CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
THE "REVELS."
One of the Hurst Manor institutions was a whole holiday on the firstSaturday in June, which was technically known as "Revels." The holidayhad been inaugurated partly to celebrate the coming of summer, andpartly as a kindly distraction for the students, who at this season ofthe year were apt to be too absorbingly engrossed in the comingexaminations. Old pupils declared that at no other time was thePrincipal so indulgent and anxious to second the girls' fancies, whilethe particular form of entertainment was left entirely to theirdiscretion. When the programme was drawn up it was submitted to MissBruce for approval, but, as she had never been known to object, theconsultation was more a matter of form than necessity.
To Rhoda's surprise, she found her name among those of the GeneralCommittee posted on the notice board, and the delight and prideconsequent thereon diverted her thoughts into a new channel, and were asgood as a tonic to her nervous system. It was a compliment to have beenchosen, for the dozen girls had been drawn from all five houses, andIrene Grey and herself were the only representatives of the Blues.
"It's a beauty competition, evidently. Can't think why they haven'tasked me!" was Tom's comment; but Rhoda felt convinced that she had beenselected because of the dramatic abilities which she had exhibited onmore than one of the Thursday "Frolics," and was not far wrong in hersurmise. She had, in truth, a keen eye for effect, a power ofmanufacturing properties, and of learning and even inventing suitablerhymes, which were invaluable in organising an entertainment.
"And besides," said the Games Captain to her Secretary, "there's herback hair! She has really admirable back hair!"
The Committee held their meetings in the study of the Head Green, andanxiously discussed their programme. On previous years they had heldGymkhanas and various kinds of picnics, but the ambition was ever to hiton something so original and startling as to eclipse all that hadpreviously been attempted. They racked their brains and gazedhelplessly at the ceiling, while the Chairwoman begged for remarks,after the manner of all Committees since the world began. Then, atlast, someone hazarded a suggestion, someone else took it up and added afresh idea; and the ball, once set rolling, grew bigger and bigger,until, at last, there it was, complete and formed before them! It was acharming programme--quite charming! They were full of admiration fortheir own cleverness in inventing it, and away they flew, smiling andconfident, to consult Miss Bruce in her sanctum.
The Principal read the sheet handed to her, and the corners of her lipstwitched in humorous fashion. She looked across at the twelve eageryoung faces, and smiled a slow, kindly smile.
"It sounds _very_ charming!" she said; "I am sure it would be mostentertaining, but--would it not involve a great deal of preparation? Doyou think you have realised how much work you will have?"
"Oh yes, Miss Bruce, but we can manage it easily!" cried the Chairwoman."We can get as many helpers as we like in game hours, and you alwaysallow us an afternoon off to make preparations."
"Certainly, certainly! You can do nothing without time. Very well,then, if you think you can manage, I have no objection. You have mypermission to ask the carpenter and gardeners to help you, and ifanything is needed, one of the governesses shall go into town to makeyour purchases."
Nothing could have been more gracious. The Committee gave a unanimousmurmur of acknowledgment, and were immediately smitten withembarrassment. So long as one has something to say it is easy to retainself-confidence, but, when the business is finished, the necessity ofsaying good-bye and beating a retreat becomes fraught with terror to thetimid guest. The girls felt that it would be discourteous to retirewithout speaking another word, but what to say they could not think, sothey huddled together beside the door, and waited to be dismissed, whichthey presently were in the kindest of manners.
"I shall look forward with great pleasure to the performance. Successto your efforts! You will have plenty to do, so I won't detain you anylonger. Good afternoon!"
The Committee retired in haste, gasped relief in the corridor, andpromptly set about collecting forces for the furtherance of its aim.They enlisted the sympathies of the workmen engaged in the grounds,selected parties of amateur gardeners to supplement their efforts, andchose the forty prettiest girls in the school to be on the "actingstaff." Each new worker was pledged to secrecy, as surprise was to bethe order of the day, and a certain portion of the grounds was markedoff by placards bearing the announcement that "Trespassers would bepersecuted!" A casual observer might have imagined a slip of the pen inthis last word, but the girls knew better. It would be persecution,indeed, and of no light nature, which would be visited upon a willingviolator of that order.
For the next ten days preparations went on busily, both outdoors and inthe various studies. Lessons, of course, could not be interrupted, butthe hours usually devoted to games, added to odd five minutes ofleisure, made up a not inconsiderable total. The onlookers reportedeagerly among themselves that the dancing mistress had been pressed intothe service, and that sundry mysterious boxes had been sent to theleading members of the Committee from their various homes. Everyone wasagreed that "It" was to be very grand, and they prepared to enjoy theentertainment in a hearty, but duly critical fashion; for when weourselves have not been asked to take part in an enterprise, pride hasno better consolation than to think how much more successful it wouldhave been in happier circumstances!
The Committee announced that, should the weather prove unpropitious, amodified form of the proposed entertainment would be given in GreatHall, but no one seriously contemplated such a catastrophe. Providencewas so invariably kind to "Revels" that the oldest student could notrecall a day that had been less than perfect, and this year was noexception to the rule. The air was soft, the sky was blue, the grass,unscorched as yet by the heat of summer, of a rich emerald green, thesunshine sent flickering shadows over the paths; it was one of thoseperfect days when our native land is seen at its best; and when Englandis at her best, go east or west, or where you will, you can find noplace to equal it! Every single inmate of school came down to breakfastwith a smile on her face, for this was a day of all play and no work,and as the formal entertainment did not take place until three o'clock,the whole morning remained in which to laze after one's heart's desire.Even the Committee were so well on with their preparations that byeleven o'clock they were free to join their friends, and Rhoda lookedeagerly round for Miss Everett. No one had seen her, however, and avague report that she was "headachy" sent the searcher indoors tofurther her inquiries. She found the study door closed, but a faintvoice bade her enter, and there on the sofa lay Miss Everett with ahandkerchief bound round her head. She looked up and smiled at Rhoda'sentrance, and said immediately:
"Do you want me, dear? Can I do anything to help you?"
"So likely that I would let you, isn't it?" returned Rhoda scornfully."What is the matter? Is your head bad?"
"Yes! No! It isn't really so very bad, but one seems to give way whenthere is nothing to do. If it had been an ordinary day I should havegone on with my work, and even played games. I have managed to getthrough many a time when I've been worse than this; but it's a luxury tolie still and rest. I--I'm enjoying it very much!"
"You look like it!" said Rhoda shortly, noting with sharp eyes theflushed cheeks, the drops of tell-tale moisture on the eyelashes. "Thisroom is like an oven, and it will get worse and worse as the day goeson. Now, it's my turn to order you about, and you've got to obey. Getup and put on your hat, and come out with me!"
"Rhoda, I can't! It's cruel! I can't walk about. Do--do let me restwhen I get a chance. I'm _so_ tired!"
"You are not going to walk about; you are going to rest better than youcould ever do here, so don't worry and make objections. Here's yourhat, and here's my arm, and please come along without any more arguing.You'll be thankful to me when I get you nicely settled!"
"_When_!" echoed Miss Everett ungratefully; but she was too languid too
ppose the girl's strong will, so she sat up, put on her hat, andallowed herself to be led downstairs and into the grounds. The girlswere scattered about under the trees, but Rhoda skirted round the pathsso as to avoid them as much as possible, and presently came to asheltered spot, where Dorothy lay swinging to and fro in a most superiorCanadian hammock which had been sent from Erley Chase at the beginningof the summer weather. She peered over the edge as footsteps approachedand Rhoda cried briskly:
"Tumble out, Dorothy! I said you could have it until I needed itmyself, and I want it now for Miss Everett. She has a headache, and isgoing to rest here until lunch. Now then, I'll shake up the pillows,and if you don't say it is the most delicious hammock you ever lay in, Ishan't think much of your taste. I'll put up the parasol and tuck itinto the ropes--so!--that you may feel nice and private if anyonepasses. Now then, how's that? Isn't that comfy? Isn't that animprovement on the stuffy little study?"
Miss Everett rested her head on the cushion, and drew a long breath ofenjoyment.
"It's--beautiful! It's perfect. I'm so happy! I never want to moveagain."
"You are not to move until I tell you. Go fast asleep, and I'll promisefaithfully to wake you in time for lunch. We must have you well for theafternoon, you know. I'd be heart-broken if you didn't see me in mygrand--. Never mind, that's a secret, but you _will_ rest, won't you?You will be good, and do as you are told?"
"Kiss me!" replied Miss Everett simply, lifting her dark eyes to thegirl's face with an appeal so sweet that it would have touched a heartof stone. No sooner was the kiss given, than down fell the eyelids, andRhoda crept away realising that sleep, the best of medicines, was indeednear at hand. She herself spent a happy morning lying flat on her backon the grass in company with half a dozen other girls, discussing theaffairs of the world in general, the blatant follies of grown-ups, andthe wonderful improvements which would take place when they in theirturn came into power. Rhoda was specially fervid in denunciation, andher remarks were received with such approval that it was in high goodtemper that she went to awaken the sleeper from her two hours' nap.Miss Everett declared that she felt like a "giant refreshed," had not ascrap of pain left, and had enjoyed herself so much that if "Revels"ended there and then, she would still consider it an historic occasion,which was satisfactory indeed.
But there was more to follow! There was a great dressing up in thecubicles after lunch, the girls making their appearance in pique skirtsand crisp new blouses, and rustling into the grounds, all starch andimportance. The "persecuting placards" had been withdrawn, and replacedby others directing the visitors' steps in the right direction. Theyfollowed meekly, "This way to the Opening Ceremony!" and foundthemselves on the south side of the lake, where a semicircle of chairshad been set for the teachers, and gaily-hued rugs spread on the grassto protect the freshness of the pique skirts. Here, no doubt, was theplace appointed, but where was the Ceremony? The girls took theirplaces, and began to clap in impatient fashion, speculating vaguelyamong themselves.
"What's going to happen now? Why do we face this way where we can't seeanything except the lake? There's the landing place opposite--perhapsthey are going to play water-polo? It wouldn't be bad fun in thisweather."
"I think some one should have been here to receive us. It's rude to letyour guests arrive without a welcome. If I had been on the Committee--What's that--?"
"What? Oh, music! But where--where? It is growing nearer. It's aviolin, and a 'cello--and someone singing. This grows mysterious! Oh,I say--Look! look to the right! To the right! Oh, isn't it romanticand lovely?"
The girls craned forward, and cried aloud in delight, for round thecorner of the lake was slowly coming into view a wonderful, rose-wreathed barque, with Youth at the prow and Pleasure at the helm, cladin the most fanciful and quaint of garments. It would have been idle toassert that this wonderful craft was the old school tub, guaranteed tobe as safe as a house, and as clumsy as hands would make it; for no onecould have been found to listen to such a statement. Garlands of rosesfluttered overhead; roses wreathed the sides, pink linings concealed thedark boards, and, as for the occupants, they looked more like denizensof another world than practical, modern-day schoolgirls. The oarswomenstood at their post, wearing pale green caps over their flowing locks,and loose robes of the same colour. The musicians were robed in pink,with fillets of gauze tied round their heads, and underneath the centralawning sat a gorgeous figure who was plainly the Queen of the Ceremony.
Amidst deafening applause the boat drew up before the landing-stage,and, while the oarswomen stood to attention, the central figurealighted, and moved slowly forward until she stood in front of thesemicircle of watchers.
"It's Rhoda Chester!" gasped the girls incredulously, pinching theirneighbours' arms in mingled excitement and admiration; and Rhoda Chesterin truth it was, transformed into a glorified vision, far removed fromthe ordinary knickerbockered, pigtailed figure associated with the name.A white robe swept to the ground, the upper skirts necked over withrose-leaves of palest pink; in the right hand she bore a sceptre ofroses, and a wreath of the same flowers crowned her head. Her cheekswere flushed with excitement, and she bore herself with an erect,fearless mien which justified her companions' choice.
When it had become necessary to apportion the _role_ of "Mistress June"the Committee had unanimously agreed that it would be safest in Rhoda'shands. She would not quail at the critical moment, mumble her words,nor forget her duties; but, on the contrary, would rise to the occasion,and find the audience a stimulus to her powers.
It was her genius also which had invented the verses for recitation, sothat there seemed a double reason for giving her the place of honour.So Rhoda had sent home an imperious dressmaking order, and here she was,dainty as loving care could make her, her flaxen mane streaming over hershoulders, the sceptre extended in welcome--as fair a personation of"Mistress June" as one need wish to see--
"Friends and companions, and our teachers dear We give you welcome to our kingdom here. Once more has kindly summer come to stay, And Mistress June resumes her wonted sway. We are your hosts, and to our leafy bowers We welcome you to spend the sunny hours; In happy revels we will all unite, In song, and dance, and ancient pastimes bright; All cares forgotten, labours laid aside, Hearts turned to joy, and glad eyes open wide To watch, as when bright fay and sportive faun Wove their gay dances on the woodland lawn. Alas! the stress of higher education Has vanished these, the poet's fond creation. But nature--not to be denied--has sent Yet fairer forms for gladsome merriment, Who wait my nod. The beauty of the nation Are gathered here to win your approbation. But you grow weary--Hither, maidens all, Forth from your bowers, responsive to my call, With roses crowned, let each and all advance, And let the Revels start with song and dance!"
It was astonishing how well it sounded, recited with an air, and to anaccompaniment of smiles and waving hands. Little Hilary Jervis, theyoungest girl in the school, remarked rhapsodically that it was "Justlike a pantomime!" and the finale to the address was so essentiallydramatic that her elders were ready to agree with her decision.
Rhoda backed gracefully to the spot where her flower-decked chair hadbeen placed by her attendants, and having taken her seat, clapped herhands as a signal to her handmaidens. Instantly from behind the shelterof the trees there tripped forward a band of pink and green-robedfigures, bearing in their hands garlands of many-coloured roses. Theroses were but paper, it is true, and of the flimsiest manufacture, butat a little distance the effect could not have been improved, and whenthe dance began to the accompaniment of music "on the waters" the effectwas charming enough to disarm the most exacting of critics. It was anadaptation of the "scarf dance" practised by the pupils, but thedresses, the circumstances, the surroundings added charm to theaccustomed movements, and there were, of course, deviations from theoriginal figures, noticeably at the end, when, with a simultaneouswhirling movement, the dancers grouped themselves round their Que
en,holding up their skirts so as to entirely conceal their figures. Thegreens were on the outside, the pinks arranged in gradually deepeninglines, and Rhoda's smiling face came peeping out on top; it was evidentto the meanest intellect that the final tableau was intended torepresent a rose, and--granted a little stretch of imagination--it wasreally as much like it as anything else!
This first item of the programme over, the dancers grouped themselves inattitudes of studied grace, while little green-robed heralds led the wayto what, for want of a more high-flown name, was termed "The RoseBower," where various sports and competitions had been organised. Roseswere, indeed, conspicuous by their absence; but there was an archeryground, an amateur Aunt Sally (clad, one regrets to state, in the garbof a University Examiner!) and many original and amusing "trials ofskill." Tom came off victorious in an obstacle race, in the course ofwhich the competitors had to pick up and set in order a prostrate deckchair, correctly add up a column of figures, unravel a knotted rope, andskip with it for fifteen or twenty yards, thread a needle, and hop overthe remaining portion of the course; while Dorothy, who held a stickpoised in her hand, called out in threatening tones, "You _would_ pluckme in arithmetic, would you? Take _that_!" and let fly with such energythat the "Examiner" fell in fragments to the ground.
It was a scene of wild hilarity, for even the teachers threw off theirwonted airs of decorum, and entered into the spirit of the occasion, andto see severe Miss Mott throwing for cocoa-nuts, and fat little Frauleinhopping across the lawn, were by no means the least entertaining itemsin the programme.
Rhoda sat enthroned on her rose-wreathed chair, looking on at therevels, well content with idleness since it was the badge ofsuperiority. The pleasantest part of her duties was still to come, andthe girls realised for what purpose the sixpence-a-head contribution hadbeen levied by the Games Captains, as they saw the prizes which wereawarded the successful competitors. No one-and-eleven-penny frames thistime; no trashy little sixpence-three-farthing ornaments; nor shillingboxes supplied with splinty pencils and spluttering pens; but handsome,valuable prizes, which any girl might be proud to possess. Dorothy waspresented with an umbrella with a silver handle; another lucky winnerreceived the most elegant of green leather purses, with what sherapturously described as "scriggles of gold" in the corners; Tom won ahandsome writing-case, and a successful "Red" the daintiest little goldbangle, with six seed pearls encircling a green stone, concerning theproper name of which it was possible to indulge in endless disputations.
Rhoda was in her element distributing these gifts, and afterwards inleading the way towards the pavilion, which had been transformed into averitable bower by the hands of willing workers, and in which weredisplayed a supply of the most luxurious refreshments. Miss Bruce hadcontributed generously towards the afternoon's entertainment, and as thegirls sat about upon the grass, and were waited upon by the "RoseMaidens," no one had need to sigh in vain for "something nice." Thechoice of good things was quite bewildering, and little Hilary Jerviswas reported to have reverted twice over from coffee to lemonade, and tohave eaten an ice-cream and a ham sandwich in alternate bites. She wasblissfully happy, however, and so was everyone else, and when at lastMistress June returned to her Barque, and the singers started the firstnotes of "Good Night," two hundred voices took up the strain with astrength and precision which made the unrehearsed effect one of the moststriking in the programme.
And so ended "Revels"--the happiest day which many of the students wereto know for long weeks to come.