PET FINISHES HER EDUCATION.
"And her brow cleaned, but not her dauntless eye;
The wind was down, but still the sea ran high."
--DON JUAN.
Accustomed to early rising from her infancy, the first beam of morning
sunshine found Pet out of bed, and dressed.
The other girls, with Miss Sharpe, were up, too, hastily throwing on
their clothes, and looking pale, haggard and worn, from the previous
night's excitement and want of sleep.
Quivering with the remembrance of last night's frolic, and the terror
and consternation that would follow it to-day, Pet stood before the
mirror bathing her hands and face, and curling her short, boyish, black
ringlets.
The others did not wait for this, but as soon as they were dressed made
a grand rush for the lower rooms, where they knew the remainder of the
household were assembled. And here they found them, still in their
night-robes just beginning to find their tongues, and venturing to talk
over the exciting events of the previous night. Petronilla, with her
keen sense of the ludicrous, had much ado to keep from laughing outright
at their wild eyes and affrighted whispers, but drawing her face down to
the length of the rest, she talked away as volubly as any of them of her
terror and wonder, protesting she would write to her papa to take her
home, for that she wasn't accustomed to living in haunted houses. At
last, becoming aware of their _deshabille_, the young ladies decamped
up-stairs to don more becoming garments, and talk over, in the privacy
of their own apartments, the ghost and the mysterious rapping.
Mrs. Moodie, recovering her presence of mind and dignity, with the
coming of daylight, resolved to lose no time in having the matter fully
investigated. Her first act was to have the house searched from top to
bottom, and the young ladies willingly engaging in the search, every
corner, cranny and crevice, from attic to cellar, was thoroughly
examined. Had a needle been lost it must have been found, but no trace
of last night's visitor could be discovered.
"Oh, it's no use looking; it was a ghost!" exclaimed Miss Sharpe.
"Oh, yes, it was a ghost! It must have been a ghost!" echoed all the
young ladies simultaneously.
"But ghosts always come in though a key-hole--at least the ghosts up our
way do," said Pet; "so where was the use of its knocking and making such
a fuss last night."
No one felt themselves qualified to answer the questions, so the hunt
was given over, and the hunters, in much disorder, were told they might
amuse themselves in the play-ground that morning, instead of reciting,
as usual. The teachers did not feel themselves able to pursue their
customary avocations until some light had been thrown upon the mystery.
Then Mrs. Moodie put on her bonnet and shawl, and went out without any
definite object in view unless it was to see if the ghost had left any
clue to its whereabouts on the street. As a very natural consequence,
her eye turned upon the huge brass knocker that had been so instrumental
in last night's din; and from it, to her surprise, she beheld a long,
stout cord dangling. Petronilla, of course, in cutting the string, could
not reach down to sever it, and a half-yard or so still waved in triumph
in the morning air.
Mrs. Moodie, though a fine lady, was sharp and "wide awake," and in this
cord she perceived some clue to the affair of the previous night. As she
still gazed on it in the same way as a detective might, at the evidence
of some secret crime, the young girl who had given Pet the cord passed
through the hall and paused to look at the open door which Mrs. Moodie
was so intently surveying. Her eye fell on the cord; she started, took a
step forward, looking puzzled and surprised.
"It was no spirit, you see, that was rapping last night, Miss Hughes,"
said Mrs. Moodie, sharply; "this cord has had something to do with it."
"Why, that cord is mine--or rather _was_," said the young lady,
examining it; "we used to use it in our room for hanging
pocket-handkerchiefs and collars to dry on."
"_Yours_, Miss Hughes," said Mrs. Moodie, facing round with an angry
light rising in her eyes.
"It _was_ mine, madam; I gave it last evening to the new pupil, Miss
Lawless."
"To Miss Lawless?"
"Yes, madam, when we were in the dormitory last night, she asked me for
a string, and I brought her this, having no other; she has cut it, I
see."
"What did Miss Lawless want of it--do you know?"
"I do not know; she did not say; it is _very_ strange how it can have
got here."
A new light suddenly flashed through the mind of Mrs. Moodie. She
recollected what Pet's father had told her of the mischief-loving
propensities of that young lady. What if all her meekness and docility
had been assumed! She glanced up at the window beside Pet's bed, and
instantaneously the whole truth dawned upon her.
And then a change most wonderful to see came over the features of Mrs.
Moodie. Dark and stern, and determined, she turned from the door, untied
the cord, and marched directly into the house.
"Miss Hughes," she said, curtly, "go and tell all the teachers and
pupils to assemble in the school-room at once. I think I have found out
the origin of the disturbance now."
Wondering and perplexed, Miss Hughes went and delivered her message; and
on fire with eager curiosity, a universal rush was made for the
_classe_, and in silent expectation they waited for the coming of Mrs.
Moodie.
They had not long to wait. With a hard, metallic tramp, that announced
her state of mind, that lady rustled in, and in ominous silence took her
seat, motioning the others to resume theirs with a wave of her hand.
Every eye was bent upon her in silent awe, as they noticed her stiff,
rigid sternness. Her eye passed over the rest, and like a hound scenting
his prey, fixed itself piercingly on Pet.
"Miss Lawless," she said, in a stern, measured tone, "come here."
"Stars and stripes!" ejaculated Pet, inwardly, as she rose to obey; "can
she have found me out so soon? Oh, Pet Lawless, maybe you ain't in for
it now!"
All eyes were now turned in silent amazement on Pet. Slowly Mrs. Moodie
thrust her hand in her pocket, still sternly transfixing Pet with her
eyes, and drew out--a piece of cord!
At the sight, all Pet's doubts were removed; she was discovered. Then
all personal apprehensions vanished, her perverse spirit rose, and bold,
dauntless and daring she stood before her stern judge--her straight,
lithe form defiantly erect, her malicious black eyes dancing with fun.
"Miss Lawless, do you know anything of this?" demanded Mrs. Moodie,
holding it up.
"Slightly acquainted," said Pet; "saw it last night for the first time."
"Will you be kind enough to state for what purpose you borrowed it?"
"Yes'm, to have some fun with."
_"Fun!_ pray be a little more explicit, Miss Lawless. Was it you that
tied it to the door, last night?"
"Yes'm."
"And by that means you knocked at the door, and created all the alarm
and confusion that so terrified us all," said Mrs. Moodie with a rapidly
darkening brow.
"Yes'm," said Pet, loudly, nothing daunted.
A low murmur of surprise and horror, at this atrocious confession ran
round the room.
"And what was your design in thus throwing the household into terror and
consternation, Miss Lawless?"
"I told you before--just for fun," said Pet, coolly.
Mrs. Moodie compressed her lips, and though her sallow face was dark
with suppressed anger, she remained outwardly calm. Low murmurs of
amazement, anger and indignation ran through the room; but Pet stood
upright, bold and defiant before them all, as though she had done
nothing whatever to be ashamed of.
"Perhaps, then, since you are so fond of practical jokes, you were the
ghost Miss Sharpe saw, likewise," said Mrs. Moodie.
"Yes, I was," said Pet, darting a flashing glance at that lady, who sat
listening, with hand and eyes uplifted in horror.
"No, she wasn't," said Miss Sharpe; "the one I saw was all on fire."
"Silence, Miss Sharpe! leave the matter to me," said Mrs. Moodie,
sternly. Then turning to Pet: "Since you are so candid, Miss Lawless,
will you inform me in what manner you rendered yourself so frightful an
object?"
"Yes, it was easy enough," said Pet. "I just rubbed some phosphureted
ether on my hands and face. It shone in the dark and scared _her_; and
that was all I wanted."
A profound silence for one moment reigned throughout the room. Every one
sat, overwhelmed, looking at each other as though unable to credit what
they heard.
"And what evil motive had you in terrifying us so?" resumed Mrs. Moodie,
after a pause.
"I hadn't any evil motive. I just wanted fun, I tell you. Papa sent me
here, and I didn't want to come, but I had to; so, as it was horrid dull
here, I thought I'd just amuse myself scaring you all, and I can't see
where was the harm either! I've always been used to do as I like, and
this ain't no circumstance to what's to come next!" And Pet's flashing
eyes blazed open defiance.
Mrs. Moodie rose from her seat, her sallow complexion almost white with
anger, her sharp eyes bright with an angry light.
"Some one else will have a voice in this matter, Miss Lawless. Had I
been aware of the sort of girl you were, rest assured that, much as I
respect your father, you should never have entered here. In all my
experience it has never been my misfortune to encounter so much
depravity in one so young. I shall instantly write to your father to
come and take you home, for no inducement could persuade me to allow you
to become a member of this establishment. You will consider yourself
expelled, Miss Lawless, and must leave the house as soon as your father
can come to take you home."
"Well, I'm sure I'm glad of it," said Pet, impatiently; "for of all the
stupid old holes I ever saw, this is the worst! I wouldn't be paid to
stay here--no, not if you were to make me President to-morrow for it."
"No such inducement is likely to be offered, Miss Lawless. Your presence
here, I can assure you, is not coveted. Miss Sharpe, take this young
lady to one of the spare rooms, and remain there to watch her until her
father comes and removes her. Young ladies, you will now resume your
studies as usual."
And with a frigid bow, Mrs. Moodie swept from the room, leaving all
behind her lost in a maze of wonder and indignation.
Miss Sharpe, with her little eyes glistening, approached and took Pet by
the shoulder, to lead her from the room, but Pet angrily jerked herself
free from her hated touch, and exclaimed:
"Let me alone! I can walk without your help. Go ahead and I'll follow,
but keep your hands to yourself."
Miss Sharpe, finding herself foiled even in the moment of victory,
walked sullenly on, and Pet, with head up and elbows squared, tripped
after her to the solitude of "one of the spare rooms," where every
amusement was debarred her but that of making faces at Miss Sharpe.
An hour after, a long epistle, detailing in glowing colors Pet's wicked
actions of the night before, was dispatched by Mrs. Moodie to Judge
Lawless.
The result of it was, that the evening of the second day after, that
gentleman arrived, nearly beside himself with rage.
Then Mrs. Moodie recapitulated the whole affair, and ended by protesting
that no amount of money could prevail upon her to keep so vicious a
child in her school another day. All her pupils would become depraved by
her example; and the result would be, their parents would take them
home, and thus she would lose her school. Judge Lawless haughtily
replied she need be under no apprehension, for he would instantly take
his daughter home.
Pet was accordingly dressed, her baggage packed up, and brought down to
her father.
With all her boldness she yielded for a moment as she met his eye. But
without one single word of comment, he motioned her to precede him into
the carriage; and in silence they started.
During the whole journey home, the judge never condescended to open his
mouth or address her a single word. Pet, just as well pleased to be
left to herself, leaned back in the carriage to meditate new mischief
when she would get home.
But Miss Petronilla Lawless soon found she was not quite so much her own
mistress as she thought.
The evening of the second day brought them to Judestown. As they passed
the village, entered the forest road, and came within sight of old
Barrens Cottage, Pet began to think of Ray and wonder how he was, and if
it would be safe to ask her father to let her go in and see.
One glance at that gentleman's face, however, convinced her that it
would not be safe, and that prudence was by far the safest plan just
then. Hoping Erminie might be at the door as she passed, she thrust her
head out of the carriage window, when her father silently caught her by
the shoulder, pulled her back with no gentle hand, and shut down the
blind.
Then the very demon of defiance sprung into the eyes of the elf; and
facing round, she was about to begin a harangue more spirited then
respectful; but something in the cold, stern, steely eye bent on her
quenched the indignant light in her own and she sulkily relapsed into
silence, thinking a "dumb devil" would be more agreeable to her father
just then than a talking one.
Ranty was out on the veranda, walking up and down with his hands in his
pockets and whistling "Yankee Doodle." Pet favored him with a nod as she
tripped into the house, while Ranty's eyes grew as large as two full
moons in his amazement. Darting after her, he caught her by the arm as
she was entering the door and exclaimed:
"I say, Pet; what in the world brings you home again? I thought you were
gone to school!"
"So I was."
"Then why are you here?"
"Finished my education. Told you I would in a week," said Pet, with a
nod.
"Randolph, go off and mind your business, sir," exclaimed his father,
sternly. "Here--this way, _you_."
So saying he caught Pet by the shoulder, and unceremoniously drew her
after him, upstairs into the library. Then shutting the door, he threw
himself into his arm-chair, and folding his arms across his chest,
favored Pet with an awful look.
Miss Lawless, standing erect before him, bore this appalling stare
without blushing.
"Well, and what do you think of yourself now, Miss Petronilla Lawless?"
was the first question he deigned to ask her since their meeting.
"Just what I did before," said Pet, nothing daunted.
"And what may that be, pray?" said her father, with an icy sneer.
"Why, that I'm a real smart little girl, and can keep my word like a
man! I said I'd finish my education and be back in a week, and--here I
am."
A dark frown settled on the brow of the judge, as he listened to this
audacious reply; but, maintaining an outer semblance of calmness, he
asked:
"And how have you determined to spend your time for the future, Miss
Lawless?"
"Just as I did before--riding round and visiting my friends."
A chilling smile settled on the lips of the judge.
"So that is your intention, is it? Well, now hear _mine_. Since you will
neither stay at school nor behave yourself as a young lady should when
at home, I shall sell your pony and procure you a tutor who will be your
teacher and guard at the same time. Whenever you move from the house,
either he or I will accompany you; and I shall take proper steps to
prevent your visiting any of those you call your friends. You will find,
Miss Lawless, I am not to be disobeyed with impunity in the future.
Perhaps, after a time, if I find you docile and attentive to my orders,
I may forget your past misconduct and restore you some of your
privileges again. This, however, will entirely depend on the manner in
which you conduct yourself. I have already a gentleman in view who will
undertake the office of tutor, and until he comes I shall have you
locked in your room and your meals brought up to you. Not a word, Miss
Lawless. I have borne with your impertinence too long, and you will now
find I can adopt a different course. Solitude will cool your blood, I
trust, and bring you to your senses."
So saying, the judge calmly arose, rung the bell and then reseated
himself.
You should have seen how Pet stormed and raved, and scolded, then,
vowing she would kill herself; she would jump out of the window; she
would set the house afire and burn them all in their beds; she would
have no tutor; she would murder him if he came.
The judge listened to all this with the most perfect indifference, until
the entrance of a negress put an end to the scene.
"Take Miss Petronilla up-stairs to the attic, and lock her in," was the
judge's command.
But he soon found this was easier said than done; for, seizing a small
chair, Pet brandished it over her head, and threatened instant
annihilation to the first who would come near her.
The judge arose, and with a sudden snatch caught hold of it. Pet clung
to it like a hero, scolding and vociferating at the top of her lungs
still; but she was as a fly in her father's grasp, and she was speedily
disarmed and pinned.
"I will bring her up myself. Stand out of the way, Dele," said the
judge.
Holding her firmly, the judge drew her with him up-stairs, opened the
attic door, thrust her in, locked it, and left Miss Pet in solitude and
darkness, and to her own reflections.
There was no window in the attic, so her threat of casting herself from
it went for naught. As for her other threats, the judge paid about as
much attention to them as he would to the buzzing of a fly on the
window. He then mounted his horse, and rode off having given orders that
Miss Petronilla's meals should be regularly brought to her, but on no
condition should she be allowed to get out.
Pet, for once fairly conquered, sat down, determined to do something
desperate; and in this frame of mind she was discovered by Ranty, who,
hearing of her melancholy fate, came up-stairs and took his station
outside the door.
"Hillo, Pet!" he began.
"Hillo, yourself," replied Pet, sulkily.
"You're locked up--ain't you?" went on Ranty.
"Where's your eyes? Can't you see I am?" snapped Pet.
"Well, you know it serves you right," said Ranty, by way of consolation,
as he took out a jack-knife and began to whittle.
"Oh! if I was only out at him," muttered Pet, between her teeth.
"You haven't seen Erminie since you came home, I suppose," said Ranty.
"No, I haven't! You know very well I haven't," said Pet, crossly. "How's
Ray?"
"Oh, he's first-rate--up and about. His wound didn't amount to much. I'm
going over there now; got any message to send?"
"No; only to bid them good-by. I never expect to see any of them again,"
said Pet, with a deep groan.
"Why, where are you going?" asked Ranty, in surprise.
"To commit suicide. Do you know if choking hurts much, Ranty?"
"Can't say--never tried it. If it's an easy death, just let me know when
you've done it. I'm off." And Ranty decamped, whistling; and Pet was
left locked up in the garret.