Mrs. Presty had not very seriously exaggerated the truth, when she
described her much-indulged granddaughter as “a child who had never been
accustomed to wait for anything since the day when she was born.”
Governesses in general would have found it no easy matter to produce a
favorable impression on Kitty, and to exert the necessary authority in
instructing her, at the same time. Spoiled children (whatever moralists
may say to the contrary) are companionable and affectionate children,
for the most part--except when they encounter the unfortunate persons
employed to introduce them to useful knowledge. Mr. and Mrs. Linley
(guiltily conscious of having been too fond of their only child
to subject her to any sort of discipline) were not very willing
to contemplate the prospect before Miss Westerfield on her first
establishment in the schoolroom. To their surprise and relief there
proved to be no cause for anxiety after all. Without making an attempt
to assert her authority, the new governess succeeded nevertheless when
older and wiser women would have failed.
The secret of Sydney’s triumph over adverse circumstances lay hidden in
Sydney herself.
Everything in the ordinary routine of life at Mount Morven was a source
of delight and surprise to the unfortunate creature who had passed
through six years of cruelty, insult, and privation at her aunt’s
school. Look where she might, in her new sphere of action, she
saw pleasant faces and heard kind words. At meal times, wonderful
achievements in the art of cookery appeared on the table which she
had not only never tasted, but never even heard of. When she went out
walking with her pupil they were free to go where they pleased, without
restriction of time--except the time of dinner. To breathe the delicious
air, to look at the glorious scenery, were enjoyments so exquisitely
exhilarating that, by Sydney’s own confession, she became quite light
headed with pleasure. She ran races with Kitty--and nobody reproved her.
She rested, out of breath, while the stronger child was ready to run
on--and no merciless voice cried “None of your laziness; time’s up!”
Wild flowers that she had never yet seen might be gathered, and no
offense was committed. Kitty told her the names of the flowers, and
the names of the summer insects that flashed and hummed in the hillside
breezes; and was so elated at teaching her governess that her rampant
spirits burst out in singing. “Your turn next,” the joyous child cried,
when she too was out of breath. “Sing, Sydney--sing!” Alas for Sydney!
She had not sung since those happiest days of her childhood, when her
good father had told her fairy stories, and taught her songs. They
were all forgotten now. “I can’t sing, Kitty; I can’t sing.” The pupil,
hearing this melancholy confession, became governess once more. “Say the
words, Syd; and hum the tune after me.” They laughed over the singing
lesson, until the echoes of the hills mocked them, and laughed too.
Looking into the schoolroom, one day, Mrs. Linley found that the serious
business of teaching was not neglected. The lessons went on smoothly,
without an obstacle in the way. Kitty was incapable of disappointing her
friend and playfellow, who made learning easy with a smile and a kiss.
The balance of authority was regulated to perfection in the lives of
these two simple creatures. In the schoolroom, the governess taught the
child. Out of the schoolroom, the child taught the governess. Division
of labor was a principle in perfect working order at Mount Morven--and
nobody suspected it! But, as the weeks followed each other, one more
remarkable circumstance presented itself which every person in the
household was equally quick to observe. The sad Sydney Westerfield whom
they all pitied had now become the pretty Sydney Westerfield whom they
all admired. It was not merely a change--it was a transformation. Kitty
stole the hand-glass from her mother’s room, and insisted that her
governess should take it and look at herself. “Papa says you’re as plump
as a partridge; and mamma says you’re as fresh as a rose; and Uncle
Randal wags his head, and tells them he saw it from the first. I heard
it all when they thought I was playing with my doll--and I want to know,
you best of nice girls, what you think of your own self?”
“I think, my dear, it’s time we went on with our lessons.”
“Wait a little, Syd; I have something else to say.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about papa. He goes out walking with us--doesn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“He didn’t go out walking with me--before you came here. I’ve been
thinking about it; and I’m sure papa likes you. What are you looking in
the drawer for?”
“For your lesson books, dear.”
“Yes--but I haven’t quite done yet. Papa talks a good deal to you, and
you don’t talk much to papa. Don’t you like him?”
“Oh, Kitty!”
“Then do you like him?”
“How can I help liking him? I owe all my happiness to your papa.”
“Do you like him better than mamma?”
“I should be very ungrateful, if I liked anybody better than your
mamma.”
Kitty considered a little, and shook her head. “I don’t understand
that,” she declared roundly. “What do you mean?”
Sydney cleaned the pupil’s slate, and set the pupil’s sum--and said
nothing.
Kitty placed a suspicious construction of her own on her governess’s
sudden silence. “Perhaps you don’t like my wanting to know so many
things,” she suggested. “Or perhaps you meant to puzzle me?”
Sydney sighed, and answered, “I’m puzzled myself.”