MIDNIGHT AT THE GREENGROCER'S
The rest of the day passed quietly. Miss Peacock, contrary to her usual
custom, appeared at late supper that evening. She took the head of the
longest table, and looked from one girl to another. She noticed that
some were missing, amongst them Susan Marsh, Maud Thompson, and Star
Lestrange. She was not surprised at the absence of the first two, but
the absence of the younger girl caused her heart to sink even lower
than it already was in her breast.
The meal proceeded and came to an end; prayers followed, and then the
greater number of the girls dispersed for the night.
It was about an hour later when Miss Peacock, accompanied by Jessie
Jones, went upstairs. They entered the White Corridor very softly. The
door of Christian's room was a little ajar, and Miss Peacock was afraid
of waking her. By and by she came to the foot of the stairs. All was
quiet.
"I am sure they are not there to-night. I am sure we needn't go any
farther," whispered Jessie.
"I think we will go upstairs to make all safe," was Miss Peacock's
answer.
So Jessie, who knew the trick of the door, pushed it open, and without
anyone seeing, they went up the creaking stairs and entered the wide
front attic. Here all looked peaceful and orderly. Miss Jessie gave a
sigh of relief.
"Now, Jessie," said Miss Peacock, "will you go downstairs? First of
all, go straight to Star Lestrange's room and ascertain if she is safe
in bed; then proceed to Maud Thompson's room and do likewise; and,
finally, visit Susan Marsh's bedroom. Be quick, dear; and if by any
chance you find that those three beds, or any of them, are vacant, go
to my room and fetch me my cloak and galoshes. Be as quick as you can."
"Yes," said Miss Jessie.
She nodded her head. She felt terribly anxious. She even felt a fierce
desire, unlike herself, to follow the trail, to bring the culprits to
justice. Yes, if they were wicked enough to do what Miss Peacock feared
they had done, they ought to be punished. Things must have come to a
sad pass when Jessie could feel like this, but those certainly were her
sensations. Lavinia was angry--dear, noble Lavinia. Whatever she said
and did must be right.
While Jessie was absent Miss Peacock walked round the attic. In one
corner she saw a basket filled with provisions. They none of them
looked too fresh, but they were certainly there. Near the open window
lay a piece of paper. Miss Peacock picked it up, and saw that it was an
untidy-looking envelope, with "John Manners, greengrocer, High Street,
Tregellick," printed across the top. Why should this envelope lie on
the floor of the front attic? She put it carefully into her pocket.
Then thrusting her head out of the window, she saw a ladder, which
reached from the ground beneath to within a few feet of the window.
Miss Peacock panted slightly when she saw this; her eyes grew bright
and hard, and her face looked unlike itself.
Just at that moment Jessie entered. She was carrying Miss Peacock's
warm cloak on her arm, and Miss Peacock's galoshes were in her hand.
She herself wore a bonnet and cloak.
"They're none of them in their beds," she said. "I don't know what we
are to do."
"We will follow them," said Miss Peacock.
"Follow them? How?"
"They have left the attic by means of a ladder. Look out, Jessie; you
will see for yourself. It is not necessary for us to use it; we will go
by the front door. Jessie, think how severely Lavinia Peacock ought to
blame herself for making this thing possible."
"No, no, Lavinia; it is my fault. You will turn me from the school
after this."
"I blame myself alone," said Miss Peacock.
The ladies left the attic, ran downstairs, and let themselves out.
"They have certainly gone; but where?" said Jessie.
"I found one of our greengrocer's envelopes on the floor. It may give
me a necessary clew," said Miss Peacock. "Anyhow, we will visit John
Manners this evening. Come along, Jessie. We shall reach the house in a
quarter of an hour."
How the rain did pour! How tired Jessie felt! How fast Lavinia walked!
How stern was her face when Jessie caught a glimpse of it!
By and by they reached the High Street. The place appeared at first to
be in total darkness, but presently they perceived a cheerful light
streaming through closed blinds.
"I was right; they are here," said Miss Peacock. "Oh, Jessie! to think
of Star--to think that she could have done it. It cuts me to the heart."
Poor Jessie had not a word to say. She adored Star, but even she could
not defend her favorite at this moment.
Miss Peacock suddenly pulled the bell. Presently Manners appeared.
He had been smoking in his kitchen. He thought it great fun to have
the young ladies enjoying themselves with his daughters upstairs. But
when he saw Miss Peacock he stepped back and grew very pale. He had
certainly not reckoned on the head-mistress of the school appearing in
person to demand her runaway scholars.
"Some of my young ladies are in your parlor," said Miss Peacock. "I
am obliged to you, Manners, for treating them so hospitably, but the
hour is too late for my girls to be from home. I have come to take them
back. With your permission I will go upstairs at once."
"Shall I announce you, ma'am?"
"You will oblige me by remaining where you are. Come, Jessie."
They pushed the little greengrocer aside and went upstairs. The fun was
at its height. Miss Peacock softly opened the door. She saw Florence
Dixie holding her sides in convulsions of laughter, while Susan,
lying back on an old Chesterfield sofa, was clapping her hands at the
attempts of the two Manners girls to dance an Irish jig.
To attempt to describe the confusion, the amazement--nay, the
despair--which filled the faces of two of those girls when they caught
sight of Miss Peacock would be impossible. Maud gave a bitter cry and
fell on her knees. A cloud came over Susan's face; she stood upright,
her hands hanging to her side.
"The fun is up, girls," she said, turning to her companions. "Let's put
out the lights and go home."
Making hysterical efforts, she tried to blow out one of the candles;
but Miss Peacock came up and took her hand.
"Come, Susan; recollect yourself. Don't give yourself away more than
you can help. Come home with me this moment."
"Florence, you said you'd keep me," said Susan.
"Oh, but I can't, really!" said Florence, who showed the despicable
character of the true coward when difficulties arose. "Father would be
wild if he knew. Please, Miss Peacock, understand that father knows
nothing of this. It was just a little fun of our own. I wouldn't
shelter one of your girls against your will for the world."
"Oh, you're a nice friend," said Susan--"a friend to be proud of!"
"I'll take you home, Susan. And, Maud, you can follow with Jessie."
Miss Peacock's face was calm and cold; her words came out like morsels
of ice. She went downstairs at once. Susan put her hat on as fast as
she could, and Miss Peacock herself stooped to tie her cloak round her
neck. Then they started on their way home. Maud and Jessie, absolutely
speechless, followed them. Once Maud tried to say something, but she
was interrupted.
"Don't, don't! It is best to let her have her own way now. Oh! you have
cut her to the heart, and she is such a dear--so noble."
The moment they reached the hall Miss Peacock said:
"There are three girls absent from their bedrooms to-night. Two of them
are here, but where is Stella Lestrange?"
Then Maud fell on her knees.
"I don't expect you to forgive us. We----"
"Don't screen me," said Susan. "If I am bad, I am at least not ashamed
of it. I was determined to have that frolic. I hate your close ways. I
hate everything about this school. I want to leave to-morrow; I can't
go away too soon. But I was determined to have my frolic to-night.
Star was equally determined that we should not go, so I locked her up
in the tool-house. Maud was forced to help me, but she didn't approve.
You needn't scold Maud. When she is with good girls she will be all
right; and I shall leave in the morning."
"Where did you say you locked Star up?" said Miss Peacock.
"In the tool-house."
"Thank you."