CHAPTER XIV.
PUT TO THE TEST.
THE days were so long and pleasant now that Uncle Robert thought theywould not start for Middleville until after dinner, especially as therewould be a bright moon in the evening. Kathie had written a little noteto Sarah, and now the two started in high satisfaction. For since thegood news about Mr. Morrison Kathie seemed full of happiness andcontent.
The place looked less dreary than in winter, though the houses appearedrather more shabby by contrast. One or two were being painted, whichwould shame the rest sadly. But the hillsides were taking on an emeraldtint, and groups of cows were wandering about as if patiently waitingfor the grass to grow into nibbling length.
Sarah was standing by the gate, watching for them. A very decided change_had_ come over her. She was taller and looked less stout, hercomplexion was not so rough and red, her dress, a striped green andwhite gingham, fitted nicely, and was finished at the throat by a linencollar. She had eschewed waterfalls and rolls, though she laughinglyadmitted to Kathie afterwards that it was because she couldn't get herhair up to look like anything. But the great thick coil was reallybeautiful, and the green ribbon very becoming.
She had changed somewhat in manners as well, being less boisterous andeffusive. Indeed, Kathie thought her very lady-like as she ushered theminto the house.
"Is your brother anywhere about?" asked Uncle Robert. "If so, I will goand find him while you girls have a talk."
"He is up in the lot. Steve will show you, or, better yet, call him."
Then she led Kathie into the parlor. There were green paper shades atthe windows, which softened the light in the room, and Kathie's firstglance took in a world of improvements.
Sarah colored with a little conscious pride as she led her to averitable modern sofa, instead of the old stiff one, worn at the edges.
"Take off your hat and sack," she said, with a touch of bashfulness.
Kathie complied.
"I am so glad to see you. I have such a host of things to tell you."
"And you have been out gathering violets. How pretty and spring-likethey are!"
"Yes, Jim helped me. We thought you would like them so much. And I havebeen trying to--to get fixed up a little. It cannot be anything likeyour house, but somehow I want it as nice as I can make it. Jim is sogood too, and Cousin Nelly; and I am so happy sometimes that I reallywonder if I be I, like the old woman."
"I am very glad"; and Kathie gave the hand a squeeze in her own tenderlittle fashion.
"I want to tell you all before any one comes in. Isn't it delightful tohave this sofa? I made father half a dozen shirts all by myself, and hewas so pleased,--you can hardly think! He gave me twelve dollars tospend just as I pleased; but I told mother I would rather let it gotowards a new sofa than to buy the finest dress. Nelly said it would beso much more comfortable than that hard, shabby thing, that looked asif it might have come out of Noah's Ark. So mother gave me fifteen,--shehas all the money for the milk and butter and eggs,--and when fatherheard of it he added three more. I was afraid he would think I wanted tobe too fine, but he only laughed a little. Mother and Nelly went to thecity and bought it. I was so glad that I could have cried for joy, and Iknow father is very proud of it, though he does not say it in so manywords."
"It is a very nice one, and furnishes the room quite prettily, besidethe comfort of it."
"Jim made me this table, and Cousin Nelly and I covered it with paperand then varnished it over, and we have a pretty chintz one up stairs.Nelly and I have a room together now. I can keep everything so much moretidy than when the children pulled all the rubbish about. And look at mytwo new pictures!"
They were large colored engravings,--one, "The Wood-Gatherers," and theother the interior of a German peasant's cottage, where the mother wasputting a babe to sleep in its odd wicker cradle.
"Jim bought them at a newspaper-stand one day, and only paid twelvecents apiece for them. He's powerful--no, I mean very fond of them. I amtrying to leave off all those old-fashioned words and expressions. Thenhe made the frames, and Nelly and I covered them with pine-cones."
They certainly were very creditable.
"But how industrious you must be!" exclaimed Kathie. "You still go toschool?"
"Yes. I wouldn't give that up for half the world. You see Cousin Nellyhelps mother a good deal, and she helps me too. I have been telling herever so much about you, how good and lovely you were. But O, wasn't I aclown and an ignoramus when you first saw me! I don't wonder that girllaughed, though it was hateful in her; but I shall never, never forgethow kind you were. O Miss Kathie, it seems to me if the real nice peoplein the world _would_ only help the others a bit, we should get along somuch faster. I feel as if I'd had it in me all the time,--a great hungrylonging for something,--and I find now that it is beauty and order andknowledge."
Sarah's face was in a glow, and her steady, ardent eyes held in them asoft and tender light. It seemed to Kathie that she was really pretty,or something more than that,--electrified with soul beauty.
"Father pretends that he is afraid I shall get too proud and not be goodfor anything, though he was ever so much pleased when he saw the parlorin such nice order. And he thought the shirts a wonder. I shall not besixteen until November, and there are girls older than I who could notdo it. In vacation I am going to make Jim a whole new set of nice oneswith linen bosoms."
It seemed to Kathie that there was very little danger of Sarah's beingspoiled by acquiring knowledge.
"You deserve the utmost credit," she returned, in her simple manner,that had in it no shade of patronage or condescension.
"I ought to do something for the pains and trouble you have taken."
"It is a pleasure too."
"Miss Kathie, you are so different from some rich people. I wonder whatmakes it?"
A soft color stole up into her face. She would fain have kept silence,but she saw that Sarah was waiting for an answer. "I think it is becausemamma and Uncle Robert believe that wealth was not given for purelypersonal or selfish purposes. It is God's treasure, and we are to put itout at usury, like the parable of the talents, and the usury meansmaking other people happy if we can."
"Then I suppose I ought to try and make some one happy?"
"Do you not?" asked Kathie, simply.
"Yes, I do occasionally when it is quite a trouble. The children beg meto read to them,--they are so fond of stories; and now father alwayswants me to read our paper to him. It comes on Saturday and he is alwaysso tired that night. Still, that isn't--" and Sarah paused as if shedespaired of rendering her meaning clear to her young listener.
"I think Uncle Robert would say that _is_ it surely. Once in a while wecan do larger things; but isn't it the little deeds that require themost patience? It is the steps that make up the whole path."
"So it is. I never thought of it before"; and she smiled, relieved. "Youbelieve, Miss Kathie, that what we do at home is just as good in God'seyes as if we did it for a stranger? It almost seemed to me as if Iought to go out and look for some poor ignorant person instead."
"Both are doing good in different ways. Maybe it is best to learn to dothe good at home first"; and Kathie remembered her early efforts inassisting her mother.
"I want father to see that all my knowledge and my queer likes, as hecalls them, will not really spoil me. Grandmother Strong has just suchold-fashioned notions. She thinks my going to school perfectly absurd.But Cousin Ellen says the world has changed a good deal sincegrandmother was young."
"And I have brought your books," said Kathie, when there was a pause ofsufficient length. "The three are half of a pretty set; some time youmay like to get the others."
"You are so kind. I hated to bother you, but I knew you could make thebest choice."
"It was no trouble at all,--Uncle Robert did it, and he bought them forhalf a dollar less than their usual price."
"I am so much obliged!" and Sarah's face was in a grateful glow.
Kathie had wanted v
ery much to supply the other three.
"If Sarah were poor," replied Uncle Robert, "I should not object; butwhen such a person asks you to do a favor, it is best to keep simply tothe letter of the request. If you gave her so much more, she wouldhesitate about asking you to do such a thing a second time, that is, ifshe possessed any real delicacy."
Kathie saw the force of the reasoning.
Presently Cousin Ellen came down. She was a neat, commonplace-lookingwoman of about thirty, but with a good deal of shrewd sense in her darkgray eyes. Her black calico dress was the perfection of tidiness, andthe merest little ruff of book-muslin edged it round the neck.
Kathie liked her very much. She had been in the midst of the waroperations for the last three years, and to please Sarah she relatednumberless incidents that interested Kathie exceedingly. Then she had togo up stairs and see their room, take a tour around, and have all theflower-beds explained to her, to go to the barn and inspect several newarticles Jim was making. Uncle Robert and the boys joined them here, andKathie was introduced to Mr. Strong.
"Don't you have a little too much in-doors and study?" he asked,pleasantly. "I shouldn't like to see one of my gals look as white as youdo."
"O, she is always white, father," said Sarah, admiringly.
"And she has plenty of roses too, for the most part," explained UncleRobert, "only for the last few weeks she has been rather overtaxed, Ithink. We have had a returned soldier, a very dear friend, ill, and beenin great anxiety about another."
"Thank the Lord for all who've come home safe," said Mr. Strong, in hisclear, forcible tone, and every one of them felt like adding an "Amen"to it.
Martha ran out to call them to tea.
There was the great table spread, and all the children around it, evento fatherless Willie, who would never need a friend while Jotham Stronglived.
It was a very enjoyable supper. The new influence was perceptible evenin sturdy Mrs. Strong, who took a little pains that she might not shameSarah before her company.
Kathie asked Mrs. Strong to let Sarah come down some Saturday and makeher a visit.
"I can't exactly explain, Miss Kathie, and I hate to be ungrateful foryour kindness, but I feel as if you and your friends were above Sarah.Folks ain't all alike, and I s'pose the Lord didn't mean 'em to be, butI don't want Sarah laughed at, and I don't want any one to think she'strying to crowd in We're plain, old-fashioned people"--
Mrs. Strong paused, very red in the face.
"No one will think that at Cedarwood," answered Kathie, softly.
So presently the promise was given. In a fortnight Cousin Ellen andSarah were to go down to Brookside to do some shopping. Ellen wanted tocall on several of the relatives, but Sarah might go at once toCedarwood.
"I expect it will be like a little bit of heaven," the girl whispered."I never was in a real elegant house in all my life."
Kathie described her visit to Aunt Ruth in glowing terms. "I think it_is_ delightful to be rich, after all," she said, contentedly. "You canmake so many people happy."
"And while you study the happiness of others and your duty towards themthe riches will hardly prove a snare," returned Aunt Ruth.
Before another week had ended they had a new joy for which to be verythankful,--the return of Mr. Morrison. He still looked a little pale andthin, but had improved wonderfully since the day when General Mackenziefound him in the forlorn negro quarters. Glad enough he was to get hometo his little Ethel, who hardly let him go out of her sight. Nothingwould do but that the whole family must come down to the cottage anddrink tea.
"I must express my obligations once more to you," said Uncle Robert, inthe evening; "and I am most grateful to God for your return, and that hedid not require so costly a sacrifice at my hands."
"He knows that I am glad enough to come back; but if you'll believe me,sir, it was a great comfort, when I thought myself dying, that it was inyour stead, and that your life, so much more valuable than mine, hadbeen spared. I believe you would have sorrowed for me truly,--and MissKathie here,--as well as my own."
Kathie took his hand. "I've been thinking of this ever since the nightyou offered to go: 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man laydown his life for his friends.'"
The sweet voice trembled a little. It would always have a tender strandin it when it came to that verse.
"Ah, Miss Kathie, those precious words were for the Saviour of us all.What can we ever do to merit them?" and the soldier drew the back of hishand across his eyes.
"God gives the grace to weak human nature," Uncle Robert said, withsolemn sweetness.
Walking home, Kathie started from her revery. "Now if Rob could onlycome back," she exclaimed, "our soldiers would all be together. Youremember the day he was so elated about the draft?"
"Yes. Dear Rob! I hope he has done good service. I am very anxious tosee him again."
Then Kathie began to count on the promised visit. "It is not because Iam so proud of Cedarwood, or the handsome things in it," she explainedto Uncle Robert, "though I do think them all very lovely; but it will besuch a pleasure to her,--just as my going to Miss Jessie's when we wereso poor."
"I understand"; and he smiled.
There had been quite a discussion about having a second girl. UncleRobert fancied that Kathie's further knowledge of household details hadbetter be postponed until she had less upon her hands. Jane Maybin, whohad been a good deal out of health lately, and unable to work in thefactory, as the dust irritated her lungs and made her cough, was quiteanxious to take the situation. What with company and increasing socialduties, Mrs. Alston found her time much interrupted.
Hannah did all the sweeping on Friday, but it was a heavy tax; so Kathieonly dusted awhile on Saturday morning, cut fresh flowers and arrangedthem, and busied herself about little odds and ends. Mrs. Alston decidedto have Jane, and Aunt Ruth took a walk over to the cottage.
Kathie waited in a peculiar state of anxiety, Lucy and Annie Gardinerhad proposed to come over that very afternoon, but she preferred to haveSarah quite alone, that she might feel free to enjoy everything.
It was almost twelve when she reached Cedarwood. Kathie was haunting thecottage, where she could have a good look down the street, but shehardly recognized the figure at first. It seemed as if Sarah grew everyweek. She looked quite like a young lady, Kathie thought. Her light graydress was trimmed with several rows of blue ribbon, and the sack,matching it, made a very neat suit. Her white straw hat was trimmed withblue, and a cluster of crisp, fresh flowers, that looked almost goodenough to be natural. There was nothing in that outfit to be ashamed of.
"O," she exclaimed, with a long breath, "it's like going into the Gardenof Eden! The house and the trees, and that lovely lake! I should want tobe out of doors forever."
"Uncle Robert has promised to row us around the lake this afternoon. Amonth later it will be much more beautiful. Did you finish yourshopping?"
"O yes, though we were bothered a good deal, and that made me later.Nelly wanted me to go to dinner at Cousin Rachel's."
"I am glad that you did not."
Sarah could not be hurried into the house. She wanted to view thefountain, the groups of evergreens, the broad porch, and fancy just howthe roses and honeysuckle would look. But presently they entered. Kathieled her up stairs to her room, to lay aside her hat.
"O, I don't wonder Jim said it was a palace!" she exclaimed, withbreathless delight. "What a lovely room! Why, it's pretty enough for anyone's parlor!"
Kathie smiled a little, remembering the day on which she had thought itwonderful as well.
Sarah was hardly satisfied with her inspection when the bell rang fordinner. In the hall they met Aunt Ruth, and in the dining-room Kathieintroduced Sarah to her mother.
A girl with less natural adaptation or ambition might have been veryawkward. But Sarah had watched Kathie to some purpose, and now gaveherself courage with the thought that she could not go far astray if shecopied Kathie. To be sure she blushed and hesitated a
little, and, asshe afterward confessed at home, "trembled all over"; but she did acquitherself very creditably.
"I can scarcely realize that it is the same girl who wrote you theChristmas letter," whispered Mrs. Alston in a soft aside, and Kathiesmiled gratefully at her mother's commendation.
Then the two girls began a regular tour about the house. The pictures,the statues, the furniture, Aunt Ruth's beautiful bay-window still fullof vines and flowers, and the abundance of books, were so many marvelsto Sarah. And here, in the midst of all this beauty, hung her lichen.The tears of delight came to her eyes, in spite of her strong effort atrepression.
"Now if you would only play and sing for me," she pleaded, bashfully."You're so good that I hate to ask anything."
"With pleasure."
It seemed as if Sarah could never get enough music. She listened as ifshe was entranced, the new spiritual light coming into her eyes, showingthe strong and earnest capabilities of her soul.
Uncle Robert looked in upon them.
"I think you had better go out on the lake now," he said. "The air is sodelightfully soft."
Sarah sighed. "I cannot imagine which is the best, everything is such apleasure."
"We will have some music when we return. You will like the sail, Iknow."
They found their hats and ran down the broad steps. Quite a party werecoming up the drive. Charlie and Dick, Mr. and Mrs. Meredith, and O,joy! this tall, soldierly man could be no other than General Mackenzie!
"My dear, dear young friend"; and, stooping, he kissed the forehead inhis grave, tender fashion.
"So you see I have surprised you this time," laughed Mr. Meredith."Where were you going gypsy fashion?"
"To the lake, but it doesn't matter." There was no Uncle Robert to helpher, so she turned to where Sarah stood blushing and abashed, drew herkindly forward, and gave her an introduction to each one. Dick connectedher with the party and Belle Hadden at once.
"Kathie was right to stand up for her," was his mental verdict. "Thereare plenty of worse-looking and worse-behaved girls in the world."
At this junction Uncle Robert joined them. The whole party entered theparlor. Kathie seated Sarah by herself, and General Mackenzie joinedthem. Mrs. Alston and Aunt Ruth were summoned, and the conversationbecame most genial. And when Sarah ventured a remark, frightened half todeath the moment afterward, General Mackenzie smiled and answered her.Dick Grayson, anxious to see "what kind of stuff she was made of," cameround to the back of the _tete-a-tete_, and joined the talk.
But the wonders had not all come to an end. The door-bell sounded again,and Hannah ushered two young ladies into the hall. Kathie caught aglimpse of the faces,--Sue Coleman and Emma Lauriston.
They saw Dick and Charlie and the grand soldier beside thisplain-looking girl,--some of the Darrells, maybe,--and, acceptingKathie's cordial invitation, joined the group.
"Miss Strong," Kathie said, with sweet, gracious simplicity; and Sue fora moment was abashed. Something in Dick's face announced the truth.
General Mackenzie did not seem to think her beneath him. Just now shewas speaking of her cousin's husband and their having Mrs. Gilbert andWillie at home.
"Miss Strong," he said, gravely, "I honor your parents for the act.There will be so many widows and orphans for whom the scanty pensionwill be as nothing. But the generous-hearted men and women who opentheir houses to these poor unfortunates pay our dead soldiers a highercompliment, and evince a truer appreciation of their gallant heroism,than if they made grand processions and built marble monuments."
Sarah blushed with embarrassment, and some deep, delicate feeling thatshe could not have expressed. She had not done it boastingly; indeed,until this moment, she had hardly thought of any special kindliness inthe deed.
Actually complimented by General Mackenzie! Lottie Thorne would havedied of envy.
Somehow the time ran away very fast. They went out on the lawn in thesunshine, when Sue and Emma discovered that they must go, and the twoboys walked with them. Then it came Sarah's turn, as she had promised tobe at Cousin Rachel's by five.
"I've had such a lovely, lovely time, Miss Kathie, though I feltdreadfully frightened when your grand company came; but they were allso--so nice that I quite forgot about being an awkward country girl. Andisn't General Mackenzie plain and charming?--yes, that is the very word.I don't believe General Grant is a bit nicer. I shall tell mother justwhat he said. It will help to make up for the girls laughing about herbonnet."
Kathie had a simple gift to send to Baby Lily. Then the girls said alingering good-by to each other, and Kathie went back to her hero.
"I must take the night return train," he declared, "on account ofimportant business in Washington; but if you will allow me to visit youin the summer, and bring my son, I will accept it as a great favor."
Uncle Robert gave him a most cordial invitation.
"And, my little friend, I must congratulate you that your soldiers didtheir duty without flinching, even in the most trying moments. It is notour lives only, but our wills, our comforts and pleasures, that we arerequired to give up. And I am thankful that God watched over them everyhour, and sent them back safely at last."
"I think they were braver than I, sometimes," Kathie answered, in a lowtone. "After all, I have done so little; I do not deserve the praise."Her voice seemed to lose itself in a tender humility.
"My dear child, I know what you thought of the other warfare. It is asoldier's duty to bring in all the recruits that he can. God will clothethem in his righteousness, and make the path plain before them as theygo to do battle with the arch-enemy. He only asks us to lead them tohim. You are doing this in a brave, steady manner."
There were tears in Kathie's downcast eyes; but Mr. Meredith's handstole over her shoulder, and their fingers met with a clasp that wasmore expressive than words.
"People often look too far off for duties," continued the old soldier."We are to take up the task that lies before us, even if it does notseem to wear the grace of the heroic. God knows when and where to addthe golden fruit. Some day, my little girl, we will have a long talkabout these matters."
The soft spring-twilight was falling as they said good-by to GeneralMackenzie. The grave, kindly eyes rested last of all on the child'ssimple, earnest face.
Mr. and Mrs. Meredith went also when Uncle Robert drove the General tothe station. Kathie sat by the window, peering out into the darkness,long after the sound of the wheels had ceased. One star came outpresently.
Shining on and on. The old, old lesson, the child's purpose growingstronger with the passing years, and Kathie prayed that as her soldiershad been faithful, she also might be faithful unto the end.