubrey; she always seemed slightly in the clouds,as if she were busier observing the general picturesque effect of lifethan its particular details. In appearance she was pleasing, with softgrey eyes and smooth brown hair. It was the fashion at the school tocall her pretty. The girls set her down as many years younger than Mrs.Franklin. The studio was, of course, her special domain at Aireyholme;she worked much there herself, and quite a collection of her picturesadorned the walls. The crisp, bold style of painting aroused Katrine'sadmiration, and made her long to try her skill at landscape-sketching.Miss Aubrey had kept her at a study of flowers until she could judge hercapabilities; but at the end of the first week the mistress declared herready
for more advanced work.
"I am going into the village this morning to finish a picture of myown," she announced. "You and your sister may come with me, and I willstart you both at a pretty little subject."
Gwethyn, whose time-table had been left to the entire discretion ofMrs. Franklin, was highly elated to find that she was to share some ofKatrine's art privileges. She had never expected such luck, and rejoicedaccordingly. The fact was that Miss Aubrey wished to continue her ownsketch, and to settle Katrine at an easier subject a hundred yardsfarther down the street. She thought it might be unpleasant for the girlto sit alone, and that the sisters would be company for each other. Shewould be near enough to keep an eye on them, and to come and correcttheir drawings from time to time. Much encumbered, therefore, withcamp-stools, easels, boards, paint-boxes, and other impedimenta, butfeeling almost equal to full-blown artists, the Marsdens, to the wildenvy of their less fortunate school-fellows, sallied forth with MissAubrey down to the village. Their teacher had chosen a very picturesquelittle bit for their first attempt--a charming black-and-white cottage,with an uneven red-tiled roof and an irregular, tumble-down chimney. Shesuperintended them while they opened their camp-stools and fixed theireasels, then showed them where the principal lines in their sketchesought to be placed.
"You mustn't mind if people come and stare at you a little," sheremarked cheerfully. "It's what all artists have to put up with. You'llget used to it. Now I'm going to my own subject. I shall come back verysoon to see how you're getting on."
With great satisfaction the girls began blocking in their cottage,feeling almost like professional artists as they marked roof, angles,and points of perspective with the aid of a plumb-line.
"What a lovely little village it is!" exulted Katrine. "And sodelightfully peaceful and quiet. There's nobody about."
"Yes, it's heavenly! One couldn't sit out sketching in the street athome," agreed Gwethyn enthusiastically.
Alas! their bliss was shortlived. They had scarcely been five minutes atwork when they were espied by half a dozen children, who ran up promptlyand joyfully to stare at their proceedings. The group of spectatorsseemed to consider them an attraction, for they rushed off to spread thegleeful news among their fellows, with the result that in a few momentshalf the youth of the neighbourhood were swarming round Katrine andGwethyn like flies round a honey-pot. Evidently the inhabitants of thevillage regarded artists as a free show; not only did the small fryflock round the girls' easels, but a certain proportion of grown-ups,who apparently had nothing better to do, strolled up and made an outsidering to the increasing and interested audience.
"Do they imagine we're the vanguard of a circus, or that it's aningenious form of advertisement?" whispered Gwethyn. "I believe theyexpect me to write 'Sanger's Menagerie is Coming' in big letters on mydrawing-board, or perhaps 'Buy Purple Pills'!"
"I should feel more inclined to write 'Don't come within ten yards!'"groaned Katrine. "I wish they'd go away! They make me so nervous. It'shorrible to feel your every stroke is being watched. I've put in mychimney quite crooked. Are they troubling Miss Aubrey, I wonder?"
Gwethyn stood up to command a full view of the street. Yes, Miss Aubreywas also surrounded by a small crowd, but she took no notice of thespectators, and was painting away as if oblivious of their presence.
"She doesn't seem to mind," commented Gwethyn. "I wish I'd her nerve."
"They seem to find us as attractive as a dancing bear," groaned Katrine."That fat old man in the blue flannel shirt is gazing at us with themost insinuating smile. Don't look at him. Oh, why did you? You'veencouraged him so much, he's coming to speak to us."
The wearer of the blue shirt appeared to think he was doing a kindaction in patronizing the strangers; his smile broadened, he forced hisway forward among the pushing children, and opened the conversation witha preliminary cough.
"Be you a-drawin' that old house across there?" he beganconsequentially. "Why, it be full o' cracks and stains, and 'ave wantedpullin' down these ten year or more!"
"It's beautiful!" replied Katrine briefly.
"Beautiful! With the tiles all cracked and the wall bulgin'? Now if youwas wantin' a house to draw, you should 'a done mine. It's a new redbrick, with bow windows and a slated roof, and there's a row o' nicetidy iron railings round the garden, too. You must come and take a lookat it."
"We like the old cottages better, thank you," said Gwethyn, as politelyas she could. "Would you please mind moving a little to the left? You'restanding just exactly in my light."
"He's a picturesque figure," whispered Katrine, as their newacquaintance heaved himself heavily from the kerb-stone; then she addedaloud: "I wonder if you'd mind standing still a minute or two, andletting me put you into my picture? Yes, just there, please."
"You wants to take I?" he guffawed. "Well, I never did! Best let me gohome and tidy up a bit first."
"No, no! I like you as you are. Don't move! Only keep still for threeminutes," implored Katrine, sketching with frantic haste.
"I don't know what my missis would say at I being took in my corduroys,"remonstrated the model, who appeared half bashful and half flattered atthe honour thrust upon him. "I'd change to my Sunday clothes if ye'dwait a bit, missie! Well, it be queer taste, for sure! I'd 'a thought asuit o' broadcloth would 'a looked a sight better in a picture."
"See the lady! She's a-puttin' in Abel Barnes!" gasped the children,crowding yet nearer, and almost upsetting the pair of easels in theirexcitement. "There's his head! There be his arm! Oh, and his legs too!It be just like him--so it be!"
"Keep back and let the ladies alone!" commanded Abel in a stentorianvoice. "Where are your manners got to? If you've finished, missie,you'll maybe not object to my takin' a look. Well, for sure, there I beto the life!"
"Wherever that picture goes in all the world, Abel Barnes will go withit!" piped a small awestruck voice in the background.
"Yes, she'll take me away with her," replied Abel, in a tone thatimplied some gratification--perhaps a touch of vanity lingered underthe blue flannel shirt. "If I'd but a-been in my Sunday clothes!" hecontinued regretfully. "Still, you've only to say the word, and I'll put'em on for you any day you've a mind to take I again, and you could drawthe missis too, and the house, if you like. I were goin' to give therailings a fresh coat o' paint anyways, so I may as well do it afore youbegins."
Finding that Katrine would not commit herself to any rash promises, hefinally strolled away, possibly to buy a tin of paint, or to review hisSunday garments in anticipation of the hoped-for portrait. The children,filled with envy at his distinction, were all eager to volunteer asmodels, and began posing in the road in various stiff and photographicattitudes.
"Put in I! Put in I!" implored each and all.
"I shan't put in anybody if you don't behave yourselves," repliedKatrine severely. "How can I see anything when you're standing exactlyin front of me? Go away at once, and leave us quiet!"
To remove themselves from the vicinity of the interesting strangers was,however, not at all in the children's calculations. They only backed,and formed a close ring again round the exasperated girls, breathingheavily, and keeping up a chorus of whispered comments. Katrine andGwethyn sighed ruefully, but judged it better to follow Miss Aubrey'sexample and take no notice, hoping that their tormentors might presentlytire, and run off to play marbles or hop-scotch. The cottage proved byno means an easy subject to sketch; it needed very careful spacing anddrawing before they could secure a correct outline. It would have beenhard enough if they had been alone and undisturbed, but to be obliged towork in full view of a frank and critical audience was particularlytrying. Every time they rubbed anything out, a small voice would cry:
"Missed again! She can't do it!"
"I never realized before how often I used my india-rubber," murmuredpoor Gwethyn. "They seem to think I'm making a series of very badshots."
"I wonder if I dare begin my sky, or if I ought to show the drawing toMiss Aubrey first," said Katrine. "I
believe I shall venture. How I wisha motor-car would come along and scatter these wretched infants, or thattheir mothers would call them in for a meal!"
There was no such luck. The sight of the mixing of cobalt blue andNaples yellow on Katrine's palette only caused the children to press yetcloser.
"Oh, look! This lady be doing it in colours!" they shouted. "She becleverer than the other lady."
"Katrine, we must get rid of them!" exclaimed the outraged Gwethyn;then, turning to the crowd of shock heads behind, she inquiredfrowningly: "How is it you're not in school?"
"It's a holiday to-day!" came in prompt chorus.
"There's the Board of Guardians' meeting at the schoolhouse," explainedan urchin, poking a chubby face in such close proximity to Katrine'spaint-box that in self-defence she gave him a dab of blue on hisfreckled nose.
"It be luck for us when they have their meetings," volunteered anothergleefully.
"But not for us," groaned Gwethyn. "Katrine, I wonder if the ChurchCatechism would rout them. I declare I'll try! It's my last weapon!"
Vain hope, alas! If Gwethyn had expected to thin the throng by actingcatechist, she was much mistaken. The children had been well grounded atSunday school, and so far from quailing at the questions were anxious toair their knowledge, and show off before visitors.
"Ask I! I can say it all from 'N. or M.' to 'charity with all men'!"piped a too willing voice. "Be you a-going to give I sweets for sayingit?" inquired another, with an eye to business.
"Katrine, I shall have to beat a retreat," murmured Gwethyn. "It'simpossible to paint a stroke with this sticky little crew buzzing roundlike flies. I don't like being a public character. I've had enoughnotoriety this morning to last for the rest of my life. Now then, youyoung rascal, if you lay a finger on that paint-box I shall call on theschoolmaster and ask him to spank you!"
At this juncture, much to the girls' relief, Miss Aubrey came tocriticize their sketches. She pointed out the mistakes in theirdrawings, and waited while they corrected them.
"It's no use beginning the painting to-day," she remarked in a low tone."The children are too great a nuisance. I did not know about the Boardof Guardians' meeting, or I would not have brought you this morning. Wemust come another time, when these small folk are safely in school, andwe can work undisturbed. I'm afraid you must have found them verytroublesome."
"The ten plagues of Egypt weren't in it!" replied Gwethyn, joyfullyclosing her paint-box, and beginning to pack up her traps. "You had acrowd, too."
"Oh! I'm more accustomed to it, though I admit I'd rather dispense withan audience. If you want to be an artist, you have to learn to put upwith this kind of thing. Never mind! I promise our next subject shall bein an absolutely retired spot, where no one can find us out."