CHAPTER XIII
SUNDAY
Little has been said about the living-room at Miss North's; one of thepleasantest places in the building. The approach to it was by the way ofa rather unusual stairway, and this stairway had a peculiar significancein the school life. It parted on a landing just before it reached theliving and dining-room floor, dividing into two separate avenues. Oneside was claimed by the Seniors; the other by the Juniors. A Seniornever thought of coming down the Junior side; and the Juniors were quiteas particular. Each class had its own "stair song" and on festiveoccasions the stairs played an important part.
The living-room was just across the hall from the dining-room; and whenclasses entertained--as they did often--the rooms were thrown open andused as one.
But it was on Sunday that the living-room appeared at its best. Abeautiful fire of hickory logs always blazed on the ample hearth,casting a rosy glow over the polished oak beams in the ceiling, dancingand flickering on the handsome rugs and old mahogany furniture which hadcome down with generations of Norths.
At the extreme end of the room were placed three chairs--similar tobishops' chairs in design. The centre one belonged to Miss North. Fromit on Sunday morning, and often on Sunday evening, she read to thegirls; and the girls loved this quiet hour more than almost any otherthing that came into their lives. It was a diversion to come into theliving-room's warmth and cheer directly after breakfast on Sundaymorning, rather than file into chapel. It was delightful to relax afterthe strain and discipline of the week; to gather in groups and chatintimately; to sit where one pleased--even on the hearth rug, if onedesired, while listening to the reading.
It was Miss North's desire to make this place as much a home living-roomas possible; to get far away from institutional life.
There was always a little time in which to chat after the girls gatheredon Sunday morning; then Miss North took her seat and the exercisesbegan. There were a few hymns and the lesson for the day from theScriptures. Miss North was an excellent Bible student, and sheinterested and held the girls in these readings and talks through herknowledge and ability to impart what she knew in a fascinating manner.Thus a quiet and peaceful hour was spent, which meant much in thegeneral culture and up-building of the girls' characters. Many a youngwoman looking back in after years felt grateful for the high ideals putbefore her at that time.
"I adore these Sunday mornings," Blue Bonnet said, linking her armthrough Annabel Jackson's as they left the room after an especiallyhelpful talk. "I think Miss North is wonderful. She never preaches atyou; but what she says sticks. I'd a lot rather hear her talk than SarahBlake's father--our minister at home. Aunt Lucinda says Mr. Blake isvery spiritual, but he's terribly prosy. I have the awfullest timetrying to keep awake when he talks--it's dreadful!"
"Well, you'll have a treat to-day at Trinity, Blue Bonnet. The Bishop isgoing to preach. I adore him. He's terribly good to look at, too, withall his fixings--his cross and ring and beautiful robes. I had a letterto him when I came here, and he called one day. He wasn't nearly sohandsome without his robes; but he was perfectly dear--and quite jolly.I expected to be awed by him; but I wasn't, a bit. I almost caughtmyself telling him everything I'd done since I arrived here; but Ichecked myself in time."
Blue Bonnet looked at Annabel with new respect.
"It must have been a beautiful experience," she said.
Annabel paused at Blue Bonnet's door.
"We've just time to do our rooms before we dress. Help me make my bedand I'll return the compliment."
Blue Bonnet complied willingly. Then they went back to her room.
"What are you going to wear to-day, Blue Bonnet?" Annabel asked, her eyesstraying toward Blue Bonnet's closet. "I haven't a thing! I've just gotto have some new clothes."
Blue Bonnet laughed.
"Poor little 'Flora McFlimsey,'" she said. "'Nothing but your newtailored suit and your velvet hat and your silk waist,' to say nothingof--"
"But I'm tired of them all! I'd so love a change."
Blue Bonnet opened her closet door.
"Choose," she said generously. "Only leave me my muff, to-day. I perishby the wayside in this climate. I'd give--oh, most anything, for astreak of Texas sunshine!"
Almost unconsciously a sigh escaped her. There were days when a visionof the Texas prairie obliterated every other sight.
"Oh, thank you, dear! You're so good about your things. I'll take yourblack fur hat, if you don't mind--and the blue waist. I'm quite madabout blue just now. I never used to think I could wear it."
Blue Bonnet got out the waist, and Annabel held it against her face,trying the effect.
"I don't know about this 'Alice' shade. What do you think? Can I wear itall right?"
"You look beautiful in anything to me, Annabel--yes, I think it is verybecoming. Will you walk with me to-day?"
"Surely; though I suppose Ruth will pout--but no matter! Reckon we hadbetter hurry a little."
Blue Bonnet always declared that there was something about TrinityChurch that put her in a pious mood. She felt it first when she came insight of the splendid edifice. She loved its majesty--- its vastimpressive central tower; the quaint cloisters; the rich Galilee porchand the ivy-clad walls; and once inside she could never keep her eyesfrom straying to the wonderful Tiffany stained glass memorial windows;the famous frescoes, of which "Jesus and the Woman of Samaria" was herfavorite. She loved the service, too. Loved it because amid all thegrandeur it was simple and impressive, and she could have a part in it.
It was a pretty sight to see the girls from Miss North's school march into the church, and it spoke well for Miss North's training that theywere always dignified and attentive. They took an active part in theservice and sang for the very joy of singing. Blue Bonnet's strong,sweet soprano often rang above her fellows, clear and true, and herface reflected the glow that stirred her heart.
"That _was_ a wonderful sermon, Annabel," she said as they left thechurch. "Dear me, how I do wish Mr. Blake could sit under the Bishop fora while. I wonder if he ever heard him. I daresay he hasn't. He's whatGrandmother calls a 'dyed in the wool Presbyterian.'"
She sighed, regretful of Mr. Blake's lost opportunities.
"Cheer up! You don't have to listen to him often," Annabel saidconsolingly.
"No, that's true. But _think_ of Grandmother and Aunt Lucinda! They'vebeen listening to him for most twenty years."
"Oh, well, 'habit's a cable,'" Annabel quoted glibly. "It jerks us alongand we get into the way of thinking we like things whether we do or not.I daresay your aunt dotes on him."
"Aunt Lucinda isn't--well--she isn't just the doting kind, Annabel; butI don't suppose she'd trade Mr. Blake for the Bishop if she could.Loyalty's the backbone of Aunt Lucinda. She's very fond of Sarah, too.By the way, did I tell you that Grandmother and Aunt Lucinda are comingup to spend a few days of the spring vacation with me? Aunt Lucinda hasa lot of shopping to do, and Grandmother loves a little change. They'veasked Sarah Blake to come with them. I wish the rest of the girls couldcome. Wouldn't it be fun if the Lambs could meet the We Are Sevens?"
"Oh, lovely, Blue Bonnet! I'm quite wild to see Kitty Clark. I'm realjealous of her. She's your best friend, isn't she?"
Blue Bonnet hedged.
"Kitty's a dear," she said; "and the prettiest girl you almost eversaw--but I'm fond of all the girls."
Silence fell between them as they walked homeward. Suddenly Blue Bonnetgave a little joyful cry.
"Annabel! I know what I'm going to do! Alec said that Uncle Cliff wascoming at Easter. I'll write to him this very afternoon and ask him toinvite the We Are Sevens up here for a day or two just before vacationbegins--just the day before--and give us, the Lambs and the We AreSevens, a party. Maybe a matinee party with a dinner at the Copley Plazaafterward."
"Oh, Blue Bonnet! _Do_ you think he would? That would be heavenly."
"He'd adore to do it. I am sure."
Sunday afternoon at Miss North's was given over almost entire
ly toletter writing, and Blue Bonnet was not long in getting a note off toUncle Cliff. She was a little ashamed of its scrappiness as she read itover; but what it lacked in news and length was more than made up inaffection. It fairly throbbed with love and anxiety to see him, and shehad plead the cause of the We Are Sevens with the eloquence of a youngWebster.
"He'll never be able to resist that plea," she said to Annabel, who hadbrought her writing materials into Blue Bonnet's room. "He'll just_have_ to come when he gets this. I shouldn't wonder if it didn't bringhim sooner than he expected."
She sealed the letter and pounded the stamp on with enthusiasm. To thinkwas ever to act with Blue Bonnet, and the next half hour was given overto planning for the coming event--"the gathering of the clans."
"Don't you think that a matinee party with tea afterward at the hotelwould be lovely, Annabel? Then dinner about seven o'clock. We might dosomething in the evening, too."
Annabel thought it would be well to consult the Lambs on so important asubject, which necessitated an impromptu meeting in the "Angels'Retreat." The tea bell had sounded before the meeting adjourned.
* * * * *
Sunday evening tea was another delight at Miss North's. There was apleasant informality about it. It consisted of hot rolls and cocoa, asalad and cake, with marshmallows which were to be toasted later in theliving-room at the big fireplace.
For an hour after tea the girls sat in the firelight, visiting. Often aspeaker was provided for the evening's entertainment--a celebrity, ifpossible. The best in the way of culture for her girls was Miss North'srule.
To-night the girls were all present. They had dressed with care incompliment to an expected guest; a noted traveler who was to tell themof foreign lands and customs. Miss North viewed them with pleasure. Theywere her children--a family to be proud of.
A pleasanter scene could scarcely be imagined. The girls stood in groupschatting; on the hearth rug; in the deep chairs--a picture of youthfulloveliness.
"Will you look at Joy Cross!" Ruth Biddle said to Sue Hemphill. "Whathas got into her? She's been fixed up that way for several days; bluebow--hair curled--"
The close proximity of Joy at that moment stopped the sentence. BlueBonnet Ashe was bringing her into the group and Annabel held Joy inanimated conversation.
"Let's all sit together," Blue Bonnet said, and Joy sat down with therest. Although but two weeks had passed since Joy's trouble, she wasmuch changed. A little spot of color burned in her usually pale cheeks;and--there was no doubt about it--the blue bow _was_ becoming. Itbrought out unsuspected possibilities in the white skin, and cast adeeper tone to the faded eyes. Joy was happy; and the happiness showedin every change of expression.
It had not been an easy thing for Blue Bonnet and Annabel Jackson toshow Joy the many little kindnesses which they had shown her, withoutbecoming patronizing; but they had--somehow--to their credit; and Joy,for the first time in her life, was beginning to taste the sweets ofcompanionship.
Annabel Jackson was a born leader. When she put the stamp of approval onanything, it went; and when she began to stop Joy in halls andrecitation rooms for a moment's chat--a bit of advice on lessons--Joy'sstock took sudden flight. If Annabel thought her worth while, she surelymust be; and Blue Bonnet's interest, added to Annabel's, was the neededtouch to bring Joy into the social life of the school.
Not until there was an exodus toward the pipe organ, about which thegirls gathered to sing, did Ruth have a chance to express her opinion ofJoy's sudden popularity.
"_I_ don't intend to take her up," she said haughtily, lagging behindwith Sue. "She isn't our kind at all. I don't know what's got intoAnnabel lately. She's perfectly crazy about Blue Bonnet Ashe--completelyunder her thumb."
"Lots of us in the same boat, Ruth. I'm quite crazy about her myself."
"Well, she needn't think she can run the school. She's behind this JoyCross vogue. She's not going to ram her down my throat. The Biddlesusually choose their own society."
Sue looked at Ruth sharply.
"You've sort of got an idea that name gives you special dispensation,haven't you, Ruth--kind of a free passport to the upper realms? Well,forget it! It hasn't. It wouldn't get you any farther with folks thatcount than Cross, or Ashe, or Hemphill. It's what you bring to yourname; not what it brings to you. It's like what Miss North said theother day about life. It isn't what you get out of it, but what you putinto it that counts."
Ruth's lip curled. It takes more than a rebuke to make a democrat out ofan aristocrat.
"Nevertheless I shall retain the privilege of choosing my associates andnot having them thrust upon me."
"That's all right, Ruth, but when you get lonesome, come on back intothe fold. I've an idea that Joy Cross is going to make a place forherself in the school whether you like it or not. Blue Bonnet seems tohave got at her in some way lately, and she says she's really quitelikable! She says Joy makes her think of the late chrysanthemums in hergrandmother's garden. They never get ready to bloom until everythingelse is gone; but you appreciate them all the more after they'veweathered the frost and come out brave and brilliant. Funny idea, isn'tit? Blue Bonnet has such queer ideas. I think she's very unusual."
Ruth, still annoyed, found a place by the organ, while Sue slipped overby Joy, and putting her arm through hers carelessly, joined in the hymnswith interest and fervor.