The Little School-Mothers

commotion; gay laughterwas succeeded by--in Harriet's opinion--a sort of void. Again Ralphtugged her arm.

  "Now," he said, "now it's gipsies, isn't it?"

  "It's nothing of the kind, you horrid, little troublesome thing," saidHarriet. "I am not going to take you to see the gipsies to-day--no, nor_any_ day, for the present. Oh, stop that blubbering, or I'll smackyou."

  "You did once before," said Ralph steadily, and he looked her full inthe face, tears arrested in his eyes, and his own colour coming andgoing.

  Harriet immediately saw that she had gone too far. She altered hertone.

  "Please forgive me, Ralph," she said. "I know I am cross; I wanted sovery much to go to that picnic, and I can't because of you."

  "I don't understand," said Ralph. "_I_ wouldn't mind."

  "Yes," said Harriet crossly; "that's not the question. You areconsidered a baby, and you must be treated as one."

  "I _aren't_ a baby!" said Ralph, in great indignation. "Father said Iam a real manly boy."

  "Well, prove yourself one," said Harriet. "Don't cry when I speak alittle sharply, and don't worry me about the gipsies. I will take youto see them when I can, because I promised to take you; but you're notto remind me of them, for if you do I'll be very angry."

  "I won't ever, ever speak of them again," said Ralph, gulping down asob.

  "Well, that's all right," said Harriet. She moved restlessly across thelawn. Curly Pate and the other small children were tumbling about onthe grass. Ralph looked longingly at Curly Pate. Curly Pate clappedher pretty hands, and ran to meet him.

  "I keen--oo king!" she said.

  Harriet stood by restlessly. How contemptible it all was! Those sillylittle children, that tiresome Miss Ford, the empty house, the emptygardens, and the pleasure party far away--the pleasure party with someof its members laughing in their sleeves at her! Yes, she knew thatfact quite well. That detestable little Jane was laughing. She saw thelaughter hidden behind her smug face. And that horrid Vivian, she wasall one giggle, and last, but not least, there was the detestableRobina--on this day of all days to laugh at Harriet seemed the finalstraw! She had had her great moment of victory; she had proved toRobina that she was the favourite--was the chosen one, was the belovedof the little boy about whom the school chose to make such a fuss. Butoh, dear! there was reaction after triumph, and this reaction took placewhen Harriet found what were the duties imposed upon her by motherhood.She must take care of her little boy while the others went outa-pleasuring.

  By this time, however, Ralph had forgotten all about her. He and CurlyPate had gone away to a little distance. Curly Pate was on her kneespicking daisies, and Ralph was standing over her, after the fashion ofkings when they choose to govern their queens and give directions.

  "Longer stems, Curly; bigger flowers, Curly. Oh, you silly! not thatone--that one with the red all round, it's broader. Now, then--_I'll_show you how to pick them."

  "Peese, king! peese!" replied the impatient queen.

  Harriet was not interested in the small children, and just at thatmoment something occurred.

  A girl from the neighbourhood, of the name of Pattie Pyke, was seenwalking down the avenue. She was the doctor's daughter, and was theonly girl who was ever allowed to come to the school to take lessons.She joined the third form twice a week for German lessons, but was neverwith them during recreation. In consequence, she was scarcely countedat all in the school life. Harriet and she, however, had managed totake up a sort of acquaintanceship which never until this moment haddeveloped into friendship. Pattie was a plain girl, large for her age,stoutly built, and with a face covered with freckles. She had smallblue eyes and a snub nose. Her hair was somewhat inclined to becarroty, and she had white eyelashes and eyebrows. Notwithstandingthis, she was a pleasant girl enough, and had plenty of ability.

  "Hallo!" she said now, when she saw Harriet. "Why, I thought, ofcourse, you'd be off to the picnic!"

  "Well, I'm not, you see," answered Harriet ungraciously; "I am here."

  Pattie drew nigh. The real desire of her life was to make friends withone of the school-girls. She was always imploring her father to sendher to the school as a boarder, but hitherto he had been deaf to herentreaties.

  "I was coming to the school with a note," said Pattie; "Father told meto leave it. I did not think I'd meet one of you. I am surprised tosee you."

  "Well, you need not be. You were not at school this morning, or youwould know why I am here."

  "No, I had a cold, and Father thought I had best not go. He is soawfully particular, for fear of my giving anything to the rest of thegirls. I am better now, but I must not be out long; my throat is rathersore."

  "You look quite well," said Harriet.

  "It's only my throat that's a little bad. Please, do tell me about thismorning."

  "And the great triumph for me," said Harriet. "Ralph, don't go out ofsight!"

  She shrieked these words to Ralph, who immediately paused, turned, andlooked at her, then came in her direction, holding Curly Pate's hand.

  "Do you see that child?" said Harriet.

  "Yes--the little darling!" cried Pattie. "Little Ralph Durrant. Fatherraves about him; he says that he will be the richest man in England someday."

  "Oh, well," said Harriet; "he is a very troublesome little boy now.But, nevertheless, I am pleased. His father has made a most ridiculousproposal. He said that Ralph was to choose one of us to be hisschool-mother--I can tell you it was thought a great honour--and hechose me."

  "You?" cried Pattie.

  "Yes; are you surprised?"

  "Oh, no!" answered Pattie; but she was, nevertheless.

  "Well, I am the chosen one, and I can tell you I had my triumph. Thoseother girls, especially that new girl, Robina Starling, was sure thatone of them would be cock-o'-the-walk; but not a bit of it--my littleboy chose me."

  "That was nice for you," said Pattie; "only I should not have thoughtyou would have cared to be bothered by a child."

  "It's not that," said Harriet, lowering her voice; for, really, underthe circumstances, any sympathiser was better than none. "A good dealdepends on it. I will explain to you another time. Of course, thereare drawbacks. I have the charge of that small person, and inconsequence can't enjoy myself at the picnic to-day."

  "Oh, what a pity!" said Pattie.

  "It is, isn't it?"

  "And you are all alone this lovely, lovely day?"

  "It is true," said Harriet. "Well, I suppose I must take the rough withthe smooth."

  "I tell you what," cried Pattie, in some excitement. "Couldn't you comehome and have tea with me? It would be such fun! You might bring Ralphwith you, you know. Of course, you would be allowed to come, and it isonly a stone's throw away."

  "I wish I could; I'd like it very much," said Harriet.

  "Do come," said Pattie. "We'll manage afterwards to go out and see thefair in the village."

  "Oh. I am sure I wouldn't be allowed to take Ralph to the fair."

  "He need not come; indeed, we wouldn't want him. We'd manage somehow toleave him behind; there are lots of people at home to look after him.Oh, do, do come. You need not say a word to anybody."

  Harriet thought for a minute. After all, Miss Ford had no control overher. Miss Ford had only the charge of the little children; there was noone's leave to be asked. She was the school-mother of Ralph. Ofcourse, it must never be told, for it was against the strict rules ofthe school that any girl should venture out of the grounds withoutleave. It is true that Harriet had gone in the spring cart to town lastweek; but, after all, she had got leave to do that, for she had run tothe house to ask for it. "If Mrs Burton was at home, I know she wouldnot mind," said Harriet eagerly. "But I can't ask her leave, as sheisn't here. If we go, we must be back quite early; we must be backbefore old Ford misses us. That's the nuisance!"

  "You can manage that," said Pattie. "It's early now. We'll go straighthome, and have tea. Then Mother or so
meone will look after that littleRalph of yours, and you and I will just run down to the fair, and seewhat is to be seen. Do, do come, Harriet! I should so love to haveyou!"

  "All right," said Harriet.

  She looked around her. Miss Ford was nowhere in sight. So much thebetter. Ralph was called sharply back to her side. He came, Curly Patetrotting after him.

  "I _ont_ my king," called the school