A MISERABLE GIRL.
Whether or not Hollyhock took a chill on that night when she peeped in
at the gay group at Ardshiel can never be quite established, but
certain it is that when her four sisters--those beloved and yet
traitorous sisters--rushed wildly back to The Garden on the following
Saturday afternoon, they found Hollyhock lying in bed, perhaps cross,
perhaps ill; anyhow, to all appearance, quite indifferent to their
presence.
Jasmine stood and stared at her sister in amazement. So also did
Gentian and Rose and Delphinium. What could be the matter with their
flower maid, their darling?
On their return home they were greeted by the information that the
master was away on business, and that Miss Hollyhock was upstairs.
'In bed, I take it,' said old Duncan. 'It seems a pity for her not to
be down to greet ye, my dearies, but I do declare I canna make out what
ails her. She's poorly, the dear lass; but she 'll no say that she's
ill.'
'But where is father, Duncan?' asked Jasmine in a dazed sort of voice.
'Oh, the maister! He is weel enough, but he is that taken up wi' the
work o' Lord Ian Douglas that he canna gie much time to his lonesome
child. You must get her to school, Miss Jasmine; you must get her to
school, Miss Gentian.'
'Of course we must, Duncan,' said Jasmine; 'and, oh! it is a right
splendid school.'
'I'm thinkin' that mysel',' said Duncan, 'for Magsie, she came ower one
nicht and declared that there was not the like o' Ardshiel in the
length and breadth o' bonnie Scotland. But dear, dear, I was like to
forget. The maister, guid man, gave me a letter which he wrote this
mornin' to you, Miss Jasmine, and you was to have it at once.'
'Thank you, Duncan. I 'll take the letter and go at once to Hollyhock.'
The letter in question was read by all four girls at once, and was
simply to the effect that the young Precious Stones would dine with
them on the morrow, as well as Master Ivor Chetwode. In fact, Mr
Lennox had already written a letter to Mrs Macintyre, acquainting her
with his desire.
'Then that's all right,' said Jasmine. 'Dad did get my letter. I was
a bit surprised at his being so long in answering it. Well, we 'll go
to Hollyhock now. Poor Ivor would have been terribly disappointed if
he had been left out of The Garden treat.'
While this conversation was taking place Hollyhock was listening
intently from her small bed. She would not for the world let the girls
think that she missed school, and the only chance of keeping up this
deception was by retiring to bed and feigning illness. Not that she
felt _quite_ well; she was altogether too lonely and miserable for
that. She had not a book to read; she had not a thing to do. The dogs
were off with their master, and she had hardly even an animal to speak
to, with the exception of the kitchen cat, which came up and lay on her
bed, until she shooed her off with quick, angry words.
Well, Saturday had come, and the girls had come, and she must keep up
her supposed illness at any cost, or they would suspect that she was
regretting her decision. But what a time they did take havering with
old Duncan! Tiresome man, Duncan! He was nearly as tiresome as the
dogs, Tocsin and Curfew, and the kitchen cat, Jean.
When the children burst into the room, Hollyhock looked at them out of
her black eyes with a dismal stare.
'Here we are back again,' said Jasmine. 'Haven't you a word of welcome
for us, Holly?'
'Why should I?' replied Hollyhock. 'I 'm suffering from a reeling
head, and can't stand any noise at all.'
'Dear, dear!' exclaimed Gentian.
'I don't want any of _your_ fondling,' said Hollyhock in an angry tone,
for was not Gentian the girl whom the beautiful blue-eyed boy had paid
so much attention to?
'Whatever have _I_ done?' said Gentian in amazement.
'Oh, I'll leave it to your conscience. I'm not going to enlighten you.'
'Dear, dear, what _can_ the matter be?' said Delphy.
'Don't talk so loud. Keep your school manners for your school,' said
Hollyhock.
'Dear, deary me!' cried Jasmine in an anxious tone, 'I think we ought
to get the doctor to see her. There's Dr Maguire, and Duncan will
fetch him. He 'll soon put you right, Hollyhock.'
'He won't, for I won't see him,' said Hollyhock. 'Don't you bring him
to this room. I suppose, if I am faithful to my own Daddy Dumps, and
my own dear home, I may at least have my own way with regard to a
doctor. I 'm not ill _exactly_, but I 'm reeling in the head, and no
one can force me to have a doctor except Daddy Dumps, and he's away
with Lord Ian at Dundree until dinner-time.'
'All the Precious Stones are coming over for dinner,' said Rose, as
softly as she could speak.
'Are they? I don't want them.'
'But they are coming all the same, Hollyhock, and so is Aunt Cecilia;
and to-morrow they are coming again with that dear boy Ivor Chetwode.'
'Oh, is that his name?' said Hollyhock.
'How can you know anything about his name?' said Jasmine in
astonishment.
'Ask Gentian; perhaps _she'll_ tell you,' said Hollyhock with a wicked
glance out of her black eyes at her sister's pale-gray ones.
But Gentian shook her head in bewilderment. 'She ought to see a
doctor,' was her remark.
'Oh yes,' cried Hollyhock; 'but though she _ought_, she _won't_; and
neither you nor that old Duncan can force me to; and I don't wish to
hear a thing about your precious school, so for goodness' sake don't
begin. You know the old proverb that new brooms sweep clean. Well,
the school is a very new one, and the brooms are very new also. I
expect you won't be in such _pretended_ raptures after another week or
two, while I, the faithful one, remain at home, to do my duty.'
The four Flower Girls gazed in consternation at one another. They were
certainly distressed when Hollyhock refused to go to school with them,
but her behaviour on the first day of their return altogether upset
them; and as for poor little Delphy, it was with difficulty that she
could keep the tears back from her eyes.
'There! Shoo! Get the cat out,' cried Hollyhock, as Jean was again
putting in an appearance.
'Why, poor old darling!' exclaimed Gentian, 'she sha'n't be scolded,
that she sha'n't. I 'll take her away to my room and pet her.'
'No, you won't; you'll do nothing of the sort. She's the only thing
that now clings to me, and I 'm not going to have _you_ sneaking round
and winning her affections.'
'Why, you wanted her to go, Hollyhock. Really, I don't know you,'
cried Gentian.
'I dare say you don't. You have "other fish to fry."'
The four girls felt for the first time in their lives really angry with
their favourite sister. Hollyhock, simply to spite Gentian, called in
a coaxing tone to Jean, who now jumped on the bed and purred loudly,
while Hollyhock stroked her fur, doing it, however, very often the
wrong way, which form of endearment tries all cats, even a kitchen cat.
'There, you see for yourselves, she 's the only one left to love me,'
said Hollyhock. 'Oh, for goodness' sake, don't rush at me with your
sham kisses! I can't abide them, or you. Get away, will you, and
leave me in peace!--Jean, poor beastie! And do you love your little
mistress? You are the only one I have got, Jean, my bonnie pussie; the
only one who, like myself, is faithful and true.'
It was just at that moment, when Jean had sunk into placid slumber and
the Flower Girls were intending to leave the room, that there came a
gentle, very gentle, knock at the door.
'Who can be there now?' said Hollyhock. 'Whoever it is will wake the
cat.-- There, my bonnie beastie, sleep away. Don't you know that you
and I are the two lonely ones of the family?'
The amazed Jean cuddled up closer than ever to Hollyhock, and the next
minute the door was quietly opened by Mrs Constable.
'Well, children,' she said, 'the boys are downstairs, so I thought you
might like to see them. I 'm very sorry to perceive that our little
Hollyhock isn't well. This is a sad blow, when one has a rare holiday
and has looked forward to it. But I want to have a talk with Hollyhock
all by myself.'
'You won't bring me round, so don't think it,' said Hollyhock.
But Mrs Constable, taking no notice of these words, motioned to the
other four Flower Girls to leave the room. She then proceeded to make
up the fire brightly and to straighten Hollyhock's disordered bed.
'Now, my child, what 's wrong with you?' she said in that voice so
melting and so sweet that few could resist it.
'Oh, Aunt Cecil, I'm so unhappy--I'm alone. I have no one to love me
now but Jean.'
'Poor little Jean! She seems very happy,' said Mrs Constable; 'but I'm
afraid she'll make dirty marks on your white counterpane, child.'
'As if I cared. I'd stand more than that for love.'
'Now, Hollyhock,' replied Mrs Constable, 'I must get to the bottom of
this. You are my own dear little girl, remember, and I must find out
whether you are ill or not.'
'Of course I 'm ill; that is, I 'm a little ill.'
'I have a thermometer with me. I'll take your temperature,' said Mrs
Constable.
'Auntie, I would so much rather you didn't.'
'I 'm afraid I must, child; for if you have a temperature, I must send
for Dr Maguire.'
'I won't see him!'
'You need not, my child, if you have no temperature. Now, let me try;
for afterwards I have some very exciting news to tell you. None of the
other girls know it yet.'
'Oh, auntie, you do excite me! Yes, I 'll put the little thermometer
into my mouth. I hope I sha'n't break it, though.'
'You must be careful, Hollyhock; for were you to swallow all that
mercury, it would kill you.'
'Oh, auntie, what dreadful things you say! Well, stick it in, and then
tell me the news that none of the others know.'
The thermometer was inserted. Hollyhock's temperature was perfectly
normal, and she was then questioned with regard to her throat and her
health generally. In the end Aunt Cecilia pronounced the girl quite
well, and desired her to get up and dress.
'But I--the reeling in my head,' said Hollyhock.
'That will pass, after you have had a nice warm bath and put on one of
your pretty frocks.'
'Oh, but, auntie, I do want to hear the news.'
'You shall hear it after you are dressed. I don't tell exciting news
to little girls who lie in bed. The effect might be bad for them and
bring on fever.'
'Oh, auntie, I don't want the servants to come near me.'
'They needn't, child. I'll turn on the hot water in the bath, and then
help you to put on your prettiest dress. Why, Jasper is just pining to
see you. Now, then, no more talk. The hours are passing, and quick 's
the word.'
'Auntie, you have a nice way of saying things.'
'I 'm glad you think so, child.'
'Although you are only a governess at that horrid Ardshiel.'
Mrs Constable was silent.
In a very short time Hollyhock had had her bath. She dressed
luxuriously by the fire in her bedroom, Aunt Cecilia brushing out her
masses of black hair and fastening it back with a large crimson bow.
Aunt Cecilia chose a very pretty dress of softest gray for the little
maid, and then, when the last touch connected with the toilet had been
given, there came a mysterious knock at the door.
'Who can that be?' said Hollyhock, who felt discontented once again.
'Only some one bringing a little food, dear, which I have ordered for
you. You need not see the person who brings it. I will fetch it
myself.'
Accordingly, tea in a lovely old Queen Anne teapot, accompanied by
cream and sugar, hot buttered toast, and an egg, new laid and very
lightly boiled, was placed before Hollyhock.
'But I haven't touched food for nearly twenty-four hours,' said the
wilful child.
'Which accounts for the reeling in your head, my love. Now, then, set
to work and eat.'
'But your news, auntie--your news.'
'After you have eaten, my child--after you have finished all the
contents of this little tray, but not before.'
Hollyhock suddenly found herself furiously hungry. She attacked the
toast and egg, and wondered at the sunshiny feeling which had crept
into her heart.
'Now, remember that you are perfectly well, Hollyhock.'
'Yes, auntie dear, of course.'
'And there 'll be no more malingering.'
'Whatever's that, Aunt Cecilia?'
'Why, doing what you did--_pretending_ to be ill, and keeping your
family in a state of misery.'
'I won't do it again. Now for your news.'
'I want to make one last condition, Hollyhock.'
'What do you mean?'
'A lonely life does not suit you, my child. When you are forced to
have recourse to the kitchen cat, that proves the case. Now I want you
to go back to Ardshiel with the other girls on Monday.'
'Oh, oh, _auntie_!'
'No one wishes for you here, child, and you certainly won't get my
great piece of news unless you make me that promise. You will be as
happy as the day is long at that school.'
'They certainly do _look_ happy,' said Hollyhock, 'and I should like to
see the boy with the blue eyes.'
'The boy with the blue eyes'----
'Oh, nothing, auntie; nothing. I'll agree. The kitchen cat is poor
company. Now, then, out with your news.'
'You shall have it, dear. God bless you, darling! You have done a
brave thing. And I cannot describe to you the joys of that lovely
school, which you have wilfully absented yourself from. Now sit quite
close to me, and listen to my news.'
Certainly Aunt Cecilia _had_ a winning way. She was always remarkable
for that. She could fight her cause with any one--with man, woman, or
child; and she could fight it in the best possible way, by not fighting
it at all, by simply leaving the matter in the hands of Almighty Love,
by just breathing a gentle prayer for Divine guidance and then going
bravely forward.
This plan of hers had supported her when her beloved husband was killed
in battle; when her bonnie laddies, her Precious Stones, were sent to
Mrs Macintyre's school; and would support her when, according to the
arrangement made between herself and her husband, Major Constable, the
time came for her Precious Stones to go to Eton.
Major Constable had been an Eton boy, and he knew well the spirit of
the gallant words:
It's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his captain's hand on his shoulder smote,
Play up! play up! and play the game!'
This is the word that year by year,
While in her place the School is set,
Every one of her sons must hear,
And none that hears it dare forget.
This they all with a joyful mind
Bear through life like a torch in flame,
And, falling, fling to the host behind--
'Play up! play up! and play the game!'
Mrs Constable, as she repeated these words to Hollyhock, noticed the
flame in her cheeks and the radiance in her black glorious eyes; knew
only too well that this fearless girl would play her part--yes, to the
very letter. For one like Hollyhock there would most certainly be a
conflict, and also most assuredly a victory. She would 'play up! play
up! and play the game!' Her own heart beat as she watched the child.
Eton, that princely school, would be the first training-ground for
Major Constable's young sons; but for Hollyhock there would be both at
school and afterwards in the world the greater battlefield. Her heart
went out to the child, and she pressed her close for a moment to her
heart. Mrs Constable felt very happy to-night. She knew well that she
herself was a very efficient teacher; she was also a very persuasive
teacher, and Mrs Macintyre had eagerly agreed to her suggestion that
she should be her kindergarten mistress, thus helping Mrs Constable to
pay in part for the enormous expense of sending five boys to Ardshiel.
But, after all, this sum of money was but a drop in the ocean; and her
delight was intense, her thanksgiving to Almighty God extreme, when she
was told that she _herself_ might get her laddies back and start an
Annex School for the boys, who were really too old to be at Ardshiel.
The departure of one would mean the departure of all; and now, as she
sat by Hollyhock's side, holding her little brown hand, she had already
secured for herself quite fourteen boys, who were all to arrive at the
Annex, or the dear Paddock, as she loved to call it, on the following
Monday morning. But this apparent breaking up of Mrs Macintyre's
school had not been mentioned as yet to any of the children. Mr
Lennox, of course, knew and approved, and Hollyhock was really the
first of the Flower Girls to whom the news was broken.
'Well, my dear,' said Mrs Constable, 'I have news for you, which I
expect will please you. What do you say to two schools in this
neighbourhood?'
'Two schools!' said Hollyhock, looking with amazement at gentle Mrs
Constable.
'Yes, my love, that's my news. And I 'm to be at the head of one,
though by no manner of means the teacher. That wouldn't do. But I 'm
to superintend, and guide, and influence, and what you may call
"mother." I'm getting my own brave laddies back.'
'But'---- said Hollyhock, a startled look coming into her dark eyes.
'Yes, my dear, and more than that. I 'm getting a boy called Henry de
Courcy Anstel from the big school; and another one, Roger Carden.'
'Oh, oh!' said Hollyhock, turning first white and then red, 'has he
blue eyes--_has_ he blue eyes?'
'That is more than I can tell you. The colour of the eyes does _not_
trouble me, and they ought not to trouble a lass of your tender years.
There 's another boy called Ivor Chetwode also coming. These with my
own five make eight. In addition, I have got Andrew MacPen from
Edinburgh, and Archie MacPen, his brother, and four little orphan boys,
who are coming all the way from London. Their names are Johnnie and
Georgie and Alec and Murray. I call them orphans because their father
and mother have gone to India, and have had to leave them behind. So
on Monday my little Annex will open with fourteen boys. They'll have
the advantage of the fräuleins and mesdemoiselles from Ardshiel to give
them lessons two or three times a week; and in addition, being manly
boys, I have made arrangements that they shall be taught by the
Reverend James Cadell and two resident tutors. So you see now for
yourself, Hollyhock, that after your insisting so often that nothing
would make you go to a mixed school, the thing has been taken out of
your hands, my love. Mrs Macintyre has a large and flourishing school
for girls, and I hope to do well with my boys. You must congratulate
me, Hollyhock.'
'Well,' said Hollyhock haltingly, 'I--somehow--it seems hard on Mrs
Macintyre, doesn't it?'
'Not a bit of it, dear. Why, it's the making of her school. She has
got so many applications for girlies like yourself to go to Ardshiel
that she soon will have to close her lists. Now that you have decided
to go there, Hollyhock, it will bring the number of her pupils in the
course of next week up to nearly seventy.'
Hollyhock sat very cold and still.
'You don't look pleased, my child, and yet you were so strong against a
mixed school.'
'Well, yes, I was, and I am still. For that matter, I hate all
schools.'
'But you faithfully promised me to go to Ardshiel, Hollyhock.'
'Oh yes, I 'll keep my word. I expect I 'm a bit of a dare-devil;
there is something very wicked in me, Auntie Cecilia.'
'I know there is, child. You need Divine guidance.'
'I won't be lectured,' said Hollyhock, getting very cross all at once.
'Oh, auntie, those blue eyes!' and the excited, hysterical girl burst
into tears.
'There must be something at the back of this, Hollyhock.'
'Oh, nothing--nothing indeed.'
'Well, I won't press for your confidence, dear. Little girls and
little boys should be friends and nothing more for long years to come;
and although I at first quite hoped that Mrs Macintyre's mixed school
would be a great success, I now see that it is best for me to have my
little corner in the Lord's vineyard alone. But don't for a moment
imagine, Hollyhock, that you girls of Ardshiel and my boys of the Annex
won't be the best of friends, meeting constantly and enjoying life and
fun together. Think of your Saturday to Monday, Hollyhock! Think of
my Precious Stones meeting you Flower Girls! Think of the old life
being brought back again!'
'Yes, I suppose it is best,' said Hollyhock, but she heaved a sigh as
she spoke. Her sigh was mostly caused by the fact that she had given
in. She, who had made such a grand and noble stand, was going to
Ardshiel after all.