CHAPTER XX.
WHEREIN THE OLD SHOE BECOMES CROWDED.
They trooped up the narrow stairs. Why, the old loom-room looked like apalace! Hal had made some very pretty brackets out of pine, and stainedthem; and they were ranged round the wall, upholding a pot of flowersor trailing vines, and two or three little plaster casts. Here weresome bookshelves, the table surmounted by a very passable writing-desk,Hal's construction also. But the flowers were a marvel.
"Hal's dream was a green-house," exclaimed Florence. "But I don't seehow you found time for it all"--
"It has been profit as well as pleasure," said Hal with a littlepride. "Last winter I sold a quantity of flowers, and, in the spring,bedding-plants and garden vegetables."
"Oh!" returned Florence, choking back the sobs, "do you remember onesummer day, long, long ago, when we all told over what we would like tohave happen to us? And it has all come about."
"Even to my fiddle," said Kit.
"And my running away," appended Charlie with great satisfaction.
Hal brought in some chairs.
"We're going to sit in the corner on the floor," said Charlie; and thethree younger ones ranged themselves in a small group.
Florence and her husband walked round to view the flowers, guided byJoe.
"You appear to have wonderful success," remarked Mr. Darol. "Thesetuberoses are very fine."
"They were frosted about ten days ago, and have hardly recovered. Thatis, I lost most of my blossoms."
"Oh, what a pity!"
"And all our Christmas money," said Dot softly.
"No matter," returned Charlie. "You can have all of mine. I meant everypenny of it for Granny."
"And now I want to hear what you have been doing all these years. Iknow it was my own act that shut me out of your joys and sorrows; butif you will take me back"--and the voice was choked with tears.
Hal pressed the soft hand.
"You will find Edmund a brother to you all," she went on. "It is myshame, that after my marriage, knowing that I could come any time, Ihesitated to take the step."
"It is a poor old house," exclaimed Hal tremulously.
"But holds more love and heroism than many grander mansions," Mr. Darolsaid in his deep, manly tone. "Florence is right: I should like to bea brother to you all. I honored Charlie before I fancied that I shouldever have a dearer claim."
"And I've been a sort of black sheep," returned Charlie frankly. "Haland Joe are the heroes in this family."
"It is so wonderful to have Joe safe!"
"And to think how sad we were last night," Dot began. "We did notexpect any one to help us keep Christmas but Kit."
"O Dot! tell me all about it," said Charlie eagerly. "I do like to hearit so. And how Joe came home."
Dot was a little shy at first; but presently she commenced at Hal'slosing the school, Granny's sickness, Joe's shipwreck, the trouble andsorrow that followed in succession, the misfortune of the flowers, andthen she came to the night when Granny wanted to die and go to heaven.Only last night; but oh, how far off it appeared! She told it verysimply, but with such unconscious pathos that they were all cryingsoftly Florence leaned her head on her husband's shoulder, hiding herface.
"And I never knew a word of it!" exclaimed Charlie with the quiver oftears in her voice. "I didn't want to tell you about my going, for fearyou'd worry over me, or, if I should be disappointed, you would feelit all the more keenly. But I never thought any thing sad could happento you."
"I should like to hear the first part of Charlie's adventures," saidMr. Darol. "How did she come to know that she had a genius?"
"She used to be punished enough in school for drawing comical faces,"answered Joe. "Little did Mr. Fielder think that you would make anartist!"
"But I planned then to run away and live in the woods. I believe I oncetook you off, Kit."
"Yes; and we were threatened with the jail, weren't we, because we madea fire. But how you did talk, Charlie! You were always splendid on thefighting side."
"I was made to go right straight ahead," said Charlie. "And, if I hadbeen afraid, I should never have done any thing."
"And we want to hear how you did it," pursued Mr. Darol.
So Charlie related her trials and perplexities, her fruitless journeys,and her vain endeavors, until she met Mr. Paul Darol, who seemed tounderstand just what she wanted.
"I don't see how you had the courage," Florence remarked. "And if I'donly known you were there, Charlie!"
Charlie shrugged her shoulders. Now that the fight had been made,and terminated successfully, she was rather glad to have gone into itsingle-handed: not from any vanity, but a kind of sturdy independencethat had always characterized Charlie Kenneth.
And then they rambled farther back, to the time of Hal's sad accident.Perhaps the most truly noble thing about them was their fearlessnessand honesty. They were not ashamed of the poverty and struggle: therewas no petty deceit or small shams to cover the truth.
Ah, what heroic lives they had all been, in a simple way! For it is notonly in great matters that men and women must fight: it is the truthand endurance and perseverance which they bring into every-day eventsthat moulds character. Not a poor, false, or useless soul among them,unless it was hers, Florence thought.
Hal stole down a time or two to see Granny, who had fallen into apeaceful sleep. And presently the old clock struck ten. Dot and Kitwere nodding.
"I am going to put you in our old room," Hal said to Florence. "It isthe best I can do."
"No: let me sit up and watch with Granny."
"That is not at all necessary. Last night she was nervous. I fancy shewas haunted by a dim impression of impending change, and thought itmust mean death. Instead, it was the dearest of joys."
"O Hal! I don't feel worthy to come among you. Not simply because Ichose to go away, to have luxury and ease and idleness, while youwere in want and sorrow; for in those old days I thought only ofmyself. But, a few months after I was married, Mrs. Osgood died, andI was quite free to choose. Don't shrink away from me Hal, though thecowardice has in it so much of vile ingratitude. I had not the courageto be true to my secret longings. She had filled my weak soul with herbeliefs; and I persuaded myself that my debt to her was greater thanthat to my own kindred."
"O Florence, hush! let it all go, since you _have_ come back," pleadedunselfish Hal.
"And then my precious baby came. Hardly four months ago. He had yourtender eyes, Hal; and they used to reproach me daily. But I made ahundred excuses and delays. And then God took him, to let me feel whata wrench the soul endures when its cherished ones are removed. Allthese years I have been like one dead to you, without the sweet comfortof those who know their treasures are safe in heaven. When we came backfrom _his_ grave yesterday, I told Edmund my deeper shame and anguish,my disloyalty to those who had the first claim. And if any of you hadbeen dead, if I could never have won Granny's forgiveness, ah, howheavy my burden would have proved!"
"But we all consented to your going," Hal said, longing to comfort her.
"Because you knew how weak and foolish I was, with my sinfullyambitious longings. And oh, if my husband had been less noble!"
"You shall not so blame yourself on this blessed Christmas night. Isthere not to be peace on earth, and tenderness and good will for all?And it seems as if you never could have come back at a more preciousmoment."
Hal, foolish boy, cried a little in her arms. It was so sweet to haveher here.
After a while the children were all disposed of. Hal apologized to Joefor the rather close and fragrant quarters.
"Don't worry, old comrade. When you've slept on a whale's backbone, ora couple of inches of tarred rope, you take any thing cheerfully, froma hammock to a bed of eider down."
Kit cuddled in his arms. Dear old Joe was the best and bravest ofheroes to him.
Hal threw himself on the lounge, covered with shawls and overcoats, forthe bedclothes were insufficient to go around. He laughed softly tohims
elf. Such a houseful as this the "Old Shoe" had never known before.What was poverty and trouble now? A kind of ghostly phantom, thatvanished when one came near it. Why, he had never felt so rich in allhis life!
Granny was none the worse the next morning for her excitement. Dotbathed her face, combed out the tiny silver curls, and put on afresh wrapper. Charlie helped get breakfast, though she was not asdeft-handed as Dot. The two tables were set again; and, when theybrought Granny out, she was more than proud of her family.
That seemed to be a gala-day for all Madison. When the news was oncestarted, it spread like wild-fire. Joe Kenneth wasn't drowned afterall, but had come back safe, a great, tall, handsome fellow. Florencehad returned with her fine-looking husband; and wild, queer Charlie hadactually been transformed into the family beauty.
"There never was a finer set of children in Madison," said Mr. Terry,clearing his voice of a little huskiness. "And to think they're JoeKenneth's poor orphans! I tell you what! Granny Kenneth has been onewoman out of a thousand. Didn't everybody say she had better let theyoungsters go to the poor-house. And now they're a credit to the town.Think of Joe being praised in the papers as he was! That went to myheart,--his giving up a chance for life to some one else. He's a bravefellow, and handsome as a picture. There isn't a girl but would jumpat the chance of marrying him. He will be a captain before he is fiveyears older, mark my words."
Dr. Meade was brimful of joy also. He kissed Charlie, and laughed ather for running away, and was much astonished to find how fortunate shehad been But Joe was everybody's idol.
"I think some of you ought to be spared," exclaimed the good doctor."I don't see where you were all stowed last night. I have two or threerooms at your service; and, indeed, am quite willing to take you allin. But, anyhow, Kit and Joe might come for lodgings."
"We put them in the flower-room," said Charlie.
"Which accounts for their blooming appearance, I suppose;" and thedoctor pinched Charlie's ear.
Between themselves, they had endless talks. It seemed as if all thestories would never get told. And, strangely enough, they came to pitypoor Flossy, who, among them all, had the only lasting sorrow.
Charlie took to Mr. Darol at once; and before the day ended they wereall fast friends.
"I think yours is a most remarkable family," he said to Florence."There is not one of the children but what you might be proud ofanywhere."
"I am so glad you can love them!" and the grateful tears were in hereyes.
"And, when we return home, it seems as if we ought to take Charlie.There she will have just the position she needs."
"O Edmund! I don't deserve that you should be so good to me. I waslonging to ask it. But I have been so weak and foolish!"
"My darling, that is past. I will say now, that my only misgiving aboutyou has been the apparent forgetfulness of old family ties. But I knewyou were young when you left your home, and that Mrs. Osgood insistedupon this course; besides, I never could tell how worthy they were offond remembrance."
"And did not dream that I could be so basely ungrateful!" she answeredin deepest shame. "I abhor myself: I have forfeited your respect."
"Hush, dear! Let it all be buried in our child's grave. Perhaps hisdeath was the one needful lesson. And now that we have found them all,we must try to make amends."
Florence sobbed her deep regret, nestling closely to his heart.
"Your brother Hal interests me so much! It seems that he will alwaysfeel the result of his accident in some degree, on account of astrained tendon. He has such a passionate love for flowers, and theutmost skill in their care and culture. But he ought to have a widerfield for operations."
"Oh!" she said, "if we could help him. Charlie has worked her way soenergetically, that she only needs counsel and guidance. Kit and Dotare still so young!"
"I don't wonder Uncle Paul was attracted. There is something verybright and winsome about Charlie. I had to laugh at her naiveconfession of being a black sheep."
"She used to be so boyish and boisterous! not half as gentle as dearHal."
"But it seems to be toned down to a very becoming piquancy;" and hesmiled.
"How very odd that she should have met your uncle!" Florence saidmusingly. "How surprised he will be!"
Dr. Meade came over again that evening, and insisted upon the boysaccepting his hospitality; so Joe and Kit were packed into the sleigh,and treated sumptuously.
Granny continued to improve, and could sit up for quite a while. Sheenjoyed having them all around her so much! It was like the old time,when the gay voices made the house glad.
And so the days passed, busy, and absolutely merry.
Charlie and Florence helped cook, and Joe insisted upon showinghow he could wash dishes. On Sunday they all went to church exceptDot,--Granny would have it so.
On Monday Mr. Darol came. Charlie had given him very explicitdirections, but she was hardly expecting him so soon. Sitting by thewindow she saw him coming down the street in a thoughtful manner, as ifhe were noting the landmarks.
"O Mr. Darol!" and she sprang to the door, nearly overturning Dot.
"Yes: you see I have been as good as my word. How bright you look! Sothere was nothing amiss at home?"
"Indeed there was! but, in spite of it, we have all been so happy! Foreverybody came home at Christmas, even Joe, whom they thought drowned.This is my little sister Dot. And oh, this is my brother Hal!"
Mr. Darol clasped the hand of one, and gave the other a friendly pat onthe soft golden hair.
"I dare say Charlie has told you all about me: if she has not she is anaughty girl. Why"--
For in the adjoining room sat Florence, close to Granny's chair. Nowonder he was amazed.
"That's Florence, and you've seen her before. And Mr. Edmund Darol ishere," went on Charlie in a graciously explanatory manner.
"They are my brothers and sisters," said Florence with a scarlet flush.
He looked at her in deep perplexity.
"Mrs. Osgood adopted Florence," Charlie interposed again. "It was allher fault; for she would not allow the relation to be kept up, and"--
"This is your grandmother?" he interrupted almost sharply, feelingunconsciously bitter against Florence.
"This is dear Granny."
He took the wrinkled hand, not much larger than a child's, for all ithad labored so long and faithfully.
"Mrs. Kenneth," he said, "I am proud to make your acquaintance. Onesuch child as Charlie would be glory enough."
Charlie fairly danced with delight to see Granny so honored in her olddays. And as for the poor woman, she was prouder than a queen.
"You've been so good to _her_!" she murmured tremulously, nodding herhead at Charlie.
"She is a brave girl, even if she did run away. I have used my bestefforts to make her sorry for it."
"But oh! Mr. Darol, the work was all undone as soon as I came home.For when I found them sick, and full of trouble, it seemed so good tobe able to take care of myself, that I think running away the mostfortunate step of my whole life."
"I am afraid that we shall never bring you to a proper state ofpenitence;" and he laughed.
"You were so good to her!" said Granny again, as if she had nothing butgratitude in her soul.
"It was a great pleasure to me. But I never dreamed that I had made theacquaintance of one of your family before."
"He will never like me so well again," thought Florence; "but that ispart of my punishment. I have been full of pride and cowardice."
Mr. Darol made himself at home in a very few moments, for he wasinterested beyond measure.
"It _is_ a poor place," ruminated Charlie, glancing round; "but wecannot help it, I'm sure. All of us have done our best."
Then she dismissed the subject with her usual happy faculty, and becamewonderfully entertaining; so much so, indeed, that, when Mr. Darolglanced at his watch, he said,--
"In about half an hour my train goes down to the city. I have notsaid half that I wanted to. I have n
ot seen your brother Joe, nor thehot-house; and what am I to do?"
"Stay," replied Charlie; and then she colored vividly. "Our house is sosmall that it will not hold any more; but Dr. Meade has already takenin Kit and Joe, and he is just splendid!"
Mr. Darol laughed.
"Are there any hotel accommodations?"
"Oh, yes! at the station."
"Then I think I will remain; for my visit isn't halffinished, and I am not satisfied to end it here."
Charlie was delighted.
After that they went up to the flower-room. It seemed to improve everyday, and was quite a nest of sweets.
"So Miss Charlie hasn't all the family genius," said Mr. Darol. "It isnot every one who can make flowers grow under difficulties."
"They were nipped a little about the middle of the month. One night myfire went out."
"And it blighted the flowers he meant to cut in a few days," explainedCharlie, "so that at first there did not seem a prospect of a verymerry Christmas."
And Charlie slipped her hand within Mr. Darol's, continuing, in awhisper, "I can never tell you how glad I was to have the money. It waslike the good fortune in a fairy story."
He looked at the beaming, blushing face with its dewy eyes. Ah! helittle guessed, the day he first inspected Charlie Kenneth's drawings,that all this pleasure was to arise from a deed of almost Quixotickindness.
Yet he wondered more than ever how she had dared to undertake such aquest. Strangely courageous, earnest, and simple-hearted, with thefaith of a child, and the underlying strength of a woman,--it seemed asif there might be a brilliant and successful future before her.
And this delicate brother with a shadow in his eyes like the driftsfloating over an April sky,--he, too, needed a friend to give him ahelping hand. Who could do it better than he, whose dearest ones weresleeping in quiet, far-off graves?