ETHEL MEETS HER UNCLE AND AUNT
Aunt Susan was most interested in the description of the costume, its
symbols, etc. Ethel thanked her gratefully for her gift, impulsively
kissing her many times. The elderly woman had grown very fond of the
girl and dreaded parting with her, but she knew that the new work she
was about to take up would be of the greatest benefit to her, not only
then but in the future, for Ethel had softened wonderfully. She had lost
all of her false pride and worldliness. It was as though a new girl had
arisen from the ashes of the old one, and now she stood revealed as
Nature had intended her--without sham,--and knowing that it was she who
had helped to bring it about, Aunt Susan was happy. She was proud of the
two girls--her grandnieces,--Ethel with the delicate beauty of a bud,
while Kate appeared and reminded her of a full blown rose. She was tall
and finely formed, with hair that envious people often termed red, but
it really had escaped being red and was auburn. The girl wore it in
coils around her shapely head. Her eyes were of the softest brown, while
Ethel's were of a deep blue. Each girl had regular features and fine
teeth. They resembled each other to that extent that they were often
taken for sisters, and Tom was proud of them as well and was delighted
to take them out.
"Why," he'd say, "when I'm out with you two girls everyone makes such a
fuss over me that I really feel as though I was 'somebody,' and I know
it's all on your account. The fellows come up and say 'Harper, old man,
I haven't seen you for an age,' or, 'Harper, I heard of you through so
and so last week. I wish to congratulate you on that case, etc.' But I
know what it means,--they want an introduction to you girls--and I strut
around like a peacock."
But the day for their departure arrived only too soon:
"I'll write every other day to you, Auntie," called Ethel from the car
window.
"How about writing to me?" shouted Tom.
"Once a week to you, Tom," laughed Ethel.
Uncle John Hollister met them at the depot and Ethel at once fell in
love with Kate's mother, who seemed more like the girl's sister. They
vied with one another to give Ethel a good time and she enjoyed every
moment. She met the Camp Fire girls, some of whom were charming. Two of
the girls--Mattie Hastings and Honora Casey--she did not care for. To
her they seemed unlike the others and she found herself saying mentally,
"They are extremely common; I wonder where Kate picked them up,"
immediately after which she would become ashamed.
"I'm going back into my old ways," she thought. "These girls are to be
my sisters and companions. I _must_ like them."
Honora had a large red face, partially freckled. Her voice was loud and
coarse. She seemed to be one of the "nouveau riche," as Ethel's mother
was wont to say of people grown suddenly wealthy and prosperous. Yet
Ethel was not alone in her dislike of the girl. No one seemed to care
for her, although each member treated her politely.
Mattie Hastings had small eyes that never seemed to look you quite fully
in the face. She had also an obsequious manner. At times it was fairly
repellent.
"I wouldn't trust her," Ethel said to Kate one evening.
"She's not popular, I admit, and her manner is against her, but, Ethel,
I have never found a fault in her; that is, one I could criticise. She
is very quick to learn and seems ambitious. She came to me and asked if
she might join. They are poor but her people are respectable. Now Honora
Casey's parents are the wealthiest people here. They came into their
wealth suddenly. The father is a builder and contractor. The mother is
hurting the girl by her method of trying to get into society. She fairly
pushes everything before her. Mr. Casey, or Pat Casey, as he is called,
is a good-hearted Irishman. He is sensible and knows that it is his
money that buys everything, even social standing, for although much
respected he is a man of no education, nor has his wife any more than
he, but she tries to bluff it through, therefore she is not popular.
Nora has been educated, or half educated, at a Convent. She never
graduated, but she's so good-hearted one can overlook her mother's
faults. You see, Ethel, it takes all sorts of people to make a world. We
must try to excuse their failings and see only the best in them. Of
course, you know we are an old family of good standing and can go where
we choose. Perhaps it was on that account that Mrs. Casey made Nora join
my Camp Fire Girls, but she seemed most anxious that she should. It
doesn't matter much. She'll make a fine woman if she sticks to her work.
You see, our organization is most democratic. One has only to express a
wish and she may become a member."
"The other girls are lovely," said Ethel. "I think Patty Sands is
charming."
"Isn't she?" responded Kate. "Her father is an ex-Congressman. He is
Judge of the Supreme Court. He didn't care for politics--refused the
second term."
"Yes, I suppose it is poor taste for me to even criticise the girls, but
every once in a while the old bad habit comes back and I forget my good
resolutions. At heart they are probably far better girls than I, but I
do wish that Mattie Hasting's eyes were not so close together."