A FRIENDSHIP BEGINS
As they walked back to the house the girls talked incessantly, Mrs.
Harold listening intently but saying very little. She was drawing her
own conclusions, which were usually pretty shrewd ones.
Commander Harold had for the past four years been stationed either at
the Naval Academy, or on sea duty on board the Rhode Island when she
made her famous cruise around the world. Mrs. Harold had remained at
Wilmot Hall during the winter of 1907 and 1908, Polly's sister Constance
spending it with her. Later Commander Harold had duty at the Academy,
but recently with his new commission, for he had been a commander only a
few months, he had been given one of the new cruisers and was at sea
once more. They had no children, their only child having died many years
before, but Mrs. Harold, loving young people as she did, was never
without them near her. This winter her niece, Polly Howland, would
remain with her and she was anxious to make the winter a happy one for
the young girl. This she had a rare opportunity of doing, for her pretty
sitting-room in Wilmot Hall was a gathering place for the young people
of the entire neighborhood and the midshipmen in particular, who loved
it dearly and were devoted to its mistress, loving her with the devotion
of sons, and invariably calling her "the Little Mother," and her
sitting-room "Middies' Haven." And a happier little rendezvous it would
have been hard to find, for Mrs. Harold loved her big foster-sons
dearly, strove in every way to make the place a home for them and to
develop all that was best in their diverse characters.
It was to this home that Polly had come to pass the winter and now a new
phase had developed, the outcome of what seemed to be chance, but it is
to be questioned whether anything in this great world of ours is the
outcome of chance. If so wisely ordered in some respects, why not in
all?
So it is not surprising that Mrs. Harold watched and listened with rare
sympathy and a keen intuition as the girls walked a little ahead of her,
talking together as freely and frankly as though they had known each
other for years instead of hours only.
"Couldn't you come out on the electric car every morning?" Peggy was
asking. "If you could do that for about two weeks I am sure you would be
able to ride BEAUTIFULLY at the end of them."
"Not in the morning, I'm afraid. You see I am an Annapolis co-ed," Polly
answered laughing gaily at Peggy's mystified expression. "Yes I am,
truly. You see I came down here to spend the winter with Aunt Janet
because she is lonely when Uncle Glenn is away. But, of course, I can't
just sit around and do nothing, or frolic all the time. Had I remained
at home I should have been in my last year at high school, but Tanta
doesn't want me to go to the one down here. Oh we've had the funniest
discussions. First she thought she'd engage a governess for me, and we
had almost settled on that when the funniest little thing changed it
all. Isn't it queer how just a little thing will sometimes turn your
plans all around?"
"What changed yours?" asked Peggy, more deeply interested in this new
acquaintance and the new world she was introducing her into than she had
ever been in anything in her life. "You'll laugh at me, I dare say, if I
tell you, but I don't mind. Up at my own home in Montgentian, N. J., I
had a boy chum. We have known each other since we were little tots and
always played together. He is two years older than I am, but I was only
a year behind him when he graduated from the high last spring. My
goodness, how I worked to catch up, for I was ashamed to let him be so
far ahead of me. I couldn't quite catch up, though, and he graduated a
year ahead of me in spite of all I could do. Then he took a competitive
examination for Annapolis and passed finely, entering the Academy last
June. I was just tickled to death for we are just like brother and
sister, we have been together so much. Then Tanta sent for me and I came
back with her on September 30. One day we were over in the yard and the
boys--men, I dare say I ought to call them, for some of them are tall as
bean poles, only they have all been Aunt Janet's 'boys' ever since they
entered the Academy--were teasing me, and telling me I couldn't work
with Ralph any longer. I got mad then and said I guessed I COULD work
with him if I saw fit, and I meant to, too. Oh, they laughed and jeered
at me until I could have slapped every single one of them, but I then
and there made up my mind to follow THIS year's academic course if I
died in the attempt, and when we went home I talked it all over with
Aunt Janet. She's such a dear, and always ready to listen to anything we
young people have to tell her. So I really am a co-ed. Yes, I am; I knew
you'd smile. I have an instructor, a retired captain, a friend of Aunt
Janet's, who lives at Wilmot, and Aunt Janet has rented an extra room
next mine for a schoolroom, and every morning at nine o'clock Captain
Pennell and I settle down to real hard work. I have 'math' and
mechanical drawing just exactly as Ralph has, and the same French,
Spanish and English course, but what I love best of all is learning all
about a boat and how to sail her, how to swim, and the gym work. And
Captain Pennell is teaching me how to fence and to shoot with a rifle
and a revolver. Oh, it is just heaps and heaps of fun. I didn't dream a
girl could learn all those things, but Captain Pennell is such a dear
and so interesting. He seems to have something new for each day. But HOW
Aunt Janet's boys do run me and ask me when I'm coming out for cutter
drill, or field artillery or any old thing they know I CAN'T do. But
never mind. I know just exactly what all their old orders mean, and I am
learning all about our splendid big ships and the guns and everything
just as fast as ever I can. But, my goodness, I shall talk you to death.
Mother says I never know when to stop once I get started. I beg your
pardon," and Polly looked quite abashed as they drew near the piazza.
"Why I think it is all perfectly fascinating. How I'd love to do some of
those things. I can shoot and swim and sail my boat, but I've never been
in a gymnasium or done any of those interesting things. I wish Compadre
could hear all about it. They wanted to send me away to a big finishing
school this winter but I begged so hard for one more year's freedom that
Daddy Neil consented, but I think he would love to have me know about
the things you are learning."
"Oh, Tanta, couldn't we make some sort of a bargain? Couldn't Peggy come
to us three days of the week and work with Captain Pennell and me, and
then I come out three to learn to ride?"
Peggy's eyes shone as she listened. She had not realized how hungry she
had been for young companionship until this sunny-souled young girl had
dropped into her little world.
Mrs. Harold smiled sympathetically upon the enthusiastic pair.
"Perhaps we can make a mutually beneficial bargain," she said. "I think
I shall accept Silver Star upon your recommendation, Miss Peggy, and
what I have already seen. Then if you are willing to undertake it, Polly
shall be taught to ride by you, and you in turn must come to us at
Wilmot to join Captain Pennell's class of fencing, gym work or whatever
else seems wise or you wish to. But who must decide the question, dear?"
How unconsciously she had dropped into the term of endearment with this
young girl. It was so much a part of her nature to do so. Peggy's cheeks
became rose-tinted with pleasure, and her eyes alight with happiness.
Her smile was radiant as she slipped to Mrs. Harold's side saying: "Oh,
if Compadre were only here to decide it right away. He is my guardian
you know, and, of course, I must do as he wishes, but I hope--oh I HOPE,
he will let me do this."
"And what is it you so wish to do, Filiola?" asked a gentle voice within
the room.
Peggy gave a little cry of delight.
"Oh, Compadre, when did you come? We have just been talking about you,"
cried Peggy, flitting to the side of the tall, handsome old gentleman
and slipping her arm about him as his encircled her shoulder, and he
looked down upon her with a pair of benign dark eyes as he answered:
"I have been luxuriating and feasting for the past half hour while
waiting for a truant ward. Jerome took pity upon me and fed me to keep
me in a good temper.
"Oh, Compadre, I want you to know my new friend, Mrs. Harold and her
niece, Polly Howland. We have been having the loveliest visit together."
Dr. Llewellyn advanced to meet the guests, one arm still encircling his
ward, the other extended to take Mrs. Harold's hand as he said:
"This is a great pleasure, madam. To judge by my little girl's face she
has found a congenial companion. I am more than delighted to meet both
aunt and niece."
"And we are ALMOST the same age! Isn't that lovely!" cried Polly.
Dr. Llewellyn exchanged a significant glance with Mrs. Harold, then
asked:
"Have you imparted your peculiar power to your niece, Mrs. Harold?"
Mrs. Harold looked mystified. "I am afraid I don't quite understand,"
she smiled.
"Your chaplain at the Academy is an old friend of mine. We occasionally
hobnob over the chess board and a modest glass of wine. I hear of things
beyond Round Bay and Severndale; I am interested in that gathering of
young men in the Academy and often ask questions. The chaplain is deeply
concerned for their welfare and has told me many things, among others
something of a certain lady to whom they are devoted and who has a
remarkable influence over them. It has interested me, too, for they are
at the most impressionable, susceptible period of their lives and a wise
influence can do much for them. I am glad to meet 'The Little Mother of
Middies' Haven.'"
Dr. Llewellyn's eyes twinkled as he spoke. Mrs. Harold blushed like a
girl as she asked:
"Have my sins found me out?"
"It is a pity we could not find all 'sins' as salutary. I may be a
retired old clergyman, with no greater responsibilities upon my
shoulders than keeping one unruly little girl within bounds," he added,
giving a tweak to Peggy's curls, "and looking after her father's estate--
I tutored HIM when he was a lad--but I hear echoes of the doings of the
outer world now and again. Yes--yes, now and again, and when they are
cheering echoes I rejoice greatly. But let us be seated and hear the
wonderful news which will cause an explosion presently unless the
safety-valves are opened," he concluded, placing chairs for Mrs. Harold
and Polly with courtly grace.
They talked for an hour and at its end Dr. Llewellyn and Mrs. Harold had
settled upon a plan which caused Peggy and Polly to nearly prance for
joy.
Mrs. Harold was to talk it over with Captain Pennell and phone out to
Severndale the next morning, and if all went well, Peggy would go to
Annapolis to take up certain branches of the work with Polly, and in the
intervening mornings continue her work with Dr. Llewellyn, and Polly in
return would spend three afternoons with her.
Star was hired then and there for the winter, but would live at
Severndale until Polly's horse-WOMAN-ship was a little more to be relied
upon.
Before Mrs. Harold and Polly realized where the afternoon had gone it
was time to return to Annapolis. They were driven to the station by
Jess, Peggy and Dr. Llewellyn riding beside the carriage on Shashai and
Dr. Claudius, Dr. Llewellyn's big dapple-gray hunter, for the old
clergyman was an aristocrat to his fingertips and lived the life of his
Maryland forebears, at seventy sitting his horse as he had done in early
manhood, and even occasionally following the hounds. It was a pretty
sight to see him and Peggy ride, his great horse making its powerful
strides, while Shashai flitted along like a swallow, full of all manner
of little conceits and pranks though absolutely obedient to Peggy's low-
spoken words, or knee-pressure, for the bridle rein was a quite
superfluous adjunct to her riding gear, and she would have ridden
without a saddle but for conventionalities.
They bade their guests good-bye at the little station, and rode slowly
back to Severndale in the golden glow of the late afternoon, Peggy
talking incessantly and the good doctor occasionally asking a question
or telling her something of the world over in the Academy of which she
knew so little, but of which fate seemed to have ordained she should
soon know much more.
There was a quiet little talk up in Middies' Haven that evening, and
Captain Pennell learned from Mrs. Harold of the little girl up at Round
Bay. He was not only willing to accept Peggy as a second pupil, but
delighted to welcome the addition to his "Co-ed Institution" as he
called it. He had grown very fond of his pupil in the brief time she had
worked with him, but felt sure that a little competition would lend zest
to the work. He was deeply interested in the novel plan and wished his
pupil to give her old chum and schoolmate a lively contest. Moreover, he
was a lonely man whom ill-health and sorrow had left little to expect
from life. His wife and only daughter had died in Guam soon after the
end of the Spanish war, in which he had received the wound which had
incapacitated him for service and forced him to retire in what should
have been the prime of life. Since that hour he had lived only to kill
time; the deadliest fate to which a human being can be condemned. Until
Polly entered his lonely world it would have been hard to picture a
duller life than he led, but her sunshiny soul seemed to have reflected
some of its light upon him, and he was happier than he had been in
years.
It is safe to say that the description of Peggy, her home, her horses
and all pertaining to her, lost nothing in Polly's telling and it was
agreed that she should become a special course co-ed upon the following
Monday.
And out at Severndale an equally eager, enthusiastic little body was
awaiting the ringing of the telephone bell, and when at nine o'clock
Sunday morning its cheerful jingling summoned Peggy from her breakfast
table, she was as happy as she well could be and promised faithfully to
be at Wilmot at nine o'clock the following morning.
And so began a friendship destined to last as long as the girls lived,
and the glorious autumn days were filled with delights for them both. To
Peggy it was a wonderful world.
The Tuesday following Polly went to Severndale and her first riding
lesson began, with more or less quaking upon her part, it must be
confessed. She felt tremendously high up in the air when she first found
herself upon Silver Star's back. But he behaved like a gentleman,
seeming to realize that the usual order of things was being reversed and
that he was teaching instead of being taught. So, in spite of Shashai's
wicked hints for a prank, he conducted himself in a manner most
exemplary and Polly went back to Wilmot Hall as enthusiastic as she well
could be.
Mrs. Harold had invited Peggy to spend the week-end at Wilmot. She
wished her to meet some of Polly's friends and she, herself, wished to
know the young girl better. So Dr. Llewellyn's permission was asked and
promptly granted, and with his consent won that of Harrison and Mammy
Lucy was a mere form. Nevertheless, Peggy was too wise to overlook
asking, for Harrison fancied herself the embodiment of the law, and
Mammy Lucy, in her own estimation at least, stood for the dignity of the
Stewart family. And the preparations for the little week-end visit were
undertaken with a degree of ceremony which might have warranted a trip
to Europe. Peggy's suitcase was packed by Mammy's own hands, Harrison
hovering near to make sure that nothing was overlooked, to Mammy's
secret disgust, for she felt herself fully capable of attending to it.
Then came the question of going in, Peggy very naturally expecting to go
by the electric car as she had during the week. But NO! Such an
undignified entrance into Wilmot was not to be thought of. She must be
driven in by Jess.
"But Mammy, how ridiculous," protested Peggy. "I can get a boy at the
station to carry my suitcase to the hotel."
Mammy looked at her in disdain.
"Git one ob dem no 'count dirty little nigger boys what hangs round dat
railway station to tote yo' shute case, a-tailin' long behime yo' for
all de worl lak a tromp. What yo' 'spose yo' pa would say to we-all if
we let yo' go a-visitin' in amy sich style as dat, an' yo' a Stewart AN'
de daughter ob a naval officer who's gwine visit de wife ob one ob his
'Cademy frien's! Chile, yo's cl'ar crazy. Yo' go in de proper style
lemme tell yo', or yo' aim gwine go 'tall. Yo' hear ME?"
And Peggy had to meekly submit, realizing that there were SOME laws
which even a Stewart might not violate. So on Saturday afternoon Comet
and Meteor tooled the surrey along by beautiful woodland and field,
Peggy clad in her pretty autumn suit and hat, her suitcase at Jess'
feet, and herself as properly dignified as the occasion demanded, while
in her secret heart she resolved to enlist Mrs. Harold upon her side and
in future make her visits with less ceremony.