CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
GOOD-BYE TO HURST MANOR.
The morning of the day dawned on which the invalids were to travel toErley Chase, and Rhoda lay awake upon her bed, listening to the echo ofthe girls' voices as they sang the morning hymn in the hall below. Herheart was softened with a feeling at once of thankfulness and dread--thankfulness that Evie's life had been spared, and her friendshiprenewed, and dread because, she dimly realised, this was the last of thedear school days as they had been. Even if she returned after theholidays, which seemed doubtful, it would be a changed house indeed,with the older girls scattered all over the country, and Evie no longerat hand to soothe and lighten every trouble. Her thoughts went back toher first coming to Hurst Manor eighteen months before, and dwelt sadlyon her own ambitious hopes. It had all seemed so easy, so certain; shehad planned her career with such happy assurance, with never a thoughtbut that success and distinction lay waiting for her grasp; and it hadall ended in this--that she was returning home, enfeebled in health,foiled in ambition, with the bitter weight on her conscience that herself-will had inflicted a life-long injury on the kindest of friends.
"I have failed!" sighed Rhoda humbly to herself. "But why? I nevermeant to do wrong. I intended only to work hard and get on. Surely,surely, there was nothing wicked in that? It can't be possible to betoo industrious, and yet Evie evidently thought something was wrong, andthe Vicar... What can it have been? I wish, I wish I knew! I'm tiredof going my own way, for it leads to nothing but misery anddisappointment. I should like to find out the secret of being happy andcontented like other people." Her eyes filled with tears, those blueeyes which had been so full of confidence, and she clasped her fingersupon the counterpane. The roll of the organ sounded through the house,and the girls' clear voices singing a familiar tune. She listenedunthinkingly, until suddenly one verse struck sharply on her ear, andstartled her into vivid attention:--
"The trivial round, the common task, Will furnish all we ought to ask; Room to deny ourselves, a road To bring us daily nearer God."
She had heard those words a hundred times before, had repeated them ather mother's knee, had sung them in church, not once, but many times,yet it seemed that until that moment no conception of their meaning hadpenetrated to her brain. What was it, which was all we ought to ask?"_Room to deny ourselves_!"--to put ourselves last--to be careless ofour own position? And this path of self-denial was the road that led toGod Himself? Was this what Evie had meant when she spoke of the secretwhich each one must find out for herself? Was this the explanation ofthe contentment which the Vicar had found in his ill-paying parish?"_Room to deny oneself_!" Oh, but this had been far, far from her ownambitions. She had asked for room to distinguish herself, to shineamong her fellows, to be first and foremost, praised and applauded. Herown advancement had been the one absorbing aim in life, and to gratifyit she had been willing to see others fail, and to congratulate herselfin the face of their distress. Never once in all the miseries ofdisappointment which she had undergone had it occurred to her that theexplanation of her difficulties lay in the _motive_ underlying herefforts--the point of view from which she had started. Other girls hadworked as hard as herself, but with some definite and worthy aim, suchas to help their parents, or to fit themselves for work in life. Rhodawas honest, even when honesty was to her own hurt, and she acknowledgedit had been far otherwise in her case when she had failed in herexamination, it had not been deficiency in knowledge which she haddeplored, but the certificate, the star to her name, the outward andvisible signs of success. When she realised the hopelessness of seeingher name on the Record Wall, loss of honour and glory had been herregret, not sorrow for the thought that she had passed through schooland failed to leave behind a tradition of well-doing whereby futurescholars might be strengthened and encouraged!
Rhoda hid her face in the pillow and lay still, communing with her ownheart. How bitter they are, these moments of self-revelation! Howmysterious is the way in which the veil seems suddenly to lift and showus the true figure, instead of the mythical vision which we havecherished in our thoughts! They come suddenly at the most unexpectedmoments, roused by apparently the most trivial of causes, so that thefriend by our side has no idea of the crisis through which we arepassing.
Rhoda Chester never forgot that last morning at school; she could neverhear that hymn sung without a thrill of painful remembrance. When theyears had passed and she had daughters of her own, the sound of thefamiliar words would still bring a flush to her cheeks, but no humanfriend ever knew all that it meant to her. Rhoda learnt her lesson nonethe less surely for keeping silence concerning it.
A few hours later the travellers were ready to depart, and Evie wascarried down the staircase into the hall.
Mrs Chester had promised that everything that wealth could secureshould be done for the comfort of her guest, and royally did she keepher promise. If she had been a Princess of the Blood, Evie declared shecould not have had a more luxuriously comfortable journey. An ambulancedrove up to the door to convey the little party to the station, andinside sat a surgical nurse, ready to give her skilled attention to anyneed that might arise. The girls flocked in hall and doorway to wavefarewells, edging to the front to cry "Come back soon!" in confidenttreble, and then retiring to the background to gulp back the tears whichrose at the sight of the thin little face, which told such a patheticstory of suffering. Not a single tear did Evie see, however, nor anyface that was not wreathed in smiles, and when the strains of "For she'sa jolly good fellow" followed the ambulance down the drive, she laughedmerrily, and waved her handkerchief out of the window, never suspectingwith what swelling throats many of the singers joined in the strain.
Rhoda laughed too, but she did not wave her handkerchief. Curiouslyenough, it never occurred to her to think that she herself was includedin that farewell demonstration, or to resent the apparent indifferencewith which she had been allowed to depart. Her own special friends hadembraced her warmly enough, but even they had given the lion's share ofattention to Evie, while the majority of the girls had no eyes norattention for anyone else. The Rhoda of six months or a year ago wouldhave bitterly resented such a slight, but to-day she found no reason toblame others for following her own example.
Evie was the supreme consideration, and the girl was so entirelyabsorbed in looking after her comfort that she had forgotten all abouther own poor little importance. Love is the gentlest as well as thecleverest of schoolmasters, and teaches his lessons so subtly that weare unconscious of our progress, until, lo! the hill difficulty isovercome, and we find ourselves erect on the wide, breezy plain.
At the station a saloon carriage was waiting labelled "Engaged," insidewhich were all manner of provisions for the comfort of the journey.Hot-water bottles, cushions, rugs, piles of papers and magazines, and ahamper of dainty eatables from the Chase Evie was wrapped in MrsChester's sable cloak and banked up with cushions by the window, so thatshe might look out and be amused by the sight of the Christmas trafficat the various stations. She stared about her with the enjoyment of aconvalescent who has had more than enough of her own society, and thelingerers on the platform stared back at the pretty, fragile-lookinginvalid who was travelling in such pomp and circumstance.
"They think I am a princess!" cried Evie. "I _hope_ they think I am aprincess!" and she laid her little head against the cushions, andsniffed at a big silver-mounted bottle of smelling salts with an air oflanguid complacency which vastly amused her companions. Presently nurselighted an Etna and warmed some cups of soup, while one good thing afteranother came out of the hamper to add to the feast; then followed astoppage, with the arrival of obsequious porters with fresh foot-warmers; then, dusk closing in over the wintry landscape, the lightingof electric lamps, and the refreshing cup of tea. It was Evie's firstexperience of luxurious travelling, and she told herself with a sighthat it was very, very comfortable. Much more comfortable thanshivering in a draughty third class carriage, and
changing three timesover to wait in still more draughty stations!
With the arrival at Erley Chase came more pleasant surprises, for shewas not carried upstairs, but into a room on the ground floor, which wasordinarily used as Mrs Chester's boudoir, and had been transformed intothe most cheerful and delightful of bedrooms. There was really littleto distinguish it from a sitting-room, except the bed with its silkencover, and even this was hidden behind a screen in the daytime. A couchwas drawn up before the fire, and over it lay the daintiest pink silkdressing-gown that was ever seen, with the warmest of linings inside,and trimmed without with a profusion of those airy frills and laces dearto the feminine heart.
"For me?" gasped Evie, staring at its splendour with big, astonishedeyes. A glow of colour came into her cheeks as she turned it over andover to inspect its intricacies. "I should think I _would_ come in todinner just, with such a gown to wear!" she cried laughingly. "I amlonging to put it on and see what it feels like to be a fashionablelady."
She would not acknowledge that she was tired, but even after an hour'ssleep she still looked so fragile that the two members of the householdwho had not seen her before were deeply impressed with the change whichhad taken place since their last meeting. Very charming did she lookwhen the sofa was wheeled into the dining-room, and she lay in herpretty pink fineries the centre of attraction and attention; but theflush of excitement soon faded, and the dark eyes looked pathetic inspite of their smiles. Rhoda watched the faces of father and mother,and her heart sank as she saw the elder man knit his brow, and theyounger look away quickly and bite his lip under his moustache as if thesight were too painful to be endured. Beyond a few loving words atgreeting, neither had manifested any concern about herself, and onceagain she had not noticed the omission.
"I've had such a happy day. I feel like a princess--such a spoiledprincess!" said Evie, when she went to bed that night; but there weresad days in store for the poor little princess from which all the careand love of her friends could not save her.
When the decree went forth that she should make her first attempt towalk, Rhoda clapped her hands with joy, and could not understand thereason of the quick, grave glance which the nurse cast upon her. Sheand her mother had decided that the attempt must be made in the drawing-room after tea, and nurse made no objection, hoping, perhaps, that thepresence of onlookers would give her patient extra strength for theordeal. She knew what it meant if the others did not; but, alas! theyall learned soon enough, as, at the first slight movement, Evie's whiteface turned grey, and she groaned in mingled anguish and dismay.
"I can't!" she cried; "Oh, I can't! It is like knives going through me!I can't move!"
"Ah, but you must, my dear. It has to be done; and the braver you are,the sooner it will be over. You are bound to suffer the first fewtimes, but it would be ten times worse to allow the joint to stiffen.Now be brave, and try to take just two steps with me! I will supportyou on one side, and--" Nurse looked round questioningly--"Mr Haroldwill take the other. You can lean all your weight on us. We won't letyou fall."
Harold stepped forward without a word and put his strong arm under hers,and, as he did so, Evie raised her eyes to his with a look which thosewho saw it never forgot--a look such as might have been given by ananimal caught in a snare from which it was powerless to escape. Rhodatold herself savagely that Harold was a brute to persist in the face ofthat dumb appeal, but he did not quail even when the sob rose to a cry,and a trembling plea for mercy. The two steps were taken, andhenceforth, for weeks to come, the nightmare of repeated effort weighedupon the spirits of the household. At eleven o'clock, after tea, afterdinner--three times a day--was the inexorable programme repeated, inspite of prayers and protestations. Mrs Chester's theory was that itwas brutal to torture the child, and that if she were to be lame, forpity's sake let her be lame in peace. Rhoda suffered agonies of remorseand passionate revolts against the mystery of pain, but the nurse andher assistant never showed a sign of wavering. As a rule, Evie made agallant attempt to control her sufferings, but there were occasions wheneven her fortitude gave was, as, on one afternoon, when, after taking acertain number of steps, she was informed that still more must beattempted. She was powerless in the hands that held her, but when shecollapsed into helpless sobbings on the sofa, Rhoda turned on herbrother with furious indignation:
"You are a _brute_, Harold! You have no heart! How dare you do it--how_dare_ you make her suffer so!"
He did not answer, but turned his head aside, and stared steadily out ofthe window. Rhoda glared at him with smarting eyes, and suddenly sawsomething which put a check on her excitement. Harold's profile wasturned toward her, and the light showed great drops of moisture standingupon the brow, and rolling slowly down the cheek. She realised, with apang, that once again she had been too quick in her judgment. In spiteof his firmness, Harold had suffered more than she, more than hermother--ay, perhaps, more than Evie herself!
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.
Despite the painful incidents of Evie's convalescence, Christmas was ahappy season at Erley Chase, for it had always been a tradition of thehousehold to make much of this festival, and Mrs Chester could notbring herself to change her habits as the years advanced. Every twenty-sixth of December Mr Chester would say solemnly, "This is the lasttime! I cannot let you wear yourself out like this. When Christmascards have to be sent off by the hundred, and presents by the score, itis time to call a halt, for what has been a pleasure becomes a burden.Next year you drop these outside people, and think only of our immediatecircle," and Mrs Chester would murmur meekly, "Yes, dear; of course.Just as you wish," and begin laying in stores for next Christmas at herfirst visit to the January sales. There was a cupboard in one of thespare rooms which was dedicated entirely to the keeping of presents, andinto it went all manner of nick-nacks which were picked up during theyear--bazaar gleanings, in the shape of cushions, cosies, and table-cloths, relics of travel, and a hundred and one articles useful andornamental, which had been bought because they were so cheap, and itreally seemed wicked to leave them lying on the shop counter! When aneed arose, as when a birthday was suddenly remembered the day before itfell due, or an anniversary suggested the propriety of a littleoffering, it was the easiest thing in the world to poke about in thecupboard until a suitable gift was discovered.
Laura Everett was much amused by this novel way of apportioningpresents, which was so strangely different from that practised at herown home. When she was wheeled into the morning-room a few days beforeChristmas, it was to find a small bazaar of fancy articles spread ontables and sofas, while Mrs Chester sat checking off the names writtenon a long sheet of paper, and Rhoda cried out: "Here's a yellow silkcushion. Whom do we know who has got a complexion that can bear beingset off against a background of sulphur yellow?" ... "Here's a gorgeoustable centre, quite beautifully worked. Whom do we know who is old-fashioned enough to use table centres still?" ... "Here's a piece ofTurkish embroidery, which would be the very thing to cover that shabbyold sofa at the Vicarage; it was absolutely in holes the last time I sawit."
"Turkish embroidery--Mrs Mason. Thank goodness, that's one thingsettled! Wrap it up at once, Rhoda dear. It will be one thing less todo," cried Mrs Chester in a tone of relief, while Evie held up herhands in astonishment.
"Of all the extraordinary ways of giving presents! To have a room fullof things and then to puzzle as to whom you can give them! This isindeed a new experience for me. When we talk over our presents at homeit is to wonder how in the world we can contrive to buy twenty thingsfor nineteen shillings. Such a wholesale way of managing things I neverimagined in my wildest moments."
She gave a little sigh of envy as she looked at the lavish profusionwhich lay around; yet, after all, there was a pleasure in contrivingthose simple gifts--in putting in delicate stitches to add to the valueof cheap materials, a triumph in manufacturing something out of nothing,which Rhoda and her mother could nev
er enjoy! She was not at all surethat that old home fashion was not the sweeter after all.
While the apportioning of gifts was going on in the morning-room, thecook and her kitchen maids were busy at work in the great naggedkitchen, manufacturing all sorts of dainties to be packed away in thehampers ranged in readiness along the walls. It was a sight to see thegood things laid out on the tables, and Evie was carried down on herchair to admire and praise with the rest, and to watch the interestingprocess of packing. Far and wide these hampers went, carrying goodcheer into many a home where otherwise there would have been scantyprovisions for the day of rejoicing, and bringing unexpected gleams ofsunshine to many an anxious heart. Needless to say, one of the best wasaddressed to a country parsonage especially dear to Evie's heart, andwas accompanied by a parcel of presents, which had not been lightlybought, but worked by loving fingers during long hours of convalescence.
Christmas Day itself was a busy occasion, when the home party had littleleisure to think of themselves, so unending was the stream of pensionerswhich came up to the Chase to receive their gifts, and to be fed andwarmed in the gaily-decorated rooms. Dinner was served early, so thatthe servants might be free to have their festivities in the evening, andat nine o'clock all the employees on the estate came up, dressed intheir best, and danced with the servants in the hall. Mr and MrsChester, with Harold and Rhoda, honoured the assembly by joining in thefirst dance, and Evie sat in her wheeled chair, looking on and trying tokeep a smiling face, the while she fought one of the mental battleswhich seemed to meet her on every step of the road to recovery. She hadbeen so much occupied grieving over the serious financial loss which herinability to work would involve, that she had taken little thought ofthe pleasures from which she was debarred; but, after all, she was but agirl, and a girl with a keen capacity for enjoyment, and it was a verykeen pang which went through her heart as she listened to the seductivestrains of the band, and watched the couples glide slowly by. The darkbrows twitched as if in pain, and she drew aside the folds of the pinktea-gown to cast a longing glance at the little useless feet stretchedbefore her. A sudden remembrance arose of the day when Rhoda protestedin dismay at the thought of wearing the ugly regulation school shoes,and of her own confession of love for pretty slippers, of thesatisfaction with which she had donned the same on Thursday evenings,and danced about the hall as blithely as any one of her pupils. Thosedays were over--for ever over; she would never again know the joy of anyrapid, exhilarating motion. She lifted her hand to wipe away a tear,hoping to escape observation the while, but, to her dismay, Harold stoodby her side, and his eyes met hers with an expression of painedunderstanding. Any reference to her infirmity seemed to distress him soacutely that the first instinct was to comfort him instead of herself,and she smiled through her tears, saying in the sweetest tones of heralways sweet voice:
"Don't, please! Don't look so sorry! It was babyish of me, but justfor one moment--I was so fond of dancing, you know, and I had neverrealised before--"
"Just so. You realise fresh losses every day. I know what you mustfeel. You have not been babyish at all, but most brave and heroic."
Evie sighed. "It's nice to be praised, but I feel as if I don't deserveit. I am not in the least brave at heart... Sometimes I almost dreadgetting strong, for then I shall have to face so much... I'm conceited,too, for I hate the idea of limping, and being stiff and ungraceful. Ithought I did not care for appearance, but I did--oh, a great deal! Itis a humiliating discovery, and I am trying hard to cure myself, butpride dies slowly! There was a girl at school who was lame. I used tobe so sorry for her, and yet, compared with other misfortunes, it is avery little thing. I can still move about and use my faculties. It isnot so bad, after all!"
"Yes," said Harold, unexpectedly. "It _is_ very bad. It is a mistaketo pretend to yourself that it is only a small trial, for it's not true,and the pretence is sure to break down some day, and leave you where youwere. It is a great affliction for people to be crippled, even whenthey are old and have lost their energy; but for a girl like you it isten times worse. Don't be too hard on yourself, and expect resignationto come all at once. I believe the best plan is to face it fully, andto say to yourself, `It's a big test--one of the biggest I could have tobear. I shall feel the pinch not to-day only, but to-morrow, and thenext year, and as long as I live. It is going to take a big effort tosave myself from growing bitter and discouraged, but it's worthfighting, for my whole life hangs on the result. If I can succeed--if Ican rise above infirmity, and keep a bright, uncomplaining spirit'--"
He broke off suddenly, and Evie breathed a quick "Yes, yes, I know! Ifeel that too. Thank you so much. It is good to talk to someone whounderstands. It helps me on."
"Don't thank me. It is like my presumption to venture to preach to you.But you have helped me so much that when I saw you in trouble I couldnot be silent. I was obliged to do what I could."
"I--I have helped you?" repeated Evie, blankly; and a flush of colourrose in her pale cheeks, which made her look for one moment the happy,blooming girl of old. "In what way have I ever helped you, or beenanything but an anxiety and care?"
But Harold did not answer, and that was the last chance of a _tete-a-tete_ conversation that evening, for presently she was carried off toher own room, and helped into bed, where she lay awake for a long, longtime, staring before her in the twilight, and recalling the lessons ofconsolation to which she had just listened. It must surely have beenwonderfully wise, wonderfully true, since it did not so much comfort, asdo away with the very necessity for comfort! She could not deludeherself that she felt sad or despondent, or anything but mysteriouslyhappy and at rest, as she lay smiling softly to herself in theflickering firelight.
Two days later came a delightful surprise. Evie and her late pupil weresitting in the morning-room writing letters of thanks to the many donorsof Christmas presents, when the door opened and shut, and someone walkedinto the room. It was such an ordinary, matter-of-fact entrance thatneither of the writers troubled to look up, taking it for granted thatthe new-comer was Mrs Chester, who had left the room but a few minutesbefore. Two minutes later, however, Evie finished her sheet and liftedher eyes to make a casual remark, when she promptly fell back in herchair with a shriek, and a hand pressed over her heart. Rhoda jumped upin alarm, and then--was it a dream, or did a well-known figure reallylean up against the mantelpiece, in familiar, gentlemanly attitude, aroguish smile curling the lips, and little eyes alight with mischief?
"Tom, Tom! Oh, Tom, you angel! Where in the world have you come from?"cried Rhoda, rushing forward with outstretched arms, in a very whirlwindof welcome. "How perfectly delicious to see you again, and what aterrific start you gave me!"
"Oh, what a surprise!" chanted Tom easily, rubbing her cheeks as if towipe away the kisses pressed upon it, and advancing to greet Evie with anonchalance which for once was a trifle overdone, though neither of herfriends was in the least danger of mistaking her real feelings. "Thesame to you, and many of them," she continued, sitting down withoutwaiting for an invitation, and smiling round in genial fashion. "Itreally was as good as a play, standing there, and watching you twoscribbling away with faces as solemn as judges--and what a squeal Eviegave! It made me jump in my skin! Yes; I'm visiting my femalerelative, and determined to pay you a visit even if it were only for anhour. It can't be much longer, for we have a tea fight on thisafternoon, when every spinster in the neighbourhood is coming to stareat me and deliver her views on higher education. Such a lark! Some ofthem strongly approve, and others object, and I agree with each in turn,until the poor dears are so bamboozled they don't know what to do. Theythink I am an amiably-disposed young person, but defective in brains,and poor aunt Jim gets quite low in her mind, for she wants me toimpress them, and branch off into Latin and Greek as if they came morenaturally to me than English. I wish they did! It takes the conceitout of one to go up to college and compete with women instead of girls."
"Don't you like it, Tom? Are you happy? Didn't you miss the Manor, andfeel home-sick for the girls and the old school parlour?" queried Rhodaeagerly, and Tom screwed up her face in meaning fashion.
"Should have done, if I had not kept a tight hand; but you know myprinciple--never to worry over what can't be cured! Plenty to botheroneself about, without that. I thought of you all a great deal, andrealised that I'd been even happier than I knew, and that I dislikedtaking a bottom place so abominably that it was plainly the best thingfor me to do. I love power!" sighed Tom, wagging her head in sorrowfulconfession, "and that's just what I see no chance of getting again for aprecious long time to come. I haven't much time to grieve, however, formy poor little nose is fairly worn away, it's kept so near to thegrindstone."
"You look thinner," said Rhoda, truthfully enough. "Poor old Tom, youmustn't let them wear you out. We will take care of you, at least, soI'll go and order lunch earlier than usual, if you really must be off sosoon. The three o'clock train, I suppose?"
"Yes, please. Don't worry about anything special for me. Half a dozencutlets or a few pounds of steak is all I could eat, I assure you!" saidTom modestly, and Rhoda went laughing out of the room, leaving her twofriends gazing at one another in an embarrassed silence.
No reference had so far been made to the accident which was the cause ofEvie's presence at the Chase, but it was impossible that the visitshould end in silence, and both instinctively felt that Rhoda's absencegave the best opportunity for what must be said. The colour came intoEvie's face as she nerved herself to open the painful subject.
"You know, of course, Tom, that I am not going back to Hurst. MissBruce has been most kind, but she must consider the good of the greaternumber, and this accident has shown more plainly than ever the necessityof having a House-Mistress who can job in the games with the girls. Ishall never be any good for a large school again, for, even apart fromthe games, the long stairs and corridors would be too trying. So yousee my career is cut off suddenly."
"Yes, I see; I thought of that. It's very interesting!" said Tom in adreamy voice, which brought a flush of indignation into Evie's eyes.
"Interesting!" she repeated. "Is _that_ what you call it? It's not theword I should have used, or have expected from you, Tom, or from any ofmy friends."
"No! Perhaps not, but it _is_ interesting all the same, for one is socurious to see what will happen next. When you have planned out yourlife, and fitted in everything towards one end, and then suddenly, by nofault of your own, that end is made impossible--why, if you believe in apurpose in things, what could be more interesting and exciting? What_is_ to happen next? What is one to do? It is like reading a story inparts, and breaking off just at the critical crisis. I should like toturn over the pages, Evie, and see what is going to happen to you!"
Evie smiled faintly.
"Would you, Tom? I am afraid I have been hiding my head like anostrich, and trying not to look forward, but your view is the healthier,and I'll try to adopt it. I don't give up all idea of teaching, thoughbig schools are impossible. Perhaps they would take me at some small,old-fashioned seminary where sports are considered unladylike, and thepupils take their exercise in a crocodile up and down the parade."
"Ugh!" said Tom, with a grimace which twisted every feature out ofrecognition. "No, surely, Evie, you will never condescend to that! Youlie low for a bit and get strong, and keep up your classics, and I'llsee if I can't find you some coaching to do among the girls I meet. Ifyou could get along that way for a few years it would be all right, forI shall be settled by that time and able to look after you. You shallbe my secretary, dear, and have a jolly little den to yourself, where Ican take refuge when the girls get too much for me. We could be veryhappy together, you and I, couldn't we, and grow into two nice,contented old maids, with too much to do to have time to envy ourneighbours?"
She fixed her bright little eyes on Evie's face as she asked thequestion, and to her horror and dismay Evie felt the colour rush to hercheeks and mount higher and higher in a crimson tide which refused to berestrained by the most desperate mental efforts. How idiotic to blushat nothing--how senseless, how humiliating, and how quite too ridiculousof Tom to turn aside and stare at the opposite side of the room in thatostentatious manner! Evie felt inclined to shake her, but at thatopportune moment Rhoda returned, and during the remainder of Tom's visitthere was no opportunity for private confidences.
Once more Rhoda accompanied her friend to the station, and waitedanxiously for the word which would surely be said concerning theescapade which had cost so dear, but, like Evie, she was obliged tointroduce the subject herself.
"Have you nothing to say to me, Tom?" she asked wistfully. "I haven'tseen you since--you know when--but, of course, you heard how ithappened. It was all my fault. What are you going to say to me aboutit?"
"Why, nothing, Fuzz!" said Tom, turning her little eyes upon thequivering face with a tenderness of expression which would have been arevelation to casual acquaintances who believed Miss Bolderstonincapable of the softer emotions. "Why should I? You have said it allto yourself a hundred times better than I could have done, and who am Ithat I should make myself a ruler or a judge over you?"
"But she is lame, you know!" said Rhoda, sadly. "Nurse says the knee isstronger than she expected, but even so she will always limp. ImagineEvie limping! She was such a graceful little thing, and tripped aboutso lightly, and she was so proud of her little feet--I have spoiled herfuture too, for she can never take such a good post again. I haveruined her whole life."
"We will discuss that point ten years later; it is too early to decideit yet. Many things happen that we do not expect," remarked Tom sagely,whereat Rhoda shook her head in hopeless fashion.
"I cannot imagine anything happening that would make this any better--onthe contrary, Tom, it has made me realise how little help one can give,and what a fraud money is when it comes to the test. I used to imaginethat I could do pretty nearly everything I wanted because I was rich,but look at Evie! I would give my life to help her, but beyond a fewtrumpery presents, and a little lightening of pain, what can I do? Shewould not accept more, and one dare not offer it, though if she wouldallow it we would be thankful to pension her off for life. Money can'tdo everything I see!"
"That's a good thing! Let's be thankful for that, at least. It's worthsomething to have learned that lesson," cried Tom cheerily, and for therest of the way to the station she talked resolutely on indifferentsubjects, refusing to be drawn back to the one sad topic. Only when thelast good-bye was said did she soften into tenderness, actually allowingherself to be kissed without protest, and saying hurriedly in a low,half-shamed voice:
"Good-bye, Fuzzy. Bless you! Never say die. Sometimes, you know, ittakes a big thing to open one's eyes. Keep straight ahead from whereyou are now, and you'll have no more tumbles." Then the train moved offand Rhoda lost the last glimpse of her friend in a mist of tears. DearTom! Dear, blunt, kindly, honest Tom; what a strength she had been toall who knew her--what a strength she was going to be to generations ofgirls to come! Rhoda looked forward into the future and prophesied toherself that she would know no prouder boast than that she had been oneof Tom Bolderston's girls, and had been brought up under her rule!
That evening the occupants of the drawing-room looked up in amaze as arustle of silken garments struck their ears, and a stately young ladycame forward with a fan waving in one hand, and masses of ruddy hairpiled high upon her head. Rhoda, of course; and yet, could it be Rhoda?for with the short skirts and flowing mane the last traces of childhoodhad disappeared, and the woman of the future seemed already to standbefore them. Mr Chester gave a quick exclamation, and Rhoda turned tohim and swept a stately curtsey.
"At your service, sir. I thought you might like to see your grown-updaughter. My new dress came home to-day, and I looked so fine in itthat I was obliged to do up my hair to be in keeping. And I went tomother's room and stole her pearls and took her
very best fan. Whengirls come out they always help themselves to their parents' fineries,so I thought I had better begin at once. Do you like me, dear?"
She looked up at him, half shy, half laughing, and there was silence inthe room while each of the onlookers felt a thrill of unexpectedemotion. It was like looking on at the turning point in a life, and thegirl was so beautiful in her fresh young bloom that it was impossible tobehold her unmoved. The coiled-up hair showed the graceful poise of herhead, the shoulders were smooth and white as satin, the blue eyes hadlost their hard self-confidence, and shone sweet and true. Yes! Rhodawas going to be a beautiful woman; she was one already, as her fatherrealised, with a natural pang of regret mingling with his pride. Hiseye softened as he laid his hand on her shoulder.
"Yes, my daughter, you are grown-up indeed! I never realised it before.You had better prepare for the duties of chaperon, mother, for Iforesee that this young lady will keep us busy. We shall have to takeher about, and entertain her friends, and yawn in the corners while theydance half through the night. That's it, isn't it, Rhoda?"
Rhoda looked at him with a start of surprise. By tacit agreementnothing had yet been said of future arrangements, so that this was thefirst definite hint which she had received of her parents' intention.Her voice was half regretful, half relieved, as she said:
"Then I am not to go back to school, father? You have decided that itis better not?"
Mr Chester put his hands on her arms and looked at her fondly, aremembrance rising in his mind as he did so of that other eveningeighteen months ago, when the prospect of school had been proposed, andthe girl had taken up the question and settled it out of hand, inarrogant, youthful fashion. It was a very different tone in which thepresent question was asked, and he was quick to note the difference.
"What do you say, mother? She doesn't look very much like a school-girlto-night, does she? No, Rhoda, I think those days are ended. You havehad a year and a half at school, and it has been a valuable experiencefor you in many ways, but both your nerves and ours have beenoverstrained lately, and we will not risk any more separations, but trywhat travel will do to complete your education. It has always been mydream to go abroad for a year when you were able to come with us, andnow that time has arrived. We will plan out a tour that shall be bothpleasant and educational, and enlarge our minds by learning somethingabout other countries besides our own."
"Rome for Easter, the Italian lakes and Switzerland in summer, theRiviera and Egypt in winter--Oh, father, how lovely! _How_ I shallenjoy it! How happy we shall be travelling about all together! I couldnot have told you what I wanted, but this is the very thing of allothers I should most enjoy. And mother will like it too? It will nottire you, will it, dear, or worry you to be away from home?"
"My home is where you are. I shall be perfectly happy, dear, so long aswe are together," said the mother, who had never been known to opposeher own wishes to those of her family; and in this easy fashion thematter was settled. One moment the project was mooted, the next datesand routes were being eagerly discussed, and the question of wardrobebeing taken into account. Presently Mr Chester must needs consult theatlas which was in constant reference in every conversation, and awaywent the three in happy conclave to turn over the leaves on the librarytable, while Evie was left to look after them with wistful eyes, andHarold to study her face in his turn. She turned to find his eyes fixedupon her, and struggled hard to speak brightly.
"They all seem so happy--it is good to see them; and how pretty Rhodalooks to-night! It is so interesting to see the girls grow up, and comeout as full-fledged young ladies. I've seen two transformations to-day--Rhoda and Tom!"
"Miss Bolderston? Really! Would you call her a transformation?"queried Harold, raising his eyebrows with an expression which said allthat he dare not put into words. "If that is a transformation, one istempted to wonder what she was like before--"
"Don't!" Evie looked at him pleadingly. "Don't make fun of her,please, because we love her so dearly. Men don't appreciate Tom, andshe doesn't show her best side to them, but she is a splendid girl, andthe truest of friends. She was so kind to me to-day."
"You were talking to her about your work, and worrying because you couldnot go back at once!" said Harold shrewdly, and Evie looked at him underraised, apologetic eyebrows, quite overcome at being read in so easy afashion.
"Well--just a little! I said that I could not go back to Hurst, as Ishould not be able to take part in games again--"
"And she sympathised with you, and agreed that it was a desperate lot?"
"No, indeed! You don't know Tom! She is far too much of an optimist tosee the black side. She only said she was interested to see what wouldhappen next, and that it was like being stopped suddenly in the middleof a story. I thought it was a very cheerful way of looking at it."She paused, not caring, for some indefinite reason, to say anything ofthat later proposition, in the carrying out of which she and Tom were togrow old side by side; but the idea lay on her mind, and presently sheadded dreamily, "But, even if I _am_ lame, my mind is not affected. Ican teach just as well as ever. There must be an opening for mesomewhere. There are plenty of small schools where they don't go in forsports, plenty of girls who have to be educated at home--delicate girls,backward girls, girls who are, perhaps, like myself! I could teach themstill if they would let me try--"
It was a very sweet little voice, and the quiver with which it broke offsounded strangely pathetic in the silence. Harold did not speak, andhis head was bent forward so that Evie could not see his face. Hishands were clasped and pressed so tightly together that the musclesstood out under the skin, but presently one of them was stretchedforward and laid pleadingly over her own.
"Dearest and sweetest," said Harold softly; "teach me instead!"
When Rhoda came rushing into the room ten minutes later it was to findher brother seated by Evie on the sofa, and to meet two pairs of eyeswhich tried vainly to look calm and composed, but which were in realityso brimming over with happiness that the news was told without need of asingle word.
"Oh!" she cried, stopping short and staring in astonishment. "_Oh_!"and then Evie struggled to her feet and held out wide, welcoming arms.
"Oh, Rhoda, I am never going to be unhappy any more. Harold won't letme. He is going to help me all my life!"
"She is going to help _me_!" corrected Harold firmly. "I'm the happiestfellow in the world, Rhoda, and you must be happy too. Come and kissyour new sister."
Rhoda gave a little sob of joy, and flew into Evie's arms.
"My own sister! And I can take care of you always. I shall have aright, and you will not have to worry any more, or be anxious, ortroubled. Evie, Evie, you can forgive me now, you can feel that I havenot spoiled your life! You will be happy even if you are lame!"
"Yes, she will be happy--she has found a good man to take care of her!"said Mrs Chester, coming forward from the background, and taking Evieinto a warm embrace. "My dear child, I thought, I hoped, it might cometo this! Once upon a time I was afraid I might be jealous of Harold'swife, but not you, dear, not you! That would be impossible. We owe youtoo much. You are welcome--a thousand times welcome! I am a rich womanindeed, for I have two beautiful daughters instead of one!"
Evie dropped her head on the broad, motherly shoulder and shed a tear ofpure happiness and thankfulness.
"Tom was right!" she said to herself softly. "Tom was right--it was tooearly to judge! Good has come out of evil!"
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