CHAPTER XVIII
THE LITTLE GIRL GROWN UP
Mrs. Underhill said "No." It was not to be thought of for a moment.Hanny in short frocks!
"It would have to be made long in the skirt, I suppose," returned Joe,gravely.
"Long! What are you talking about!"
"She would enjoy seeing the dancing. And when she was an old lady, andThackeray dead, she could tell her children she was at a banquet withthe great novelist."
"What nonsense you do talk, Joe."
Doctor Joe laughed, gave his mother a squeeze and a kiss that broughtthe bright colour to her cheek, and then went off to comfort two richold patients who had nothing the matter with them, except theinfirmities of age. They thought there was no one like Dr. Underhill.
Perhaps his mother thought so, too. She was taking a good deal ofcomfort with him in these days, when she had cast Ben a little out ofher good graces. She had a hope that Ben's sturdy common sense wouldconvince him after a while that Delia would make a poor, improvidentwife. And there was a chance that, while Ben was waiting to get ready,some one might capture Delia. She sincerely hoped it would be some onewell-to-do and deserving, and who could afford servants and a generoushousehold expenditure. Ben would get over it in time.
And much as she enjoyed Joe, she wanted him to marry and have a home andfamily of his very own. But was any one good enough for such a sweet,generous, noble soul!
Of course Hanny couldn't go; that was a foregone conclusion. But thenthe Jaspers were going, and it wasn't like taking a young girl out insociety. Just one night would not matter. Daisy had been to severalgrown-up festivities abroad, where they were ever so much more strenuousabout girls. There would be so many people, they would pass in thethrong unnoticed; and it was not like a public ball.
It was a little odd, but Miss Cynthia settled it finally. Her verdictseemed to settle a good many things. She did not "dress-make" verysteadily now; but there were some folks who thought they couldn't have awedding, or a large party, without Miss Cynthia's advice and assistance.
She came to spend the day. Grandmother Van Kortlandt enjoyed her verymuch, as she could not visit a great deal herself. Cynthia always hadthe latest news about all the relatives. She gossiped in a bright socialfashion, with no especial ill-nature, or sharp criticism, indeed hersharpnesses were amusing for the bit of real fun in them.
"Why, of course she ought to go," declared Miss Cynthia. "I'd like tosee the great man myself, and shake hands with him, though I am not overfond of the English; and I do hope and pray he won't go home and makefun of us. As for the dancing, and all that, Peggy Underhill, you wentto lots of frolics before you were as old as Hanny, and had young menbeauing you round. I don't see but you have made a good and capable wifeand mother; and it didn't hurt you a bit."
"But I was not going to school."
"It wasn't the fashion then. And now women are in Oberlin College,studying the same things as the men; and they fall in love and getmarried just as they always did. The ball, or whatever you call it,won't hurt Hanny a bit. There will be the Jaspers, and Joe, and Ben, andI'm sure that's enough to take care of one little girl."
"She has nothing to wear; she is still in short frocks. And the idea ofbuying a ball-dress, that she won't want until next winter!"
"Now see here. Let's look over the old things. There's her blue silk,outgrown of course. They ruffle everything now, and it will be wideenough for that. And I can just cover the waist, and ruffle the skirtwith white tarleton. It is nearly two yards wide, and makes lovelytrimming. There's no use saving it up for Stephen's children."
They all laughed at that.
"And, Aunt Marg'ret," to grandmother, "why didn't you keep _your_ littlegirl shut up in a band-box, while all the other girls were having goodtimes and getting lovers? She might have been a queer, particular,fidgety old maid, instead of having a nice family for us to quarrelover."
"I will buy her a new dress," said grandmother.
"She doesn't want anything but a few yards of tarleton. She won't belikely to get into the papers. She and Miss Daisy will sit and look on,and just whisper to each other, and feel afraid to say their souls aretheir own; but they'll enjoy the pretty dressing and the dancing, andthey will see how the thing is done when it comes their turn in goodearnest."
So Mrs. Underhill had to give in. Grandmother slipped five dollars inMiss Cynthia's hand, as she was going away.
"If that falls short, I'll give you some more. And you just buy thattarleton."
Hanny wasn't quite sure, and never said a word at school until the veryday. But she and Daisy had a thrill of delight talking it over. MissCynthia came armed with the tarleton. The skirt was let down; but girls'long dresses were not sweeping length in those days. Then it was coveredwith narrow ruffles that suggested drifting clouds over an azure sky.The bodice was not outgrown, after all. It was covered with thetarleton, and had a fall of beautiful old lace around the shoulders, apretty frill at the neck, and short sleeves. Joe bought her whitegloves, and she had a blue sash.
Miss Cynthia came in to dress her; but the little girl had a quiveringfear that something had happened to her maid, for it was full eighto'clock. She put her back hair in a French twist, much worn then, withtwo big rings right on the top of her head that looked like a crown. Herfront hair she curled over an iron, and then combed it out; and it was amass of fluffy waves, gathered in bandeaux just above her ears. She hadher mother's beautiful pearl earrings, that had come from France withthe old French grandmother, and a handsome mother-of-pearl-topped combin her hair.
They put on the ball-dress. "Now look at yourself," said Miss Cynthia,"and get used to it before I let in the folks."
Hanny stood before her mother's tall mirror. Oh, this was Miss NanUnderhill, and she had never seen her before. There was a mystery abouther,--a sudden sense of a strange, beautiful, unseen world, a newcountry she was going into, an old world left behind, an intangiblerecreation that no words could explain, but that touched her with akind of exalted sacredness, as if a new life was unfolding all abouther. She hardly dared stir or breathe.
"For a girl with no special beauty, I think you look very well. But,land sakes! You'll see no end of handsome girls; Margaret and Jimcarried off the beauty of this family."
Miss Cynthia's voice recalled her from the vision of coming womanhood,that she was to live over again on her wedding night, with its holyblessedness enshrining her within her bridal veil.
Her father's eyes shone with a softness that looked like tears. Hermother viewed her all over with a critical air.
"I must say, Cynthia, you've done wonderfully. The dress looks verynice. And now, Hanny, I do hope you won't be forward or silly. Mindeverything Mrs. Jasper says, and don't you and Daisy giggle. Be carefuland don't lose Margaret's handkerchief. I don't just know as you oughtto carry that."
Joe said she was lovely; and Jim really was very complimentary. He _did_wish that he was going. But Jim counted the cost of everything now, forhe was trying to get out of debt.
The coach came up from the Jaspers' and Hanny was put inside. Joeinsisted on sharing the box with the driver.
When Daisy took off her wrap in the dressing-room, she had on a palepink silk. Part of her curls were tied up in a bunch on top of her head,and fastened with a silver arrow and two roses. She would always wear itin ringlets, or at least until she was so old she wouldn't mind abouther shoulders being not quite straight.
The affair was a banquet primarily. To be sure they gathered in theAssembly room; and there was Ben, and Delia, who looked very nice andbright in maize colour and brown.
"Oh, Hanny, you are as lovely as a picture," she whisperedenthusiastically. "But you _are_ a little mite; there is no denying it.I was so afraid you couldn't come, that something would happen at thelast moment. Miss Cynthia is capital."
Hanny coloured and almost sighed. She might as well give up hoping to betall, and accept the fact.
They went into the banquet-room, where there wer
e two long tables. Theypassed around to where a circle of men stood, some of them very finelooking indeed. The advancing group were presented to the greatnovelist, and in future years Hanny was to treasure the cordial smileand pressure of the hand. But he was to come again when the world hadlearned to pay him a finer and more discriminating admiration.
His end of the table was literary. The Jasper party were opposite, atthe other one. What brightness and wit spiced the party, they couldgather from the genial laughter. There were toasts and responses thatscintillated with gaiety and touched the border of pathos.
It was long, and of course the younger people who came for the ball werenot compelled to stay. The novelist was to leave at the close of thedinner. And presently most of the company found their way to the dancingroom, where the band was discoursing enchanting music, and where everyone enjoyed the promenade.
But when the quadrille sets were formed and in motion, Hanny wasenraptured. Ben and Delia were among them. Delia certainly had afrivolous side to her nature for a genius. She was very fond of fun andpleasure and dancing, and had no lack of partners all the evening.
Some there were who danced like a fairy dream; others who made blundersand gave the wrong hand, and betrayed various awkwardnesses. Doctor Joefound several lady friends, and danced two or three times, thenproposed that Hanny should try, which he was sure "would inspire Daisyinto making the attempt," he said with a persuasive smile.
Hanny was very much afraid out on the large space. But Delia was in thesame set, and her bright merry eyes were full of encouragement. It wasnot alarming. Indeed, in five minutes, the music had put a "spirit inher feet," and she felt quite at home.
Then a friend of Ben's came to ask her; and Doctor Joe sat down topersuade Daisy. While abroad, she had taken what we should now term aseries of physical culture lessons to strengthen and develop her limbs,and to learn how to overcome her misfortune in every possible manner.Indeed, it was hardly noticeable now, and she had outgrown thesensitiveness of her childhood.
"Oh, mamma, do you think I could?"
"Of course she can," declared Doctor Joe. "I can't have you playing wallflower altogether at your first ball. And if you drop down in surprise,or faint away, I will carry you to the dressing-room at once."
He was so tender and full of nonsense, yet so much in earnest, that sherose reluctantly. But like Hanny, with the eager joy of youth, she soonforgot everything except the pure pleasure, and the delight ofgratifying dear Doctor Joe, who was so strong and gentle that she couldnot even feel a bit nervous.
As for Hanny, she was really enchanted. The room full of people,smiling and happy, the changing figures, the light airy dresses, theshimmer of silks, the cloudlets of lace, the soft flying curls, for somany people wore ringlets still, the happy smiling faces, and the throbof the music was intoxicating. It was a strange, delightful world thatshe had gone into with her first long gown and her hair done up.
She came back, flushed and excited, her pretty eyes shining, her redlips all in a quiver.
"Now you must sit down and rest," said Mrs. Jasper. "And if you are veryobedient, you may get up in that Spanish dance. I think that quitedelightful and bewildering."
A lady sat on the other side of Mrs. Jasper, and resumed the incidentshe was describing. Mr. Jasper came up with a young man.
"Here is an old friend!" he exclaimed. "Where is Daisy?"
"Somewhere with the Doctor. Oh, what a surprise!" and she took the youngman's hand.
"I wasn't sure I could get here; and it would have been very ungratefulto Mr. Jasper, when he sent me a ticket. I wanted to see Miss Daisyagain. But I have just come on a flying business tour, and must startto-morrow for Philadelphia. Still, I may have a little leisure when Ireturn. What a gay scene."
Hanny sat fanning herself, and feeling that her cheeks were scarlet. Ifit only wouldn't culminate in her nose! Then Mr. Jasper turned andintroduced his young friend. Hanny moved a little, so he could sitbetween her and Mrs. Jasper,--a very attractive young man, a Mr.Andersen.
"Miss Underhill," he repeated, as Mr. Jasper turned away, "I've beenspeculating on a Miss Underhill for five minutes. I wonder if you willconsider it impertinent; but perhaps you never speculate upon people,and then it might be reprehensible. Just as I entered the room, therewas a merry group talking, and a sort of 'nut brown mayde,' all in brownand yellow with bright hair and laughing eyes said, 'Miss NanUnderhill.' Of course I was too well bred, and in too great a hurry tolisten to any more, or I might have found out about her. I had just aninstant interior gleam of what she must be like with that English name.And I wonder if the fates have directed my steps to her?"
Mr. Andersen was not the tall, stern, gloomy hero of romance; he wasmedium in height and figure, with a frank, eager sort of face, darkhair, and eyes she thought black then, but afterwards came to know thatthey were of the deep blue of a midnight sky in winter. He had such asmiling mouth, and his voice had a curious, lingering cadence thatsuggests that one may have heard it in a previous state.
Hanny caught the spirit of the half badinage, and the laughing light inhis face.
"I think I ought to know the ideal before I confess identity," shereplied.
"Can't I change the ideal? Or repent my vague, wild fancy?"
"Oh, was it wild? Then I must insist upon it. Miss Nan Underhill, anEnglish girl; of course she was tall, this vision of your imagination?"
Hanny was quite sure her face grew redder. And this ideal girl wasbeautiful. Oh, dear!
"Yes, tall; a daughter of the gods, or the old Norse Vikings before theywere Anglicised, with fair hair. And you have the fair hair."
"But I am not tall! I am sorry to have you disappointed."
"I am not disappointed. What does a vagrant fancy amount to? I considermyself fortunate in meeting Miss Underhill. Why, suppose I had gonerambling about and missed you altogether? Have you known the Jasperslong?"
"Oh, years and years. Before they went abroad."
"What a beautiful girl Daisy is! I am glad she is here enjoying herself.Oh, isn't it the regulation thing to speak of the hero of the feast? Ofcourse when you heard he was coming to lecture you began to read hisnovels--if you had not before."
"I had not read them before. There are a great many books I have notread. But I tried at 'Vanity Fair;' and I am afraid I don't like it."
"I do not believe you will now. I can't imagine real young people likingthem. But when one has grown older and had sorrow and suffering andexperience, there are so many touches that go to one's heart. And'Vanity Fair' is a novel without a hero. Still I always feel sorry forpoor Major Dobbins. I wonder if Amelia would have liked him better ifhis name had been something else? Could you fall in love with such aname?"
They both laughed. She raised her eyes. How exquisitely fair and sweetand dainty she was! The soft hair had shining lights; and her eyes had atwilight look that suggested a pellucid lake, with evening shadesblowing over it.
"A little more of something would have made him a hero, and spoiled thebook."
"But I don't like Amelia, nor Becky; and the Crawleys are horrid. AndThackeray seems holding up everybody and laughing at them. I like tobelieve in people."
"I am glad there is a time when we can believe in them: it is theradiant time of youth. What did that little smile hide, and half betray?Confess!"
"Are you so very old?"
The charming gravity was irresistible.
"Seven and twenty, and I am beginning to worship Thackeray. At seven andthirty, he will be one of my passions, I know. Now and then I come to asentence that goes to my heart. No, do not read him yet awhile, unlessit is some of the little things. There is 'Dr. Birch and his YoungFriends;' and if you want to be amused you must read his continuation of'Ivanhoe.' But then you will have neither heroines nor heroes left. Andif you and Miss Daisy want to laugh beyond measure, get the 'Rose andthe Ring,' that he wrote for his two little girls."
"Oh," said Hanny, "are they at home, in England?"
"Yes,
with an aunt."
"Haven't they any mother?"
"They have no mother," he said gravely.
Years later, the novelist was to be one of the little girl's heroes,when she knew all the bravery of his life, and why his little girls werewithout a mother.
Joe and Daisy returned, and there was a pleasant rencontre; then Deliaand Ben came up, and they had a merry chat and a promenade.
"I wonder," as the musicians began tuning again, "if you are engaged forall the dances. Could I be allowed one?"
He took up her card.
"I have been dancing so much already; but Mrs. Jasper said I might trythe Spanish dance."
"Oh, then try it with me! I am not too old to dance, if I have come toadoring Thackeray. And I am to go away soon."
"To go away--where?" And she glanced up with an interest that gave him aquick sense of pleasure.
"To Hamburg first; then to find some relations."
"In Germany? But you are not a German?" in surprise.
"I ought to be a Dane, if one's birth counts for anything; and if one'sancestors count, then an old Dutch Knickerbocker," he returned, with asoft, amused laugh. "But I believe I cannot boast of any Englishdescent, such as the son of a hundred earls. That doesn't sound aspoetic as the daughter of a hundred earls."
"Who was not one to be desired," interposed the young girl.
"Ah, you read Tennyson then? It is odd, but a good many of us begin onpoetry. I like it very much myself."
A touch of thought settled between Hanny's brows.
"Are you wondering about my mixed lineage? Part of it came from the oldDutch governor, Jacob Leisler. My grandfather went to Germany, and ranaway with a lady of high degree, and brought her back to America, wheremy father was born, and lived all his young life, until his marriage.Then business took him abroad, and I was born; and my mother died atCopenhagen. My father is connected with the importing house of Strang,Zahner, & Co., of which Mr. Jasper is a member. He is married again, toa very sweet, amiable German woman. Oh, here we are to take our places!"
Hanny hesitated an instant. She longed to have Mrs. Jasper'sapprobation.
"We have been looking for you," said Ben. "Let us begin in the one set.Here is Daisy and Joe."
Then it would be all right. She glanced up and smiled with cordialassent.
The old-fashioned Spanish dance was a great favourite at that time, whengermans were unknown. Its graceful turns and windings, its statelybalances, until the dancers seemed all one long elegant chain, thatmoved to the perfect time of the music, was indeed fascinating. Peopledanced then. Youth never dreamed of being bored, and walking languidly.Every movement was delicate and refined.
Was she really in some enchanted country? When Mr. Andersen wascompelled to leave her, he glanced over or past his partner with anexpression so near a smile that Hanny's pulses quickened. When he cameback, the light touch of his hand gave her a little thrill that wasquite delicious. Now and then they had a bit of conversation.
Once he said, in his charming fashion, that was admiration rather thancriticism:--
"Why, you _are_ very petite!"
"Yes; I am not the tall, slim English girl."
"I am very glad. We dance so well together; I wish I were not going awayso soon. And you can't guess--you will think it strange,--to Americanideas it is; but when I go back I have to hunt up a descendant of thisgrandmother of high degree who has been making matrimonial overtures tomy father on my behalf."
"Oh, that is like a story! And what will you do?"
"I will think about it, and answer you when you return to me."
He gave her to the next partner, with a graceful inclination of thehead.
There were numberless evolutions before he could take her again. Sheglanced up out of sweet, questioning eyes.
"I've been considering," he resumed, as if they had not parted. "Yousee, it is this way. My father is very, very fond of me, though thereare other children. Then I have my mother's fortune, which he has beenvery watchful of. He is a splendid, upright, honourable man. Now, ifyour father asked such a thing of you,--what I mean is, if he asked youto see some one and learn how well you could like her or him--"
She was off again. Oh, what a sweet little fairy she was! What poetwrote about twinkling feet? Hers certainly twinkled in their daintiness.He had not considered her prettiness at first; now it seemed as if shewas exquisitely fair, with that soft pink in her cheeks.
"Yes. Do you not believe you would go to please him, and see? And youmight not like her, and she might not like you. But sometimes people dotake sudden fancies. What do you think, looking at it out of an Americangirl's eyes?"
"I should go for my father's sake."
There was such a delicate gravity in her clear eyes as she raised them alittle.
"Thank you," he returned softly. "What an odd thing to talk of in themidst of our dancing! When you are older, you will find people making aconfidante of you very often, you seem so serious and truthful."
They were coming down to the end of the winding chain; Mr. and Mrs.Jasper stood there. One more figure, and the cornet and horns andviolins gave three long breaths of melody and stopped.
"My dear children," said Mrs. Jasper, as she stretched out her hand."Daisy, you will be in bed all day to-morrow! Your mother will nevertrust me with you again, Hanny; I didn't think it would be so long."
"But it was so delightful, mamma." Daisy was in a tumult of pleasure.
"We must go at once. Mr. Jasper will be back by the time we have foundour wraps. Doctor, I can't thank you for making such a patient martyr ofyourself, only you are always so good. Hanny, have you had a nice time?"
"It has been splendid," with a long, long breath, and shining lights inher eyes.
Delia went to the dressing-room with them.
"I'm going to have two more dances," she said. "It is the first realball I've been to in a long while. I'm so glad you came. Ben says henever imagined you were so pretty. Think of that, from one's ownbrother! And Daisy did not shine you down, either."
Hanny kissed her with a sort of rapture. She couldn't understand; sheseemed to be walking on the azure clouds instead of solid earth.
Mr. Andersen went to the carriage with them, and said he should surelycall when he returned from Philadelphia.
Daisy leaned her head down on her mother's shoulder. She was more tiredthan she would admit. Hanny's eyes were like stars, and her brain wasstill filled with wonderful melodies and light airy figures trooping tothe ravishing sounds, the shimmering light and sparkle. Doctor Joe justcarried her up the steps, and opened the door with his latch-key. ButMrs. Underhill had heard them, and she came downstairs, wrapped in ashawl.
"Oh, Joe, how could you keep her out so late! Do you know it's almostthree o'clock?"
Then the mother folded her to her heart. It seemed as if she had beensnatched from some great danger; and now that she had her safe andsound, she felt as if she should never let her go again.
"You're all excitement, Hanny; you tremble like a leaf. Suchdissipations are bad for growing girls."
"Oh, mother, I think I'm done growing," Hanny laughed, with a soft ringof music in her voice. "I have wanted to be tall like Margaret; but nowI do not mind a bit. I think I shall always be father's little girl. Andthe dancing was so delightful; but you can't think how queer and longthe supper was. And Mr. Thackeray really shook hands with me. He has twolittle girls, and they haven't any mother. If you could have seen Daisy!And she dances beautifully."
"Hanny, your tongue runs like a mill-race. Do keep still, child. Cynthiahas you pinned in every fashion. I hope your dress looked nice enoughfor a little girl. There, I'll take care of them all. You will neverwant to get up in the morning."
When she had hung the dress out of sight, she felt as if she had herlittle girl once more. And the little girl fell asleep to the sound ofthe most delicious music ever floating through one's brain.