CHAPTER VIII.
THE RECTORY.
On the following Wednesday all the girls belonging to Mrs. Merriman'sschool, accompanied by Miss Archer, went to have tea with theSingletons. Even Rosamund was interested in this visit. She did not saymuch about it. She had been rather silent and, as Jane Denton said, "offcolor" for the last few days. She had forgotten to be wild orcantankerous. She had even ceased to notice Lucy; and as to her lessons,she had gone through the tasks assigned to her with sufficientpromptitude and sufficient correctness to win fairly good remarks fromthe two governesses and from the different teachers who came to visitthe little school. Of Irene Ashleigh she absolutely refused to speak.With regard to her adventure on Sunday she also kept a profound silence.No one, not even Jane Denton, could induce her to alter her mind withregard to this particular. Jane was anxious about her friend. LauraEverett said that she did not think Rosamund Cunliffe nearly asinteresting as when she first met her. Phyllis Flower looked wise andmysterious, as she always did, and everything settled down to amonotonous and yet harmonious contentment at Sunnyside.
Nevertheless, Wednesday was thought a good deal about, and the girls ofthe entire school--for every single one was invited--headed by Lucy andaccompanied by Miss Archer, started to walk to the Rectory.
Now, Rosamund's interest in this expedition was on no account to examinethe "Leaves," as naughty Irene called the rector's daughters; but shewanted to watch Miss Carter, and if possible to get a word with her, andto induce her to tell her something more with regard to the wild andmischievous girl whom, nevertheless, she could not get for a moment outof her head.
When the young people arrived at the Rectory they found the rector'sdaughters waiting for them, not dressed in their quaint green dresses ason Sunday, but in simple white, with green ribbons, however, round theirwhite straw hats. They looked particularly pretty and interesting, andRosamund could not help feeling that under different circumstances shemight have been glad to make friends with them. Maud, the eldest girl,had very straight, well-formed features. She was intensely fair, withlarge, clear blue eyes; and her hair, golden, with warm shades in it,hung below her waist. Her little mouth was small and rosy and very firm.She had a pretty cleft in her chin, a good carriage; and, in short, shewas just the sort of girl to captivate other girls. Beyond doubt she hadfor some time acted as mother to her sisters; for Alice, the next inage, was about two years younger. Then came Bertha and Mary, prettylittle girls of nine and ten years of age, and then Ivy and Jasmine.
They made an interesting group as they clustered round the girls fromSunnyside and bade them welcome, Maud taking the lead, and finallyattaching herself to Rosamund; for she guessed, in some sort ofinstinctive way, that Rosamund had more character than the otherschool-girls, and would be more likely to interest her.
"Come and walk with me, won't you?" she said. "I want to introduce youto dear Miss Carter. She is longing to see you. She knows--we allknow--about your wonderful escapade on Sunday."
Rosamund felt herself turning pale just for a moment: then the colorflooded her cheeks.
"I would rather not speak about Sunday, if you don't mind," she said.
"Certainly I don't mind," replied Maud in a very quiet and lady-likeway. "That is, if you would really rather not," she continued after apause. "We know a great deal of Irene Ashleigh from Miss Carter, and weare all interested in her."
"I should have thought you would have hated her," said Rosamundsuddenly.
"No--not exactly. She has a sort of fascination for us. Whenever we wantdear Carter to make us thoroughly happy, or to give us a great treat, weget her to tell us about this wild, this formidable little Irene. Shecould not do it at first, poor thing! for, you know--but I can't speakof that to-day. Oh! here she is, coming down the path. Ah, Miss Carter,"called Maud, "this is Rosamund"----
"Rosamund Cunliffe," said Rosamund.
"Rosamund Cunliffe, the girl who was so plucky and went on the lake withIrene Ashleigh on Sunday afternoon."
"You were very fortunate," said Miss Carter, speaking in a prim voice."It was, I regret to say, otherwise with me. I could not command her,and she took me"----Miss Carter's lips trembled.
"Don't speak of it now, dear Cartery. It always upsets you, doesn't it?Let us talk of something else. You are very happy with us, aren't you,Cartery love?"
"Cartery love" expressed that she was, and Maud slipped her handaffectionately through her governess's arm.
Rosamund gave the latter lady a keen glance. She saw that she wasnaturally extremely kind, but also shy and wanting in courage.
"She could never master Irene," thought the girl. "Irene is going to begiven to me. She shall be mine. I mean to help her. I mean, whateverhappens, to save her. But I don't mind talking a wee little bit abouther to 'Cartery love,' as that funny Maud calls her."
The rest of the girls came up in a group, and the next hour or two werespent wandering through the pleasant gardens, while laughter, jokes, andgood-humored chatter of all sorts filled the air.
Then came tea. Now, the rector's teas were celebrated. They were, infact, that old-fashioned institution, now, alas! so rapidly disappearingfrom our English life, known as "high tea." Eggs, boiled ham, chickens,stewed fruits, fresh ripe fruit of every sort and variety, graced theboard. No dinner followed this meal; but sandwiches and lemonadegenerally concluded the happy day.
The girls knew that they were not expected back until bedtime, and gavethemselves absolutely up to the pleasures of the time. The Rectory was acharming old house, being quite a hundred and fifty or two hundred yearsold; and the study, or schoolroom, as the girls called it, where theyinvariably partook of tea, was a low-roofed apartment running rightacross the eastern side of the house. It was, therefore, at this hour adelightfully cool room, and was rendered more so by the bowery shade ofgreen trees.
Rosamund found herself sitting near Maud at the meal, and she suddenlyturned to her and said, "I quite understand now why you wear green, andwhy some people call you the Leaves."
"One person, you mean," said Maud, coloring slightly.
Lucy gave Rosamund an angry glance, and even managed to kick her underthe table. This kick was highly resented by that young person, who, asshe said to herself, stiffened her neck on the spot and determined toshow what mettle she was made of.
"I'm not going to be mastered by that horrid Lucy, come what may," shethought.
Although it was impossible to be absolutely rude to Maud, who was one ofthose charming girls, unaffected, affectionate, and natural, who mustdelight every one, yet Rosamund's real object was to have a talk with"Cartery love." Now, Cartery's hands were full at that moment, for shewas absorbed pouring out coffee at the other end of the table, neverthinking once of herself, attending to the wants of every one else. Shewas one of those retiring people who may come and go in a crowd withoutany one specially noticing them; but if a kind office is wanted to bedone in the most unobtrusive and gentle way, then "Cartery love" wassure to be at the fore. On this occasion she did glance once or twice atRosamund, and something which was not often seen in her eyes filled themfor a moment--a look of mingled admiration and fear. Rosamund determinedto bide her time.
"I have not come here to make friends with the stupid Leaves," she saidto herself. "I have come here to talk to Miss Carter, and talk to her Iwill. The week is coming to a close, and I have to give my decision. Howthat decision will turn out depends as much on 'Cartery love' as onanybody else."
Tea, good as it was, came to an end at last, and the children went outinto the grounds, some to play tennis, some croquet, and some to wanderaway, two and two, each talking, as girls will, of their hopes and fearsand ambitions.
Rosamund, to whom Maud devoted herself, turned suddenly to that youngperson.
"I will confide in you," she said. "You are longing to play tennis, areyou not?"
"Oh no, thank you, not at all," said Maud, who was one of the championplayers of the neighborhood, and could never bear to be out of any gamet
hat was in progress.
"But I know you are. I can read through people pretty well," saidRosamund, speaking in a low tone. "Now, I want to have a little talkwith Miss Carter. Won't you go and play, and forget all about me, andlet me have a chat with Miss Carter?"
"With our darling Cartery? Why, certainly, you shall if you like. I seeyou want to get her to tell you about Irene. I doubt if she will. Do,please, be merciful. She is very nervous. When she came to us she wasalmost ill, and we had to take great, great care of her. Would you like,first of all, to know how she came to us?"
"I should very much."
Rosamund forgot at this juncture all about Maud's passionate love fortennis.
"Well, it was in this way. We had no governess; we used to go to a sortof school--not the Merrimans', for they had not started one at thetime--and I used to teach the little children, and things were rather atsixes and sevens. Not that father ever minded, for he is the sort of manwho just lets you do what you like, and I think that is why we havegrown up nicer than most girls."
"Indeed, I didn't know it would have that effect," said Rosamund, tryingto suppress the sarcastic note in her voice.
"Don't speak in that tone, please. I think we really are quite nicegirls--I mean we never quarrel, and we are always chummy andaffectionate, and we try to do our best. We are not a bit self-righteousor conceited, or anything of that sort; for, you see, when our dearmother was alive she taught us so beautifully. Her rule was such a verysimple one. She never punished us; all she ever said was, 'Do it becauseit is right. You cannot quite understand why it is right while you arevery young; but, nevertheless, do it because it is right and becauseyou love me.' And when God took her, and we thought our hearts wouldbreak, we all sat in a conclave together, and we determined to followour mother's rule, and to do the right because it was right and becausewe loved her. I cannot tell you what a terrible time we had; but westuck to that resolve. Nevertheless, our education was a poor affair,although father never noticed it.
"One day I was out driving with father, and we saw a poor lady sittingby the roadside. She looked so forlorn, and her eyes were red withcrying. We did not know her; but she knew us, for she stood up at once,and said to father, 'You are Mr. Singleton?'
"Then, of course, father remembered her, only I did not. She was one ofthe many governesses who had come to try to tame Irene Ashleigh. Sofather and I both got down from the gig, and she told us that she hadleft The Follies and was going back to London to try to get anothersituation. She said that she had sent on her trunks by a porter to thestation, and she meant to walk, for Lady Jane was very, very angry withher. She could not go on. She broke down, poor dear! and very nearlyfainted. She said she did feel very faint and bad, so we just got herinto the gig--as, of course, any people who had any feelings woulddo--and we brought her straight back to the Rectory, and she has stayedwith us ever since.
"For the first month she was not our governess at all; she was our sortof child, to be petted and loved and fussed over. We put her in thesunniest room, and when we found that her nerves were so terribly shakenthat she could scarcely sleep alone, one of my sisters had a little bedmade up in the room and slept with her at night. We fed her up, didn'twe just? and petted her; and when we found she liked it we took tocalling her 'Cartery love,' and she did not mind it a bit. Then she gotbetter, and said she must seek another situation, and father said sheshould stay and teach us and look after things in the house a bit. Soshe stayed. She knows such a lot, and does teach us so beautifully, andshe isn't half nor quarter as shy as she was; we all love her, and sheloves us. I think if Irene were not so near she would be perfectlyhappy."
"Thank you for telling me so much," said Rosamund when Maud ceasedspeaking.
"I had to tell you, for I want you, if you talk to her, to be verycareful, for she is still exceedingly nervous. And no wonder. What shelived through at The Follies was enough to destroy the nerves of anywoman, even the stoutest-hearted in the world."
"Well, I should like to speak to her, and I will certainly not harmher," said Rosamund.
Maud left her for a little while, and in a few minutes Miss Carter wasseen coming down the path with Maud hanging on her arm.
"Now, Cartery dear," she said, "you talk to Rosamund Cunliffe, who is afriend of mine, and I will go and have a good, romping game of tennis.Oh, I see they are just breaking up the present set, so I am just intime."
Off ran Maud. Miss Carter's light-blue eyes followed her with anexpression of the deepest affection.
"You seem very fond of her," said Rosamund suddenly.
"I don't know what I should have done without her. She saved my life andmy reason."
"I don't want to talk about what has evidently given you very greatdistress," said Rosamund after a time; "but I should like to tell youthat I know."
"You know?" said Miss Carter, beginning to tremble, and turning verypale.
"Yes, for Irene told me."
"My dear, dear Miss Cunliffe, how had you the courage to go with her inthat terrible boat? She actually took you into the current--thatappalling current where one is so powerless--and you escaped!"
"Oh, yes," said Rosamund lightly. "It was a mere nothing. You see, I amstronger than she is. All she wants is management."
"I could never manage her," said Miss Carter. "I could tell you of otherthings she did."
"No, I don't want to hear unless you are going to tell me something niceabout her. Every one seems to speak against that poor girl; but I amdetermined to be her friend."
"Are you really?" said Miss Carter, suddenly changing her tone andlooking fixedly at Rosamund. "Then you must be about the noblest girl inthe world."
These words were very gratifying to Rosamund, who did think herselfrather good in taking up Irene's cause; although, of course, she wasfascinated by the exceedingly naughty young person.
"Yes, indeed, you are splendid," said Miss Carter; "and I know theremust be good in the child. Such courage, such animal spirits, suchdaring cannot be meant for nothing. The fact is, her mother cannotmanage her. Her mother is too gentle, too like me."
"Dear Lady Jane! Miss Carter, when my mother was young she was her greatfriend, and she said that Lady Jane was rather naughty."
"Ah!" said Miss Carter, with a sigh, "she has left all that behind her along time ago. The only time I found her hard and unsympathetic was whenI told her that I could not stay any longer at The Follies. She beggedand implored of me to stay; but, of course, you know the story. I wasunder a promise to go, and I could not let out that Irene had wrung itfrom me at the risk of my life. So I went, and she took no notice ofme, although it seemed to me that a sort of despair filled her face.Anyhow, off I went, and I am a happy woman here. I don't know what is tobe done with Irene."
How long were you with her?
"A month altogether; but that month seems like years. I was very glad toget the post, for I must tell you, Miss Cunliffe, that I am poor anddependent altogether on what I earn for my daily bread. I have an oldmother at home; I help her to keep alive with some of my earnings; andLady Jane offered a very big salary--over a hundred a year--and therewas only one child to teach, and I thought it would be so delightful.She mentioned the charms of the country-house, and that she did notrequire a great deal of education; and she even spoke of the lake andthe boat. Oh, I was so glad to come! for I am not certificated, youknow, and cannot get the posts that other women can. Well, anyhow, Iarrived, and for a month it was really a reign of terror."
Miss Carter began to tremble.
"You must not do that, really," said Rosamund. "You are not suited toit. But do tell me what you think a very strong-minded person would havemade of Irene."
"Well, you see, the first and principal thing was not to fear her, andit was impossible not to fear her, for she was up to so many tricks; shewas worse than the most mischievous school-boy who ever walked. Shewould suddenly come into the drawing-room in her gymnasium clothes, andturn somersaults up and down the room in the presence of L
ady Jane'sdistinguished guests. Oh! I cannot tell you half she did--I dare nottell you. There was no trick she was not up to; but you will know foryourself if you really mean to have more to do with her."
"I certainly mean to have a great deal more to do with her, although atthe present moment I am forbidden by Professor Merriman even to speak toher."
"I know the Merrimans have a very bad opinion of her," said Miss Carter.
"Yes, that is just it; but she is the daughter of my mother's dearestfriend, and I am not going to give her up."
"Yet you are at school at Mr. Merriman's!"
"That is true."
Miss Carter looked in a puzzled way at Rosamund.
"I cannot reveal any more of my plans," said Rosamund, speaking in arather lofty tone; "but now I want to know a few things about her. Isshe stingy or generous?"
"Oh! absolutely and perfectly generous, and in her own way forgivingtoo; and I do not think she could tell a lie, for she has no fear inher, and I suppose it is fear that makes us tell lies. She has neverfeared any mortal. She has no respect for authority, not even hermother; and although she rushes at her sometimes and smothers her withkisses, she seems to have no real affection for her. If I could be surethat she was absolutely affectionate I think something could be done forher. Now, that is all I can tell you. You can scarcely believe how thissubject distresses me and causes that terrible trembling to come on. Idon't think, Miss Cunliffe, young as you are, and brave as you doubtlessare, you ought to undertake the reform of that wild girl at your age.Allow me to say that you are sent to school by your parents for adefinite purpose, and not to undertake the reform of Irene Ashleigh."
A frown came over Rosamund's face, and Miss Carter, glancing at her, sawthat her words had caused displeasure.
"Forgive me," she said gently; "I don't really mean to be unkind.Indeed, I admire you, and admire your bravery beyond words. To be asbrave as you are would be a noble gift, and if it were only my ownheritage, how happy I should be!"
"I tell you what it is, Miss Carter," said Rosamund suddenly; "if ever Iwant your help, and if I can assure you that you can give it withoutpersonal danger to yourself, will you give it to me?"
"If I think it right I will truly do so."
"Then the day may come," said Rosamund; "there is no saying."
Just then Ivy's pretty voice was heard calling Miss Carter.
"She is my second youngest pupil, and such a darling child!" said MissCarter, her eyes brightening. "Yes, dear," she continued as Ivy dancedup to her; "what is it?"
"We want a game of Puss-in-the-corner, and the silliest and youngestamong us are going to play."
Jumping up as she spoke, Miss Carter said she belonged to that group,and Rosamund turned somewhat disdainfully away.