Mrs. Meridith also visited the cottages of the poor, and from every
one she heard something of the goodness of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell. "His
father and mother were kind to us," said one of the old women, "and so
is he and his wife also: _she_ lets nothing be wasted in her dairy, or
her pantry, and is always kind to us when we go there, and gives us
something to eat and drink, and often some victuals to bring home with
us."
Mrs. Meridith enquired if there was any school in the village, and
on being directed to the old dame's house, who instructed all the
little ones in their A B C, she determined not to deprive her of her
employment, but endeavoured to find out a younger woman who could
undertake the education of larger children, and teach them plain
needle-work, &c. The bigger boys used to walk to a neighbouring village
to school, and as she found the man had a large family, and bore an
excellent character, she did not set up any other in opposition to him,
but engaged to pay him for those boys whose parents could not afford
it. Her servants were ordered not to turn any of the poor people away
without relieving their wants; and in a very few months the inhabitants
of Downash felt the benefit of having such a kind patroness living at
Rosewood, as their houses were better furnished, themselves and children
better clothed, and all their beds provided with blankets.
When the day came for Mr. and Mrs. Campbell to pay their promised visit
at the great house, unused as they both were to visiting, it appeared
in anticipation a formidable thing, notwithstanding the affability and
condescension of Mrs. Meridith, which they had so amply experienced
in her visit to them; but they dreaded the long train of servants and
"saucy footmen" they should have to pass through, having heard that such
were always more ready to notice any thing awkward than their owners:
but they were agreeably surprized to find no such men at Rosewood. Mrs.
Meridith's household consisted of no more servants than were absolutely
necessary, and one footman and a black servant were all they saw. Her
table and sideboard were neatly spread, without any appearance of
ostentation; and by the great respect with which she treated her guests,
she taught her servants to do the same. After dinner, Mrs. Meridith led
them to the garden and pleasure-ground, and consulted Mr. Campbell on
the improvements she intended; and by every action endeavoured to shew
that she affected no superiority over them. Mrs. Campbell soon lost
the restraint her being a stranger had occasioned, and Mrs. Meridith
found her a sensible, well-informed woman. From this time she grew more
attached to the family, and had frequent opportunities of observing Mr.
Campbell possessed a solid understanding, with the strictest principles
of morality and rectitude: she grew very fond of their children, and at
length proposed adopting the little Anna, then about four years old,
for her own. "I should have been happy to have shewn her mother every
kindness," said she, "but since that is out of my power, let me transfer
my affections to her child. Alas! I once had children of my own, but
Providence has seen fit to deprive me of them; this little one will
soothe many a lonely hour, and if she possesses the disposition of her
family, will not be unworthy of my regard. I have an ample fortune and
no near relation."
Mr. Campbell heard this proposal with silent respect and many thanks,
and on her repeating that she had long thought of it, he begged to
consult his wife on the subject.
Their conversation was not such as many of my readers may suppose; the
farmer recollected she was the child of his only sister, whom his mother
had brought up in the plainest and most industrious habits, "and I had
intended," said he, "to follow her plan in regard to this second Anna;
we have only one girl of our own, and I am blessed with health and
strength, and a flourishing farm, and did not fear we should ever find
her an incumbrance to us."
Mrs. Campbell declared the same, and that she loved her equally with
her own children; "but yet," said she, "Mrs. Meridith will not take her
away from Downash, she always intends living here, and seems attached
to the place, and we know Anna can learn no evil of _her_. Will it be
acting right, therefore, to deprive Mrs. Meridith of the amusement Anna
will be, or Anna of the advantages Mrs. Meridith's fortune can obtain
for her? We see riches has not made that lady proud or dissipated, and
with such an example, may we not hope Anna will escape the effects which
wealth and idleness too commonly produce?"
"If her father should ever inquire for her," said Mr. Campbell, "he
cannot be displeased at finding her so situated; though I should fear,
was he to know it, it would tempt him to seek her out, in hopes of being
benefited by Mr. Meridith's kindness to her."
Mrs. Campbell observed, that his long absence from the place, and the
report of his going abroad, made it very unlikely he should yet be
alive, and as he was perfectly indifferent to her fate before he knew
that they should take the charge of her, it was very unlikely he
should think of her now. The fear of offending Mrs. Meridith went a
great way in gaining their consent, and it was agreed the offer should
be accepted, but not before old Molly, who had lived in the house when
Anna's mother was born, had been consulted, and prevailed on to give a
willing affirmative to the arrangement.
"She will never be happier in any great house than _here_;" said she,
"and as for money, what's the use of having more than is necessary?
Sure, sure, a farm-house is the happiest place in the world; always
busy, and something to look forward to from every employment which will
be useful to ourselves and others. I should never wish to see our little
Anna any other than a farmer's wife, such as her dear grandmother was,
not but what Mrs. Meridith is a very _good_ lady: a very good lady
indeed: but riches won't make people happy, that's plain to be seen in
_her_. How dull she looks sometimes!"
"That proceeds from the many misfortunes she has met with, dear Molly,"
said Mr. Campbell, "and a farm-house is not exempt from the loss of
family and friends, though our's, thanks be to Providence, has been so
highly favoured."
"If then we are liable to lose any of our children by death," said
Molly, "there seems the less occasion to _give one away_; but you
_knows_ best; I would not be the child's hindrance; yet I should not
like her to be taken a great way off, as poor Mrs. Meridith was herself."
"There is no fear of that, Molly," resumed her master, "for Mrs.
Meridith seems inclined to prefer Rosewood as her home to any other
place."
"Heaven be praised for _that_," returned Molly, "for sure she has done
a power of good since she lived there, and if little Anna is to go no
farther, I can see her as often as I like, for Mrs. Meridith has asked
me to come often and often; and told me never to take the children out
for a walk without calling there; and latterly, some how or other, I
never have, for let me go which way I would, the boys always contrived
to come home round by Rosewood, and little Anna would peep and pry
about through the paling, and the hedges, to see if she could find Mrs.
Meridith, or the black man or woman; and I used to think to scold her
for it, but _some how or other_ I always forgot it."
Molly had now began talking, and it was some time before she stopped;
for though there were but few subjects she could talk upon, she always
found enough to say upon them; and she did not leave off till she was
perfectly satisfied Anna should be Mrs. Meridith's child, so that while
she lived she could see her as often as she wished.
The next time, therefore, that Mrs. Meridith called, and made the same
proposal, it was readily agreed to, and little Anna was called in from
her play with the boys, and the great mastiff dog who was letting them
all ride upon his back. On being asked if she would like to live with
Mrs. Meridith? she replied, "if William and John go too." John was but a
few months older than herself, and William nearly seven years old.
"They shall come and see you every day," said Mrs. Meridith.
"And father and mother going too?" asked the artless child, "and old
Molly, and Growler," which was the name of the dog.
Mr. Campbell smiled and said, "she is encroaching on your goodness
already, Madam, and would bring all my family with her."
"They shall come and see us very often," replied Mrs. Meredith, anxious
to see the child accede to her proposal without regret, "but _you_ shall
be my little girl."
"And mother's too?" returned the child, looking towards Mrs. Campbell,
whom she had always considered her parent.
"Yes, my dear," replied Mrs. Meridith, "but won't you call _me_ mother?"
"_You are_ good Mrs. Meridith," lisped the child; "and I do love you
dearly, but I am my mother's own little girl."
"So then you won't be my little girl also?" said Mrs. Meridith, "nor
won't come and live with me, and Bella, and Syphax!" the name of the
black man and woman, of whom Anna was very fond.
"Yes, I will, I will, and walk in the garden, and play on the green,"
her little eyes sparkling with pleasure, "and William and John play too;
but then I sleep at home; and Molly put me to bed?"
"Yes, when you are here," replied Mrs. Meridith, "and when you sleep at
Rosewood, Bella shall put you to bed."
"And William and John too?" asked she.
"Yes, when they sleep there she shall put them to bed likewise," replied
her kind friend, fearful of hearing her flatly refuse to leave them;
and not choosing to urge her suit any farther that day, she invited the
whole family (not forgetting Molly and the youngest child who was to be
of the party) to dine with her on the next. Nothing could be happier
than the children were the whole of that day; and Mrs. Meridith, afraid
of Anna's expressing any dislike to remaining with her at night, would
have wished William and John to sleep there, also; but Mr. Campbell
advised her otherways, as it might make her expect it another time, "and
I," said he, "may have as much trouble to make my boys willing to return
home, as you apprehend having to make her stay." Before it was their
bed-time, he took Anna into the garden, and told her she was going to
stay all night with Mrs. Meridith; and from leading her to imagine it
was a very great favour, though it could not be supposed she could at
present comprehend the extent of the kindness intended her, he made her
very well satisfied with the change.
Molly then took the boys and the little girl home, and Bella put her
new charge to bed, whom, knowing her mistress's intention towards her,
she was particularly anxious to please, lest her dear lady should be
vext at finding her otherwise. The novelty of the room, and her new
attendant, with the pretty little bed which had been prepared for her,
all took Anna's attention, and she dropt asleep without inquiring for
her brothers: but it was not so with them, and old Molly, who, while
undressing them, talked of nothing but little Anna, and her not coming
home any more.