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diff --git a/33910.txt b/33910.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..122c3d3 --- /dev/null +++ b/33910.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8678 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Jolliest Term on Record, by Angela Brazil + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Jolliest Term on Record + A Story of School Life + +Author: Angela Brazil + +Illustrator: Balliol Salmon + +Release Date: October 20, 2010 [EBook #33910] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JOLLIEST TERM ON RECORD *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +The Jolliest Term on Record + + + + + BY ANGELA BRAZIL + + "Angela Brazil has proved her undoubted talent for writing a story + of schoolgirls for other schoolgirls to read."--Bookman. + + A Popular Schoolgirl. + The Princess of the School. + A Harum-Scarum Schoolgirl. + The Head Girl at the Gables. + A Patriotic Schoolgirl. + For the School Colours. + The Madcap of the School. + The Luckiest Girl in the School. + The Jolliest Term on Record. + The Girls of St. Cyprian's. + The Youngest Girl in the Fifth. + The New Girl at St. Chad's. + For the Sake of the School. + The School by the Sea. + The Leader of the Lower School. + A Pair of Schoolgirls. + A Fourth Form Friendship. + The Manor House School. + The Nicest Girl in the School. + The Third Class at Miss Kaye's. + The Fortunes of Philippa. + + LONDON: BLACKIE & SON, LTD., 50 OLD BAILEY, E.C. + + + + +[Illustration: "LEFT ALONE, THE TWO GIRLS WERE NOT SLOW IN DISCUSSING +THE WONDERFUL NEWS"] + + + + + The Jolliest Term + on Record + + A Story of School Life + + BY + + ANGELA BRAZIL + + Author of "For the Sake of the School" + "The Girls of St. Cyprian's" + "The School by the Sea" + &c. &c. + + _Illustrated by Balliol Salmon_ + + BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED + LONDON GLASGOW AND BOMBAY + + + + +Contents + + + CHAP. Page + + I. THE NEW SCHOOL 9 + + II. A SCRAPE 23 + + III. SHAKING DOWN 36 + + IV. THE SCHOOL MASCOT 50 + + V. LILAC GRANGE 64 + + VI. AN AWKWARD PREDICAMENT 78 + + VII. THE MAD HATTERS 93 + + VIII. AN ADVENTURE 108 + + IX. THE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP 122 + + X. AN ANTIQUE PURCHASE 136 + + XI. WATERLOO DAY 148 + + XII. KATRINE'S AMBITION 162 + + XIII. GITHA'S SECRET 175 + + XIV. A MIDNIGHT ALARM 189 + + XV. AMATEUR ARTISTS 202 + + XVI. CONCERNS A LETTER 215 + + XVII. THE WISHING WELL 226 + + XVIII. A DISCOVERY 236 + + XIX. AN ACCIDENT 246 + + XX. BOB GARTLEY EXPLAINS 257 + + XXI. THE SPORTS 268 + + XXII. THE OLD OAK CUPBOARD 279 + + + + +Illustrations + + + Page + + "LEFT ALONE, THE TWO GIRLS WERE NOT SLOW IN + DISCUSSING THE WONDERFUL NEWS" _Frontispiece_ 14 + + "'THE GOOSE GIRL, BY ALL THAT'S WONDERFUL!' + WHISPERED GWETHYN" 28 + + "GWETHYN TORE OFF THE SILK HANDKERCHIEFS. SHE + SAW AT ONCE WHAT HAD HAPPENED" 102 + + "THE UNPLEASANT TRUTH WAS HOPELESSLY PLAIN--THEY + WERE PRISONERS IN THE EMPTY HOUSE" 118 + + "'I BELIEVE I'VE BROKEN MY LEG', HE MOANED" 248 + + "'THIS CONCERNS US VERY MUCH, GITHA. IT'S YOUR + GRANDFATHER'S LAST WILL'" 284 + + + + +THE JOLLIEST TERM ON RECORD + + + + +CHAPTER I + +The New School + + +"Katrine!" said Gwethyn, in her most impressive manner, "have you +noticed anything peculiar going on in this house the last two or three +days?" + +"Why, no," replied Katrine abstractedly, taking a fresh squeeze of +cobalt blue, and mixing it carefully with the rose madder and the yellow +ochre already on her palette. "Nothing at all unusual. Gwethyn, be +careful! You nearly sat down on my brigand, and his head's still wet!" + +"Peccavi! I didn't see he was there," apologized Gwethyn, rescuing the +canvas in question, and placing it in a position of greater safety on +the mantelpiece. "Considering you've got absolutely every single chair +littered with books, paints, and turpentine bottles, there really +doesn't seem a spot left to sit upon," she continued in an injured +tone. + +"Except the table," returned Katrine, hastily moving a box of pastels +and a pile of loose drawings to make room. "Please don't disturb my +things. I've been sorting them out, and I don't want to get them mixed +up again. Squat here, if you're tired, and leave the bottles alone." + +"I am tired. I'm nearly dead. I bicycled all the way to Lindley Park and +back with Mona Taylor on the step. She _would_ make me take her! And +she's no light weight, the young Jumbo!" + +"Poor martyr! would you like a drink of turpentine to revive you? Sorry +the chocs are finished." + +"Don't mock me! Mona's a decent kid, but she really was the limit +to-day. I'll see myself at Jericho before I let her climb on my step +again. But Kattie, to go back to what I was saying before you +interrupted me--haven't you noticed there's a something, a most decided +something in the wind?" + +"Your imagination, my dear child, is one of your brightest talents. +You're particularly clever at noticing what isn't there." + +"And you're as blind as a bat! Can't you see for yourself that Father +and Mother have got some secret they're keeping from us? Why are we +having our summer dresses made in April? Why are all our underclothes +being overhauled and counted? Why did two new trunks arrive yesterday, +with K. H. M. and G. C. M. painted on them in red letters? Why did +Father just begin to say something last night, and Mother shut him up in +a hurry, and he look conscience-stricken, and murmur: 'I'd forgotten +they don't know yet'? Girl alive! if you're blind I'm not. There's +something exciting on foot. I'm wild to find out what. Why doesn't +Mother tell us? It's too bad." + +"She's just going to now," said a voice from the door, and a small, +bright-eyed little lady walked in, laughing. "You shan't be kept in the +dark any longer, poor injured creatures! I'll make a clean breast of it +at last." + +"Mumsie!" cried both girls, jumping up, and sweeping away the books and +painting materials that encumbered the one arm-chair. "Sit here, you +darling! It isn't turpentiny, really! Here's the cushion. Are you comfy +now? Well, do please begin and tell. We're all in a dither to know." + +"Brace your nerves then, chicks! First and foremost, Father has been +asked in a hurry to go out to the Scientific Conference at Sydney, and +give the lectures on Geology in place of Professor Baillie, who has been +taken ill, and can't keep his engagement. He has accepted, and must +start by the 28th. He wants me to go with him. We shall probably be away +for three months." + +"And leave us!" Gwethyn's voice was reproachful. "Are we to be two sort +of half orphans for three whole months? Oh, Mumsie!" + +"It can't be helped," replied Mrs. Marsden, stroking the brown head +apologetically. "What a Mummie's baby you are still! Remember, it's a +great honour for Father to be asked to take the Geology chair at the +Conference. He's ever so pleased about it. And of course I must go too, +because----" + +The girls smiled simultaneously, and with complete understanding. + +"If you weren't there to remind him, Mumsie, Daddie'd forget which days +his lectures were on!" twinkled Katrine. "Yes, and I verily believe he'd +put his coat on inside out, or wear two hats, or do something horrible, +if he were thinking very hard of the Pleistocene period. He'd be utterly +lost without you. No, you couldn't let him go alone!" + +"It's not to be thought of," agreed Mrs. Marsden hastily. + +"Pack Kattie and me inside your trunk," urged Gwethyn's beseeching +voice. "I'd like to see Australia." + +"Too expensive a business for four. No, we've made other plans for you. +Get up, Baby! You're too heavy to nurse. Go and sit somewhere else--yes, +on the table, if you like. Well, Father and I have talked the matter +thoroughly over, and we've decided to send you both for a term to a +boarding-school we know of in Redlandshire." + +"To school!" shrieked Katrine. "But, Mumsie, I left school last +Christmas! Why, I've almost turned my hair up! I can't go back and be a +kid again--it's quite impossible!" + +"No one wants you to do that. I have made special arrangements for you +with Mrs. Franklin. You are to join some of the classes, and spend the +rest of your time studying painting. Mrs. Franklin's sister, Miss +Aubrey, is a very good artist, and will take you out sketching. Isn't +that a cheering prospect? You've wanted so much to have lessons in +landscape." + +"Not so bad--but I'm suffering still from shock!" returned Katrine. +"School's school, anyhow you like to put it. And when I thought I'd left +for good!" + +"And where do I come in?" wailed a melancholy voice from the table. +"You're Katrine, and I'm only Gwethyn. I'm too mi-ser-able for words, +Mumsie, you've betrayed us shamefully. I didn't think it of you. Or +Daddie either. Do please change your minds!" + +"No; for once we're hard-hearted parents," laughed Mrs. Marsden. "I +wrote last night and arranged definitely and finally for you to go to +Aireyholme on the 21st." + +"I suppose I can take Tony with me?" asked Gwethyn anxiously, quitting +her seat on the table to catch up a small Pekinese spaniel and press a +kiss on his snub nose. "He'd break his little heart with fretting, bless +him, if I left him behind. Wouldn't you, Tootitums?" + +"I'm afraid that's impossible. We must board Tony out while we're away. +I dare say Mrs. Wilson at the market gardens would look after him, or +Mary might take him home with her. Now, Gwethyn, don't make a fuss, for +I can't help it. I'm doing the best I can for everybody. You don't +realize what a business it is to start for Australia at such a short +notice, and have to shut up one's house, and dispose of one's family, +all in three weeks' time. I'm nearly distracted with making so many +arrangements." + +"Poor darling little Mumsie!" said Katrine, squatting down by the +arm-chair, and cuddling her mother's hand. "You'll be glad when it's +over and you're safe on board ship. Which way do people sail for +Australia? I don't know any geography." + +"We go through the Suez Canal----" + +"Oh, Mumsie! Hereward!" interrupted both the girls eagerly. + +Mrs. Marsden's eyes were shining. + +"I'm not counting on seeing him," she protested. "It's wildly improbable +he'd get leave, and we only have a few hours, I believe, at Port Said. +Still, of course, there's always just the possibility." + +"Now I understand why you're so keen to go to Australia," said Gwethyn. +"You darling humbug! You'd have made Daddie accept a lectureship on the +top of Chimborazo, or at the North Pole, if there were a chance of +seeing Hereward for ten seconds on the way. Confess you would!" + +"I suppose I'm as weak-minded as most mothers who have an only son in +the army," said Mrs. Marsden, rising from her basket-chair. "One can't +keep one's bairns babies for ever. They grow up only too fast, and fly +from the nest. Well, I've told you the great secret, so I'll leave you +to digest it at your leisure, chicks. Aireyholme is a delightful school. +I'm sure you'll enjoy being there. Perhaps you're going to have the time +of your lives!" + +Left alone, the two girls were not slow in discussing the wonderful +news. The room where they were sitting was a large attic, which had been +converted into a studio. The drab walls were covered with sketches in +oils, water-colours, pencil or chalk; a couple of easels, paint-boxes, +palettes, drawing-paper, and canvases, and a litter of small +articles--india-rubbers, mediums, pastels, and stumps--gave a very +artistic general effect, and suggested plenty of work on the part of the +owners. Both the sisters were fond of painting, and Katrine, at any +rate, spent much of her spare time here. With her blue eyes, regular +features, clear pale complexion, and plentiful red-gold hair, Katrine +looked artistic to her finger-tips. She was just seventeen, and, owing +to her extreme predilection for painting, had persuaded her parents to +take her from the High School, and let her attend the School of Art, +where she could devote all her energies to her pet subject. On the +strength of this promotion she regarded herself as almost, if not quite, +grown up--a view that was certainly not shared by her mother, and was +perhaps a determining influence in Mrs. Marsden's decision to send her +to a boarding-school. + +Gwethyn, two years younger, was a bright, merry, jolly, independent +damsel, with twinkling hazel eyes and ripply brown hair, a pair of +beguiling dimples at the corners of her mouth, and a nose which, as +Tennyson kindly expresses it, was inclined to be tip-tilted. Unromantic +Gwethyn did not care a toss about "High Art", though in her way she was +rather clever at painting, and inclined to follow Katrine's lead. She +liked drawing animals, or niggers, or copying funny pictures from comic +papers; and sometimes, I fear, she was guilty of caricaturing the +mistresses at school, to the immense edification of the rest of the +form. While Katrine painted fairies, Gwethyn would be drawing grinning +gargoyles or goblins, with a spirited dash about the lines, and much +humour in the expression of the faces. Sometimes these artistic efforts, +produced at inopportune moments in school, got her into trouble, but +wrath from head-quarters had little permanent effect upon Gwethyn. Her +irrepressible spirits bobbed cheerily up again when the scoldings were +over, and her eyes, instead of being filled with penitential tears, +would be twinkling with suppressed fun. + +Just now she was sitting on the table in the studio, hugging Tony, and +trying to adjust her mental vision to the new prospect which opened +before her. + +"It's hard luck to have to leave the 'High' when I'd really a chance for +the tennis championship," she mourned. "I suppose they'll play tennis at +this new school? I hope to goodness they won't be very prim. I guess +I'll wake them up a little if they are. Katrine, do you hear? I'm going +to have high jinks somehow." + +"Jink if you like!" returned Katrine dolefully. "It's all very well for +you--you're only changing schools. But I'd left! And I'd quite made up +my mind to turn up my hair this term. Of course I'll like the +landscape-painting. I can do lots of things for the sketching club while +I'm away, but--it's certainly a venture! Perhaps an adventure!" + +"It'll be a surprise packet, at any rate," laughed Gwethyn. "We don't +know the place, or the people we're going to meet, or anything at all +about it. Kattie, I felt serious a minute ago, but the sight of your +lugubrious face makes me cackle. I want to sketch you for a gargoyle--a +melancholy one this time. That's better! Now you're laughing! Look here, +we'll have some fun out of this business, somehow. I'm going to enjoy +myself, and if you don't play up and follow suit, you're no sister of +mine." + + * * * * * + +A fortnight later, the two girls were waving good-bye from the window of +a train that steamed slowly out of Hartfield station. Even Gwethyn +looked a trifle serious as a railway arch hid the last glimpse of Mumsie +standing on the platform, and Katrine conveniently got something in her +eye, which required the vigorous application of her pocket-handkerchief. +They cheered up, however, when the city was passed, and suburban villas +began to give place to fields and hawthorn hedges. After all, novelty +was delightful, and for town-bred girls three months of country life, +even at school, held out attractions. It was a four hours' journey to +Carford, where they changed. The express was late, and, somewhat to +their dismay, they found they had missed the local train, and would have +to wait three hours for the next. As it was only eight miles to +Heathwell, the village where the school was situated, they decided to +ride there on their bicycles, leaving their luggage to follow by rail. +The prospect of a cycling jaunt seemed far pleasanter than waiting at an +uninteresting junction; it would be fun to explore the country, and they +would probably arrive at school earlier by carrying out this plan. + +Through the sweet, fresh-scented lanes, therefore, they started, where +the young leaves were lovely with the tender green of late April, and +the banks gay with celandine stars and white stitchwort, and the +thrushes and blackbirds were chanting rival choruses in the hedgerow, +and the larks were rising up from the fields with their little brown +throats bubbling over with the message of spring. On and on, mile after +mile of softly undulating country, where red-roofed farms lay among +orchards full of blossom, and a river wandered between banks of osiers +and pollard willows, and the sleek white-faced cattle grazed in meadows +flowery as gardens. It seemed a fitting way to Eden; but the girls had +not quite anticipated the little Paradise that burst upon their view +when a bend of the road brought them suddenly into the heart of +Heathwell. Surely they must have left the present century, and by some +strange jugglery of fate have turned back the clock, and found +themselves transported to mediaeval times. The broad village street ran +from the old market hall at one end to the ancient church at the other, +flanked on either side by black-and-white houses so quaint in design, +and so picturesque in effect, that they might have stepped from a +painting of the seventeenth century. The cobble-stoned cause-way, the +irregular flights of steps, the creepers climbing to the very chimneys, +the latticed windows, the swinging inn-sign with its heraldic dragon, +all combined to make up a scene which was typically representative of +Merrie England. + +"Are we awake, or are we in an Elizabethan dream?" asked Katrine, +dismounting from her bicycle to stand and survey the prospect. + +"I don't know. I feel as if I were on the stage of a Shakespearian play. +A crowd of peasants with May garlands ought to come running out of that +archway and perform a morris dance, then the principal characters should +walk on by the side wings." + +"It's too fascinating for words. I wonder where Aireyholme is?" + +"We shall have to ask our way. Ought one to say: 'Prithee, good knave, +canst inform me?' or 'Hold, gentle swain, I have need of thy counsel'?" + +"We shall start with a reputation for lunacy, if you do!" + +The school proved to be not very far away from the village. Aireyholme, +as it was aptly called, was a large, comfortable, rather old-fashioned +house that stood on a small hill overlooking the river. Orchards, in the +glory of their spring bloom, made a pink background for the white +chimneys and the grey-slated roof; a smooth tennis lawn with four courts +faced the front, and in a field adjoining the river were some hockey +goals. + +"Not so utterly benighted!" commented Gwethyn, as she and Katrine +wheeled their bicycles up the drive. "There's more room for games here +than we had at the 'High'. I'm glad I bought that new racket. Wonder +what their play's like? I say, these are ripping courts!" + +To judge by the soft thud of balls behind the bushes, and the cries that +registered the scoring, several sets of tennis were in progress, and as +the girls turned the corner of the shrubbery, and came out on to the +carriage sweep before the front door, they had an excellent view of the +lawn. Their sudden appearance, however, stopped the games. The players +had evidently been expecting them, and, running up, greeted them in +characteristic schoolgirl fashion. + +"Hello! Are you Katrine and Gwethyn Marsden?" + +"So you've turned up at last!" + +"Did you miss your train?" + +"Miss Spencer was in an awful state of mind when you weren't at the +station. She went to meet you." + +"Have you biked all the way from Carford?" + +"Yes, and we're tired, and as hungry as hunters," returned Katrine. "Our +luggage is coming by the 5.30. We missed the 2.15, so we thought we'd +rather ride on than wait. Where can we put our bikes?" + +"I'll show you," said a tall girl, who seemed to assume the lead. "At +least, Jess and Novie can put them away for you now, and I'll take you +straight to Mrs. Franklin. She'll be most fearfully relieved to see you; +she gets herself into such stews over anybody who doesn't arrive on the +nail. I'm Viola Webster. I'll introduce the others afterwards. You'll +soon get to know us all, I expect. There are thirty-six here this term, +counting yourselves. Did you bring rackets? Oh, good! We're awfully keen +on tennis. So are you? Dorrie Vernon will be glad to hear that. She's +our games secretary. I wonder if Mrs. Franklin is in the study, or in +the drawing-room? Perhaps you'd better wait here while I find her. Oh, +there she is after all, coming down the stairs!" + + * * * * * + +The new world into which Katrine and Gwethyn were speedily introduced, +was a very different affair from the High School which they had +previously attended. The smaller number of pupils, and the fact that it +was a boarding-school, made the girls on far more intimate terms with +one another than is possible in a large day-school. Mrs. Franklin, the +Principal, was a woman of strong character. She had been a lecturer at +college before her marriage, and after her husband's death had begun her +work at Aireyholme in order to find some outlet for her energies. Her +two sons were both at the front, one in the Territorials, and the other +as a naval chaplain. Her only daughter, Ermengarde, had lately been +married to a clergyman. Tall, massive, perhaps even a trifle masculine +in appearance, Mrs. Franklin hid a really kind heart under a rather +uncompromising and masterful manner. She was a clever manager, an +admirable housekeeper, and ruled her little kingdom well and wisely. +Both in features and personality she resembled an ancient Roman matron, +and among the girls she was often known as "the mother of the Gracchi". + +Mrs. Franklin's sister, Miss Aubrey, who lived at the school, was an +artist of considerable talent. She superintended the art teaching, and +gave the rest of her time to landscape-painting, in both oil and water +colours. It was largely the fact that Katrine might have sketching +lessons from Miss Aubrey which had influenced Mr. and Mrs. Marsden in +their choice of Aireyholme. The art department was a very important +feature of that school. Any talent shown among the pupils was carefully +fostered. The general atmosphere of the place was artistic; the girls +were familiar with reproductions of pictures from famous galleries, they +took in _The Art Magazine_ and _The Studio_, they revelled in +illustrated catalogues of the Salon or the Royal Academy, and dabbled in +many mediums--oil, water colour, pastel, crayon, and tempera. The big +studio was perhaps the pet room of the house; it was Liberty Hall, where +anybody might pursue her favourite project, and though some of the +attempts were certainly rather crude, they were all helpful in training +eye and hand to work together. + +Of the other mistresses, Miss Spencer was bookish, and Miss Andrews +athletic. The former was rather cold and dignified, an excellent and +painstaking, though not very inspiring teacher. She spoke slowly and +precisely, and there was a smack of college about her, a scholastic +officialism of manner that raised a barrier of reserve between herself +and her pupils, difficult to cross. Very different was Miss Andrews, +whose hearty, breezy ways were more those of a monitress than of a +mistress. She laughed and joked with the girls almost like one of +themselves, though she could assert her authority emphatically when she +wished. Needless to say she was highly popular, and although she had +only been a year at Aireyholme, she was already regarded as an +indispensable feature of the establishment. Into this busy and highly +organized little community Katrine and Gwethyn, as new-comers, must +shake themselves down. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A Scrape + + +Katrine and Gwethyn had been given a bedroom over the porch, a dear +little room with roses and jasmine clustering round the windows, and +with an excellent view of the tennis lawn. They arranged their +possessions there after tea, and when their photos, books, work-baskets, +and writing-cases had found suitable niches the place began to have +quite a home-like appearance. + +"It's not so bad, considering it's school," commented Gwethyn; "I +believe I'm going to like one or two of those girls." + +"I don't know whether I'm going to like Mrs. Franklin," objected +Katrine. "She's inclined to boss as if one were a kid. I hope Mother +made her quite understand that I'm past seventeen, and not an 'ordinary +schoolgirl'." + +"You're younger than Viola Webster, though, or that other girl--what's +her name?--Dorrie Vernon," returned Gwethyn. "What have you got there? +Oh, Katrine! A box of hairpins! Now you promised Mumsie you wouldn't +turn up your hair!" + +"I was only just going to try it sometimes, for fun. When a girl is as +tall as I am, it's ridiculous to see her with a plait flapping down her +back. I'm sure I look older than either Viola or Dorrie. Most people +would take me for eighteen." Katrine was staring anxiously at herself in +the glass. "I'm not going to be treated here like a junior. They needn't +begin it." + +"Oh, you'll settle them all right, I dare say!" answered Gwethyn +abstractedly. She was calculating the capacities of the top drawer, and, +moreover, she was accustomed to these outbursts on the part of her +sister. + +Katrine put the hairpins, not on the dressing-table, but in a handy spot +of her right-hand drawer, where she could easily get at them. It was +absurd of Gwethyn to make such a fuss, so she reflected. A girl of only +fifteen cannot possibly enter into the feelings of one who is nearly +grown up. + +She preserved a rather distant manner at supper. It would not be +dignified to unbend all at once to strangers. Gwethyn, always too +hail-fellow-well-met with everybody, was talking to her next neighbour, +and evidently eliciting much information; an unrestrained chuckle on her +part caused Mrs. Franklin to cast a glance of surprise at that +particular portion of the table. By bedtime both the new-comers were +feeling serious; they would not for the world have confessed to +home-sickness, but Katrine observed that she hoped vessels bound for +Australia never blundered into German mines, and Gwethyn said she had +seen in one of the papers that there was an outbreak of enteric among +the troops in Egypt, and she wondered if it were in Hereward's regiment; +neither of which remarks was calculated to raise their spirits. + +The beds had spring mattresses, and were quite as comfortable as those +at home. By all ordinary natural laws the girls, tired with their +journey, ought to have slept the slumbers of the just immediately their +heads touched their pillows. Instead of doing anything so sensible, they +lay talking until they were both so excited and so thoroughly wideawake +that sleep refused to be wooed. Hour after hour they tossed and turned, +counting imaginary sheep jumping over gates, repeating pieces of poetry, +and trying the hundred-and-one expedients that are supposed to be +infallible brain lullers, but all with no effect. Outside, owls were +hooting a continual dismal concert of "twoo-hoo-hoo!" + +"I like owls from a natural history point of view," groaned Katrine, +"and I've no doubt they're only telling one another about fat mice and +sparrows; but I wish they'd be quiet and not talk! They're far more +disturbing than trams and taxis." + +"Talk of the peace of the country! I should like to know where it is!" +agreed Gwethyn, turning her pillow for the fourteenth time. "There's a +cock crowing now, and a dog barking!" + +"It's impossible to sleep a wink," declared Katrine, jumping out of bed +in desperation, and drawing aside the window curtain. "I believe it's +getting light." + +There was a stirring of dawn in the air. All the world seemed wrapped in +a transparent grey veil, just thin enough for objects to loom dimly +through the dusk. She could see the heavy outlines of the trees at the +farther side of the lawn. A thrush was already giving a preliminary +note, and sparrows were beginning to twitter under the eaves. + +"What's the use of stopping in bed when one can't sleep?" exclaimed +Katrine. "Let us dress, find our machines, and go for a spin." + +"What! Go out now?" + +"Why not? People are supposed to get up early in the country." + +"All right! If you're game, I am." + +The two girls had not been accustomed to much discipline at home, and +their notions of school rules were rudimentary. The idea of getting up +so early and going out to explore struck them both as delightfully +enterprising and adventurous. They made a hurried toilet, crept +cautiously downstairs, and found the passage at the back of the house, +where their bicycles had been temporarily placed the night before. It +was an easy matter to unbolt a side door, and make their way through the +garden and down the drive. Before the day was much older, they were +riding along the quiet dim road in that calm silence that precedes the +dawn. The air was most fresh and exhilarating. As their machines sped +through the grey morning mist, they felt almost as if they were on +aeroplanes, rushing among the clouds. At first all was dark and vague +and mysterious, but every minute the light was growing stronger, and +presently they could distinguish the gossamer, hung like a tangled magic +web upon the hedges, in dainty shimmering masses, as if the pixies had +been spinning and weaving in the night, and had not yet had time to +carry off the result of their labours. + +"It's just like a fairy tale," said Gwethyn. "Do you remember the boy +who sat on the fox's tail, and they went on and on till his hair +whistled in the wind? Those rabbits ought to stop and talk, and tell us +about Brer Terrapin and the Tar Baby. I'm sure Uncle Remus is squatting +at the foot of that tree. We shall meet the goose-girl presently, I +expect." + +"What a baby you are! But it is lovely, I agree with you. Oh, Gwethyn, +look at the sky over there! That's a fairy tale, if you like. Let's stop +and watch it." + +It was indeed a glorious sight. The colour, which at first had been +pearly-grey, had changed to transparent opal; then, blushing with a +warmer hue, grew slowly to pink, amber, and violet. Great streamers of +rosy orange began to stretch like ethereal fingers upwards from the +horizon. The fields were in shadow, and a quiet stillness reigned, as if +the world paused, waiting in hope and expectancy for that fresh and ever +wonderful vision, the miracle of the returning dawn. Then the great +shimmering, glowing sun lifted himself up from among the mists in the +meadows, gaining in brilliance with every foot he ascended till the +light burst out, a flood of brightness, and all the landscape was +radiant. At that, Mother Earth seemed to bestir herself. With the new +day came the fresh pulse of life, and the reawakening of myriads of +nature's children. The first lark went soaring into the purply-blue +overhead; the chaffinches began to tweet in the elms; a white butterfly +fluttered over the hedge; and a marvellous busy throng of insect life +seemed suddenly astir and ahum. It was a different world from that of +an hour before--a living, breathing, working, rejoicing world; the +shadows and the mystery had fled, and left it as fair as if just +created. + +"It was worth getting up for this!" said Katrine. "I've never seen such +a transformation scene in my life. I wish I could paint it. But what +colours could one use? Nothing but stained glass could give that +glowing, glorious, pinky violet!" + +"I haven't the least idea where we are, or how far away from the +school," said Gwethyn. "We rode along quite 'on spec.', and we may have +come two miles or five, for anything I know. Yes, it has been lovely, +and I see you're still wrapt in a sort of rapturous dream, and up among +rosy clouds, but I've come down to earth, and I'm most unromantically +hungry. It seems years since we had supper last night. I wonder if we +couldn't find a farm, and buy some milk." + +"Rose madder mixed with violet lake, and a touch of aureolin and Italian +pink might do it!" murmured Katrine. + +"No, it wouldn't! They'd want current coin of the realm. Have you any +pennies left in your coat pocket?" + +"You mundane creature! I was talking of the sunrise, and not of mere +milk. Yes, I have five pennies and a halfpenny, which ought to buy +enough to take a bath in." + +"I don't want a bath, only a glassful. But it's a case of 'first catch +your farm'. I don't see the very ghost of a chimney anywhere, nothing +but fields and trees." + +"Better go on till we find one, then," said Katrine, mounting her +machine again. + +They rode at least half a mile without passing any human habitation; +then at last the welcome sight of a gate and barns greeted them. + +"It looks like the back of a farm," decided Gwethyn. "Let us leave our +bikes here, and explore." + +Up a short lane, and across a stack-yard, they penetrated into an +orchard. Here, under a maze of pink blossom, a girl of perhaps twelve or +thirteen, with a carriage whip in one hand and a bowl in the other, was +throwing grain to a large flock of poultry--ducks, geese, and hens--that +were collected round her. + +"The goose-girl, by all that's wonderful! I told you it was a fairy-tale +morning!" whispered Gwethyn. "Now for it! I'll go and demand milk. How +ought one to greet a goose-girl?" + +She stepped forward, but at that moment a large collie dog that had been +lying unnoticed at the foot of an apple tree, sprang up suddenly, and +faced her snarling. + +"Good dog! Poor old fellow! Come here, then!" said Gwethyn in a +wheedling voice, hoping to propitiate it, for she was fond of dogs. + +Instead of being pacified by her blandishments, however, it showed its +teeth savagely, and darting behind her, seized her by the skirt. Gwethyn +was not strong-minded. She shrieked as if she were being murdered. + +"Help! Help!" yelled Katrine distractedly. + +The goose-girl was already calling off the dog, and with a well-directed +lash of her long whip sent him howling away. She walked leisurely up to +the visitors. + +"You're more frightened than hurt," she remarked, with a +half-contemptuous glance at Gwethyn. "What do you want here?" + +"We came to ask if we could buy some milk," stammered Katrine. "I +suppose this is a farm?" + +"No, it isn't a farm, and we don't sell milk." + +The girl's tone was ungracious; her appearance also was the reverse of +attractive. Her sharp features and sallow complexion had an unwholesome +look, her hair was lank and lustreless, and the bright, dark eyes did +not hold a pleasant expression. She wore a blue gingham overall pinafore +that hid her dress. + +"Where are you from? And what are you doing here so early?" she +continued, gazing curiously at Katrine and Gwethyn. + +"We've bicycled from Aireyholme----" began Gwethyn. + +"You're never the new girls? Oh, I say! Who gave you leave to go out? +Nobody? Well, I shouldn't care to be you when you get back, that's all! +Mrs. Franklin will have something to say!" + +"Do you know her, then?" gasped Gwethyn. + +"Know her? I should think I do--just a little! If you'll take my advice, +you'll ride back as quick as you can. Ta-ta! I must go and feed my +chickens now. Oh, you will catch it!" + +She walked away, chuckling to herself as if she rather enjoyed the +prospect of their discomfiture; as she turned into the garden she looked +round, and laughed outright. + +"What an odious girl! Who is she?" exclaimed Katrine indignantly. "She +never apologized for her hateful dog catching hold of you. What does +she mean by laughing at us? I should like to teach her manners." + +"Perhaps we'd better be riding back," said Gwethyn uneasily. "They said +breakfast was at eight o'clock. I haven't an idea what the time is. I +wish we'd brought our watches." + +They had cycled farther than they imagined, and in retracing their road +they took a wrong turning, consequently going several miles out of their +way. They were beginning to be rather tired by the time they reached +Aireyholme. The excitement and romance of the spring dawn had faded. +Life seemed quite ordinary and prosaic with the sun high in the heavens. +Perhaps they both felt a little doubtful of their reception, though +neither was prepared to admit it. As they wheeled their machines past +the lower schoolroom window, where the girls were at early morning +preparation, a dozen excited heads bobbed up to look at them. They took +the bicycles through the side door, and left them in the passage. In the +hall they met Coralie Nelson, going to practice, with a pile of music in +her hand. + +"Hello! Is it you?" she exclaimed. "So you've turned up again, after +all! There's been a pretty hullabaloo, I can tell you! Were you trying +to run away?" + +"Of course not," declared Katrine airily. "We were only taking a little +run on our bikes before breakfast. It was delicious riding so early." + +"Was it, indeed! Well, you are the limit for coolness, I must say! You'd +better go and explain to Mrs. Franklin. She's in the study, and +particularly anxious to have the pleasure of seeing you. Hope you'll +have a pleasant interview!" + +"Hope we shall, thanks!" returned Katrine, bluffing the matter off as +well as she could. "I can't see what there is to make such a fuss about! +We're not late for breakfast, I suppose?" + +"Oh dear me, no! You're in excellent time!" Coralie's tone was +sarcastic. "Punctuality is considered a great virtue at Aireyholme. +Perhaps you may be congratulated upon it! I won't prophesy! On the whole +I wouldn't change into your shoes, though!" + +"We don't want you to," retorted Gwethyn. + +The two girls tapped at the study door, and entered with well-assumed +nonchalance. Katrine, in particular, was determined to show her +superiority to the conventions which might hedge in ordinary pupils. A +girl of seventeen, who had left school last Christmas, must not allow +herself to be treated as the rest of the rank and file. At the sight of +the Principal's calm, determined face, however, her courage began to +slip away. Somehow she did not feel quite so grown-up as she had +expected. Mrs. Franklin had not kept school for fifteen years for +nothing. Her keen, grey eyes could quell the most unruly spirit. + +"Katrine and Gwethyn Marsden, what is the meaning of this?" she began +peremptorily. "Who gave you leave of absence before breakfast?" + +"We saw no reason to ask," replied Katrine. "We couldn't sleep, so we +thought we'd get up early, and take a spin on our machines." + +"Please to understand for the future that such escapades are strictly +forbidden. There are certain free hours during the day, and there are +definite school bounds, which one of the monitresses will explain to you +later on. No girl is allowed to exceed these limits without special +permission." + +[Illustration: "'THE GOOSE GIRL, BY ALL THAT'S WONDERFUL!' WHISPERED +GWETHYN"] + +"But I thought Mother said I wasn't to be in the ordinary school," urged +Katrine. + +"Your mother has placed you in my charge," frowned Mrs. Franklin, "and +my decision upon every question must be final. While you are at +Aireyholme you will follow our usual rules. I make exceptions for +nobody. Don't let me have to remind you of this again." + +The Principal's manner was authoritative; her large presence and +handsome Roman features seemed to give extra weight to her words. She +was evidently not accustomed to argue with her pupils. Katrine, with +those steely blue eyes fixed upon her, had the wisdom to desist from +further excuses. She left the room outwardly submissive, though inwardly +raging. At seventeen to be treated like a kindergarten infant, indeed! +Katrine's dignity was severely wounded. "I don't believe I'm going to +like this place," she remarked to Gwethyn as they went upstairs. + +The rest of the morning until dinner-time seemed a confused whirl to the +Marsdens. Last night they had been let alone, but now they were +initiated into the many and manifold ways of the school. They were +placed respectively in the Sixth and Fifth Form; desks and lockers were +apportioned to them; they were given new books, and allotted certain +times for practising on the piano. At the eleven-o'clock interval they +made the more intimate acquaintance of at least half of their +school-fellows. + +"Did you get into a scrape with Mother Franklin?" asked Coralie. "The +idea of your going gallivanting off on your own this morning! By the +by, your bikes have been put in the shed with the others. It's locked up +at night. We get special exeats sometimes to go long rides, so don't +look so doleful. Shall I tell you who some of the girls are? You know +Viola Webster, our captain, and Dorrie Vernon, our tennis champion? That +fair one, talking to them, is Diana Bennett. They're our monitresses. +Those inseparables are Jill Barton and Ivy Parkins. The one with two +pig-tails is Rose Randall; and those round-faced kids are Belgian +refugees--Yvonne and Melanie de Boeck. They're supposed to be improving +our French, but as a matter of fact they talk English--of a sort--most +of the time. That's Laura Browne playing tennis left-handed. I warn you +that she's sure to take you up hotly for a day or two, while you're new, +but she'll drop you again afterwards. Anyone else you'd like to ask +about? I'll act school directory!" + +Coralie rattled on in a half good-natured, half quizzical fashion, +giving brief biographical sketches of her companions, introducing some, +and indicating others. Most of the girls were collected round the tennis +lawn watching the sets. A group of juniors seated on a bench attracted +Katrine's attention. Standing near them, though somewhat apart, was one +whose thin angular figure and sharp pale face seemed familiar; even +without the blue overall pinafore it was easy enough to recognize her. +Katrine nudged Gwethyn, and both simultaneously exclaimed: "The +goose-girl!" + +"Who is that dreadful child?" asked Katrine. "We met her while we were +out this morning, and she wasn't civil. Her face is just the colour of +a fungus!" + +Coralie laughed. + +"Oh! that's Githa Hamilton. She's not exactly celebrated for her sweet +temper." + +"So I should imagine. What was she doing out of bounds before seven +o'clock?" + +"She's not a boarder. She lives with an uncle and aunt, and comes to +school on her bicycle. She's the only day-girl we have. I'd hate to be a +day-girl--you're out of everything." + +"I shouldn't think such an extraordinary little toadstool would be in +anything, even if she were a boarder," commented Gwethyn, who had not +forgiven the savage assault of the collie, and the contemptuous "You're +more frightened than hurt!" of its mistress. + +"You're about right there. Githa's no particular favourite, even in her +own form." + +"If I'd straight lank hair like that, I'd friz it every night," declared +Gwethyn emphatically. "She's the plainest girl in the school! That's my +opinion of her!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +Shaking Down + + +If Katrine and Gwethyn had taken a dislike to the "Toadstool", as they +nicknamed Githa Hamilton, that elfish damsel seemed ready to return the +sentiment with interest. She divined their weak points with horrible +intuition, and her sharp little tongue was always armed with caustic +remarks. She would stand watching them like a malign imp when they +played tennis, sneering if they made bad strokes, and rejoicing over +their opponents' scores with ostentatious triumph. At Katrine's airs +of dignity she scoffed openly, and she would call in question Gwethyn's +really quite harmless little exaggerations with ruthless punctiliousness. +The new-comers tried to preserve an airy calm, and treat this offensive +junior as beneath their notice; but she was a determined enemy, returning +constantly to the assault, and the skirmishes continued. + +A complete contrast to Githa's spirit of opposition was the behaviour of +Laura Browne. As Coralie had predicted, she took up the new girls hotly. +She walked with them or sat next to them on every possible occasion, +asked for their autographs, obtained snapshots of them with her Brownie +camera, and gushed over their home photos and private possessions. + +"It's so nice to have someone at the school with whom I really feel I +can become friends," she assured Gwethyn. "The moment I saw you both, I +fell in love with you. I believe strongly in first impressions--don't +you? Something seems to tell me there's to be a link between our lives. +How romantic to have a brother at the front! I think his portrait in +uniform is simply perfect. I shall ask you to lend it to me sometimes, +when you can spare it. It does one good to look at a hero like that. I +wish my brothers were old enough to join. They're at the mischievous age +at present. I envy you your luck." + +And Laura sighed dramatically. Katrine, mindful of Coralie's hint, +received these advances with caution, but Gwethyn, who was not a very +discriminating little person, felt rather flattered. After all, it is +highly pleasant to be openly admired, your friendship courted, your +wishes consulted, and your opinions treated with deference. In the first +flush of her enthusiasm she readily drew a sketch in Laura's album, +embroidered a handkerchief for her, and proffered peppermint creams as +long as the box lasted. She submitted peaceably to lend penknife, +scissors, pencils, or any other unconsidered trifles, and when she was +obliged to ask for them back, her new friend was so ready with apologies +for their non-return that she felt almost ashamed of having mentioned +the matter. + +Between Githa's evident dislike and Laura's fawning sycophancy was a +wide gap. These two had openly declared themselves "for" or "against"; +the solid block of the school stood aloof. During their first week, at +least, the new girls must be on approval before they settled into the +places which they would eventually occupy. Their sayings and doings were +closely noted, but public opinion reserved itself. The monitresses were +kind, but slightly cool. They did not altogether like Katrine's +attitude. She had given them to understand that she had come to +Aireyholme as an art student, and not as a pupil, and they resented the +assumption of superiority implied. + +"We're all art students here," Diana Bennett had replied stiffly. + +"But you're not taking special private lessons from Miss Aubrey?" asked +Katrine, feeling that she scored by this point. + +"Viola and Dorrie and I are going in for the matric., so we haven't much +time for painting. It's a jolly grind getting up all our subjects, I can +tell you!" + +In the privacy of their own study, the three monitresses discussed the +matter at some length. + +"I rather like them both," said Dorrie. "Katrine's quite an interesting +sort of girl, only she has at present far too high an idea of her own +importance." + +"She's inclined to be a little patronizing," commented Viola. "Of course +that won't do. I'm Captain here, and she'll have quite to realize that. +We can't let a girl come into the school at seventeen and begin to boss +the whole show." + +"Rather not! There ought to be a rule to admit no one over fifteen." + +"Thirteen would be better." + +"Well, at any rate when they're juniors, and have time to get used to +Aireyholme ways. I've been here six years, and if anyone knows the +school traditions, I ought to. No, Miss Katrine Marsden mustn't be +allowed to give herself airs. That I've quite made up my mind about." + +"What do you think of Gwethyn?" + +"She's a harum-scarum, but I like her the better of the two." + +"She's inseparables with Laura Browne." + +"Well, you know Laura! She goes for every new girl, and toadies till +she's got all she can, or grows tired of it. Gwethyn will find her out +in course of time, I suppose." + +"The real gist of the matter," said Dorrie, wrinkling her brows +anxiously, "is whether I'm to put them in the tennis list. They play +uncommonly well." + +"Oh, it wouldn't be fair to let new girls represent the school!" + +"You think so? On the other hand, the school must win by hook or by +crook." + +"Well, I don't think it would do to make either of them a champion, +putting them above the heads of those who have been here for years." + +"It's a difficult question, certainly." + +"Difficult? Not at all; I think it's conclusive!" snapped Viola rather +sharply. "Those who are trained in Aireyholme methods are best fitted to +represent Aireyholme. There can't be two opinions about it." + +There was certainly some occasion for the rather jealous attitude which +the monitresses were inclined to adopt towards Katrine. By the +arrangement which her mother had made with Mrs. Franklin, she was +really more in the position of the old-fashioned "parlour boarder" than +of an ordinary pupil. She had been placed in the Sixth Form, but took +less than half the classes, the rest of her time being devoted to art +lessons. While others were drudging away at Latin translation, or +racking their brains over mathematical problems, she was seated in the +studio, blissfully painting flowers; or, greater luck still, sallying +forth with paint-box and easel to sketch from nature. As the studio was +the favourite haunt of most of the seniors, these special privileges +were the envy of the school. Nan Bethell and Gladwin Riley, in +particular, hitherto the Aireyholme art stars, felt their noses much put +out of joint, and were injured that their mothers had not made a like +arrangement on their behalf. They went so far as to petition Mrs. +Franklin for a similar exemption from certain lessons in favour of +painting. But the Principal was adamant; the Sixth was her own +particular form, she was jealous of its reputation, and by no means +disposed to excuse members, whom she had been coaching for months, the +credit which they ought to gain for the school in the examination lists. +Though art was a pet hobby at Aireyholme, it must not be allowed to +usurp the chief place, to the detriment of Mrs. Franklin's own subjects. + +In the meantime Katrine, quite unaware of these difficulties, wore her +picturesque painting apron for several hours daily, and revelled both in +her work and in the companionship of her new teacher. Miss Aubrey was +the greatest possible contrast to her sister, Mrs. Franklin. Instead of +being tall, imposing, and masterful, she was small, slight, and gentle +in manner. "A ducky little thing", most of the girls called her, and +Katrine endorsed the general opinion. Miss Aubrey certainly would not +have made a good head of the establishment; she was absent-minded, +dreamy, and made no attempt to uphold discipline; but in her own +department she was delightful. The pupils talked with impunity in her +classes, but they nevertheless worked with an enthusiasm that many a +stricter teacher might have failed to inspire. There was an artistic +atmosphere about Miss Aubrey; she always seemed slightly in the clouds, +as if she were busier observing the general picturesque effect of life +than its particular details. In appearance she was pleasing, with soft +grey eyes and smooth brown hair. It was the fashion at the school to +call her pretty. The girls set her down as many years younger than Mrs. +Franklin. The studio was, of course, her special domain at Aireyholme; +she worked much there herself, and quite a collection of her pictures +adorned the walls. The crisp, bold style of painting aroused Katrine's +admiration, and made her long to try her skill at landscape-sketching. +Miss Aubrey had kept her at a study of flowers until she could judge her +capabilities; but at the end of the first week the mistress declared her +ready for more advanced work. + +"I am going into the village this morning to finish a picture of my +own," she announced. "You and your sister may come with me, and I will +start you both at a pretty little subject." + +Gwethyn, whose time-table had been left to the entire discretion of +Mrs. Franklin, was highly elated to find that she was to share some of +Katrine's art privileges. She had never expected such luck, and rejoiced +accordingly. The fact was that Miss Aubrey wished to continue her own +sketch, and to settle Katrine at an easier subject a hundred yards +farther down the street. She thought it might be unpleasant for the girl +to sit alone, and that the sisters would be company for each other. She +would be near enough to keep an eye on them, and to come and correct +their drawings from time to time. Much encumbered, therefore, with +camp-stools, easels, boards, paint-boxes, and other impedimenta, but +feeling almost equal to full-blown artists, the Marsdens, to the wild +envy of their less fortunate school-fellows, sallied forth with Miss +Aubrey down to the village. Their teacher had chosen a very picturesque +little bit for their first attempt--a charming black-and-white cottage, +with an uneven red-tiled roof and an irregular, tumble-down chimney. She +superintended them while they opened their camp-stools and fixed their +easels, then showed them where the principal lines in their sketches +ought to be placed. + +"You mustn't mind if people come and stare at you a little," she +remarked cheerfully. "It's what all artists have to put up with. You'll +get used to it. Now I'm going to my own subject. I shall come back very +soon to see how you're getting on." + +With great satisfaction the girls began blocking in their cottage, +feeling almost like professional artists as they marked roof, angles, +and points of perspective with the aid of a plumb-line. + +"What a lovely little village it is!" exulted Katrine. "And so +delightfully peaceful and quiet. There's nobody about." + +"Yes, it's heavenly! One couldn't sit out sketching in the street at +home," agreed Gwethyn enthusiastically. + +Alas! their bliss was shortlived. They had scarcely been five minutes at +work when they were espied by half a dozen children, who ran up promptly +and joyfully to stare at their proceedings. The group of spectators +seemed to consider them an attraction, for they rushed off to spread the +gleeful news among their fellows, with the result that in a few moments +half the youth of the neighbourhood were swarming round Katrine and +Gwethyn like flies round a honey-pot. Evidently the inhabitants of the +village regarded artists as a free show; not only did the small fry +flock round the girls' easels, but a certain proportion of grown-ups, +who apparently had nothing better to do, strolled up and made an outside +ring to the increasing and interested audience. + +"Do they imagine we're the vanguard of a circus, or that it's an +ingenious form of advertisement?" whispered Gwethyn. "I believe they +expect me to write 'Sanger's Menagerie is Coming' in big letters on my +drawing-board, or perhaps 'Buy Purple Pills'!" + +"I should feel more inclined to write 'Don't come within ten yards!'" +groaned Katrine. "I wish they'd go away! They make me so nervous. It's +horrible to feel your every stroke is being watched. I've put in my +chimney quite crooked. Are they troubling Miss Aubrey, I wonder?" + +Gwethyn stood up to command a full view of the street. Yes, Miss Aubrey +was also surrounded by a small crowd, but she took no notice of the +spectators, and was painting away as if oblivious of their presence. + +"She doesn't seem to mind," commented Gwethyn. "I wish I'd her nerve." + +"They seem to find us as attractive as a dancing bear," groaned Katrine. +"That fat old man in the blue flannel shirt is gazing at us with the +most insinuating smile. Don't look at him. Oh, why did you? You've +encouraged him so much, he's coming to speak to us." + +The wearer of the blue shirt appeared to think he was doing a kind +action in patronizing the strangers; his smile broadened, he forced his +way forward among the pushing children, and opened the conversation with +a preliminary cough. + +"Be you a-drawin' that old house across there?" he began +consequentially. "Why, it be full o' cracks and stains, and 'ave wanted +pullin' down these ten year or more!" + +"It's beautiful!" replied Katrine briefly. + +"Beautiful! With the tiles all cracked and the wall bulgin'? Now if you +was wantin' a house to draw, you should 'a done mine. It's a new red +brick, with bow windows and a slated roof, and there's a row o' nice +tidy iron railings round the garden, too. You must come and take a look +at it." + +"We like the old cottages better, thank you," said Gwethyn, as politely +as she could. "Would you please mind moving a little to the left? You're +standing just exactly in my light." + +"He's a picturesque figure," whispered Katrine, as their new +acquaintance heaved himself heavily from the kerb-stone; then she added +aloud: "I wonder if you'd mind standing still a minute or two, and +letting me put you into my picture? Yes, just there, please." + +"You wants to take I?" he guffawed. "Well, I never did! Best let me go +home and tidy up a bit first." + +"No, no! I like you as you are. Don't move! Only keep still for three +minutes," implored Katrine, sketching with frantic haste. + +"I don't know what my missis would say at I being took in my corduroys," +remonstrated the model, who appeared half bashful and half flattered at +the honour thrust upon him. "I'd change to my Sunday clothes if ye'd +wait a bit, missie! Well, it be queer taste, for sure! I'd 'a thought a +suit o' broadcloth would 'a looked a sight better in a picture." + +"See the lady! She's a-puttin' in Abel Barnes!" gasped the children, +crowding yet nearer, and almost upsetting the pair of easels in their +excitement. "There's his head! There be his arm! Oh, and his legs too! +It be just like him--so it be!" + +"Keep back and let the ladies alone!" commanded Abel in a stentorian +voice. "Where are your manners got to? If you've finished, missie, +you'll maybe not object to my takin' a look. Well, for sure, there I be +to the life!" + +"Wherever that picture goes in all the world, Abel Barnes will go with +it!" piped a small awestruck voice in the background. + +"Yes, she'll take me away with her," replied Abel, in a tone that +implied some gratification--perhaps a touch of vanity lingered under +the blue flannel shirt. "If I'd but a-been in my Sunday clothes!" he +continued regretfully. "Still, you've only to say the word, and I'll put +'em on for you any day you've a mind to take I again, and you could draw +the missis too, and the house, if you like. I were goin' to give the +railings a fresh coat o' paint anyways, so I may as well do it afore you +begins." + +Finding that Katrine would not commit herself to any rash promises, he +finally strolled away, possibly to buy a tin of paint, or to review his +Sunday garments in anticipation of the hoped-for portrait. The children, +filled with envy at his distinction, were all eager to volunteer as +models, and began posing in the road in various stiff and photographic +attitudes. + +"Put in I! Put in I!" implored each and all. + +"I shan't put in anybody if you don't behave yourselves," replied +Katrine severely. "How can I see anything when you're standing exactly +in front of me? Go away at once, and leave us quiet!" + +To remove themselves from the vicinity of the interesting strangers was, +however, not at all in the children's calculations. They only backed, +and formed a close ring again round the exasperated girls, breathing +heavily, and keeping up a chorus of whispered comments. Katrine and +Gwethyn sighed ruefully, but judged it better to follow Miss Aubrey's +example and take no notice, hoping that their tormentors might presently +tire, and run off to play marbles or hop-scotch. The cottage proved by +no means an easy subject to sketch; it needed very careful spacing and +drawing before they could secure a correct outline. It would have been +hard enough if they had been alone and undisturbed, but to be obliged to +work in full view of a frank and critical audience was particularly +trying. Every time they rubbed anything out, a small voice would cry: + +"Missed again! She can't do it!" + +"I never realized before how often I used my india-rubber," murmured +poor Gwethyn. "They seem to think I'm making a series of very bad +shots." + +"I wonder if I dare begin my sky, or if I ought to show the drawing to +Miss Aubrey first," said Katrine. "I believe I shall venture. How I wish +a motor-car would come along and scatter these wretched infants, or that +their mothers would call them in for a meal!" + +There was no such luck. The sight of the mixing of cobalt blue and +Naples yellow on Katrine's palette only caused the children to press yet +closer. + +"Oh, look! This lady be doing it in colours!" they shouted. "She be +cleverer than the other lady." + +"Katrine, we must get rid of them!" exclaimed the outraged Gwethyn; +then, turning to the crowd of shock heads behind, she inquired +frowningly: "How is it you're not in school?" + +"It's a holiday to-day!" came in prompt chorus. + +"There's the Board of Guardians' meeting at the schoolhouse," explained +an urchin, poking a chubby face in such close proximity to Katrine's +paint-box that in self-defence she gave him a dab of blue on his +freckled nose. + +"It be luck for us when they have their meetings," volunteered another +gleefully. + +"But not for us," groaned Gwethyn. "Katrine, I wonder if the Church +Catechism would rout them. I declare I'll try! It's my last weapon!" + +Vain hope, alas! If Gwethyn had expected to thin the throng by acting +catechist, she was much mistaken. The children had been well grounded at +Sunday school, and so far from quailing at the questions were anxious to +air their knowledge, and show off before visitors. + +"Ask I! I can say it all from 'N. or M.' to 'charity with all men'!" +piped a too willing voice. "Be you a-going to give I sweets for saying +it?" inquired another, with an eye to business. + +"Katrine, I shall have to beat a retreat," murmured Gwethyn. "It's +impossible to paint a stroke with this sticky little crew buzzing round +like flies. I don't like being a public character. I've had enough +notoriety this morning to last for the rest of my life. Now then, you +young rascal, if you lay a finger on that paint-box I shall call on the +schoolmaster and ask him to spank you!" + +At this juncture, much to the girls' relief, Miss Aubrey came to +criticize their sketches. She pointed out the mistakes in their +drawings, and waited while they corrected them. + +"It's no use beginning the painting to-day," she remarked in a low tone. +"The children are too great a nuisance. I did not know about the Board +of Guardians' meeting, or I would not have brought you this morning. We +must come another time, when these small folk are safely in school, and +we can work undisturbed. I'm afraid you must have found them very +troublesome." + +"The ten plagues of Egypt weren't in it!" replied Gwethyn, joyfully +closing her paint-box, and beginning to pack up her traps. "You had a +crowd, too." + +"Oh! I'm more accustomed to it, though I admit I'd rather dispense with +an audience. If you want to be an artist, you have to learn to put up +with this kind of thing. Never mind! I promise our next subject shall be +in an absolutely retired spot, where no one can find us out." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +The School Mascot + + +Although Katrine had come to Aireyholme primarily to study art, she did +not escape scot-free with respect to other lessons. Mrs. Franklin was a +martinet where work was concerned. She often remarked that she did not +approve of young people wasting their time, and she certainly +endeavoured to put her principles into practice. She taught the Sixth +Form herself. Some of the girls were preparing for their matriculation, +and received special private coaching from a professor who came twice a +week from Carford; but all, whether they were going in for the +examination or not, were taking the same general course. Katrine had +pursued her studies at Hartfield High School with very languid interest, +and had joyfully abandoned them in favour of the Art School. She was not +at all enthusiastic at being obliged to continue her ordinary education, +and, indeed, considered the classes in the light of a grievance. It was +humiliating to find herself behind the rest of the form in mathematics, +to stumble in the French translation, and make bad shots at botany; +particularly so before Viola Webster, who listened to her mistakes and +halting recitations with a superior smile, or an amused glance at Diana +Bennett. + +"If we had had you at Aireyholme the last year or two, you would have +reached a much higher standard by now," said Mrs. Franklin. "You must do +your best to make up for lost time. An extra half-hour's preparation +every day would do you no harm. You might get up a little earlier in the +mornings." + +Katrine, whose object was not so much to repair the gaps left in her +education by the Hartfield High School as to amble through the present +term with the least possible exertion of her brains, received the +suggestion coldly, and forbore to act upon it. + +"It's all very well for the matric. girls to get up at six and swat, but +you won't find me trying it on!" she assured Gwethyn in private. "What +does it matter whether I can work a rubbishy problem, or patter off a +page of French poetry? I've got to take the classes, worse luck, but all +the Mrs. Franklins in the world shan't make me grind." + +Between Katrine and the Principal there existed a kind of armed +neutrality. Mrs. Franklin persisted in regarding her as an ordinary +pupil, while Katrine considered that she had come to school on a totally +different footing. Neither would yield an inch. Mrs. Franklin was +masterful, but Katrine was gently stubborn. It is impossible to make a +girl work who is determined to idle. At art Katrine was prepared to +slave, and she had already begun to worship Miss Aubrey, but as a member +of the Sixth Form she was the champion slacker. The Principal by turns +tried severity, cajoling, and sarcasm. + +"A most talented essay!" she remarked one day, handing back an untidy +manuscript. "One might regard it as a study in tautology. The word +'very' occurs seven times in a single page. It is scarcely usual for a +girl of seventeen to make twelve mistakes in spelling." + +"I never could spell," answered Katrine serenely. + +"Then it's time you learnt. Your writing also is sprawling and careless, +and you have no idea of punctuation. I wish you could have seen the +neat, beautifully expressed essays that Ermengarde used to write. They +were models of composition and tidiness." + +A suppressed smile passed round the form. The subject of Ermengarde was +a perennial joke among the girls. Mrs. Franklin did not approve of +holding up present pupils as patterns, for fear of fostering their +vanity, so she generally quoted her daughter as an epitome of all the +virtues. It was common knowledge in the school that Ermengarde's +achievements had acquired an after-reputation which at the time they +certainly did not justify. So far from being a shining ornament of +Aireyholme, she had generally lagged in the wake of her form. She had +bitterly disappointed her mother by barely scraping through her +matriculation, and failing to win a scholarship for college. Poor +Ermengarde had no gift for study; she was not particularly talented in +any direction, and, shirking the various careers which Mrs. Franklin +urged upon her, had taken fate into her own hands by marrying a curate, +albeit he was impecunious, and "not at all clever, thank goodness!", as +she confided to her intimate friends. When matrimony had debarred +Ermengarde from any possibility of a college degree, her mother took it +for granted that she would have obtained honours if she had only tried +for them, and always spoke of her with regretful admiration as one who +had laid aside the laurels of the muses for the duster of domesticity. +"Saint Ermengarde", so the girls called her in mockery, lived therefore +as a kind of school tradition, and she would have been very much +surprised, indeed, had she known the extent to which her modest efforts +had been magnified. + +Gwethyn, who had been placed in the Fifth Form, found her level more +quickly than did Katrine in the Sixth. Her high spirits and harum-scarum +ways commended her to most of her new companions. She had a racy method +of speech and a humorous habit of exaggeration that were rather amusing. +Fresh from V.B. at the Hartfield High School, she fell easily into the +work of the form, and if she did not particularly distinguish herself, +gave no special trouble. The spirited sketch which she made of Miss +Spencer, pince-nez on nose and book in hand, was considered "to the +life", and she was good-natured enough to make no less than five copies +of it, at the earnest request of Prissie Yorke, Susie Parker, Rose +Randall, Beatrix Bates, and Dona Matthews. Her drawings of imps and +goblins, with which she speedily decorated the fly-leaves of her new +text-books, were immensely admired. General feeling inclined to the +opinion that while Katrine gave herself airs, Gwethyn was the right +sort, and might be adopted, with due caution, into the heart of the +form. It would, of course, be unwise to make too much fuss of her in the +beginning; every new girl must go through her novitiate of snubbing, +but such a jolly, happy-go-lucky specimen as this would not be long in +settling into Aireyholme ways. + +The new-comers had arrived on 21st April: they had therefore been a +little more than a week at the school when the 1st of May ushered in the +summer. May Day was kept with great ceremony at Heathwell. The old +festival, abandoned for more than a hundred years, had been revived +lately in the village, largely at the instance of Miss Aubrey, whose +artistic spirit revelled in such picturesque scenes. She had persuaded +Mr. Boswell, the local squire, to place a may-pole on a small green near +the market hall, and she had herself taught the children of the Council +school a number of charming folk dances. The schoolmaster and the vicar +both approved of the movement, and gave every facility and +encouragement, and the children themselves were highly enthusiastic. +This year it was proposed to have a more than usually elaborate +performance, and to take a collection in the streets in aid of the +Prince of Wales's Fund. May Day fortunately fell on a Saturday, so, as +the festival had been well advertised, it was hoped that visitors would +come over from Carford and other places in the neighbourhood. Though the +actual pageant was to be given by the Council school children, the girls +at Aireyholme rendered very valuable help. They made some of the +dresses, plaited garlands, stitched knots of coloured ribbons, and last, +but not least, were responsible for the collecting. Fifteen of the +seniors, wearing Union Jack badges on their hats, and broad bands of +tricolour ribbon tied under one arm and across the shoulder, were set +apart for the task, each carrying a wooden box labelled: "Prince of +Wales's Fund". + +The festivities were to begin at three o'clock, to fit in with the times +of the local railway trains. The morning was a busy whirl of +preparation. Miss Aubrey, with the monitresses as special helpers, +flitted backwards and forwards between Aireyholme and the village, +making last arrangements and putting finishing touches. Katrine and +Gwethyn had never before had the opportunity of witnessing such a +spectacle, so they were full of excitement at the prospect. At half-past +two, Mrs. Franklin, mistresses, and girls sallied forth to the scene of +action, and secured an admirable position on the steps of the market +hall, whence they could have a good view of the proceedings. + +It was a balmy, sunny day, and the lovely weather, combined with the +quaint programme, had tempted many visitors from various places in the +district. The trains arrived full, and Heathwell for once was +overflowing. Not only had people made use of the railway, but many had +come on bicycles, and motor-cars added to the crush. The local shops, +and even the cottages, had taken advantage of the occasion to sell +lemonade and ginger beer, and had hung out home-written signs announcing +their willingness to provide teas and store cycles. The village was _en +fete_, and the general atmosphere was one of jollity and enjoyment. + +The children were waiting in the school play-ground, under the +superintendence of their teachers and Miss Aubrey. Precisely as the +church clock struck three, the procession started. It was led by the +band of the local corps of boy scouts, the drummer very proud indeed in +the possession of the orthodox leopard skin, which had been presented +only the week before by a local magnate. After the scouts came a number +of children, dressed in Kate Greenaway costumes, and carrying May +knots--sticks surmounted with wreaths of flowers and green leaves. A +band of little ones, representing fairies, heralded the approach of the +May Queen, who drove in great state in a tiny carriage drawn by a very +small Shetland pony, led by a page resplendent in ribbons and buckles. +The carriage was so covered with flowers that it well resembled the car +of Friga, the spring goddess of Scandinavian mythology, who gave her +name to Friday. No deity, classic or Teutonic, could have been prettier +than the flaxen-haired little maiden, who sat up stiffly, trying with +great dignity to support her regal honours. Her courtiers walked behind +her, and after came a band of morris dancers, jingling their bells as +they went. The pageant paraded down the High Street, made a circuit +round the market hall, and drew up round the may-pole on the strip of +green. A platform had been erected here, with a throne for the Queen, so +her little majesty was duly handed out of her carriage, and installed in +the post of honour. Amid ringing cheers the crown was placed on her +curly head, and the sceptre delivered to her, while small courtiers +bowed with a very excellent imitation of mediaeval grace. + +"What an absolute darling the Queen is!" remarked Gwethyn, who, with +Katrine, was an ecstatic spectator. + +"It's little Mary Gartley," replied Coralie Nelson. "They're the +best-looking family in the village--six children, and all have those +lovely flaxen curls. I never saw such beautiful hair. Look at that tiny +wee chap who's standing just by the pony. That's Hugh Gartley. Isn't he +an absolute cherub? We've had him for a model at the studio. We call him +'The School Mascot', because he's brought us such luck. Miss Aubrey's +picture of him has got into the Academy, and Gladwin Riley's sketch won +first prize in a magazine competition, and Hilda Smart's photo of him +also took a prize in a paper. He scored three successes for Aireyholme. +He's the sweetest little rascal. Even Mrs. Franklin can't resist patting +him on the head, and giving him biscuits." + +"He's an absolute angel!" agreed the Marsdens enthusiastically. + +When the coronation of the May Queen was duly accomplished, the sports +began. A band of dainty damsels, holding coloured ribbons, plaited and +unplaited the may-pole, much to the admiration of the crowd, who encored +the performance. The fairies gave a pretty exhibition, waving garlands +of flowers as they trod their fantastic measure; the morris dancers +capered their best, and the Boy Scouts' band did its utmost in providing +the music. It was a very charming scene; so quaint amid the old-world +setting of the picturesque village that the spectators clapped and +cheered with heartiest approval. The little actors, excited by the +applause, began to go beyond control, and to run about helter-skelter, +waving their garlands and shouting "hurrah!" The crowd also was breaking +up. A train was nearly due, and some of the visitors made a rush for the +station. A char-a-banc with three horses started from the "Bell and +Dragon". At that identical moment little Hugh Gartley, seeing some +attraction on the opposite pavement, threw discipline to the winds and +dashed suddenly across the road, in front of the very wheels of the +passing char-a-banc. Katrine happened to be watching him. With a leap +and a run she was down the steps of the market hall and in the street. +Before the child, or anyone else, realized his danger, she had snatched +him from the front of the horses, and had dragged him on to the +pavement. The driver pulled up in considerable alarm. + +"It's not my fault," he protested. "Kids shouldn't bolt across like +that." + +Finding there was no harm done, he drove on. The incident was over so +quickly that it was hardly noticed by the general public. Little Hugh +Gartley, much scared, clung crying to Katrine's hand. She took him in +her arms and comforted him with chocolates. He made friends readily, and +instead of rejoining the May dancers, insisted upon staying with her for +the rest of the performance. Katrine was fond of children, and enjoyed +petting the pretty little fellow. She kept him by her until the +procession passed on its return to the schoolhouse, then she made him +slip in amongst the other masqueraders. + +The fifteen collectors had been busy all the afternoon handing round +their boxes, and anticipated quite a good harvest. + +"I shouldn't be surprised if we'd taken seven or eight pounds; many +people put in silver," said Diana Bennett. "It will be grand when the +boxes are opened." + +"You missed the excitement near the market hall," volunteered Coralie. +"Katrine Marsden rescued Hugh Gartley from being run over. She snatched +him back just in the nick of time." + +"Oh, it was nothing!" protested Katrine. + +"Indeed it was splendid presence of mind! He might have been killed if +you hadn't dashed down so promptly and snatched him." + +Katrine's action in saving the school mascot was soon noised abroad +among the girls, and brought her a quite unexpected spell of popularity, +chiefly with the juniors and the Fifth Form, however. The Sixth, led by +the monitresses, still hung back, jealous of their privileges, and +unwilling to tolerate one who persisted in considering herself a +"parlour boarder", and, as they expressed it, "putting on side!" It was +really mostly Katrine's own fault: her previous acquaintance with school +life ought to have taught her wisdom; but seventeen is a crude age, and +not given to profiting by past experience. Some of the pin-pricks she +sustained were well deserved. + +On the evening of May Day, being a Saturday as well as a special +festival, the monitresses decided to give a cocoa party in their study, +and invite the rest of the form. + +"We got eight pounds, fifteen and twopence halfpenny in the collecting +boxes this afternoon," announced Viola, "and we ought to drink the +health of the Prince of Wales's Fund in cocoa. We'll have a little +rag-time fun, too, just among ourselves." + +"All serene!" agreed Diana. "This child's always ready for sport. What +about biscuits?" + +"We may send out for what we like. I interviewed the Great Panjandrum, +and she was affability itself." + +"Good! Cocoanut fingers for me. And perhaps a few Savoys." + +"Right-o! Make your list. Tomlinson is to go and fetch them." + +"We shall have to borrow cups from the kitchen," said Dorrie, who had +been investigating inside the cupboard. "Since that last smash we're +rather low down in our china--only four cups left intact." + +"Go and ask the cook for five more, then." + +"Five? That'll only make nine." + +"Quite enough." + +"Aren't you going to invite Katrine Marsden?" + +Viola pulled a long face. + +"Is it necessary? She doesn't consider herself one of the Sixth." + +"But she is, really. It seems rather marked to leave her out." + +"Oh, well!" rather icily. "Ask her if you like, of course. I'm sure I +don't want to keep her out of things if she cares to join in." + +Dorrie accordingly ran up to the studio, where Katrine was sitting +putting a few finishing touches to the study of tulips upon which she +had been engaged during the last week. + +"We're having a cocoa party at eight in our study. Awfully pleased to +see you. Just our own form," announced Dorrie heartily. + +"Thanks very much," returned Katrine casually, "but I really don't think +I shall have time to come. I want to finish these tulips." + +"Isn't it getting too dark for painting?" + +"Oh, no! The light's good for some time yet, and Miss Aubrey's probably +coming upstairs to go on with her still-life study. I love sitting with +her. She's most inspiring." + +"Comme vous voulez, mademoiselle!" answered Dorrie, retiring in high +dudgeon to report to her fellow-monitresses. They were most indignant at +the slight. + +"Cheek!" + +"Turns up her nose at our invitation, does she?" + +"She can please herself, I'm sure." + +"She's no loss, at any rate." + +"Look here!" said Dorrie. "I've got an idea. We'll pay her out for this. +She's counting on Miss Aubrey going to sit with her in the studio, and +having a delightful _tete a tete_. Let's ask Miss Aubrey to our cocoa +party." + +"Splendiferous!" + +"Girl alive, you're a genius! Go instanter!" + +Dorrie hurried off to deliver her second invitation. It was more +graciously received than the first. + +"Oh! I'm only too flattered! I shall be delighted to turn up. May I +bring a contribution to the feast?" beamed Miss Aubrey. + +"Done Katrine Marsden for once!" chuckled Dorrie, communicating the good +tidings in the study. "She'll be fearfully sick when she finds her idol +has deserted her for us." + +"I sincerely hope she will." + +At eight o'clock an extremely jolly party assembled in the little room +underneath the studio, all prepared to abandon themselves to enjoyment, +to crack jokes, sing catches, ask riddles, or indulge in anything that +savoured of fun. There were not chairs for all, but nobody minded +sitting on the floor. Viola's spirit-lamp was on the table, and the +kettle steamed cheerily; tins of cocoa and condensed milk and packets of +biscuits were spread forth with the row of cups and saucers. Miss +Aubrey, throned in a basket-chair, with girls quarrelling for the +privilege of sitting near her, held a kind of impromptu court. + +"It's been a ripping May Day. Everybody was saying how well you'd +engineered the whole thing," Viola assured her. "The folk dances were +just too sweet! Those Americans who came in that big car were in +raptures. They dropped half a sovereign into my box. They said the May +Queen was the prettiest child they'd ever seen." + +"Mary Gartley is only second to Hugh," replied Miss Aubrey. "I hear the +little chap nearly got run over this afternoon, and Katrine Marsden +rescued him. Where is Katrine, by the by?" + +For a moment an awkward silence reigned. + +"She's in the studio. We invited her, but she wouldn't come," +volunteered Dorrie at last. + +"Oh!" said Miss Aubrey, with a gleam of comprehension. + +Upstairs, Katrine was painting away rather half-heartedly. She wondered +why her beloved art-mistress did not arrive. It would be delightful to +have her all to herself, without those schoolgirls. The door burst open, +and Gwethyn came rushing tumultuously in. + +"Kattie! The Fifth are giving a Mad Hatter's party! We're going to have +the most screaming fun! They've asked you, so do come, quick!" + +"Oh, I don't care about it, child! I'm waiting here for Miss Aubrey." + +"Miss Aubrey? Why, she's gone to the Sixth Form party! I saw her walking +into their study with a box of chocolates and a bag of something in her +hand. They're at it hard!" + +A glimpse of Katrine's face at that moment might have soothed the +injured feelings of the monitresses. From below rose unmistakable sounds +of mirth to confirm Gwethyn's words. + +"Aren't you coming? Do hurry up!" urged Gwethyn impatiently. + +But to join in the festivities of the Fifth Form after declining those +of the Sixth was too great a come-down for Katrine's dignity. + +"Run along, Baby! I don't care for nonsense parties. I'd rather stay and +paint," she replied, with an air of sang-froid that was perhaps slightly +overdone. + +"Tantrums? Well, you're a jolly silly, that's all I can say; for we're +going to have ripping fun!" chirruped Gwethyn, shutting the door with a +slam. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +Lilac Grange + + +So far Gwethyn's impression of Aireyholme had been largely tinged by the +prevailing presence of Laura Browne. Laura took her up the very evening +she arrived, and had since gushed over her without intermission, +monopolizing her almost entirely. It was Laura who explained the school +rules, and offered advice on the subject of preparation or practising; +Laura who walked with her round the garden, introduced her to the +library, and showed her the Senior museum. The temperature of the +friendship might be described--on Laura's side at any rate--as +white-hot. She took complete possession of Gwethyn, driving off the +other girls gently but firmly. + +"I'll tell her all about the lessons!" she would declare, waving Rose or +Susie away. "Come with me, dearest! Of course I know our work's nothing +to you, after your other school, but any help that I can give you, +you're more than welcome to. It's so refreshing to have a girl like you +here, after these others. Oh, anyone could see the difference! I fell in +love with you at first sight. Look at Rose Randall, now; it would be +impossible to be friends with her. I couldn't do it. And Beatrix and +Marian are unspeakable. No, darling, until you came, I hadn't a chum in +the whole school." + +As the rest of the form held slightly aloof, Gwethyn found herself flung +into the arms of Laura Browne. She had not Katrine's reserve, and would +rather be friends with anybody than nobody. She did not altogether care +for Laura's fawning manners, but as the intimacy was forced upon her, +she accepted it. For ten days they had been dubbed "the lovers", and +were constantly in each other's company. + +"I hear you've brought your violin, sweetest," said Laura at recreation +one morning, as the pair stood watching a set of tennis. "How is it you +didn't tell me? I'm dying to hear you play it." + +"Oh, I'm only a beginner! I brought it just in case I found time to +practise a little. I'm not taking lessons on it here." + +"But you will play for me?" + +"If you like; but it won't be a treat. I break about a dozen strings +every time I tune it." + +"A violin has four strings, so you must snip them with a pair of +scissors, I should think, if you break twelve each time you tune up," +remarked a sarcastic voice from behind. + +Gwethyn turned round, and met the scornful eyes of Githa Hamilton. + +"That horrid child! Why can't she let me alone?" she whispered to Laura. +"She's the image of a toadstool, with her khaki complexion and lank +hair." + +But Githa's sharp ears overheard. + +"Thanks for the compliment! Khaki's a nice patriotic colour. I like my +hair straight--I haven't the least desire to friz it out or curl it. If +you're going to break a dozen strings tuning your fiddle to-day, perhaps +you'll save me the pieces; they make splendid lashes for whips." + +"To drive geese with?" retorted Gwethyn. + +"Exactly. How clever of you to guess! There are a great many geese in +this neighbourhood. I come in contact with them every day." + +"Don't mind the snarly little thing!" said Laura, walking Gwethyn away. +"Now tell me when I'm to hear your violin. Shall we say a quarter-past +two this afternoon in the practising-room? I'll play your piano +accompaniment." + +"And I'll be there for the surplus strings!" piped Githa, following +behind. + +"Githa Hamilton, take yourself off!" commanded Laura, routing the enemy +at last. + +Gwethyn had not opened her violin-case since coming to Aireyholme. She +had taken lessons for about a year, and her mother had urged her to try +and find time to practise, so that she should not forget all she had +learned; but so far there had been so many other things to occupy her, +that the violin had been entirely thrust on one side. True to her +promise to Laura, she brought it out of its retirement this afternoon, +and going to the music-room began to tune it by the piano. Not a string +snapped in the process, and the instrument was soon in order. Gwethyn +laid it down on the table, and waited. Surely Laura could not be long. +She had made the appointment for 2.15, and had expressed herself at +dinner as impatient for the time to arrive. The minutes rolled by, +however, and no Laura appeared. Presently a smooth dark head peeped +round the door. + +"Any strings on hand?" inquired Githa, with an elfish grin. "I've come +for that odd dozen you've got to spare!" + +"I didn't break any," returned Gwethyn shortly. + +"Bad news for me! Well, now, I suppose you're at the trysting-place, +waiting for the beloved?" + +"Laura'll be turning up soon," grunted Gwethyn. + +"Sorry to break your heart instead of your strings! I'm afraid she won't +turn up. It's a case of 'he cometh not, she said'. The fair one is false +and fickle, and loves another! If you're going to have hysterics, or +faint, please give me warning. Poor lone heart!" + +"What nonsense you're talking! What do you mean?" asked Gwethyn, +laughing in spite of herself. + +"It's the sad and solemn truth. Laura Browne, regardless of her +appointment with you, is now walking round the kitchen-garden arm-in-arm +with another love, and gazing admiringly into her eyes. Your image is +wiped from her memory; you are a broken idol, a faded flower, a past +episode, a thing of yesterday!" + +"For goodness' sake, stop ragging!" + +"Well, if you prefer it in plain prose, you're superseded by Phyllis +Lowman. She's Mrs. Franklin's niece, and comes occasionally to spend a +few days here. She arrived just after dinner. We're not keen on her in +the school, but Laura truckles to her to curry favour with Mother +Franklin. During her visit the pair will be inseparable, and your poor +plaintive nose will be absolutely out of joint." + +"I don't believe you!" flared Gwethyn. + +"Oh, all right! Go and see for yourself! It isn't I who exaggerate!" and +with a malicious little laugh the Toadstool beat a retreat. + +There were a few minutes left before afternoon school, so Gwethyn, tired +of waiting, took a run round the garden. Alas! Githa had spoken the +truth. Wandering amongst the gooseberry bushes she met her missing +friend, in company with a stranger. They were linked arm-in-arm, and +their heads were pressed closely together. As they passed Gwethyn, +Laura's eyes showed not a trace even of recognition, much less apology +or regret. + +"I've been simply vegetating till you came here again, Phyllis darling! +I'm living to-day! You sweetest!" + +The words, in Laura's most honied tones, were wafted back as the pair +walked towards the house. Gwethyn looked after them and stamped. + +"So that's Laura Browne and her fine friendship! Well, I've done with +her from to-day. She won't catch me having anything more to say to her. +I really think this is the limit! I couldn't have believed it of her if +I hadn't seen it. The utter sneak!" + +Phyllis Lowman spent three days at Aireyholme, during which period Laura +was her slave and bond-servant. When she returned home, the latter +turned her attention again to her first love. But Gwethyn would have +none of her, and received her advances in so cavalier a fashion that she +gave up the futile attempt at reconciliation. The other members of the +Fifth enjoyed the little comedy. It was what they had expected. + +"Gwethyn was bound to be 'Laura-ridden' at first," laughed Susie Parker. +"It's the inevitable. Laura's new friendships have to run their course +like measles. This has only been a short business, and now we may +consider Gwethyn disinfected!" + +No longer monopolized by Laura, Gwethyn began to make friends with other +girls, and was soon a favourite in the Fifth. Her love of fun, and +readiness to give and take, commended her to the form, and on her side +she much preferred to be ordinary chums with her comrades, than to be +offered a slavish and rather ridiculous worship, such as Laura had +tendered. + + * * * * * + +Since their very trying experiences in the High Street, the Marsdens had +begged Miss Aubrey to allow them to abandon that particular subject, and +begin another sketch in some more retired place, where spectators would +not come to look over their shoulders. Miss Aubrey herself disliked +working in the midst of a crowd, so she readily agreed, and at their +next painting lesson announced that she had found the very spot to suit +them. Nan Bethell, Gladwin Riley, and Coralie Nelson were to join the +class that afternoon. Viola, Dorrie, and Diana were also extremely +anxious to go, but Mrs. Franklin would not spare her best matriculation +students, and sternly set them to work at mathematics instead, much to +their disgust. Tita Gray, Hilda Smart, and Ellaline Dickens, the +remaining members of the Sixth, were detained by music lessons with a +master who came over weekly from Carford. Only five fortunate ones +sallied forth, therefore, with Miss Aubrey. The subject which their +teacher had chosen was not far off, though rather out of the way. +Standing back from the village, at the end of a long lane, was a +rambling old house known as "The Grange". It lay low, in a somewhat damp +spot close to the river, faced north, and had no particular view. Owing, +no doubt, to these drawbacks, and to its inconvenient situation, it had +been unlet for several years, and as the owner did not seem inclined to +spend money on repairs, its dilapidated condition held out little +promise of a new tenant. To anyone anxious for seclusion no more +suitable retreat could be found: the long leafy lane which led to its +rusty iron gate, the thickness of its surrounding plantation, the tall +shrubs in the garden, which almost touched the windows, all seemed so +many barriers to discourage the public, and to keep the lonely dwelling +apart from the outside world. To the girls it looked mysterious, and it +was with almost a creepy feeling that they opened the creaking gate, and +made their way through the tangled garden. Everything seemed as +overgrown and as quiet as in the palace of the Sleeping Beauty; not a +face to be seen at the windows, nor a footstep to be heard in the +grounds; the flower-beds were a mass of rank weeds, the paths were +covered with grass, and the lawn was a hayfield. In the prime of their +beauty, however, were the lilac bushes; they had thriven with neglect, +and were covered with masses of exquisite blossom, scenting the whole +air, and making the garden a purple Paradise. + +"The place ought to be called 'Lilac Grange'!" said Katrine admiringly. +"It's a perfect show at present. Are we to paint them?" + +"I'm afraid they would prove rather difficult. I have an easier subject +for you round at the back," said Miss Aubrey, leading the way to the +rear of the house, where a timbered dovecote stood in the old paved +courtyard. With its black beams and carved doorway, it seemed of much +greater antiquity than the Grange itself, which had probably been +rebuilt on the site of an older structure. Miss Aubrey found a +favourable view where the afternoon sunshine cast warm shadows upon the +lichen-stained plaster, and she at once set her pupils to work, to catch +the effect before the light changed. + +"What a harbour of refuge this is!" declared Gwethyn, haunted by +memories of the High Street. "There isn't a single child to come and +disturb us. I call this absolute bliss." + +"And a ripping subject!" agreed Katrine. + +For a long time the girls worked away quietly, passing an occasional +remark, but too busy to talk. At last the Marsdens, who drew more +quickly than their comrades, had reached a stage at which it was +impossible to continue without advice. Miss Aubrey was sketching the +lilac round the corner, so leaving their easels they went in search of +her. Not sorry to stretch their limbs for a few minutes, they decided +first to take a run round the garden. It would be fun to explore, and +Katrine would get rid of the pins and needles in her foot. Under the +lanky laurel bushes and overgrown rose arches, along a swampy little +path by the river, through a broken green-house, and back across a +nettle-covered terrace. Not a soul to be seen about the whole place. It +was peaceful as a palace of dreams. + +Stop! What was that rustling among the leaves? There was a movement +under the lilac bushes, and a slight figure stepped out into the +sunshine. + +"Githa Hamilton! Whatever are you doing here?" exclaimed the girls. + +The pale little Toadstool looked more surprised than pleased at the +meeting. + +"I may return the compliment, and ask what you are doing here?" she +parried. + +"We're sketching with Miss Aubrey." + +"And I'm--amusing myself! My time's my own after school is over." + +She spoke aggressively, almost belligerently. To judge from her +appearance, no one would have imagined that she had been amusing +herself. The redness of her eyes suggested crying. + +"I'm going home now for tea," she snapped. "I left my bicycle by the +gate." + +When Katrine's and Gwethyn's drawings had been duly corrected by their +teacher, and they had settled down again for the final half-hour's work, +they mentioned this meeting with Githa to Coralie, who was sitting close +by. + +"What was the queer child doing?" asked Katrine. "I thought she seemed +rather caught. She glared at us as if she wished us at Timbuctoo." + +"Oh! was Githa here? Well, you see, it used to be her old home. Her +grandfather owned the Grange. She and her brother were orphans, and +lived with him; then, when he died, they had to go to an uncle, and the +house was to let. Everybody thinks they were treated very hardly. Old +Mr. Ledbury had promised to provide for them (they were his daughter's +children), but when the will was read there was no mention of them. No +one could understand how it was that he had left them without a penny. +He had always seemed so fond of them. Their uncle, Mr. Wilfred Ledbury, +who inherited everything, took them to live with him, rather on +sufferance. The boy is at a boarding-school, but I don't think Githa has +a particularly nice time at The Gables." + +"What an atrocious shame!" exploded Gwethyn. + +"Oh! don't misunderstand me. They're not exactly unkind to her. She's +sent to school at Aireyholme, and she's always quite nicely dressed; she +has her bicycle, and she may keep her pets in the stable. Only her uncle +just ignores her, and her aunt isn't sympathetic, or interested in her. +With being a day-girl she's out of all the fun we boarders get. I fancy +she's most fearfully lonely." + +"Oh! the poor little Toadstool! If I'd only known that, I wouldn't have +been so rude to her. I was a brute!" (Gwethyn's self-reproach was really +genuine.) "I'll be nice to her now. I will indeed!" + +"Don't start pitying her, for goodness' sake! It's the one thing Githa +can't stand. She's as proud as Lucifer, and if she suspects you're the +least atom sorry for her, it makes her as hard as nails. She never lets +us know she's not happy; she always makes out she's better off than we +are, going home every day. But I'm sure she's miserable." + +"Yes, you can see that in her face," agreed Katrine. + +Impulsive Gwethyn, having learnt Githa's story, was anxious to atone for +several lively passages of arms, and to make friends. But the conquest +of the Toadstool was harder than she expected. Githa's proud little +heart resented anything savouring of patronage, and she repelled all +advances. No hedgehog could have been more prickly. She refused to play +tennis, declined the loan of books, and even said "No, thank you," to +proffered chocolates. Instead of appearing grateful for the notice of a +girl in a higher form, she seemed to stiffen herself into an attitude of +haughty reserve. Finding all attempts at kindness useless, Gwethyn +simply let her alone, taking no notice whatever of her, and just +ignoring pointed remarks and sarcasms, instead of returning them with +compound interest as formerly. Baffled by this new attitude, the +Toadstool, after trying her most aggravating sallies, and failing to +draw any sparks, relapsed into neutrality. Her dark eyes often followed +Gwethyn with an inscrutable gaze, but she steadfastly avoided speaking +to her. + +Gwethyn did not greatly concern herself, for she had found three most +congenial chums. Rose Randall, Beatrix Bates, and Dona Matthews were +kindred spirits where fun was concerned, and in their society she spent +all her spare time. As for Katrine, she was not likely to trouble about +a Fourth Form girl. She just realized Githa as a plain and very +objectionable junior, but never gave a thought to her or her affairs. At +present Katrine's mind was devoted to art, and had no corner to spare +for minor interests. Under Miss Aubrey's tuition she was making strides, +and was beginning to put on her colours in a far more professional +manner. She really had a decided talent for painting, as well as a love +for it, and she had come prepared to work. Her teacher, glad to find +such enthusiasm, gave her every encouragement. She took her out +sketching daily, allowed her to watch while she herself painted, and +took infinite trouble to set her in the way of real art progress. +Katrine's easel had never before had so much exercise. She planted it in +a variety of situations, at the instance of Miss Aubrey, whose trained +eye could at once pick out suitable subjects for the brush. Heathwell +was a very Paradise for artists, with its deep lanes, its hedges a +tangle of honeysuckle, wild rose, and white briony, its quiet timbered +farmsteads set in the midst of lush meadows, its flowery gardens, and +its slow-flowing river with reedy, willowy banks. Those were halcyon +days to Katrine, whether she sat in the sunshine among the pinks and +pansies of a cottage garden, sketching the subtle varied stones of a +weather-worn gable against the rich brown of a thatched roof, the bees +humming in and out of the flowers, and the pigeons cooing gently in the +dovecote close by; or whether Miss Aubrey took her to the shelter of +thick woods, where the warm light, shimmering through the leaves, cast +flickering shadows on the soft grass below. There were glorious mornings +when Nature seemed to have washed her children's faces, and turned the +world out in clean clothes; golden noons when all was a-quiver in a haze +of heat, and the sky a blue dome from horizon to zenith; and still, +quiet evenings, when the elms were a blot of purple-grey against a pale +yellow afterglow, and the uncut hayfield such a soft, delicate, blurred +mass of indefinite colour that she gave up the vain effort to depict it, +and simply sat to gaze and wonder and enjoy. Down by the river the calm +pools would catch the carmine of the sky, till one could fancy that one +of the ten plagues had returned to earth, and that the waters were +turned into blood. Each leaf of the willows seemed to reflect a shade of +warmer hue, till all was bathed in a glow of ruddy light, and looking +over the gently quivering reed tops to the splendour across the horizon, +one could almost see angels between the cloud bars. + +Miss Aubrey, who had lived many years at Heathwell, had a score of +rustic acquaintances. The cottage folk often sat to her as models. Their +quaint ways and ingenuous remarks opened out a new phase of the world to +Katrine. She became immensely interested in the villagers, from Abel +Barnes, who still urged the claims of his bow-windowed red-brick villa +as a subject for her brush, to bonny little Hugh Gartley, whose cherubic +beauty she vainly tried to transfer to canvas. + +She found the Gartleys a fascinating family. There were so many of them, +and they were all so fair and flaxen-haired, with such ready smiles and +winning manners. How they contrived to fit into their very small cottage +Katrine could never imagine. She had spoken once or twice to the mother, +a good-natured, untidy, slatternly young woman, whose income never +seemed to run to soap; but she avoided the father, an idle ne'er-do-weel +with a reputation for poaching. + +"It is very difficult to help the Gartleys," said Miss Aubrey. "The +children are most attractive, but it is simply encouraging pauperism to +give to them while Bob Gartley stays at home drinking and refusing to +work. I hope you haven't given them any money?" + +"Only a few pennies to Hugh and Mary--they looked so pretty," admitted +Katrine guiltily. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +An Awkward Predicament + + +For some days Katrine had been convinced that there was another artist +in the neighbourhood. She had caught a glimpse of an easel fixed in a +field, she had found a tube of paint lying in the road, and had noticed +upon a paling the scrapings of a palette. She had not yet, however, been +vouchsafed a sight of the stranger, against whom she had conceived a +violent prejudice. She had come to regard Heathwell as the private +sketching property of herself and Miss Aubrey, and regarded the +new-comer in the light of a poacher on their art preserves. He or +she--she did not even know the sex of the intruder--might very well have +chosen some other village, in her opinion, instead of fixing upon this +particular Paradise. All the same, she was inquisitive, and would have +liked very much to see the unknown artist's work. One afternoon Miss +Aubrey took the Marsdens to a little subject in a meadow on the road to +the river. She watched them begin to draw in a picturesque railing and +hawthorn stump, then went herself to another position in the field. Left +alone, the girls worked for some time in silence, Katrine with +whole-hearted absorption, and Gwethyn in a more dilettante fashion. The +latter did not care to stick at things too long. She soon grew tired, +and threw down her brush. + +"Ugh! It makes me stiff to sit so still. I'm going to walk round the +pasture. Do come, Katrine! Oh, how you swat! You might take two minutes' +rest. We're just above the road here, and I believe somebody's sitting +down below. I can smell tobacco. I'm going to investigate." + +Gwethyn came back in a few moments with her eyes dancing. + +"It's an artist!" she whispered. "He's painting in the road exactly +below us. I can see his picture through the hedge. Come and look!" + +Such exciting information broke the spell of Katrine's work. She put +down her palette at once, and followed Gwethyn. It was impossible to +resist taking a peep at the interesting stranger's sketch. + +"You must promise not even to breathe. I should be most annoyed if he +happened to see us," she declared. + +"All right! I'll be mum as a mouse, and walk as softly as a pussy-cat. +I'll undertake it won't be my fault if he divines our existence." + +Very gently the two girls crept along the edge of the pasture, trying +not to rustle the grass, and heroically refraining from conversation. + +"Here we are!" signalled Gwethyn at last, pausing at a thin place in the +hedge, which might have been made on purpose for a peep-hole. Through a +frame of sycamore leaves they could peer into the road exactly at the +spot where the rival easel was pitched. The artist's back was towards +them; they could see nothing but his tweed suit, his grey hair under a +brown hat, and the skilful right hand which kept dabbing subtle +combinations of half-tones upon his canvas. He seemed utterly +unconscious of their presence, and worked away in sublime ignorance that +two pairs of eyes were following every stroke of his brush. He was no +amateur, that was plain. The girls were sufficient judges of painting to +recognize that though the sketch was still at an elementary stage he had +made a masterly beginning. Katrine watched quite fascinated, trying to +decide what colours he was using, and in what proportion he had mixed +them. If she could only see his palette, she might perhaps discover the +secret of that particularly warm shadow he was in the act of placing +under the near tree. She craned her head a little forward through the +hedge. Gwethyn, equally anxious to see everything possible, pressed +closely behind her. Whether it was the heat of the sun, or whether a +sycamore leaf tickled the end of her nose, I cannot tell. The cause is +immaterial, but the awful and tangible result was that Katrine--Katrine, +who prided herself upon prunes and prism--burst without warning into a +violent and uncontrollable sneeze! Naturally the artist turned at the +unwonted sound, to catch an astonishing vision of two dismayed faces +peeping like dryads from the greenery behind him. + +Katrine dashed off like a thief detected red-handed, but she had hardly +gone a yard when Gwethyn seized her by the arm. + +"Katrine! Stop! There's no need to run in that silly way. Can't you see +it's Mr. Freeman?" + +"What's the matter, girls?" asked Miss Aubrey, who had walked up to +correct their drawings. + +Katrine felt caught on both sides, but there seemed nothing for it but +to pass off the affair as well as she could. + +"We've met an old friend of my father's," she explained. "I suppose we +may say 'How do you do?' to him over the hedge?" + +If the girls were surprised to see Mr. Freeman, he was equally +astonished to find them at Heathwell. + +"Didn't know you were at school here. It's a grand part of the world for +sketching. Never saw so many paintable bits in my life. My diggings are +in the village. Yes, come down and look at my picture, if you like." + +Mr. Freeman had often been a guest at the Marsdens'. The girls knew him +well. He had criticized Katrine's earliest art efforts, and had painted +a portrait of Gwethyn when she was about seven years old. He seemed to +have grasped the humour of the present situation, for he gazed up the +bank with twinkling eyes. Katrine hastily introduced Miss Aubrey over +the top of the hedge, not a very dignified method of presenting a +friend, but the only one available. Fortunately Miss Aubrey was not Mrs. +Franklin! An invitation to make a nearer acquaintance with the picture +was irresistible. Katrine took her teacher by the arm, and pulled her +gently in the direction of the gate. She offered no objection. + +"I was most extremely glad for Mr. Freeman to meet Miss Aubrey," Katrine +confided to Gwethyn afterwards. "Two such good artists positively ought +to know each other. They've each got a picture in the Academy, +and--isn't it funny?--in the very same room--numbers 402 and 437!" + +"They seemed to find plenty to talk about," returned Gwethyn. "I hope +Mr. Freeman really will look us up at school." + +Not only did their artist friend take an early opportunity of calling on +them at Aireyholme, but he asked Miss Aubrey to bring them to see his +sketches in the little studio he had rigged up in the village. It was a +treat to be shown his charming interpretations of Heathwell and its +inhabitants. He had already requisitioned some of the Gartley children +as models, and was in ecstasies over their picturesque appearance. His +study of the High Street at sunset was a poem on canvas. + +"This beats every other place I've ever stayed at for painting," he +announced. "Now I've found this studio, I shall stop here for the +summer. There's any amount to be done." + +"You'll certainly find plenty of subjects round about," agreed Miss +Aubrey. + +"I wonder if the painting is altogether the whole of the attraction," +mused Gwethyn, who in some respects was wise beyond her years. + + * * * * * + +Miss Aubrey was an immense favourite at Aireyholme, but among all the +girls she had no stancher and more whole-hearted admirer than Githa +Hamilton. Githa was not demonstrative--she never said much; but whenever +possible she haunted her idol like a drab little shadow, watching her +with adoring eyes, and hanging upon her words. Miss Aubrey had a very +shrewd suspicion that Githa was lonely at home and left out at school. +Realizing her peculiar disposition, she made no great fuss over her, but +every now and then managed unobtrusively to include the girl in some +special expedition or particular treat. At an early date in June she +arranged to take a few members of the painting class on a Saturday +excursion to Chiplow, where a fine old abbey would provide a capital +subject for an afternoon's sketching. + +Chiplow was on a different line of railway from Carford, therefore the +Heathwell local trains were of little use in getting there. The quickest +route was to bicycle to Chorlton Lacy, a station on the South Midland +line, seven miles away, whence they could book excursion tickets to +Chiplow. Only girls possessing bicycles were available for the jaunt, +and as for one reason or another several of these were obliged to be +excluded, Miss Aubrey invited Githa to accompany them and make up the +dozen required for the issue of the special cheap holiday bookings. The +poor little Toadstool turned up radiant with delight, and looking really +almost pretty in her khaki-coloured cycle costume, scarlet tie, and +poppy-trimmed Panama. A Union Jack fluttered from her newly-polished +machine, and in the basket which hung from the handle-bars she had a +store of home-made toffee as well as her sketch-book. + +In first-rate spirits the party set off along the road, riding in style +through the village, with much ringing of bells to scare away children. +They free-wheeled for nearly a mile downhill, and then had a splendid +level stretch of road beside the river bank. + +"We're getting along capitally," said Miss Aubrey. "At this rate we +shall be at the station half an hour too soon." + +"Unless we meet with some excitement!" ventured Gwethyn hopefully. + +If Gwethyn craved for excitement, she was soon to find it. They had not +gone half a mile farther before their way was barred by an enormous +bull, which, to judge by a gap in the hedge, must have broken out of a +neighbouring field. There it stood, in a dip of the road, right in their +path, tossing its great head, pawing the ground, and bellowing lustily. +The cyclists jumped off their machines, decidedly scared by the +apparition that faced them. + +"Oh, but doesn't it look a splendid subject?" gasped Katrine, whose +artistic instincts were uppermost even at such a crisis. "If we could +only draw it!" + +"Don't be idiotic!" cried Nan Bethell. "It would be like taking a +snapshot of a lion when it's rushing at you with open jaws!" + +"I'm sure Rosa Bonheur or Lucy Kemp-Welch would have sketched it." + +"Then they'd have been impaled, one on each horn, and serve them right +for tempting Providence. Look at the dust the creature's raising in the +road!" + +All the party were in consternation. Miss Aubrey, who felt the +responsibility of her charge, and moreover had a natural fear of bulls, +for once almost lost her presence of mind. + +"What are we to do? It would be madness to try and ride past it. I +suppose we shall have to turn back home," she fluttered. + +"Can't we call for help? Halloo!" shouted some of the girls. + +"There's nobody about." + +"I see a hat in that field!" + +"It's only a scarecrow!" + +Then Githa, who had been standing silently by her bicycle, suddenly +assumed direction of the situation. + +"Stop shouting! You'll excite the bull!" she commanded. "Now let us +stack our machines in the ditch, and climb over this fence into the +field. Come along, quick! This way!" + +It seemed such excellent advice that even Miss Aubrey obeyed quite +meekly. Leaving their bicycles below, they all scrambled hastily up the +bank and over some hurdles into a field. + +"We're safe, but we shall lose our train!" lamented Gladwin Riley. + +"Not a bit of it! We'll turn up in time at the station, you'll see!" +replied Githa. "Just leave it to me!" + +She broke a stick from the hedge, picked up several large stones, and +then ran along the meadow for some distance and climbed another fence. +All at once the girls realized her intention. She was descending into +the road in the rear of the bull. + +"Stop her! Stop her!" shrieked Miss Aubrey. + +By that time, however, Githa was half-way down the bank. Before the bull +had time to realize her presence and turn round, she began a vigorous +onslaught with stones upon his hind quarters, shouting at the pitch of +her lungs. Her sudden attack had exactly the effect she hoped. The +bull, enraged by the noise and the stones, rushed blindly forward along +the road, passing the bicycles without notice, and stampeding in the +direction of Heathwell. + +"Someone will stop him before he gets into the village," murmured Miss +Aubrey at the top of the bank. + +The brave little Toadstool received an ovation as the rest of the party +climbed down from the post of vantage. She took her honours +ungraciously. + +"What's the use of making a fuss? Anyone with two grains of sense would +have thought of it. For goodness' sake, let me get on my machine! We +haven't overmuch time, and we don't want to miss our train standing +palavering." + +"How just exactly like Githa Hamilton!" commented Hilda Smart, as the +girls resumed their interrupted ride. + +After all, they arrived at the station with five minutes to spare, just +long enough to book their excursion tickets and to leave their bicycles +in the left-luggage office. They were fortunate enough to find an empty +carriage, and crammed themselves in somehow; it was rather a tight fit +for a dozen, but it felt so much jollier to be all together. Chiplow was +an hour's journey away; a few of the party had been there before, but to +most it was a new experience. The abbey was one of the show places of +the county, and the old town had a historic reputation. There was plenty +to be seen in the streets alone: the houses were of the sixteenth +century, and very picturesque--many of them with carved wooden pillars, +and with dates and coats-of-arms over the doorways. Miss Aubrey took +her charges into the church, a dim, ancient edifice with a leper window, +a sounding-board over the pulpit, and, almost hidden away in the +transept, a "ducking-stool for scolds". The girls looked at the curious +old instrument of punishment with great curiosity; and Githa, who had +brought her camera, took a time exposure of it. + +"Poor old souls!" said Katrine. "It was too bad to souse them in the +pond just because they waxed too eloquent. I've no doubt the husbands +deserved it. If everybody who talks too much nowadays were treated to +the cold-water cure, we should be a taciturn set." + +"It might be a wholesome warning in some cases," laughed Miss Aubrey. +"It's really very trying when people babble on all about nothing, and +insist upon one's listening to them." + +After lunch at a cafe in the town, the party adjourned to the abbey, a +most romantic ruin, standing among woods by the side of a river. The +monks of old must have been true artists to choose such unrivalled sites +on which to rear their glorious architecture. It was an exquisite jewel +in a perfect setting, and Miss Aubrey was soon in ecstasies over +delicate pieces of tracery and perpendicular windows. She set her class +to work on an arched gateway overhung by a graceful silver-birch tree. +It was not a particularly easy subject, and most of them did not +accomplish more than the drawing, though Katrine and Nan managed to put +on a little colour during the last half-hour. Everyone was very loath to +leave when Miss Aubrey at last declared it was time to close the +sketch-books. Their train was due at six, and they must have tea before +starting, so it was impossible to linger any longer. + +Katrine had bought a guide-book at the abbey, and studied it over the +tea-table at the cafe. She was dismayed to find how many objects of +interest in the town they had missed. + +"I should like to see the old house where Mary Queen of Scots stayed," +she exclaimed. "It's only just down the street here. Miss Aubrey, +Gwethyn and I have finished tea; may we go and look at it? We'll be ever +so quick." + +"You can if you like, but don't miss the train. If you turn up Cliff +Street, exactly opposite the hospital, it will bring you straight to the +station, and save your walking back here. Six o'clock, remember!" + +"Oh, thank you! There's heaps of time. Come, Gwethyn!" + +The Marsdens marched off with their guide-book, and easily found the old +house in question, which was now used as an Alms Hospital for +superannuated and disabled soldiers. They so dutifully curtailed their +inspection of it, that Katrine declared they might safely go and look at +the ruins of the city gate, which, according to her guide, must be quite +close by. Whether the book was unreliable, or whether Katrine, in her +haste, missed the right turning, is uncertain, but after wandering +vainly round several streets the girls found themselves down by the bank +of the river. + +"You said we had plenty of time, but you didn't look at your watch," +panted Gwethyn. "If that clock over there is right, we shall never catch +our train. Oh, you are a genius to-day! A prince of path-finders!" + +Katrine came to a sudden halt. Gwethyn's remarks were unpalatable, but +strictly true. There were exactly ten minutes to spare. To go back to +the station would require at least twenty. + +"It's the only train available by our excursion tickets," wailed +Gwethyn. "I believe there's a later one about nine or ten o'clock, but +they'll make us pay the difference between cheap bookings and ordinary +fare." + +"I can see the glass roof of the station across the river, and there's a +bridge in front of us. It's probably a short cut, and will save half the +distance," announced Katrine hopefully. "Come along! Perhaps we can just +do it!" + +The girls scurried forward in frantic haste. What convenient things +bridges were! Why, of course, there was the railway quite close on the +other side. They tore across the creaking planks in triumph, feeling +that every step brought them nearer to the station. But alas! for the +vanity of human wishes! The farther side of the bridge was closed by a +turnstile, and a fiend in human form was basely and mercenarily +demanding the one thing in the world which at present they could not +muster--a penny toll! It seemed absurd to be in the depths of +destitution, but it was the fact. They had given the money for the day's +excursion to Miss Aubrey, who acted as paymaster for the whole party, +and the few pence they had kept they had spent on the guide-book and +some chocolates. To be at one's last penny is a proverbial expression, +but Katrine and Gwethyn had never before realized the dire extremity of +being absolutely without a single specimen of that useful coin of the +realm. They rummaged in their pockets, hoping against hope that some +stray copper might have slipped into an obscure corner, and have been +overlooked. Gwethyn even felt the bottom of her coat, in case a +threepenny-bit could have strayed between the material and the lining. +In the meantime the keeper of the bridge stood with outstretched hand, +awaiting his dues, casting an impatient eye back into his toll-house, +where his tea was rapidly cooling upon the table. + +"We find we haven't any money with us," faltered Katrine at last. "Would +you please let us through without, and we'd send you stamps to-morrow?" + +"Couldn't do it," responded the man surlily. "This bridge is a cash +concern, and I never give credit." + +"But we want to catch a train," pleaded Gwethyn, "and there isn't time +to go back through the town." + +"Our tickets are only available by this train, and our friends are +waiting for us at the station," added Katrine. + +"I've heard tales like this before! Don't you try to come over me! You +either pays your pennies, or you won't go through this gate!" + +"If we left something as a pledge?" cried Katrine in despair. "Here's my +paint-box, or my coat, or--yes, even my watch!" + +"You must let us pass!" declared Gwethyn tragically. + +"Must, indeed! I'm put here in charge of the bridge, and a pretty thing +it would be if I was to let everyone through scot-free! I've my orders, +and I'll do my duty," said the toll-keeper officiously, waving away the +articles which Katrine was vainly trying to press upon him. + +The poor girls were waxing hysterical. The precious moments were +hurrying by, and already a suggestive whistle in the distance gave +ominous warning of the approaching train. To be left behind in Chiplow +was a prospect too appalling even to contemplate. They had serious +thoughts of either attempting to push past the official, or to make a +dash and climb the railings, both of which proceedings would be equally +undignified and illegal. + +At this desperate and critical moment a little figure suddenly rushed up +from behind--a gasping, panting figure, with hair flying in wild elf +locks, and pale cheeks scarlet for once. + +"Open the gate quick!" it commanded. "Threepence? Here you are! Come on! +We'll just do it!" + +There was no time even to greet their deliverer. The three girls simply +tore along the road that led to the station, with their eyes fixed on +the signal, which was already down. The Toadstool was swift of foot, and +had indomitable pluck, or, winded already, she could never have managed +that last wild spurt. + +"Caught it by the skin of our teeth!" exclaimed Katrine a minute and a +half later, as, nearly exhausted, the girls were hustled into a +compartment by the distracted Miss Aubrey, just the moment before the +train started. "Oh, dear! I've never had such a scramble in all my life! +I'm half dead!" + +"Githa Hamilton, you're an absolute trump!" whispered Gwethyn, when she +recovered sufficient breath for speech. "That horrid man wouldn't let us +through. We should have had to stop in Chiplow. It was good of you to +come after us!" + +"No, it wasn't!" snapped the Toadstool rather gaspily. "I did it to +please Miss Aubrey; I didn't care twopence about you two. She was +getting anxious, so I said I'd follow you and round you up somehow. A +precious job I had, asking people if they'd seen two girls in Panama +hats! Whatever induced you to go down by the river? You pair of sillies! +It would have just served you jolly well right if you'd been left in +Chiplow after all!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +The Mad Hatters + + +If Katrine was determined that her career at Aireyholme should be "Art +before all", Gwethyn's school motto might be described as "Fun at any +price". Her high spirits were continually at effervescing point, and she +was fast acquiring the reputation of "champion ragger" of the Fifth. +There were rollicking times in the form, jokes and chaff to an even +greater extent than had obtained before her advent. Half a dozen of the +girls had always been lively, but now, under Gwethyn's sway, their +escapades earned them the title of the "Mad Hatters". The influence +spread downwards and infected the juniors. Eight members of the Fourth +formed themselves into a league dubbed "The March Hares", and by the +wildness of their pranks sought to outdo their seniors. There was a +rivalry of jokes between them, and whichever scored the most points for +the time held the palm. Needless to say, their efforts were scarcely +appreciated at head-quarters. Things considered intensely diverting by +the form were viewed very differently by mistresses and monitresses, and +both Hatters and Hares were liable to find themselves in trouble. + +I have mentioned that Katrine and Gwethyn slept in a little room over +the porch. The door was in the middle of a long passage leading to other +bedrooms, occupied by the Fourth and Fifth. The Aireyholme dormitory +discipline was tolerably strict, and usually the girls were a +well-conducted crew. + +One morning some unlucky star caused Gwethyn to open her eyes before the +usual 6.30 bell, and aroused in her a spirit of mischief. Taking her +pillow, she stole along the passage to No. 9, and awoke Marian, Susie, +and Megan. + +"Come along!" she proclaimed. "Let's find Dona and Beatrix, and go and +rout up the March Hares. There's time for a little artillery practice +before the bell rings. Bolsters are heavy ammunition, and pillows light. +You can take your choice! Anyone refusing to do battle will be +proclaimed coward. All the fallen will be buried with the honours of +war. Get up, you soft Sybarites!" + +Finding their bedclothes on the floor, and severe tickling the penalty +of a love for slumber, the occupants of the various dormitories on the +landing turned out and followed their leader. + +"Hares versus Hatters!" commanded Gwethyn. "You may duck and dodge, but +anyone fairly hit is to be considered fallen. The bedrooms are trenches. +Remember, mum's the word, though!" + +The battle began, and waged fiercely. The missiles flew hither and +thither. Some of the girls were good shots, but others had the +proverbial feminine incapacity for a true aim. There were wildly +thrilling encounters, frantic chasings, and wholesale routs. In their +excitement the combatants completely forgot the necessity for silence; +they chuckled, groaned, hooted, and even squealed. Small wonder that, +long before the fight was fought to a finish, an avenging deity in a +dressing-gown appeared upon the scene and proclaimed a compulsory peace. + +"Girls! Whatever are you doing?" demanded Viola. "You ought to be +thoroughly ashamed of yourselves. Go back to your rooms at once! You +know this kind of thing is not allowed." + +The delinquents seized their missiles and beat a hurried retreat, while +Viola, who was wise in her generation, sounded the bell as a signal for +the rest of the school to rise and dress. + +"They'll get into mischief again if I leave them larking about in their +rooms, and it won't do anybody any harm to be up a quarter of an hour +earlier for once," she decided. "But I'll see they put in the extra time +at preparation. The young wretches!" + +The head girl was as good as her word. She kept a stern eye on the +sinners directly they appeared downstairs. + +"The morning's a good time to work," she announced grimly. "If you're +fond of early rising, I'll call you all every day at six, and arrange +for prep. at half-past instead of at seven. No doubt you'd benefit by +it." + +The jokers, who had not calculated upon an increased allowance of school +hours, sought their desks glumly. But there was a further trial in store +for them. When they were seated at breakfast, Mrs. Franklin took her +place at the table with an air of long-suffering and injured patience. + +"Girls!" she began, in a martyred voice, "I have been most hurt, most +pained, at what occurred this morning. Anything more thoughtless and +inconsiderate I could not have imagined. I had passed a bad night, and I +was snatching a short sleep, when I was awakened by an uproar that is +without all precedent. When Ermengarde was here, such a thing never +occurred. There was a different spirit abroad in the school. Every girl, +even the youngest junior, was careful for my comfort, and would not have +dreamed of disturbing me. I fear now an entirely selfish feeling +prevails in the Fifth and Fourth Forms. I am grieved to see it. Our +traditions at Aireyholme have been very high. I beg the standard may +never be lowered." + +No names were mentioned, but Hares and Hatters were conscious that the +eyes of the rest of the school were fixed upon them with scornful +reproach. They ate their breakfast in a state of dejection. + +"I never dreamed Mrs. Franklin would take it that way!" mourned Rose +afterwards to her fellow-delinquents. + +"Diana Bennett says we are a set of brutes," sighed Beatrix ruefully. +She admired Diana, and winced under her scorn. + +"The others were wild at getting extra prep. this morning. They're ready +to take it out of us," remarked Susie. + +"Look here," said Gwethyn, "I think the best way to settle the whole +business will be to go and apologize to Mrs. Franklin. Say we didn't +know she had a headache, and we're sorry. That ought to square things." + +"Right-o! Then Diana may stop nagging." + +At the eleven-o'clock interval a dozen girls reported themselves at the +Principal's study, and with Rose as spokeswoman, tendered an embarrassed +apology. Mrs. Franklin was not inclined to treat the matter too lightly; +she considered herself justly offended; but after listening with due +gravity, she solemnly and majestically forgave them. + +"I suppose I cannot expect all to be as naturally thoughtful and +kind-hearted as Ermengarde," she added, "but I try to stand in the place +of a mother to you here, and I hope to meet with some response." + +I am afraid Mrs. Franklin would have been grieved again if she had heard +the laughter that ensued when the girls were out of ear-shot of the +study. They were really sorry to have hurt her feelings, but the mention +of the impeccable Ermengarde was always a subject for mirth. + +"I have it on absolute authority that Ermengarde once made another girl +an apple-pie bed!" tittered Susie. "It was Nell Stokes who told me. She +was at Aireyholme then, and slept in the same dormitory." + +"What happened?" + +"History doesn't relate. I should say Saint Ermie got disciplined and +did penance. She wasn't canonized then!" + +Although Mrs. Franklin was apt to be a little pompous and over stately, +she was very good to the pupils on the whole, and they thoroughly +respected her. They sympathized deeply with her anxiety for news from +the war, where her two sons were serving their country. Many of the +girls had brothers or cousins in the Army, and each morning an +enthusiastic crowd collected to hear the items which Mrs. Franklin read +out to them. They were not allowed to look at the daily papers for +themselves, as Mrs. Franklin considered many of the details unsuitable +for their perusal; but she gave them a carefully-edited summary of the +course of events, with special particulars, if possible, of regiments in +which they were interested. The occasional letters received by girls +from relatives at the front were subjects for great rejoicing. They +compared notes keenly over the experiences related. Katrine and Gwethyn +scored considerably, for their brother Hereward was a fairly regular +correspondent, and gave vivid accounts of his campaigning. It was at +Gwethyn's suggestion that the school held what they called a "Heroes' +Exhibition". Every girl with a relative engaged in the war was requested +to lend his photograph, any chance snapshots she might have of him, any +newspaper cuttings narrating his achievements, and any of his regimental +buttons, if she were lucky enough to possess them. These contributions +were arranged on a table with an appropriate background of flags and +sprigs of laurel. A penny each was charged for admission, and catalogues +of the exhibits were sold at one halfpenny. As all the girls, the +mistresses, and three of the servants patronized the show, the sum of +five shillings and twopence halfpenny was cleared, and put in the +Belgian Relief Fund Box. Gwethyn had wished to add a competition with +votes for the handsomest hero, but Mrs. Franklin sternly vetoed the +idea. + +"It would have been ever such fun, and the girls would have loved it!" +Gwethyn assured her chums in private, "but of course I see the reason. +Mrs. Franklin's sons may be very estimable, but they're both plain, and +of course Hereward's photo would have won the most votes; he's by far +the best-looking!" + +"You utter goose! That wasn't the reason," snubbed Rose Randall. +"Besides which, if it comes to a question of looks, your brother isn't +in the running with my cousin Everard." + + * * * * * + +Gwethyn's fertile brain was continually at work. In spite of the madness +of some of her propositions, she was really an acquisition to the Fifth. +She could always be counted upon for new suggestions, and on wet days +she would invent games, get up charades, or engineer impromptu +entertainments with the ingenuity of a variety manager. One afternoon +the heavy rain prevented the girls from taking their usual outdoor +exercise between dinner and school. Very disconsolately they hung about, +grumbling at the downpour. Only the Sixth Form were privileged to use +the studio on such occasions; the younger ones, flung on their own +resources, killed time as best they could. The Fourth suffered more +particularly, as it was their afternoon for the tennis courts, and they +had had bad luck lately in the matter of weather on their special tennis +days. + +"I declare, I'm sorry for those poor kids!" said Gwethyn. "This is the +third Wednesday their sets have been stopped. They are standing in the +corridor, looking like a funeral. Can't we liven them up somehow?" + +"All serene! Let's ask them into our form room and play games," agreed +Rose. "Where are the rest of us? Jill, go and hunt up Susie and +Beatrix. It's far more fun when there are plenty. I say, you kiddies +there, come along and have some jinks! Pass the word on." + +The juniors responded promptly to the invitation. They flocked into the +Fifth room, and settled themselves anywhere, on desks or floor. + +"What's the game?" they asked hopefully. + +"It's quite a new one," explained Gwethyn, who had had a hasty private +conference with some of her chums. "It's called 'The Oracle of Fortune'. +I'm to be blindfolded so that I can't see the least peep; then you're +all to march round me in a circle. When I tap with this stick, you stop, +and I point at somebody who comes forward." + +"Oh, I know! French blind-man's-buff. That's nothing new!" exclaimed +Madge Carter. + +"No, it's not French blind-man's-buff," returned Gwethyn, so crushingly +that Madge was sorry she had spoken. "I don't feel your faces while you +giggle--it's something quite different. I tell your characters. If +they're correct, you walk on. If I make a mistake, you may take my place +as oracle." + +"Who's to judge if they're right?" + +"The general opinion!" frowned Gwethyn. + +"But suppose----" + +"Oh, suppress that dormouse!" exclaimed some of the March Hares. "Where +is there a big handkerchief to bind your eyes? You mustn't have the +least little teeny weeny scrap of a peep-hole left. We'll take care of +that." + +Bandaged to the entire satisfaction of all spectators, Gwethyn took her +place in the centre of the room, and the girls commenced to circle round +her. At a rap from her stick they halted. She pointed blindly to an +unknown figure, who stepped silently forward. + +"List to the Oracle!" proclaimed Gwethyn dramatically. "Sweet temper, +kindness, and modesty here go hand in hand. Pass on, gentle maiden, thou +art worthy!" + +Bertha Grant, a small and inoffensive junior, retired into the ring amid +the applause of the audience, and the march continued. At the next halt +Myrtle Goodwin, a particularly turbulent and mischievous member of the +Fourth, responded to the rap. + +"Whom have we here?" murmured the Oracle. "Alas! my inner sense tells me +this is imp, not angel. Go and amend thy misdeeds. I feel the darkness +of thy shadow." + +Again a round of clapping certified to the correctness of the character +given. The girls began to think the game rather fun. Laura Browne +happened to be the next chosen. + +"Fair on the surface, but false below," was the verdict. "The professed +friend of everybody, but the chum of nobody. Full of promises, but shy +of performance." + +"She can see! She must be able to see!" shouted the girls, much struck +by the aptness of the remarks. + +"No, I can't. Not one hair-breadth. Look at my bandages for yourselves," +declared Gwethyn emphatically (though she murmured "Done you, Laura +Browne!" under her breath). "Does anybody imagine I can see through two +silk handkerchiefs? I haven't Roentgen-ray eyes!" + +The real fact was that Gwethyn and Rose had arranged beforehand a code +of signals. The characters were to be of three classes--good, moderate, +and bad. When the march stopped and a girl stepped forward, Rose was to +give her confederate the required information by means of a cough, a tap +on the floor, or a laugh. For certain of the girls, special signals of +identification had been arranged. Laura was one of these, and as luck +would have it, the lot had fallen to her early in the game. + +"Go on and try me again," commanded Gwethyn. "Anyone who likes may +consult the gipsy." + +At the next halt Rose signalled as usual, and the Oracle responded. + +"Whom have we here? A junior remarkable for her charm of disposition, a +girl with many friends, a favourite in her form----" + +Here Gwethyn was interrupted by an outburst of giggles. + +"Wrong for once!" + +"This doesn't fit!" + +"The Oracle's not working!" + +Gwethyn tore off the silk handkerchiefs that bandaged her eyes. She saw +at once what had happened. Amid the noise of the tramping she had +misinterpreted Rose's signal "junior bad" for "junior good". Instead of +addressing one of the pattern members of the Fourth, she had been +eulogizing Githa Hamilton. The poor little Toadstool stood with a very +curious expression in her dark eyes. Keen delight was just fading into +bitter disappointment. She looked round the circle of tittering girls. +Not one endorsed the good character, or had a kind word to say for +her--all were clamouring against the falseness of this description. Her +face hardened. Gwethyn perceived it in a flash. "Does she really care +what they think of her?" she speculated. Gwethyn's instinct was always +to fight on behalf of the losing side, and at this moment Githa seemed +to stand alone against the whole room. Moreover, the Oracle was not +disposed to own up that she had made a mistake. She stuck, therefore, to +her guns. + +"If Githa's not a favourite, she ought to be. It's your own lack of +appreciation. Where are your eyes? She's a jewel, if you'd the sense to +see it. There, I'm sick of the whole business. If anybody likes to take +my place, I'll resign. Or shall we play something else instead?" + +Perhaps the girls thought the game was growing rather too personal. +Nobody offered to act gipsy, and someone hurriedly suggested "Clumps". +In less than a minute the crowd had divided into two close circles, and +the catechism of "animal", "vegetable", or "mineral" began briskly. + +Githa took no open notice of Gwethyn's unexpected championship, but from +that afternoon her attitude changed. Instead of continually snapping, or +exercising her wit in sharp little remarks, she was unusually quiet. She +would watch Gwethyn without speaking, and often followed her about the +school, though always at a short distance and with no apparent +intention. + +It was at this crisis that Gwethyn one morning received bad news. Tony, +her Pekinese spaniel, and the idol of her heart, had been put out to +board when the Marsdens left home. His foster-mistress, a respectable +working woman, wrote occasionally to record his progress. Hitherto her +letters had been satisfactory, but to-day her report was serious. +Katrine found Gwethyn weeping violently in the sanctum of their bedroom. + +"What's the matter?" she asked in some anxiety. + +"Matter! Oh! whatever am I to do? Read this." + + "DEAR MISS MARSDEN, + + "I did not answer your inquiries before about the poor + little dog, hoping he might pick up a bit, but indeed he frets + like to break his heart. The children next door worries him, + and he won't eat, and he has gone that thin it is pitiful to + see him. I do my best, but he does not like being here. He is + getting just a bag of bones, and my husband says it is nothing + but home-sickness. Will you please tell me what I am to do + about him? + + "Your obedient servant, + "MARY CARTER." + +"The darling! The poor darling! Breaking his little heart for his +missis!" sobbed Gwethyn. "I knew he'd never be happy at the Carters' +cottage. A bag of bones! Oh, my Tony! Katrine, have you got a penny +stamp?" + +The girls at Aireyholme were not supposed to send letters without +submitting them first to a mistress, but the rule was not very strictly +enforced, and Gwethyn had no difficulty in answering by return of post. +What she said to Mrs. Carter she did not reveal even to Katrine. Through +the whole of that day and the next, she went about with a look of +mingled anxiety and triumph on her face. + +[Illustration: "GWETHYN TORE OFF THE SILK HANDKERCHIEFS. SHE SAW AT ONCE +WHAT HAD HAPPENED"] + +At four o'clock on the following afternoon, just when the girls were +coming from their classes, there was a bustle at the side door. A porter +with a hand-cart from the railway station was delivering a large hamper. +Mrs. Franklin chanced to be passing at the moment, and stopped to make +inquiries. + +"A hamper? For whom? Miss G. Marsden! And labelled 'Live Stock, with +Care'! What does this mean?" + +Gwethyn, coming out of the Fifth Form room, caught sight of the +hand-cart, and with a cry of ecstasy made a rush for the hamper. + +"It's Tony! My darling Tony! Oh, my pretty boy! where are you?" + +Pulling her penknife from her pocket, she cut the cords in a trice, and +opening the lid, clutched her whimpering pet in her arms. A crowd of +girls collected to see what was happening. Mrs. Franklin thought it high +time to interfere. + +"Gwethyn Marsden, whose dog is this?" she asked sharply. + +"He's mine! We left him at a cottage when we shut up our house, but he +fretted, so I told Mrs. Carter to send him here. He wanted his missis." + +"You sent for this dog on your own authority? And without asking my +permission?" + +"He was breaking his heart!" + +"You have taken the most unwarrantable liberty!" Mrs. Franklin was +bridling with indignation. "I cannot allow you to keep this dog. It must +be sent back." + +"Oh no, please, please!" implored Gwethyn. "He'll die if he has to go +back. I won't let him be one scrap of trouble. He'd sleep on my bed." + +"Impossible!" said the Principal firmly. "Do you think I am going to +relax all the rules of the school in your favour? You have been indulged +too much already. There are thirty-six pupils here, and if each one +wished to keep a pet the place would be a menagerie. I cannot make an +exception in your case. It was most impertinent of you to write and +arrange for the animal to be sent." + +Matters had reached the point of tragedy. Mrs. Franklin for once was +really angry. She considered that the Marsdens were not sufficiently +amenable to school discipline at any time, but this breach was beyond +all bounds. Gwethyn hugged Tony tightly, and wept stubborn tears. Then +Githa Hamilton stepped to the rescue. + +"Please, Mrs. Franklin, instead of sending the little dog back, might I +take him home with me until the end of the term? My own fox-terrier died +two months ago, and my uncle said I could have another dog." + +It was such a splendid solution of the difficulty that even the +Principal's face cleared. Gwethyn wiped her eyes, and beamed +encouragement. + +"Are you sure your uncle and aunt would consent?" asked Mrs. Franklin, +hopefully but doubtfully. + +"Oh, yes! They said I might take the first nice puppy that was offered +me; so I know it's all right." + +"Then I shall be very much obliged if you will accept the charge of this +dog." + +"I'll be only too glad." + +"Githa, you absolute angel!" murmured Gwethyn, pressing her treasure +into the Toadstool's hospitable arms as Mrs. Franklin, mollified at +last, turned into the house. + +"Angels don't have khaki-coloured complexions!" + +"Yes, they do--the nicest sort! I don't care for the golden-headed kind. +At this moment you're my beau-ideal of blessedness." + +"Toadstools savour of elves, not angels!" Githa was well aware of her +nickname. "But look here! I'll take good care of the little chap, and +make him happy. I'll smuggle him to school sometimes, so that you can +see him. I could shut him up in the tool-house, if I square Fuller." + +"Your collie won't devour him?" Gwethyn asked, with a sudden burst of +anxiety. + +"Rolf never touches small dogs. He's a gentleman in that. Don't you +worry. Tony'll be quite safe, and he'll soon fatten up with plenty of +milk, and a garden to run about in. Bless him! He's taking to his new +missis already. There, precious one!" + +"I want him back at the holidays," cried Gwethyn jealously. "He's not to +forget me." + +"Right you are! Hold him while I get my hat and my bike. I don't think I +can carry him and ride--he'd wriggle. I'll have to wheel my machine +home. There, kiss his nose just once more, and let him go!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +An Adventure + + +The transference of Tony cemented the friendship between Gwethyn and +Githa. With such a precious bond to unite them, intimacy followed as a +matter of course. On closer acquaintance the little Toadstool proved +quite an interesting companion; she was humorous and amusing, and though +not demonstrative, seemed to have a store of affection hidden behind the +barrier of her reserve. She was seldom confidential, but every now and +then she would open her heart the least little bit, and give Gwethyn a +peep at her real feelings. + +"Why did you take such a spite against me when first I came?" asked the +latter in one of these rare moments. + +"I don't know! I liked you and yet I hated you! I think it was because +you and Katrine sprung yourselves so suddenly on me that morning in the +orchard. You caught me in my old pinafore feeding the fowls. You both +looked so smart, and you marched up so confidently asking for milk, and +evidently taking me for a farm girl. I could have thrown stones at you! +I thought you were conceited, and I'd try and take you down a peg." + +"You certainly did your best. You were absolutely vitriolic!" + +"Well, I'm sorry. No, I'm not! You were rather conceited at first. You +and Katrine thought you'd just run the show at Aireyholme. You're ever +so much nicer now. Don't be offended! I always say what I think. You +know that by this time." + +The Toadstool was certainly apt to carry the virtue of frankness beyond +all bounds, and to allow it to degenerate into a vice. Gwethyn, however, +was a very even-tempered girl, and instead of taking offence she only +laughed good-humouredly at most of Githa's remarks, and told her not to +be a little wasp. In the circumstances it was the best possible +treatment. People who are fond of making smart and stinging remarks are +always disconcerted if they fall flat. Gwethyn's good-natured toleration +made Githa rather ashamed of herself. Insensibly she was catching her +new friend's tone. The habit of perpetually sharpening her wit upon her +companions began to slip away; not all at once, for habits are a strong +growth, but by distinctly perceptible degrees. Even the girls noticed a +difference. "Spitfire isn't half so venomous as she used to be," was the +general verdict. + +Though Githa might practise plain speaking where other people were +concerned, she was extremely reserved on the subject of her own affairs. +Only very occasionally would she wax confidential and talk about her +home life. Even then the scraps of information seemed to escape her +unwillingly. From the few hints thus dropped, and from what the other +girls could tell, Gwethyn pieced together the main outline of her +friend's childhood. It was a sad little story. Lilac Grange had been +full of tragedy. Six years ago, when on a visit there, Githa's father, +mother, and two elder sisters had fallen victims to a virulent outbreak +of diphtheria, and had died within a few days of one another. The boy +and girl, the sole survivors of the family, were adopted by their +grandfather, and had lived with him at the Grange until his sudden death +three years afterwards. Old Mr. Ledbury had often mentioned that he +meant to make provision for his two grandchildren, but apparently he had +allowed the months to slip by without fulfilling his intention. When his +affairs were investigated, the only will which could be discovered was +one dated ten years back, in which he left his entire fortune to his +elder son, Wilfred Ledbury. At that time he had quarrelled with his +daughter, Githa's mother, but a reconciliation had followed shortly +afterwards, and the Hamiltons had stayed at the Grange on quite friendly +terms. Mr. Ledbury had had another son, Frank, a headstrong, unsettled +fellow, who had also quarrelled with his hot-tempered father and had +gone away to America. That Frank should be entirely cut out of any +inheritance, though unjust, was not surprising; but the neighbourhood +agreed that to leave the orphan grandchildren penniless was an open +scandal, and that old Mr. Ledbury had failed in his duty by neglecting +to make a will in their favour. + +Ill-natured people even whispered sometimes that Mr. Wilfred Ledbury, +who had been on the spot at the time of his father's death, had spent +the night hunting through his papers, and had probably suppressed any +document that was not to his advantage. Such stories, however, were only +in the nature of gossip. Nothing could be proved. Nobody had seen, or +witnessed, a later will, and Mr. Wilfred Ledbury stepped unchallenged +into his heritage. After all, it was not as good as he had expected. A +number of securities, which he had believed his father to possess, +turned out to have been disposed of beforehand, though what had become +of the purchase-money it was impossible to tell. Old Mr. Ledbury had +been fond of speculating on the Stock Exchange, and he had probably lost +it in some unlucky venture. Mrs. Wilfred, thinking the Grange unhealthy, +had refused to go and live there, so the furniture was sold, and the old +house was to let, though so far no tenant had yet been found to take it. +Mr. Wilfred Ledbury was a solicitor in Carford, and owned a pretty house +in a much more open and airy situation four miles beyond Heathwell. His +daughter was married (to his partner in the firm), and his sons were +grown up, one practising at the Bar in London, and the other a professor +at Cambridge. His whole interest was centred in his own children and +their prospects. He had taken charge of his nephew and niece after his +father's death, and gave them a home and education, but he let them feel +that he considered them an encumbrance. The boarding-school which he +chose for Cedric was not altogether suitable, but he would not listen to +the boy's complaints, or inquire into the justice of his grievances. +Githa he simply ignored. He paid the bills for her schooling and +clothes, but took no notice of her. She kept out of his way as much as +possible, and rarely spoke to him unless he asked her a question. + +Mrs. Ledbury was not unkind, but did not care to be troubled with her +niece. She left Githa almost entirely to her own devices. Except when +her brother came back for the holidays the poor child led a lonely life +at her uncle's home. She amused herself mostly out of doors. She was +fond of animals, kept a few rabbits and white mice in a disused stable, +and liked to help to look after the poultry. In the house she was +suppressed and quiet, generally with her nose buried in a book. Her aunt +said that she was a most unresponsive, tiresome, and unaccountable +child, with no sense of gratitude for all that was done for her. The one +person in the world whom Githa worshipped was her brother Cedric. She +lived for his return from school, and the holidays spent with him were +her landmarks for the year. At present she bestowed the wealth of her +surplus affection upon Tony. He was a fascinating little dog, and so +well-behaved that Mrs. Ledbury offered no objections to his temporary +adoption. She was really kind to her niece in the matter of allowing her +to keep pets. Tony took to his new mistress with an enthusiasm that +would have disgusted Gwethyn, had she seen it. But Githa was discreet +enough not to descant too much upon his blandishments, and keep his +affection as a delightful secret between herself and him. + +"I took you first of all to please Gwethyn, you precious!" she would +say, kissing his silky head; "but now you're like my own, and what I'll +do when I've got to give you up I don't know!" + +Gwethyn, ignorant of the fickle Tony's lightly transferred allegiance, +would ask eagerly for news of him each morning. She kept a snapshot of +him on her dressing-table, and urged Githa to take the earliest +opportunity of smuggling him to school for a day. But Githa, under the +plea of the gardener's lack of connivance, and fear of Mrs. Franklin's +wrath, always managed to find some excuse, and put the matter off to a +future date. + +The Marsdens had been again to the Grange with Miss Aubrey, and had +finished their sketches of the dovecot. It was a pretty subject, and the +result was quite successful. Katrine, contemplating her canvas in the +studio on the following afternoon, was frankly pleased. + +"We're both improving," she said to Gwethyn (the two girls had the room +to themselves for once). "I like Miss Aubrey's style of teaching +immensely. It's just what I wanted. She's helped me enormously. By the +by, I lost my best penknife at the Grange yesterday. I must have dropped +it somewhere by my camp-stool." + +"What a nuisance! But you have another?" + +"Not so good. I don't mean to abandon that dear little pearl-handled +one. Will you come with me now, and we'll go and look for it?" + +"Right-o! The Grange is out of bounds, but who cares?" + +"Certainly I don't! Mrs. Franklin's rules are ridiculous for a girl of +my age. Surely I can go and fetch my penknife? Besides, we needn't go by +the road. If we climb the fence in the orchard we can cut across the +fields as the crow flies, and get into the lane by the big gate of the +Grange." + +"I'm your girl! Let's toddle off at once. If any one croaks I'm sure we +can call the fields within bounds." + +"I'm not going to be bound by bounds. Mrs. Franklin is a bounder!" +retorted Katrine grandly. + +Nevertheless, she did not make her exit over the orchard fence until she +was sure no one was watching. Choosing a suitable moment, the girls +scaled the low bars, then skirted round by the hedge along the field +till they were out of sight of Aireyholme. By this short cut it was only +a few minutes' walk to the Grange. + +The old house seemed more than ever like a story-book palace with an +enchanted garden. The lilacs were fading, but the tangle of greenery had +grown taller and wilder, and even the very windows were invaded and half +covered by long trails of bindweed and traveller's joy that stretched +out quickly spreading shoots and clinging tendrils, and threatened to +bury everything in a mass of vegetation. + +"How absolutely still and quiet it is!" said Katrine. "I don't suppose a +soul ever comes near except ourselves. It doesn't look as if a footstep +had been across the grass for a long time. Why, here's my penknife, on +the walk. I must have dropped it out of my painting-bag. I'm so glad +I've found it." + +"It's well we came this afternoon. It would have rusted if it had lain +there much longer. I wonder what the old house is like inside?" + +"Probably very dark and damp, with the windows shaded and unopened." + +"It looks gloomy--as if people had died there." + +"It is sad to see it so neglected and overgrown. One feels Nature has +been too exuberant, she doesn't care about our little lives and +tragedies, it doesn't matter to her what has been suffered here. She +just pushes that all to one side and forgets, and goes on making fresh +shoots as if nothing had happened." + +"I think it's kind of her to try and throw a lovely green veil over the +place. It's like charity covering a multitude of sins. She's doing her +best in her own way to soften down the tragedy. I'm going to lift her +veil and take a peep inside," and Gwethyn pulled back a mass of +succulent briony and peered through the dim glass. + +"Can you see anything?" + +"Yes, I can see a hall and long passage. It looks interesting. This +window is not latched. I believe I could push it up if you'd help me. +Heave-o! There, it's actually open." + +The girls found themselves peering into a small room, which was +apparently the vestibule of a hall. The window was not placed very high, +so low indeed that Gwethyn scrambled without much difficulty on to the +sill. + +"I'm going in!" she declared. "It will be ever such fun to explore. I +always wondered what the inside was like." + +She dropped quite easily on to the floor within, and gave a hand to +Katrine, who was not slow in following. Both felt it would be an +adventure to investigate the interior of the old house. They stood still +for a moment, listening, but not a sound was to be heard, so they +ventured to go forward. + +"I believe we have the place absolutely and entirely to ourselves, +unless there are a few ghosts flitting about the passages! They'd seem +more suitable inhabitants than human beings!" proclaimed Gwethyn. + +Several sitting-rooms led from the hall, which by their decorations +proclaimed their use. The one with the rosewood fittings was undoubtedly +the dining-room, the larger one with the big bow window could not fail +to be the drawing-room, and the one to the back, with the oak panelling, +must surely be a study or library. The wall-papers were very faded and +dilapidated, and the paint dingy; there was an air of shabbiness about +everything, the numerous damp-stains, the cobwebs, the odd heaps of +straw and the thick dust helped to render it unattractive, and the +general impression was forlorn in the extreme. + +"I don't wonder nobody takes it," said Gwethyn. "I should say it will be +to let for years and years. Why doesn't Mr. Ledbury tidy it up?" + +"Perhaps he thinks it's no use spending the money unless he has a +possible tenant. Even if he papered and painted it, it would soon get +into the same state if no one lived here." + +"He might have a caretaker." + +"Yes, I wonder he doesn't. I expect it's so far away from the village +that nobody would come without being very highly paid, and he couldn't +afford that when he's getting no rent." + +How large the place seemed! The girls peeped into empty room after empty +room, their footsteps echoing in that strange hollow fashion that is +only noticed in deserted houses. + +"It gives me the shivers, it's so wretched," said Gwethyn. "I certainly +shouldn't like to live here. I think we've been nearly all round. Shall +we go downstairs again? Wait! There's just this one passage that leads +somewhere." + +"Haven't you seen enough?" + +"My curiosity is insatiable." + +Katrine hesitated. One room was exactly like another. It did not seem +worth while to explore further. She half turned in the direction of the +stairs; then noticing that the passage was panelled, and thinking that +the room at the end might therefore be older and quainter than the rest, +she changed her mind. After all, it was disappointing, as bare and empty +as the others, with torn paper hanging in strips from the damp walls. + +"There's a fine view of the dovecot though," said Katrine. "I can see +the carving on the gable beautifully from here." + +She flung the window open wide. The fresh wholesome outside air came +rushing in. The draught banged the door, and a sound of something +falling followed, but the girls were too occupied to take any notice. +They were leaning out of the window trying to decipher the date on the +worn piece of carving. + +"It looks like 1600," opined Gwethyn. + +"More likely 1690. The tail of the nine is cracked away. It's older than +the house at any rate. I wish I had my sketch-book here, and I'd have +copied it. Have you a note-book in your pocket?" + +"No; and I shouldn't lend it to you if I had. We must be going at once, +or we shall be late for prep." + +Katrine consulted her watch, and turned to the door. Then she gave a cry +of consternation. It was impossible to open it. The knob had been +loose, and when the door banged the whole handle had fallen out into the +passage. They were shut in as securely as if by bolt and bar. Here was a +dilemma, indeed! They looked at one another in consternation. + +"What are we to do?" faltered Gwethyn. + +Katrine was trying to wedge the handle of her penknife into the empty +socket, but the effort was useless. It went in a little way, but would +not turn. Her attempt to slip back the catch with the blade was equally +futile. The unpleasant truth was hopelessly plain--they were prisoners +in the empty house. + +The prospect was appalling. The Grange was in such a secluded spot that +nobody might come near for days. No doubt they would soon be missed at +Aireyholme, but would Mrs. Franklin think of looking for them here? They +shouted and called out of the window, but only the birds twittered in +reply. They were in the upper story, a good height from the ground, and +much too far to jump. The creepers were too frail to offer any adequate +support. + +They turned to the door again, and tried to break through one of the +panels, but the wood was well-seasoned oak and resisted their kicks and +blows. Were ever two girls in such a desperate situation? The tears were +raining down Gwethyn's cheeks. + +"Shall we have to stop here all night?" she sobbed. "I wish we'd never +come near the wretched place!" + +"We're trapped like rats in a cage!" declared Katrine, pacing +distractedly up and down their prison. She paused at the window. +"Gwethyn! I do believe somebody is in the garden! The blackbirds are +making such a fuss!" + +"Perhaps it's a cat or a hawk that's frightening them." + +"Perhaps. But let us call in case it's a human being. Even a burglar +would be welcome!" + +"We're rather like burglars ourselves!" said Gwethyn, her sense of +humour triumphing over her tears. "Only there certainly isn't anything +here to burgle." + +The girls leaned from the window and shouted with all the power of their +lungs. Then they waited and listened anxiously. Was that a footstep +crunching on the gravel. + +"O jubilate! somebody's coming!" gasped Katrine. "Let's shout again! Oh, +the angel!" + +It was Mr. Freeman, sketching paraphernalia in hand, who stepped round +the corner of the dovecot--a guardian angel in tweed knickers, smoking a +most unangelic briar pipe. He looked about to see whence the noise +proceeded, and, spying the girls, waved his hand. + +"We're in an awful fix!" called Katrine. "We're locked into this room. +Will you please climb in through the vestibule window--it's open--and +let us out?" + +"All right! I'll be up in half a jiff," replied Mr. Freeman, laying his +painting traps on the dovecot steps. + +In a few minutes they could hear him tramping up the stairs. He soon +picked up the handle, fitted it in its socket, and opened the door. He +regarded the girls with an amused smile of accusation. + +"It strikes me you young ladies ought to be at school instead of +exploring old houses on your own," he ventured in reply to their +overwhelming thanks. + +"We're going back now, and a jolly scrape we shall get into if we're not +quick about it," said Gwethyn. "The Great Panjandrum will jaw us no +end." + +"Is your teacher capable of scolding?" + +"Rather! You should just hear her!" + +"She doesn't look it." + +"Oh, you don't know her! She's all right in public, but she can be a +Tartar in private!" + +A shade passed over Mr. Freeman's face. He seemed disappointed. + +"Oh, I don't mean Miss Aubrey!" put in Gwethyn quickly. "She's a +darling. It's Mrs. Franklin I'm talking about. She's an absolutely +different kind of person." + +"Well, I'm glad to know somebody keeps you in order, for you seem to +need it," laughed Mr. Freeman. "Have you heard from your father and +mother again?" + +"We had a letter on Sunday. They're getting on splendidly," replied +Katrine. "Gwethyn, we must bolt!" + +[Illustration: "THE UNPLEASANT TRUTH WAS HOPELESSLY PLAIN--THEY WERE +PRISONERS IN THE EMPTY HOUSE!"] + +With renewed thanks and a hasty good-bye to their rescuer, the girls +made their exit, and tore back over the fields to Aireyholme. They did +not deserve any luck, but they managed to arrive in the very nick of +time, and walked into their classrooms just as the preparation bell +stopped ringing. The teachers, supposing them to be in the garden, had +not noticed their absence. They had agreed to keep the adventure to +themselves in case it should reach the ears of the monitresses, so +Gwethyn heroically refrained from relating her thrilling experience to +Rose or Susie. She had learnt by this time not to trust their tongues +too far. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +The Tennis Championship + + +The girls at Aireyholme did not go in for cricket, but concentrated the +whole of their summer energies upon tennis. They practised constantly, +and prided themselves upon their play. Dorrie Vernon was Games +secretary, and calculated that she knew the exact capabilities of every +girl in the school. Tournaments were the order of the term, +sometimes--with handicaps--between different forms, sometimes "School +versus Mistresses", for Miss Spencer and Miss Andrews were good players; +and occasionally, when Mrs. Franklin entertained friends, a match was +arranged for "Visitors versus Aireyholme". There were few schools in the +neighbourhood against whom they could try their skill, but they had +received an invitation to take part in a tournament at Carford Girls' +College, and with Mrs. Franklin's sanction proposed to send two +representatives. The choice of these champions was a subject of the very +deepest importance. Dorrie went about the matter in a thoroughly +business-like manner. She kept a tennis notebook, and carefully entered +every girl's score, day by day, balancing the totals weekly. The results +were discussed at the monitresses' meeting. + +"Gladwin's play is fearfully off, this term," announced Dorrie. "Nan's a +regular slacker, Tita is unequal--you never know whether she'll be +brilliant or a dead failure. Coralie and Ellaline keep fairly well up to +the mark; Hilda has improved simply immensely; our own record is +satisfactory." + +"May I see the notebook? Who has scored highest altogether?" asked +Diana. + +"Well--Katrine Marsden, by absolute points," admitted Dorrie, rather +unwillingly. + +The three monitresses scanned the book, and looked somewhat blank. It +was an unpalatable truth that the new-comer had beaten the record. +Katrine's swift serves were baffling; there was no doubt that she was an +excellent player. + +"It puts us in rather an awkward position," faltered Dorrie, wrinkling +her brows. + +"Not at all!" snapped Viola. "Katrine Marsden's out of the running for a +championship." + +"Well, I don't know----" + +"But I do know! She doesn't consider herself an ordinary pupil here, +only what she chooses to call a 'parlour boarder'. Therefore she +certainly can't represent the school--that's flat!" + +"She played for Aireyholme against Visitors, though," objected Diana. + +"Oh, well! That was different, of course. Miss Andrews played for +Aireyholme too, but we couldn't choose her for a champion." + +This was rather a convincing argument. Diana's face cleared. She was +always ready to follow Viola's lead. + +"We don't want Katrine, if we can help it," she agreed obediently. + +"And yet we want to be sporting," vacillated Dorrie, who prided herself +on strictest impartiality and fair dealing. + +"Every committee has to have its rules. The school ought to be +represented by its pupils." + +"And that's the point. Is Katrine a pupil, or is she not?" + +"Katrine says 'no'." + +"But Mrs. Franklin says decidedly 'yes'." + +"I think it's beyond argument," frowned Viola, "and, after all, I'm +Captain, and final referee." + +"Oh! if you put it that way, of course----" + +"I do put it that way. I consider it's only justice. If Katrine Marsden +won't acknowledge herself on the same level with everyone else, she +doesn't deserve to have our privileges. It can't be all take and no give +on her part. There's no need for us to be so very tender about her +feelings, I'm sure." + +"Not the slightest need," echoed Diana. "It won't do her any harm to be +passed over--good for her, in fact." + +"We may as well pose as philanthropists while we're about it," twinkled +Viola, suddenly seeing the humour of the situation. The three girls +laughed. + +"All the same, you're only looking at the matter from one side," +contended Dorrie. "We've got the credit of the school to think about. +The question is, who's likely to score highest for Aireyholme at the +Tournament? We mayn't call Katrine an ideal champion, but we mustn't let +ourselves be biased by private prejudice." + +"I hope I'm above such a low motive as that," Viola answered stiffly. +"No one could have the interests of the school more thoroughly at heart +than I. For this very reason it seems to me folly to trust the +championship to a girl who really hasn't much concern whether Aireyholme +wins or not." + +"Oh, surely she'd play up?" + +"I don't know about that. If she were in one of her dreamy moods, +perhaps she wouldn't. Better not risk it." + +"Hadn't we better put the matter to the vote?" suggested Diana. + +"By all means. I propose that Katrine Marsden is not eligible for the +championship." Viola's tone was decisive, even slightly aggressive. + +"I make a counter-proposition, to place her at least on the list of +eligibles," returned Dorrie, stolidly keeping her temper. + +Diana had the casting vote. She promptly plumped for Viola, partly from +real conviction, and partly because she was chums with the Captain. + +"So be it!" said Dorrie, shrugging her shoulders. She could not agree +with the decision, but she did not take the matter much to heart. "You +two will have to brace up, and practise for all you're worth. We mustn't +let Carford beat us." + +When the result of the monitresses' meeting became known, the school +took it in various ways. Some girls sympathized with Viola, others hotly +espoused Katrine's cause. The affair was very much discussed, and there +were many lively arguments over the justice of the pronouncement. +Katrine herself accepted it callously. + +"I'm sure I don't want to be champion, thanks!" she responded to her +sympathizers. "It would be an awful bore to go and play Carford. I'd +rather stop in the studio and paint." + +In spite of her assumed indifference, Katrine was rather piqued. She +knew her play was good, and that it was mainly jealousy on Viola's part +which caused her to be thus set aside. Although she had adopted a +superior attitude, Katrine nevertheless rather liked to shine in the +school. She had played tennis in a dilettante fashion before, just to +amuse herself; now, in a spirit of opposition, she began to train. For +once she would let these girls see what she was capable of. There were +only five days before the tournament; she would devote them to tennis. +Having arrived at this decision, she temporarily threw art to the winds. +The studio knew her presence no more out of class hours: the whole of +her spare time was given up to the courts. She had an immense advantage +over the monitresses, for they were studying hard for their +matriculation, and had very little recreation, while she had a double +portion of leisure. Her play, good as it was before, improved by leaps +and bounds. Soon not a girl in the school could compete with her upon +equal terms, and win. Her handicaps were raised continually. There was a +growing feeling that it was both unwise and unfair to exclude her. + +"Someone ought to speak to the monitresses about it," said Jill Barton. + +"It would be precious little use," returned Rose Randall. "Viola is so +pigheaded, if once she says a thing, she'll stick to it." + +"But is it fair that she should settle everything?" + +"Well, she's Captain, and Dorrie's Games secretary; they have the +authority between them." + +"Dorrie has been overruled by Viola." + +"No doubt; but I don't see what we can do, except call a mass meeting, +and appeal." + +"Um--that's rather a desperate measure. I hate upsets in a school. We +ought all to pull together harmoniously if we can. Let us try and put +the screw on privately, but don't have open ructions. Viola is a decent +sort. We don't want to quarrel with her for Katrine's sake." + +Most of the girls shared Jill's opinion. They might not agree with their +Captain's views, but they liked her too well to proceed to extremities. +After all, Katrine was a new-comer, and Viola was the bulwark of +Aireyholme traditions. They tried to manage the matter by finesse. They +understood their leader well enough to know that any alteration must be +proposed by herself. She was not fond of entertaining other people's +suggestions. So they forbore to revolt openly, and confined themselves +to desperate hints and innuendoes. Viola was perfectly well aware of +what was going on, and she ignored the hints. The situation amounted to +a duel between herself and Katrine, and she trusted to her influence as +Captain to come off conqueror. It was impossible not to acknowledge the +superiority of Katrine's play, and Viola really stuck to her guns out of +sheer obstinacy. Everybody wondered what was going to happen, and +whether the difficulty could be solved without a quarrel. The time was +painfully short. + +It was now the very day before the tournament. The question must be +settled that evening. The results of the scoring-notes were posted up by +Dorrie on the notice board: Katrine headed the list by an overwhelming +majority; Viola followed; Dorrie was only a few points behind, and Diana +and Hilda, bracketed equal, came next. If Katrine were ruled out of +competition, then the championship must fall to Viola and Dorrie. The +strain waxed acute. Little groups of girls stood about in the hall and +passages, discussing the pros and cons. It was evident that something +must be done; the ferment of feeling was almost at effervescing point. + +At this crisis Miss Spencer issued from the head mistress's study. She +walked to the notice board, pinned up a paper, and marched away without +a word. Everyone crowded round to read the notice. It was brief, but to +the point, and in the Principal's own handwriting. + +"In view of the forthcoming tournament, Mrs. Franklin requests that the +Games Committee choose as champions girls who are not entered for the +matriculation. No examination candidate will be allowed leave of absence +to-morrow." + +This was indeed a cutting of the Gordian knot. Viola, Dorrie, and Diana +were absolutely disqualified. It was a totally unexpected _denouement_, +and for the moment they were utterly taken aback. As befitted +monitresses, however, they pulled themselves together, and bore their +disappointment with Spartan heroism. Perhaps they realized the +cleverness of Mrs. Franklin's generalship. It was certainly a safe way +out of an awkward predicament. Viola was an intelligent girl, and had +the sense to climb down gracefully. + +"Diana and Dorrie and I are out of it," she at once announced, "so I +suggest Katrine and Hilda as champions. There has been some little +doubt as to whether Katrine is eligible to represent the school, but I +beg to propose that any disqualifying clause should be set aside in this +emergency, and that she be requested to play for Aireyholme to-morrow. +I'm sure she'll do us credit. All in favour of this proposition please +say 'Aye'." + +Such a universal chorus of assent rose from the assembled girls that +Katrine, who had been inclined to refuse the proffered honour, was +obliged to accede. Both she and Viola had saved their dignity, and in +consequence each felt a more friendly disposition towards the other. +They discussed the coming tournament quite amicably; and Viola even +offered to lend her racket, which was superior to Katrine's own. Hilda +was all smiles. With such a partner she hoped to do great things. + +"Mrs. Franklin is a modern Solomon!" whispered Nan to Gladwin. + +Katrine was secretly much gratified at being chosen champion after all, +though she was far too proud to show it. Her affected carelessness, +however, deceived nobody. + +"She's as pleased as Punch!" was the unanimous verdict of the school. + +Everybody sympathized, for each one would have been only too delighted +if the happy lot had been hers. The two champions were the centres of +congratulation. The various points of their play were eagerly discussed; +they were the one topic of conversation. + +In addition to the pair who were to take part in the tournament, twelve +girls had been invited to Carford College as spectators. Those whose +scores came next on the tennis list were chosen, and Gwethyn and Rose +Randall were among the lucky number. They were to be escorted by Miss +Andrews, whose athletic tendencies made her as keen as anybody on the +event. Fourteen smiling girls stood ready on the following morning, all +in immaculate white silk blouses, with their school ties and hats. +Katrine and Hilda wore rosettes of pink, brown, and green--the +Aireyholme colours--to distinguish them as champions, and most of the +others sported patriotic badges. The school assembled on the drive to +see them off, and they departed amid a chorus of good wishes. Some of +the juniors even began to shout hoorays, but Mrs. Franklin suppressed +them. + +"It will be time enough to cheer if we win the tournament," she reminded +them. "Remember that other schools are competing, whose play may be +better than ours." + +"Which is a polite way of saying, 'Don't crow till you're out of the +wood!'" laughed Dorrie to Diana. "All the same, I'd back Katrine against +anyone I know!" + + * * * * * + +Carford College was a big day-school, situated about a mile out of the +town. The Aireyholme contingent was received by the head mistress, and +at once handed on to stewards, who took Katrine and Hilda to the +champions' tent, and the rest to the seats which had been reserved for +them. The College prided itself on its Games activities; its courts were +in excellent condition, and there was every facility for the comfort of +spectators. Six other schools besides Aireyholme had been invited to +compete, and bring twelve representatives each to witness the combat, +so that, with the pupils of the College, there was a crowd of more than +two hundred to watch the trial of skill. + +Katrine and Hilda, inside the tent, were having a good time. They were +regaled with lemonade, and introduced to the other champions. It was +interesting to compare notes on sports and schools; if any of the +strangers were inclined to be shy, the ice was soon broken, and all were +chatting like old friends by the time the tournament began. The College +Games Captain, a particularly jolly girl, made an admirable hostess, and +put all her guests at their ease; she had herself been entertained in +similar circumstances, so she had experience to guide her. As the train +service from Heathwell to Carford was not very convenient, the +Aireyholme party had come early; two of the other schools were in like +case, and the rest turned up by degrees. + +At last all the competitors had arrived, and the drawing took place. +Aireyholme was not in the first set, rather to Katrine's relief. + +"I hate to have to begin," she remarked to Hilda. "It's much more +helpful if one can watch other people's play for a while." + +The competitors who opened the tournament were fairly evenly matched. +Oakfield House perhaps excelled in serving, but Summerlea possessed a +champion who seemed able to take every ball, in whatsoever awkward spot +it alighted; she was a short, freckled, ungainly girl (Katrine had +mentally noted her plainness when they met in the tent), but her +spread-eagle method of play was highly successful, and her side scored +heavily. + +"We shall have our work cut out for us if we're put against her," +grunted Hilda. "Oakfield didn't do badly either, in the beginning, but +they couldn't stand against this Doris What's-her-name!" + +Pinecroft versus Arden Grange came next on the list, resulting in a +narrow victory for the former. + +Carford College had an exciting tussle with Windleness. Everybody, +except of course the Windleness girls, wanted the College to win. It was +felt that it would be too bad if the hostesses of the occasion were out +of the finals. By almost superhuman effort Carford managed to score, but +Windleness was accorded full honours of war by the spectators. + +At last it was the turn of Katrine and Hilda. Aireyholme had been drawn +to play Ashley Hall, a school, so it was rumoured, with a reputation. + +"I'm horribly nervous! I know we'll never beat them!" whispered Hilda, +with scarlet cheeks. + +"Now don't work yourself up into a state! For goodness' sake, keep +cool!" Katrine besought her. "If you let yourself worry, you'll play +badly. Our salvation is to keep our heads. If you get excited, you're +done for. Brace up, can't you!" + +"I'll do my best," murmured Hilda, setting her teeth. + +The Aireyholme girls had sometimes been inclined to sneer at Katrine's +calm, imperturbable composure, but to-day it stood the school in good +stead. In tournaments the level-headed, cool, self-controlled competitor +generally has an advantage over an excitable, impulsive or nervous +rival. The Ashley Hall champions were splendid players, but they were +more brilliant than steady; one or two little things put them out; they +lost their nerve and made a few bad strokes. Katrine, on the contrary, +kept absolute self-possession; she calculated balls to a nicety, and it +was chiefly owing to her all-round preparedness that the set was won. +She and Hilda retired with sighs of relief. + +"The foe was worthy of their steel--or rather, rackets," said Gwethyn to +Rose Randall. "I'm glad I wasn't chosen champion; I never can keep cool +like Kattie. She's always the same--never the least excited, while I'm +gyrating all over the place like a lunatic!" + +There was now a midday interval for lunch, and the crowd dispersed. Most +of the College girls went home for their meal, but the visitors from the +other schools were entertained in the big hall with coffee, plates of +ham or tongue, buns, and fruit. At half-past one the finals were to +begin. It was not desirable to waste too much time, as several of the +schools must catch certain return trains. + +"You played splendidly, Katrine, and Hilda backed you up no end!" +declared the Aireyholme girls, anxious to congratulate their champions. +"Go on in that style, and you'll do." + +"Don't expect too much. The College will probably win a love set when we +play them," returned Katrine. "You'd better be bracing your nerves." + +"Oh, we're sporting enough to take our luck as it comes, but we pin our +faith to you this afternoon!" + +If the first sets had been exciting, the finals were doubly so. +Summerlea, after a Homeric contest, vanquished Pinecroft, and was placed +against Aireyholme. Katrine had anticipated a tussle with Doris +Kendrick, their spread-eagle champion, and she had calculated correctly. +Doris's play was magnificent, and Aireyholme only won by the skin of its +teeth. + +"We must tackle Carford too," whispered Katrine to Hilda. "Don't give in +now." + +The excitement among the spectators was intense. General sympathy was, +perhaps, on the side of the College, but everyone admired Aireyholme's +plucky play. + +"Katrine is A1!" commented Rose. "Just look at that stroke! I never +thought she'd take that ball! Forty-thirty. I believe we'll do it yet. +Well done, Hilda! Good old girl! Keep it up! Keep it up! Oh! I say, it's +ours! What a frolicsome joke!" + +The College girls were disappointed at the failure of their champions, +but they were magnanimous enough to start the cheer for Aireyholme. +Katrine and Hilda were called up by the Principal to receive their +prizes--two pretty bangles--and congratulations poured in from all +sides. There was not time for much more than to express their thanks, +for Miss Andrews was consulting her watch, and announcing that they must +rush to the station if they wished to catch their train; so with hasty +good-byes to their hostesses they made their exit. Their arrival at +Aireyholme was a scene of triumph. Mrs. Franklin was immensely gratified +at the good news, and the girls cheered till they were hoarse. + +"We'll put it down in the school minutes under the heading of +'Victories'," purred Dorrie. "I'd have given up the matric. to be there. +Anybody taken snapshots? You, Rose? Good! We'll develop them to-night, +and if they come out decently, we'll paste them in the school album. I +never thought we should really beat Carford College. It breaks the +record. This is a ripping term for Aireyholme!" + +"Kattie's scored in more senses than one to-day," whispered Gwethyn to +her chum Rose Randall. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +An Antique Purchase + + +As the summer came on, bringing the climbing roses out on the cottages, +and filling the village gardens with a wealth of flowers, Katrine's +artistic soul revelled more and more in the picturesque beauty of +Heathwell. Her sketching expeditions were an intense delight; she was +improving fast under Miss Aubrey's tuition, and also picked up many +hints from Mr. Freeman, who would always stop, if he passed their +easels, and give her work the benefit of his criticism. Katrine often +felt as if she were living in the past at Heathwell. Not only were the +cottages antique, but the people also had an old-world atmosphere +lingering among them. Many of the women wore sun-bonnets; they baked +their bread in brick ovens, made rhubarb wine and cowslip beer, cured +their own bacon, and pursued various homely little avocations which are +fast going out of date in other parts of the country. Even the +Elementary-school children were not aggressively advanced; some of them +still bobbed curtsies, and wore clean white pinafores to go to church on +Sundays. + +Miss Aubrey was a great favourite in the village. Her painting brought +her closely into touch with the people, and she had a ready sympathy +for them, quite unmixed with patronage--a distinction which they +recognized and appreciated. The patriarch in the picturesque +weather-stained coat would slowly bring out his reminiscences during the +hours she sat sketching him in his garden; the mothers would tell her +their troubles; and the children swarmed round her like bees. It was an +entirely new phase of life for Katrine, who had had no experience before +of our sturdy English peasantry. She saw the people at first through +Miss Aubrey's spectacles; then she learnt to like them on her own +account, and acquired quite a number of village friends--the blacksmith +who smiled at her from his forge, the crippled wife of the saddler, who +waved greetings from her seat at the window, the fussy little spinster +in charge of the post office, the six ancient pensioners who generally +sat sunning themselves on the bench outside the almshouses, the cobbler +who bobbed up his head and smiled as she passed his open doorway, the +widow who baked the brown bread and the muffins, and the elderly dame at +the crockery shop. + +There were many quaint people in Heathwell--so many that Katrine often +declared a list ought to be made of the village worthies and preserved +in a local museum. There was Linton, a white-haired, bent old labourer, +who supplemented his parish relief by breaking stones on the roadside. +Katrine first made friends with him over a stile. It happened to be +rather a high and difficult one, and he was sitting on the top of it, so +she paused to allow him to descend. "Come on, missie, come on!" he cried +in encouraging tones. "Though it do be a rare awkward stile for +faymales. I telled Parson so, when he a-put it up; but says he to I, +'Faymales or no faymales, they'll have to be getten over it!'" + +Linton was a character in his way, a self-taught antiquarian, a nature +lover, a dormant poet, an incipient artist, and something of a +philosopher round it all. Who knows what strange dreams he may have +dreamed in his youth, of fame to be won and songs to be uttered? But +life's obligations had proved too heavy a burden, and his was still a +mute inglorious muse. His delight in Miss Aubrey's sketches was almost +pathetic; he would toddle far out of his way to pass her easel, and take +a peep at the progress of some roadside scene or cottage garden. He even +volunteered, one evening, to find her a subject, and to please him, she +and Katrine allowed him to escort them to the summit of a mound near the +river. The place without doubt was an ancient grave, for it was close to +Offa's dyke, the great eighth-century barrier between Saxon and Celt, +and though from an artistic point of view it was not paintable, the +romance of its situation was palpable. + +To Miss Aubrey and Katrine the true subject was the white-haired, rugged +old fellow himself, standing outlined against the glowing west, as with +outstretched hand he showed where the slain in the forgotten +battle-field had been heaped, and the earth piled high above them. His +voice rang as he tried to picture the far-off scene, and there shone +from his eyes just a gleam of the divine fire. + +"Look around you!" he cried. "See where yon river's a-windin' down, and +yon hills a-stand back as they did a thousand years agone. Aye! I often +comes hither and thinks what a sight it will be for their uprising!" + +Of all the quaint village folk perhaps the funniest was Mrs. Stubbs, who +kept a little shop at the corner of the High Street. It was nominally a +green-grocer's, but it included so many other things as well, that it +might fairly claim to be a china store, a second-hand bookseller's, and +a repository of antiquities. Though the counter was spread with cabbages +and cauliflowers, the floor was covered with crockery, and the small +parlour behind was overflowing with old furniture and all kinds of +oddments picked up at auctions--eighteenth-century chairs, bow-shaped +mirrors, ancient etchings and engravings, Wedgwood plates, Toby jugs, +horn lanterns, tortoise-shell tea-caddies, blunderbusses, cases of +butterflies, clocks, snuff-boxes, medallions, pewter dishes, and a vast +number of other articles. Mrs. Stubbs had a genius for a bargain. She +was a familiar figure at every sale in the district, where she would bid +successfully even against hook-nosed individuals of the Hebrew +persuasion, and bear off her spoils in triumph. She knew the marketable +value of most of her antiques to the last halfpenny, and carried on a +successful little business by disposing of them to London dealers, or to +collectors in the neighbourhood, often at double the prices she had +originally paid for them. + +For Katrine this old curiosity shop held an absolute fascination. She +had been brought up to appreciate such things, for her father's chief +hobby was the collecting of antiques. Mr. Marsden revelled in carved oak +furniture and Worcester china, and had communicated some of his +enthusiasm to his daughter. Miss Aubrey sympathized with Katrine's +tastes, and would often allow her to pay a visit to the shop, sometimes +sending her there on small errands. + +For the ostensible purpose of ordering peas for Aireyholme, Katrine +entered Mrs. Stubbs's repository one memorable afternoon. The good dame +had attended a sale on the preceding day, and her small establishment +had received so many additions to its already large collection that it +was almost overflowing into the street. She was superintending the +rearrangement of some of these articles by Mr. Stubbs, a blear-eyed +individual who proved a sad thorn in the flesh to his capable better +half, and whose delinquencies formed a topic for much of her +conversation. + +"He's no more use nor a babe to-day," she confided indignantly, "with +his legs that wobbly and his hand that shaky, I daren't let him lay a +finger on the china, for fear he'd be dropping it. He took half a crown +out of the till when my back was turned, and off he goes with it +straight to the 'Dragon'. Well, he was a second-hand article when I +married him, and I might 'a known he weren't up to much, if I'd had the +experience I've got now." + +Mrs. Stubbs spoke with warmth, evidently regarding her husband as a bad +investment, which she unfortunately had no opportunity of passing on at +a profit to anybody else. She hustled him out of the way at present, and +telling him to retire to the kitchen, took Katrine into the crowded +little parlour to inspect her latest purchases. The sale had been at +the house of an old maiden lady who had possessed many antique +belongings, including carved ivories and miniatures, as well as Sheraton +furniture. These treasures were, of course, far beyond Katrine's pocket, +though she regarded them with the covetous eye of a born collector. + +"I'm afraid I can't afford anything old," she said at last. "I really +came to order three pecks of peas for Mrs. Franklin." + +"I've a little cupboard here I'd like to show you," urged Mrs. Stubbs, +who always saw in Katrine a possible customer. "It went dirt-cheap at +the sale, too, so I could afford to let you have it for one pound five, +and clear a trifle of profit, just enough to pay me for the trouble of +fetching it. What do you think of this, now?" + +The cupboard in question was a small oak one, about two feet in height, +with the date 1791 carved on its door. It was plainly intended for +spices, for inside it had nine tiny drawers, surrounding a space in the +centre. It was such a quaint, bijou, attractive little piece that +Katrine promptly fell in love with it. She knew it would absolutely +delight her father, and she determined to buy it, and give it to him as +a birthday present. + +"If you'd say a pound?" she ventured, remembering that all old-furniture +dealers affect an almost Eastern habit of bargaining. + +"Done!" declared Mrs. Stubbs promptly. "I wouldn't quarrel with you over +a few shillings, and I'm so stocked up with things, I'll be glad to make +room. This is as nice a bit of oak as you'd find in all Heathwell." + +"I suppose it comes from Miss Jackson's family?" said Katrine. "What +are those two initials carved under the date? They look like an R and an +L." + +"Maybe it might come from Mrs. Jackson's mother's. I didn't hear where +she got it, but she'd a lot of fine stuff in her house, and thought a +deal of it, too. I've seen her at auctions myself, buying a few odd +trifles she fancied. Poor dear lady! it's sad to think she's dead and +gone. She'd be sore upset if she could see her things all scattered. +Well, missie, I'll send Stubbs round to Aireyholme this evening with the +cupboard; but don't you give him the money for it, however he may ask. +You call and pay me quiet-like, some other time when he ain't about. +He's not fit to be trusted with a penny piece." + +The delinquent Stubbs staggered round in the course of the evening, +bearing the little oak cupboard in his arms; but, mindful of his +failing, Katrine forbore even to give him a tip for himself. + +"I felt horribly mean," she assured Miss Aubrey, to whom she had +confided the particulars of her purchase, "especially as he hinted so +desperately." + +"You were right, for he would have gone straight to the 'Dragon' and +spent it. Shall we carry your cupboard into the studio? Then we can all +enjoy it while it's here." + +"Oh, please do! Isn't it a little beauty? Dad will be simply delighted +with it. I want to show it to Mr. Freeman. He's a very good judge of old +oak, and will know if it's genuine." + +"There can be no mistake about its genuineness. I think you are very +lucky to get hold of it," replied Miss Aubrey, calling one of the +servants, and telling her to take the cupboard upstairs. + +A place was found for Katrine's treasure on the top of an oak chest, and +it was admired to her heart's content. By special invitation Mr. Freeman +came to inspect it, and congratulated her on her possession. + +"It's a real antique--a very pretty little piece. It will just suit Mr. +Marsden. In the meantime it's an ornament in the studio here. You'll +find these small drawers most convenient to keep paints and bottles in." + +Katrine always rode her hobbies hard. The acquisition of the oak +spice-cupboard had started her in a new line. She now posed as a +collector of antiques. She borrowed some books from Mr. Freeman, and +after a brief study of their contents began to talk glibly of the +Sheraton and Heppelwhite periods, Adams chimney-pieces, and soft paste +Worcester china. She aired her new-found knowledge so ceaselessly, in +season and out of season, that the girls, always ready to take offence +at her superior attitude, began to make fun of her. They chuckled +audibly when Mrs. Franklin, more mathematical than artistic, made her +calculate the cubic contents of her cupboard as a problem in class, +especially as her answer was wrong, and she had to work the sum again. +All sorts of mock treasures were presented to her: rusty nails, old +tins, scraps of leather dug up from the garden, or pieces of worm-eaten +wood. One morning the following poetic gem was left on her +dressing-table. The authoress was apparently too modest to sign her +name, so the lines were anonymous. + + "There was a collector of Oak, + She knew more than ordin'ry folk! + On pastes soft or hard + She'd hold forth by the yard, + And now she's become quite a joke!" + +Fortunately Katrine possessed a sense of humour that counterbalanced the +strain of priggishness in her composition. She laughed at the effusion +and took the hint. She was perhaps conscious that she had been "putting +on side" rather too vigorously, and that it would be judicious to climb +down. + +"It's Viola who wrote it, I'm certain," she confided to Gwethyn. "Look +here! I vote we play a joke on the school. I've thought of something +rather fine." + +The two girls put their heads together, and had a long confabulation. +The result they confided to nobody, but during the afternoon they were +observed to be hunting round the garden and orchard, apparently in +search of something. Next day, Katrine studied the time-table carefully, +and ascertained that the studio would be unoccupied by any classes from +3.30 to 4 p.m. Making the excuse that she wished to touch up some +sketches there, she easily persuaded Miss Aubrey to excuse part of her +outdoor work that afternoon, and returning to Aireyholme at half-past +three, she secured undisturbed possession of the room for half an hour. +She did not spend the time in painting, though she was extremely busy. +When the girls trooped from their forms at four o'clock, they found a +large and prominent notice posted up in the passage. + + ART EXHIBITION + + A choice and unique COLLECTION OF ANTIQUES AND CURIOS is now on + view in the Studio, and forms an unparalleled opportunity of + making acquaintance with the domestic arts and industries of the + Middle Ages. Many objects of historic interest. Inspection + Invited. Admission Free. Catalogues One Penny. + + Proceeds given to the Belgian Relief Fund. + +Everybody at once marched upstairs; even Dorrie and Viola, who were +inclined to hold aloof, fell victims to Eve's instinct of curiosity, and +followed the rest, excusing their weakness on the ground that as +monitresses they felt obliged to be present at all school happenings, +and were thus only fulfilling their duty. + +Giggling a little, the girls entered the studio. The large table in the +centre was spread with a variety of objects, neatly numbered as in a +museum. By the door stood Katrine with a pile of hand-printed +catalogues, and the Belgian Relief Fund Box from the dining-room +chimney-piece. As the exhibition seemed unintelligible without a +catalogue, the pennies rattled briskly into her box. The exhibits were +as diverse as they were extraordinary, and according to the descriptions +were both rare and historic. + + No. 1. (Upper leather of a mouldy old boot.) Portion of the + footgear of Simon de Montfort, worn before the Battle of + Evesham, 1265. + + No. 2. (A broken crock of china.) Valuable piece of soft paste + Worcester from the Huntingdon Collection. + + No. 3. (A rusty hairpin.) Pin worn in the head-dress of Queen + Elizabeth at the Kenilworth Pageant. + + No. 4. (A crooked nail.) Nail from the gibbet of Piers Gaveston, + executed at Blacklow Hill, Warwick, 1312. + + No. 5. (A dilapidated horseshoe.) Shoe worn by the horse of + Charles I at the Battle of Nottingham, 1642. + + No. 6. Glove button of Marie Antoinette. + + No. 7. Needle used in embroidery by Mary Queen of Scots. + + No. 8. Safety-pin employed in the toilet of Edward VI when an + infant. + + No. 9. Portion of feeding-bottle of Henry VIII. + + No. 10. Do. fragment of rattle. + + No. 11. (A worm-eaten piece of wood.) Relic of vessel of the + Spanish Armada. + + No. 12. (Rusty cocoa tin.) Remains of cup in which the Barons + drank success to Magna Charta, 1215. + + No. 13. (A small pebble.) Stone worn as a penance in the shoe of + Henry II, on a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Thomas a Becket. + + No. 14. (A portion of wickerwork.) Fragment of guillotine basket + used in French Revolution. + + No. 15. (A rusty key.) Original key of dungeon in Berkeley + Castle where Edward II was murdered. + + No. 16. (A shabby quill.) Pen used to sign Magna Charta, 1215. + +The girls laughed immoderately to see the various objects which they had +presented in mockery to Katrine, described as such priceless relics. + +"You haven't put in the soda-water bottle I gave you!" said Coralie. + +"It's stamped with the maker's name, though I thought of breaking it, +and preserving a portion as 'Roman Glass'," replied Katrine. "I'm going +to write a book on collecting, next. I shall call it 'From Nine to +Ninety, Reminiscences of the Fads of my First and Second Childhoods, by +a Centenarian'. The introduction will contain 'Early Natural History +Instincts--Preservation of Earth Worms and Dissection of Flies at the +Age of Two'. It's to be published by subscription, 7_s._ 6_d._ per +volume. Anybody who likes can give me the money now." + +"We'll wait till we see the proofs, thanks!" tittered the girls. + +"I like Simon de Montfort's shoe best," declared Githa; then drawing +Gwethyn aside, she asked, "Where did Katrine get that little cupboard?" + +Githa had been away from school for a few days, on the sick list, and +had only returned that morning. She had heard the girls teasing Katrine +about her oak treasure, but had not seen it until now. She examined it +with much attention. + +"Kattie bought it from Mrs. Stubbs," answered Gwethyn. "I believe she +got it at a sale--a Miss Jackson's things." + +Githa nodded. + +"I know. She died last month. It used to be ours. The R and L are for +Richard Ledbury. It stood on a table in the library at the Grange. +Grandfather had promised it to me. He often called it 'Githa's +cupboard'. I suppose Uncle Wilfred put it in with the rest of the things +at the sale, and Miss Jackson must have bought it. I always wondered +what had become of it. It's such a dear little cupboard." + +"Oh! I'm sorry if we've sneaked it away from you." + +"Never mind. It's not your fault; I'd rather Katrine had it than anyone +else. I'm glad to see it again, and to know that somebody's got it +who'll value it." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +Waterloo Day + + +The girls at Aireyholme were nothing if not patriotic. They followed the +course of national events with keenest interest. In common with most +other schools they had sent their quota of knitted garments to the +troops, and they kept collecting-boxes for both Prince of Wales and +Belgian Relief Funds. These enterprises were good as far as they went, +but not nearly sufficient to satisfy their martial spirit. + +"We're not making any sacrifices," declared Viola Webster impressively. +"We don't realize the war enough. We're letting our Allies outstrip us. +If we were Serbian or Russian we should be doing far more." + +"What sort of things?" queried Hilda Smart. Hilda was practical to a +fault, though Viola liked vaguely to generalize. + +"Oh! patriotic things, you know." (Viola was rather cornered when it +came to matter-of-fact explanations.) "Tearing up our gymnastic costumes +for lint, and--and--helping to make bullets, and all the rest of it." + +"I thought bullets were made by machinery at ordnance works? And it +would be rather silly to tear up our gym. clothes. They wouldn't make +good lint, either!" + +"Well, if not exactly that, we ought to be doing something." + +"We have drill, and flag-signalling." + +"I'd have liked rifle practice. I don't see why girls shouldn't shoot! +At my brothers' school they have a Cadet Corps." + +"Mrs. Franklin would have a fit if she saw us handling rifles," laughed +Coralie. "A Girls' Cadet Corps sounds Utopian, but we'd never get the +powers that be to allow it." + +"All the same," interposed Diana, "I think Vi is right. We're not doing +as much as we might. If we can't have a Cadet Corps, let us start a +Girls' Patriotic League." + +"Good! It would brace us all up. We'll plan it out. Have you a scrap of +paper and a pencil? We'll call it 'The Aireyholme Patriotic League. +Object--To render the utmost possible service to our country in her hour +of need.' Let's make up a committee, and fix some rules." + +"Best call a general meeting of the whole school," suggested Dorrie +Vernon. "The kids will take to it far better if they have a hand in it +from the beginning." + +Dorrie was special monitress for the Fourth Form, and knew the mind of +the juniors. She was always ready to take their part, and secure them +their fair share in what was going on. Viola and Diana were inclined to +use their prerogative almost to domineering point, but Dorrie stood as +representative of the rights of the bulk of the school. After a short +argument her counsel prevailed, and a general meeting was announced. +The girls responded with enthusiasm. Everybody turned up, and all were +ready to join the new society. Discussions were invited, and in the end +the following rules were drafted:-- + + 1. That this Society be called The Aireyholme Girls' Patriotic + League. + + 2. That its object is to render service to our country and her + allies. + + 3. That members pledge themselves to devote not less than half + an hour a day to some patriotic duty, either drilling, + signalling, Red Cross work, sewing, or the making of articles to + be sold for the benefit of our soldiers and sailors. + + 4. That members cultivate the qualities of courage, + self-reliance, and patience. + + 5. That each member agree to sacrifice some small luxury, and + devote the money thus saved to the good of the cause. + + 6. That a particular effort be made to raise funds by giving an + entertainment. + +The idea of making some special self-denial for the good of their +country rather appealed to the girls. Each promised something definite. +Those who took sugar in their tea bound themselves to give it up, and +ask Mrs. Franklin to place the money saved towards their fund; others +agreed to relinquish chocolates, the buying of foreign stamps (the +present hobby amongst the juniors), or the indulgence in various other +little fads that involved the outlay of small sums. Further, it was +unanimously agreed that Mrs. Franklin should be asked to give no prizes +at the end of the term, but devote the money to patriotic causes. + +Viola, who loved dramatic scenes, made all, with uplifted hand, take a +solemn pledge to keep the rules; she exhibited a specimen badge which +she had designed--the initials A. G. P. L. worked in red, on a piece of +white ribbon--and urged each member to copy it as speedily as possible. +Having thus discussed broad details, she went on to particulars. + +"We must get up some kind of a bazaar or entertainment to make money," +she proposed. "Who can give suggestions? Oh, don't all speak at once, +please! It's no use all jabbering together! Silence! Am I chairman or +not? Anybody with a genuine and helpful idea kindly hold up her hand. +The rest keep quiet. Yes, Gwethyn Marsden, what have you to say? Stand +up, please!" + +"I beg to suggest that 18th June is the centenary of the Battle of +Waterloo, and that we ought to give our entertainment on that day." + +A thrill passed round the room. Gwethyn sat down, covered with glory. +Everybody felt that her idea was most appropriate. + +"It would be glorious," hesitated Viola, "but how about the matric.? The +exam. begins on 14th June, and lasts four days--14th, 15th, 16th, +17th--why, we should just be free for the 18th! Of course it gives us a +very short time to make arrangements, and Diana and Dorrie and I shall +be too busy to help with anything until our ordeal is over." + +"Never mind, the others must do the work. Waterloo Day would be just +prime!" declared Dorrie, hugely taken with the notion. "We'd write and +get our home folks to send us things. We can have stalls and sell fancy +articles, and give entertainments as well. It will be ripping fun." + +"We haven't asked Mother Franklin yet," objected Diana. + +"Oh, she'll agree--don't you alarm yourself! She's as keen on the +soldiers and sailors as we are. It's her saving virtue. The mother of +the Gracchi won't refuse, you bet!" + +The Principal, when approached on the subject, gave a cordial assent, +but only on the understanding that the new undertaking should not +interfere with the matriculation studies of the three monitresses. They +might help when their examination was over, but not before. She approved +of the League and its objects, promised to devote both sugar money and +prize money to the funds, and set apart Waterloo Day for a special +entertainment to which the neighbourhood should be invited. She moreover +graciously consented to act as President of the society, and accepted a +badge in token of membership. The A. G. P. L.'s set to work with red-hot +enthusiasm. Scarcely more than a fortnight was at their disposal for +preparations, so it behoved them to waste no time. Urgent letters were +dispatched home, begging for suitable things to furnish the stalls, and +to provide costumes for the entertainment, while all available +recreation was spent in the fabrication of such articles as they could +make at school. An extra spur was given to their patriotic ardour by +stirring news which Mrs. Franklin, with shining eyes, announced one +morning. Her son at the front had performed a splendid and heroic deed +in guarding an outpost against almost overwhelming odds. His brave +action was recorded in the newspapers, which also published his portrait +and a brief account of his career. He was practically sure to receive +the Victoria Cross. Poor Mrs. Franklin could not restrain her pride in +her first-born, though there was anxiety mixed with the triumph, for he +was lying wounded in a French hospital as the result of his gallantry. +She cut the account from the newspaper, and pinned it on the school +notice board for the girls to read, and did not check them when they +raised noisy cheers on behalf of the hero. + +"I wish we knew where Hereward is!" sighed Katrine to Gwethyn. "It's +fearfully tantalizing just to be told that his regiment is moved, and +not a hint allowed as to where it's going. I'm sure he'll win a Victoria +Cross too, before the war is over. Wouldn't Mumsie be proud?" + +"She'd be ready to worship him," agreed Gwethyn. + + * * * * * + +The Marsdens heard from their parents as frequently as circumstances +allowed. They looked forward immensely to mail days, and devoured the +long letters that arrived, full of descriptions of the doings of the +Conference at Sydney, where Professor Marsden was winning laurels by his +lectures on Geology and Antediluvian Mammalia. "Mumsie" gave bright +accounts also of her adventures in Australian society, and of various +excursions to see the sights of the country. She spoke warmly of the +hospitality that had been accorded them, and the agreeable impression +they had formed of the colony. The girls in return had plenty of school +doings to relate. Katrine waxed enthusiastic over her sketching +experiences, and Gwethyn described her chums, and descanted on the fun +enjoyed by her form. Both acknowledged that they were happy at +Aireyholme, and that the term was passing very much faster and more +pleasantly than they had anticipated. + +It was, of course, impossible for the Marsdens to ask their mother to +send gifts for their Patriotic Bazaar; the whole affair would be over +before the letter could reach Australia; but they wrote to various aunts +and cousins, and pleaded their cause so well that they had quite a nice +little collection of articles to offer as their contribution. Everybody +at school was working, as well as begging from friends and relations. +All kinds of dainty trifles were fabricated by willing fingers, and the +Entertainment Guild seemed to be practising incessantly. Miss Aubrey was +a great help in planning and arranging costumes, and Katrine even boldly +tackled Mr. Freeman, and persuaded him to paint a scene background to be +used for the tableaux. A few of the village youngsters were +requisitioned to take parts which needed child actors, for none of the +Aireyholme girls were under twelve, and even the youngest in the Fourth +had reached a leggy and lanky stage quite impossible for the infantine +roles that were required. There was no lack of volunteers from the +Council school; the picturesque little Gartleys were delighted to be +chosen, and such keen rivalry was shown among the other cherubs to +secure the honour of helping in the entertainment, that Miss Aubrey +found it difficult not to include the whole of the Infant Standard. + +Invitations were sent to everybody in the neighbourhood who was likely +to come; a poster was nailed up outside the market hall, and another by +the church, so that all the village might know what was happening. They +were designed by Mr. Freeman and executed by Katrine, with a little +assistance from Nan and Gladwin, and very temptingly set forth the +attractions of the Bazaar. + +It was a great scramble to get everything finished in so short a time, +and Miss Aubrey and the other mistresses bore the brunt of the burden of +the arrangements. Thanks to their energy and clever management, there +were no hitches, and the goods for sale and the entertainments were in +equal readiness when the great day came. + +On the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Viola, Diana, and +Dorrie had attended the local centre at Carford to take their +matriculation examination. Their ordeal being over, they were able with +free minds to devote their energies to the League. + +Mrs. Franklin was not particularly fond of remitting classes, but she +had the wisdom to grant a whole holiday for the occasion. Perhaps she +realized that it would be futile to attempt to set her pupils to work in +the morning, when so much was to happen in the afternoon. + +"I couldn't have tackled one single problem!" averred Rose Randall. "It +would have been cruelty to animals to expect us to do maths. Besides, +we've got to set out our stalls, and that's no end of a business. It'll +take hours. I'm glad we're French--I think our costumes are much the +prettiest." + +The stalls were to represent various nations; they were lavishly +decorated with flags, and upon them were displayed goods representative +of the countries of the Allies. The Sixth had chosen "The British +Empire", and had an assortment of all kinds of articles of a patriotic +description. Photos of Lord Kitchener, General French, and Admiral +Jellicoe were of course largely to the fore, and as memorials of the +Waterloo centenary, portraits of Wellington and of Napoleon also figured +on the stalls, with picture post cards of the famous battle-field. It +was astonishing how many purposes the Union Jack was made to serve. Its +familiar red, white, and blue stripes were reproduced on pin-cushions, +Bradshaw covers, nightdress cases, blotters, work-bags, handkerchief +sachets, and toilet tidies. The shamrock also was a favourite design, +and the Red Dragon of Wales and the Scotch Thistle had been attempted. +Coralie's aunt had sent a few Indian contributions, bought from the +"Eastern Department" at the Stores, and Ellaline Dickens had managed to +procure a number of post cards of Egypt, to help to represent the +Empire. Perhaps the most striking feature of the stall was an exhibit +which was not for sale. Colonel Harvey, an elderly gentleman who lived +within a few miles of Heathwell, had lent some swords and bullets taken +from the Battle of Waterloo, where his great-grandfather had commanded a +regiment. I am afraid the girls giggled a little as they arranged them +on the stall, for it reminded them of Katrine's mock exhibition. These, +however, were genuine and certified antiques, of whose authenticity +there could be no possibility of doubt. + +The stallholders were dressed to represent various typical members of +the Empire. Britannia, with helmet and trident, stood for England, and +was impersonated by Diana Bennett. Gladwin Riley made a sweet Irish +colleen, Tita Gray wore the Scotch plaid, and Nan Bethell the tall Welsh +hat. Viola Webster was a Hindu Zenana princess, and Coralie Nelson a +Canadian squaw. + +The French stall run by the Fifth was an equal success. The girls had +chosen to wear the picturesque Breton costume, and looked charming in +their velvet bodices, white sleeves, and quaint caps. It had been most +difficult to provide articles that were specially French, so they had +fallen back mainly on refreshments, and sold numerous dainty cakes and +sweetmeats, and cups of _cafe au lait_. Yvonne and Melanie de Broeck, +the two little Belgian refugees who were being educated at Aireyholme, +were naturally much in request on this occasion, and chattered French to +the guests very winningly. + +But perhaps the prettiest of all was the Fourth Form stall, which was +intended to depict a scene in Old Japan. Coloured lanterns were hung up, +and branches of fir and clumps of lovely iris were carefully arranged in +artistic Japanese fashion. A number of cheap and tasteful articles had +been procured from the Stores--tiny cabinets, cups and saucers, teapots, +vases, lacquered goods, paper kites, native dolls, and queer little +books, all of which found a ready sale. Six brunette members of the form +were attired in Geisha costumes, and made quite creditable little +Oriental ladies, with their dark tresses twisted into smooth knots, and +their eyebrows painted to give them the required slant. They sold fruit +and flowers in addition to their other wares, and waxed so persuasive +that their stall began to be cleared the earliest of the three, rather +to the envy of France and the British Empire, who had not expected the +juniors to do so well. + +In addition to providing a stall, each form gave a special +entertainment, for which a separate admission was charged. + +The Sixth made great capital with patriotic songs: "Drake's Drum", "Your +King and Country Want You", "The Motherland's a-Calling", and "O +England, Happy England!" were received with much applause, and all the +audience joined in the chorus to "Tipperary". A very pretty picture +accompanied the song "In a Child's Small Hand". Wee Ruth and Rose +Gartley, dressed in the Greenaway costumes they had worn on May Day, and +looking sublimely cherubic, stood holding out their fat little fingers +while Ellaline sang: + + "In a child's small hand lies the fate of our land, + It is hers to mar or save, + For a sweet child, sure, grows a woman pure, + To make men good and brave. + We English ne'er shall kiss the rod, + Come our foes on land or sea; + If our children be true to themselves and to God, + Oh, great shall our England be!" + +Special emphasis was laid, in the entertainment, on the fact that it was +Waterloo Day. Hilda Smart, in a white dress of the fashion of 1815, +recited Byron's famous lines: "There was a sound of revelry by night"; +and Nan Bethell gave "Napoleon at St. Helena", and "Nelson's Motto". +Some pretty English, Scotch, Irish, and Welsh folk dances were highly +appreciated, together with national ballads. But the _piece de +resistance_ of the Sixth was the Pageant of Empire at the end. Britannia +as the central figure grasped the Royal Standard, and was surrounded by +representatives of the Colonies, holding native products in their hands. +Canada bore a sheaf of corn, Australia offered fruit, India showed silks +and sandalwood, South Africa a bunch of ostrich feathers. Various +emblematical characters added to the effect, and little Hugh Gartley as +"The Midshipmite" evoked special applause. + +The Fifth Form was not to be outdone by the Sixth. Their French and +Belgian entertainment had been prepared with equal care. They commenced +appropriately by singing "The Marseillaise". Yvonne and Melanie were +placed in prominent positions in the front, holding the Belgian flag, +and followed with "La Brabanconne" in English, as a duet. It was rather +an affecting performance, as the two little refugees sang in their +pretty foreign accent: + + "O'erpast the years of gloom and slavery, + Now banished by Heav'n's decree. + Belgium upraises by her bravery + Her name, her rights, and banner free. + Loyal voices proclaim far and loudly: + We still are unconquered in fight. + On our banner see emblazon'd proudly: + 'For King, for Liberty, and Right!'" + +Some spirited Breton peasant dances followed, and Jill Barton and Ivy +Parkins recited a short piece entitled "Two Little Sabots", founded on +an actual incident, and describing how an English officer, arriving on +Christmas Eve at a half-shelled Belgian farm, still tenanted by its +peasant proprietors, found the wooden shoes of the children placed +hopefully on the hearth, and acted Santa Claus by filling them with the +biscuits, raisins, and chocolate that he had in his pockets. + +Beatrix Bates, the champion reciter of the form, gave an English version +of "Chantons, Belges, chantons!" Mr. Harper, the music master from +Carford, who had very kindly come to help with the entertainment, +accompanied her by playing a piano setting of Elgar's famous "Carillon", +based upon the poem. The chiming of bells and the rolling of drums were +a fitting prelude and interlude to the inspiring words. Beatrix rose to +the occasion; her cheeks flamed and her eyes were flashing as she +declaimed: + + "Sing, Belgians, sing! + Although our wounds may bleed, although our voices break, + Louder than the storm, louder than the guns, + Sing of the pride of our defeats + 'Neath this bright autumn sun; + And sing of the joy of honour, + When cowardice might be so sweet!" + +The Fourth Form entertainment was of a different type. A Japanese +festival was represented, and most pretty it proved to be. A number of +tiny village children were dressed as Japanese dolls, and posed as in a +toy shop; but to the great delight of the audience, the "dolls" suddenly +came to life, stood up, and played a Japanese game very charmingly. +"Tit-willow" and other appropriate songs were sung, and a patriotic +touch was given to the affair by the inclusion of some Russian peasant +dances and the Russian National Anthem: + + "Lord God, protect the Tsar! + Grant him Thy grace: + In war, in peace, + O, hide not Thou Thy face! + Blessings his reign attend, + Foes be scattered far, + May God bless the Tsar, + God save the Tsar!" + +The afternoon was a huge success. The neighbouring gentry and the +villagers came in full force, and sixpences literally poured in. The +articles for sale were all inexpensive, and the stalls were almost +cleared. + +"We've made twenty-four pounds, three and twopence!" chuckled Viola, +when Mrs. Franklin and the monitresses had counted the proceeds. "We'd +better decide to divide it between the Prince of Wales's Fund and the +Belgian Relief Fund. I never expected we should do so well at a little +school affair in a country place like this. We shan't forget Waterloo +Day in a hurry. I think we may consider the A. G. P. L. has scored no +end!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +Katrine's Ambition + + +Katrine undoubtedly had a very decided vocation for art. She was full of +enthusiasm, and ready for any amount of hard work in connection with +this, her favourite study. Moreover, she was ambitious. In secret she +cherished a very precious dream. She did not dare to confide it to +anybody, not even to Gwethyn, but she thought about it constantly in +private. Her scheme was no other than to get a picture into some public +exhibition. The Royal Academy, she realized, was beyond her; also it was +at present open, so that there could be no chance of competing for it +until March in the following year. When you are seventeen, eight months +seem an eternity; it was impossible to wait so long before trying to +place her work in the public gaze. She knew that autumn exhibitions were +held in some of the large provincial cities; Mr. Freeman was at present +busy with pictures destined for these galleries, and Miss Aubrey also +was a member of several art societies which had held local shows. +Katrine's idea was to try and paint a really good sketch, then to have +it framed, and entreat Mr. Freeman to allow it to be dispatched with his +pictures when he sent them to the Liverpool exhibition. Of course it +might not get in--the Hanging Committee would very possibly reject +it--but there was always the chance of its acceptance, and surely there +could be no harm in trying her luck. To have a picture in a public +exhibition would place her entirely above the level of schoolgirl, and +raise her to the delightful rank of artist. In imagination she saw her +picture already hung--not skied, but in an excellent position on the +line--perhaps even with a red star in one corner (that summit of +artists' hopes!) to mark it as sold. How delightful to go to the gallery +and see it for herself! How she would revel in the catalogue in which +her name would be printed as an exhibitor! She would certainly turn up +her hair for the occasion. It would be ridiculous to wear it in a plait. + +But before these golden visions had any chance of realization she must +produce her masterpiece. She did not think Mr. Freeman would countenance +submitting any of her present sketches to a Hanging Committee. His +criticisms of them, though kindly, had not spared their faults. A really +good subject was half the battle of a picture in her estimation, so she +turned over many ideas in her mind. + +One day she had an inspiration. Miss Aubrey had engaged as a model an +old village woman, who came three days in the week to sit in the studio. +She was a picturesque figure in lilac cotton dress, white apron, and +sun-bonnet, and Miss Aubrey posed her with Katrine's own cupboard as an +accessory. Katrine's notion was to complete the picture by the addition +of a child holding outstretched hands, as if to ask Granny Blundell for +something from the cupboard. Little Hugh Gartley was the very one! His +flaxen curls would look lovely against a background of old oak. +Moreover, he was the school mascot. Twice before, his portraits had +secured luck to their fortunate painters. Why not a third time? In +anticipation her name was already in the catalogue. She thought of +several appropriate titles: "Please, Granny!" "Grandmother's Cupboard"; +"I want some!" and "I'm a Good Boy!" but could not decide which she +liked the best. She easily persuaded Miss Aubrey to allow her to have +Hugh as a model, and the little fellow came for a short time every day +after his school-hours to stand for his portrait. Katrine took an +immense amount of pains over her sketch. It was decidedly the best she +had done, and Miss Aubrey commended it. + +"The thing it chiefly wants is a really suitable background," said +Katrine. "I ought to paint a cottage interior with a little window and a +flowerpot on the sill. May I take my sketch to the Gartleys' cottage, +and finish it there?" + +"Certainly, if you like. I can't go with you, for there wouldn't be room +for two easels, but you will be all right there alone." + +Gwethyn laughed when Katrine announced her intention. + +"I don't envy you painting in the midst of a close circle of Gartleys," +she said. + +"Never mind, I shall have to stand it. One must pay the price for one's +efforts. Perhaps the mother will keep them in order." + +"Put on your oldest skirt, then, for they'll smear sticky fingers over +it! 'We are seven' is a nice sentiment in a poem, but one prefers a +lesser number in a cottage, especially when the family is so addicted to +treacle. I call you a martyr to the cause of art. I like the +dilapidated, tumble-down, picturesque exteriors, but I draw the line at +sitting inside some of them." + +"That's where your enthusiasm falls short of mine!" + +"Yes, I should want the Gartley residence spring-cleaned first. But +tastes differ--you can always overlook every inconvenience for the sake +of the picturesque; so go, and my blessing go with you!" + +"Don't rag!" murmured Katrine. "It's not so bad as all that." + +When Katrine arrived at the cottage, and proffered her request to Mrs. +Gartley to be allowed to make a sketch of the kitchen, she thought just +a shade of doubt passed over the care-worn face, and that the assent, +though ready enough, was not quite so cordial as she had expected. She +saw the explanation of the woman's hesitation at once when she entered. +Seated by the fireside, with his boots on the fender and a clay pipe in +his mouth, was a hang-dog-looking individual whom she had no difficulty +in guessing to be Bob Gartley, though she had never chanced to come +across him before. + +"You won't mind he?" said Mrs. Gartley apologetically, under her breath. +"He's biding at home to-day, instead of at his work. It's a poor place +for you to sit, but I'll try and keep the children off you. Hugh? Oh +yes, he'll stand if you want him! Go and fetch him, Mary! Get away, Tom! +Would you like a chair, miss?" + +"I've brought my camp-stool, thank you," replied Katrine, unpacking her +sketching materials, and placing her canvas upon her easel. "You see, +I've already put Hugh into the picture. I only want to finish him off, +and paint a background." + +"Why, there he be to the life! And if it isn't old Mrs. Blundell, too! +Oh, isn't it beautiful? Might Bob take a look? Bob, come and see how +nice the lady's painted our Hugh!" + +Bob heaved himself up rather diffidently, and approached the easel. He +was apparently modest at receiving visitors. He stared hard at the +canvas, bending down, indeed, to examine it more closely. Katrine +thought he was mentally appraising the portrait of his child, but when +at last he spoke, his criticism was totally unexpected. + +"Where did you get yon cupboard?" he grunted. + +"This little spice cupboard in the picture? Why, I bought it from Mrs. +Stubbs." + +"You bought it? Off Mrs. Stubbs? How did she come to get hold of it, +now?" + +"I believe she got it at a sale." + +"And you've drawed it just as it is? You haven't made up they letters +and figures and things as is on it?" + +"Oh, no! I copied them exactly." + +"And where is it now?" + +"I have it safely at Aireyholme, in the studio." + +"What do you want to know for, Bob?" interposed his wife. + +"Never you mind, it's no business of yours, nor of anyone else's, so far +as I can see. Hugh? Oh, yes! It's like enough to the brat, I dare say. +They're a noisy set, all on 'em!" + +And without vouchsafing any further information, the head of the +Gartley family stumped out of the cottage in the direction of the +"Dragon". + +"Well, it's the first time as ever I've known Bob take so much notice of +anything!" exclaimed Mrs. Gartley. "What's he got to do with cupboards?" + +"Perhaps he's fond of old furniture," ventured Katrine. + +"Him! He's fond of his pipe and his beer, and that's all! I'd like to +know what be up?" + +"Why, I suppose anyone can feel a little natural curiosity when he looks +at a picture," said Katrine, who saw nothing unusual in the incident. + +"Natural curiosity, indeed! He's a deep 'un, is Bob!" + +"Well, perhaps he'll tell you at tea-time." + +"Not he; he don't tell me naught. But there! what's the use of talking +of him? A young lady like you won't want to be thinking of such as he." + +Probably Mrs. Gartley was right. Katrine went on with her sketch, and +forgot all about Bob and his temporary burst of inquisitiveness. She +painted the little window and the pots of geraniums, and a part of the +doorway with a peep of the village street showing through the open door. +It was exactly the background she wanted for her figures. The whole made +quite a charming picture. + +At half-past four she packed up her traps, and went back to school +rather reluctantly, for she had spent a pleasant afternoon. It was not +until after she had gone that Mr. Bob Gartley sauntered back from the +"Dragon" to join his family circle. + +By occupation he was a farm labourer, a blacksmith's assistant, a +bricklayer, or a carter as the case might be, but he never stuck long to +any job. Owing to the exertions of his wife and his numerous olive +branches at haymaking, bean-picking, or in the harvest field, he +generally managed to get through the summer without any undue +expenditure of energy on his own part--a state of affairs which he +regarded as highly satisfactory. + +"Let the kids work!" he remarked on this particular evening, after +pocketing the sixpence which Katrine had left for Hugh. "It's good for +'em. Develops their muscles, and teaches 'em punctuality and +perseverance and order, and all they things the Parish Magazine says +ought to be instilled into 'em while they are young. I was set at it +soon enough myself, and clouted on the head if I didn't keep it up. I +don't hold with these Council schools, keeping the children shut up for +the best part of the day, when they ought to be a bit of use in the +fields at a job of weeding or such-like." + +"I suppose they must get their schooling. Mary is learning to recite +Shakespeare, and she can do vulgar fractions, so she tells me," replied +Mrs. Gartley, who was proud of her first-born's talents. + +"Shakespeare and vulgar fractions is all very well, but they don't earn +nothing. Didn't I take first prize myself for reciting when I were a boy +at school? And much good it's done me! No; if I'd a voice in public +affairs I'd drop education, and spend the money on giving allotments to +decent working men with big families--men who'd train their kids not to +be idle, and keep 'em at it. What's the use of sendin' a child to school +for a matter of nine years, to cram it with head-learnin' when it's +goin' to get its livin' with its hands afterwards? Let it stop at home, +says I, and copy its father." + +"A nice example you'd make, for sure!" sneered Mrs. Gartley. "You only +want 'em at home so that you can have some 'un to send errands. Why, if +there isn't Mrs. Stubbs at the door! Whatever's she come for, I'd like +to know?" + +Though she might not feel undue delight at the advent of a visitor, Mrs. +Gartley nevertheless hastened to admit the old-furniture vendor, and +usher her into the kitchen. + +Most poor people are very much afraid of giving one another offence, and +suffer greatly from the intrusions of their neighbours. It is impossible +to say "Not at home" when they must answer the door in person, and the +plea of being busy would be regarded as a mere excuse. Bob Gartley did +not rise to greet the new-comer, neither did he remove his pipe from his +mouth; but Mrs. Stubbs was unaccustomed to be treated with ceremony, so +she did not notice such trifling omissions. + +"I came to see if you could spare half a day to help me with some +cleaning, Jane," she announced. "I've had a fresh lot of furniture in +last week, and it do be in such a state, I must tidy it up a bit before +I let folks look at it. There's a gentleman wrote to me from London +about it--a dealer in a big way, he is--and he may come down any day, so +I want it to have a rub with the polishing-cloth." + +"You do a nice little bit of business in your line, Mrs. Stubbs," +remarked Bob Gartley. "And a pretty quick turnover, too, from what I +hear." + +"Well, things be just tolerable, like. Sometimes I make a profit, and +sometimes I don't," admitted Mrs. Stubbs cautiously. "It takes knowing, +does the buying of old furniture; but I may say I've got a reputation +for spotting what's genuine. All the best people about comes to me for +things. I've had Mrs. Everard, and Captain and Mrs. Gordon, and Mr. +Jefferson, and even Sir Victor White his own self!" + +"Bless me! Can't they afford to buy their furniture new?" exclaimed Mrs. +Gartley in much astonishment. + +"That shows you don't know anything about it, Jane. Gentlefolks has a +great liking for old things, and will pay almost any fancy price for +'em. No, I don't mean plain deal tables and chairs like these," +intercepting Bob's hopeful glance at his property; "but oak dressers and +chests and cupboards that have come down through a generation or two." + +"Well, it's a queer taste. If I was a lady I'd go into Carford and get a +velvet sofa, and a sideboard with glass at the back of it." + +"Ah! that's not the present fashion," said Mrs. Stubbs, shaking her head +wisely. "You'd be amazed how everybody has took a craze for what's old. +The young ladies at Aireyholme is always in and out of my shop, lookin' +at bits of china, and samplers, and such-like." + +"Didn't one of 'em buy a cupboard of you a while ago?" inquired Bob. + +"So she did; but I don't know how you come to hear of it." + +"I seed it in a picture she were making of our Hugh." + +"And she put in Granny Blundell as well," added Mrs. Gartley. + +"I remember the cupboard well enough," said Mrs. Stubbs. "I was sorry +afterwards I'd let her have it, for I could have sold it for ten +shillings more to someone who came in the very next day." + +"Where did you get it?" + +"At Miss Jackson's sale." + +"Had it always been at The Elms?" + +"No; I remember Miss Jackson buying it about three years ago, when there +was that sale at the Grange. I'd a fancy for it myself then, but she +outbid me; so I was quite pleased to get hold of it in the end." + +"I reckon it belonged to old Mr. Ledbury, then?" + +"No doubt, though I can't say where he got it from. What do you want to +know for?" + +"I don't want to know. It's no business of mine." + + * * * * * + +Katrine's sketch was greatly admired by the girls at Aireyholme, but +Miss Aubrey, in her capacity of art teacher, criticized it sternly. To +rectify the faults thus pointed out, Katrine toiled very hard, and +completely repainted the two figures. Granny Blundell was a patient +model, and (as the sittings resulted in shillings) expressed her +willingness to pose any time for the school. Several of the other girls +sketched her at the life class, though none of their efforts were as +successful as Katrine's. Noticing the old woman's interest in the +progress of the portrait, Gwethyn made her a present of the oil-sketch +she had just finished. Her gift was hardly as well received as she had +anticipated. + +"The old body scarcely said 'Thank you!'" complained Gwethyn, much +aggrieved. + +"Perhaps she doesn't think it flatters her; it's one of the worst daubs +you've ever perpetrated!" laughed Katrine. + +"Oh! I should hardly imagine her an art critic! Besides, she's so very +plain, in any case. No picture in the world could make her look +handsome." + +Though Mrs. Blundell might not be the belle of the village, a little +vanity lingered nevertheless under her striped sun-bonnet. Katrine +happened to visit her cottage alone next day, and found her in a state +of much discontent over her likeness. She plainly did not consider that +it did her justice. + +"It makes me look all speckly!" she remonstrated. "And I'm not speckly, +am I, now? I was thinkin' of askin' her to touch it up a bit. I wouldn't +mind payin' her a trifle, if she don't want to charge too much for her +time. I was that set on sendin' it to my gran'darter at Chiplow, but I'd +be 'shamed to let her think I'd a face like a dough dumplin' stuck wi' +currants." + +Fearing it would be impossible to idealize the portrait to the sitter's +satisfaction, Katrine solved the problem by taking a snapshot of her +standing in the doorway with her favourite cat in her arms; and though +the photo did not flatter her, it presented her with a smooth +countenance, at any rate. It apparently satisfied her craving for +immortalization, and preserved a remembrance also of her pet, who +unfortunately met with an untimely fate soon afterwards. Mrs. Blundell +had lamented the disappearance of Pussy for some days; then one +afternoon when Katrine arrived with her easel, she discovered the good +dame in the garden, busily engaged in washing her pans and kettles. + +"Why, what a turn-out!" exclaimed Katrine. "Is it a spring cleaning or a +removal?" + +"Oh, miss," returned Mrs. Blundell, "I've just found the pore cat +drownded in the well! I drew her up myself in the bucket, and it gave I +such a shock I went all of a tremble. She must have been there the whole +time, and somehow now I can't quite fancy the water." + +"I should think not!" exclaimed Katrine, horrified at the idea. + +"I sometimes wish I lived in a town, with water laid on, and gas-lamps +in the streets," continued Mrs. Blundell. "I can't think what you see to +paint in these old cottages. The creepers lovely? Why, they helps to +make 'em damp! They don't be fit for decent folks to live in. They did +ought all to be pulled down." + +Poor Mrs. Blundell evidently held strong views on the deficiencies of +her residence, to judge from a conversation which Miss Aubrey and +Katrine heard wafted through the door as they sat sketching in her +cabbage-patch. The minister appeared to be paying her a visit, and was +trying to count up her blessings for her--a form of consolation which, +from her tart replies, she keenly resented. + +"You've got a roof over your head," he urged. + +"The rain comes through in the corner," she sniffed. "It don't be right +as I should be in this place, and some in such comfort! Folks as live +soft here didn't ought to go to Heaven!" + +"But wealthy people can live good lives as well as poor ones," objected +Mr. Chadwick, the minister. + +"Easy enough for 'em, when they've all they want; but it don't be fair! +They be gettin' it at both ends," she answered bitterly. + +"Doth Job serve God for nought?" quoted Miss Aubrey, as they listened to +the querulous old voice. "I quite grasp her point, poor old soul! I dare +say it's much easier to watch the wicked flourishing like a green bay +tree, and anticipate his retribution, than to see the righteous in such +prosperity, and think he's skimming the cream off both worlds. I admire +Mr. Chadwick's patience. I think he'll talk her into a better frame of +mind before he leaves her." + +Whatever her notions might be on the subject of future rewards or +punishments, Granny Blundell made a picturesque model, and that for the +present was Katrine's main concern. She finished both figures and +background, then left the canvas to dry, so that she might add some last +high lights. Would it ever hang in an exhibition? she asked herself. She +had not yet dared to broach the subject to Mr. Freeman. + +She looked at it often, hopefully and wistfully. At present it was the +focus round which her dreams centred, a matter of the utmost importance. +The rest of the girls would have laughed at her had they realized her +ambition in connection with it; yet, after all--so strangely do things +happen in this life--the painting of this very amateur sketch was a link +in a chain of circumstances, and if it did not bring artistic success to +herself, was to lead to wider issues in other respects than she could +imagine. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +Githa's Secret + + +With Tony as their bond of union, the amenities between Gwethyn and +Githa still continued. They could hardly be called chums, for they were +never on absolutely familiar terms such as existed between Gwethyn and +Rose Randall. The poor little Toadstool's natural disposition was too +reserved for the frank intimacy common in most schoolgirl friendships. +She rarely gave any confidences, and though she evidently admired +Gwethyn immensely, it was with a funny, dumb sort of attachment that did +not express itself in words. On the subject of her home and her own +private affairs she was generally guarded to a degree. Once only did she +break the ice. In a most unwonted and unusual burst of confidence she +admitted to Gwethyn that she was unhappy about her brother. + +"Cedric is at such a horrid school. The head master is a brute! None of +the boys like him, and he's taken a particular spite against Ceddie, and +is absolutely hateful to him. You see, it's mainly a day-school, and +there are only fourteen boarders. Cedric is the eldest of them by three +years, and he thinks it's very hard he should have to keep exactly the +same rules as the little chaps. But Mr. Hawkins won't make any +difference. He treats Ceddie as if he were at a preparatory school. He's +a blustering, bullying, domineering sort of man, very fond of using the +cane. Well, you know a boy of sixteen won't stand all that! Especially +Cedric. He's frightfully proud and independent, and he answers old +Hawkins back, and then there are squalls. Sometimes it gets to such a +pass that Cedric says he'll run away. I really believe he will some day! +It's past all bearing." + +"Can't your uncle interfere?" asked Gwethyn. + +"It's no use telling Uncle Wilfred. He always says he's not going to +listen to complaints, and that Cedric is quite as well treated at school +as he used to be, and that boys are a soft set nowadays, and haven't the +grit their fathers used to have, and that he doesn't think anything of a +lad who comes whining home after a few strokes with a cane, which are +probably only too well deserved. That stops Cedric's mouth. He can't +bear Uncle to think him a coward. All the same, he's often in a very +tight fix, and I wish we could see some way out of it." + +"I suppose your Uncle Wilfred is his guardian?" + +"Yes, unfortunately. There's nobody else. We have another uncle, but he +went out to America years and years ago, and we've heard nothing of him. +I wish I knew his address. Perhaps Cedric might have gone to him in +America. Uncle Wilfred is decent enough to me, because I'm a girl, but +he says it's wholesome for boys to be knocked about a little. Sometimes +Aunt Julia says Mr. Hawkins is too strict, but Uncle always stands up +for him and takes his side against Cedric. Aunt is quite kind; she +sends Ceddie cakes and hampers of jam every now and then, but those +don't make up for Mr. Hawkins being such a beast. He and Cedric just +hate each other." + +Gwethyn was deeply interested, but could suggest no remedy. There +seemed, indeed, no way out of such a difficult situation. Her warm +sympathy, however, quite touched Githa. + +"I never thought you'd care about my affairs," she faltered. + +"Care! You silly child! Of course I care," protested Gwethyn. "I'm as +sorry about it as I can be! Why didn't you tell me before?" + +"It never struck me to tell you. Uncle Wilfred and Aunt Julia don't care +to hear things, so I thought other people might be the same. Ceddie and +I are nothing to you." + +"Yes, you are, and please to remember that in future. I don't want to be +inquisitive and pry into your private concerns, but I'm very interested +in anything you may wish me to know. We can't be friends when you're +such an absolute oyster!" + +The poor Toadstool sighed and smiled at the same time. She had been too +afraid of snubs to open her heart readily. Her present outpouring, +though in a sense a relief, was also an effort. Perhaps she thought she +had revealed too much of her home atmosphere, for she closed up again, +and for days Gwethyn could get nothing at all out of her. Fortunately +Gwethyn had the tact to leave her alone and make no attempt to force her +confidence. She realized that such an odd, prickly little character must +be treated with discretion, and that the sympathy which she was burning +to offer was--in certain moods--as likely to offend as to please her +peculiar friend. + +For the last three days Githa had been more than usually what the girls +called "toadish". She would speak to nobody, or if baited into words, +her retorts were of a stinging quality, not encouraging to further +conversation. She was late for school one morning, and went off in a +great hurry in the afternoon. In class she seemed preoccupied, and was +several times reprimanded by Miss Andrews for not attending to the +lessons. She took the reproofs rather sulkily. Her form-mates had many +wrangles with her about quite trivial matters. + +"You always were a cross little toad, but your temper's got worse than +ever!" declared the outraged Novie Bates, after an unprovoked push from +Githa in the classroom. + +"You shouldn't stand in my way then! I wanted to get to my desk!" +retorted the Toadstool snappily, opening the lid about two inches to +slip in a book. + +"You're very surreptitious about your precious desk," bantered Lena +Dawson, for the mere sake of teasing. "What have you got inside it?" + +For once the pale little face was fiery. + +"If you dare to touch my desk!" stamped Githa, in a perfect fury. + +Lena had never intended to touch it, but thus challenged, she thought it +rather fun to--as she expressed it--"make Githa let off squibs". + +"Hi-cockalorum, what a to-do!" she exclaimed. "I'm janitor this week, my +child, so I've a right to look into anybody's desk if I like, and report +its condition. It's my solemn duty to examine yours now, and see if it +reaches the standard of neatness required--ahem!--in this very select +scholastic establishment. Naturally you don't wish to risk the loss of +an order mark, but duty is duty, my hearty!" + +"You blithering idiot!" flared Githa, holding down the lid of her desk, +and pushing Lena away with her elbow. + +"Now that's equivalent to assaulting the police! I must trouble you to +show me the inside of this. Will someone please help me?" + +Novie Bates and Jess Howard, giggling their hardest, came to Lena's aid. +The three easily pulled Githa aside and flung open the desk. Within were +several paper bags, into which Lena, on a plea of "ex officio", insisted +on peeping. + +"Hello! What have we got here? Bread-and-butter! Scraps of meat and +potatoes! Cake! By the Muses, you're having a good old feast! Do you +come and refresh during recreation?" + +Githa's flush of colour had faded. Her cheeks were drab again as the +fungus to which Gwethyn had originally compared them. Her dark eyes were +inscrutable. + +"It's no business of yours if I do," she parried. + +"Oh, certainly not! Munch away as hard as you please, if you like. It +doesn't affect us. We'd willingly spread honey on the bread-and-butter +if it would sweeten your temper." + +"There, Lena, let her alone!" pleaded Jess, who thought the teasing had +gone far enough. "If you weren't so touchy, Githa, nobody'd trouble to +bother about you. It's your own fault if you get ragged! Don't be +absurd; we're not going to run away with your precious parcels. You +needn't stand guarding them like an old hen cackling over its eggs." + +"Go and have a picnic with them in the garden!" jeered Lena. "Tell +Mother Franklin she doesn't give you enough at dinner-time, and you have +to bring extra supplies to school. She'd not refuse you a second helping +if you asked. Some people have big appetites. It's a silly secret to +make such a fuss about." + +"I call it greedy!" scoffed Novie. + +On that very same afternoon, between four and five o'clock, Katrine and +Gwethyn were walking together in the orchard. The two often liked to +have a private chat; though Gwethyn chummed with Rose Randall, Katrine +had not made any special friendship among the Sixth, and mostly counted +upon her sister for company. They had kept their adventure at the Grange +to themselves, and they talked of it now as they sauntered between the +apple-trees. + +"It's a quaint old house," said Katrine. "We didn't half examine it when +we were there. I should like to look again at that panelling in the +library, and take a rough pencil sketch of it. I believe it's just what +I want for one of my pictures. Shall we scoot and go across the fields?" + +"Yes, by all means, if you'll guarantee we'll not get locked up! Mr. +Freeman mightn't be handy a second time." + +"Oh, we'll be very careful, and inspect all the door-knobs before we +venture into the rooms! Come along; it will be rather sport!" + +Needless to say, Gwethyn acquiesced. The mere fun of dodging the school +authorities and paying a second surreptitious visit to the old Grange +appealed to her; she did not care very much about the artistic merits of +the panels or wish to sketch them. So again the girls climbed the fence +and manoeuvred across the fields under cover of the hedges. + +"It looks as if a bicycle had been here lately," said Katrine, examining +some tracks on the gravel as she opened the gate. "Perhaps we shan't +have the place to ourselves to-day." + +"Keep a look-out, then. We can soon scoot if necessary." + +Observing due caution, they entered the house by the same window as on a +former occasion. Very softly they stole down the passage past the +dining-room. The library door stood ajar, and Katrine pushed it open. +She stopped with an exclamation of surprise. On some upturned boxes at +the far end of the room sat Githa and a boy, who was eating something +hastily out of a paper bag. At the sight of strangers he jumped up with +a wild, hunted look on his face, and unlatching the French window, +disappeared into the garden in the space of a few seconds. Githa had +also sprung to her feet. + +"Katrine! Gwethyn! Are you alone, or is Miss Aubrey or anyone with you?" +she faltered. + +"All serene! We're quite by ourselves!" + +Githa ran promptly to the window. + +"Right-o!" she called. "Come back, Ceddie!" + +The boy did not reply, and after waiting a little, Githa turned again to +her friends. + +"You've plumped upon my secret, so I may as well tell you. I know you +won't give me away?" + +"We'd be burnt at the stake first!" protested Gwethyn. + +"Well, I dare say you guess that was my brother. Poor old Ceddie! He's +been in fearful trouble, and he's run away from school. He always said +he would, and now he's done it at last. I told you Mr. Hawkins was a +beast. He caught Ceddie smoking a cigarette, and said he meant to make +an example of him. He was just white with passion. He hauled Ceddie into +the big classroom, and made the janitor hold him over a chair, and then +thrashed him simply brutally, before all the school. He gave him +seventeen strokes. Ceddie didn't care so much about the pain--he bore it +like a Stoic; but it was such an indignity to be caned like that--a tall +fellow of sixteen, before all those little boys! He took the first +opportunity and bolted that very evening. He says he'd rather die than +go back to school. I'll try and get him to come in and speak to you." + +Githa ran into the garden and apparently used her powers of persuasion +successfully, for after a short time she came back accompanied by her +brother, whom she introduced to her friends. Cedric was rather a +nice-looking lad, painfully shy, however, and much oppressed by the +awkwardness of the situation. He did not seem disposed to talk to the +visitors, and stood with his hands in his pockets looking out of the +window, and whistling softly. As their presence only seemed to embarrass +him, Katrine and Gwethyn had the tact to go away. Githa walked with them +down the passage. + +"He's been here three days," she confided. "He knew there'd be a +frightful hue-and-cry after him, so he's lying low until it's over. Of +course we daren't let Uncle know where he is. There's ever such a +hullabaloo going on about it all at home, but I look absolutely stolid +and don't breathe a word. I come every day and bring him food, and he +sleeps on some straw in the attic. He'd rather do that than be sent back +to old Hawkins's tender mercies." + +"Does your uncle know how he was thrashed?" + +"I'm not sure. Probably Mr. Hawkins only told his own side of the story. +I daren't ask anything. I'm so afraid of letting out the secret." + +"But he can't stay here for ever!" + +"No, he's just waiting until things blow over; then he'll do a bolt at +night, and walk to Settlefield and try and enlist. He's wild to join the +army." + +"But he's too young!" gasped Katrine. + +"He's very tall for his age, and of course he'd pretend he was +eighteen." + +Katrine was aghast at such a plan. It seemed pre-doomed to failure. +Cedric might be tall, but his boyish figure and youthful face would +proclaim to any recruiting sergeant that he was below the age for +enlistment. She stated her opinion emphatically, and urged Githa to +persuade him to give up so foolish a notion. + +"Oh dear! Whatever are we to do then?" sighed the worried little +Toadstool. "We'd both counted on his getting into the army. I'm at my +wits' end. I suppose he'll have to tramp to Liverpool, and get on a ship +as a cabin-boy or a stoker, and work his passage to America. Perhaps +he'll find Uncle Frank there." + +"I'm afraid that would be worse still," said Katrine gently. "Couldn't +you trust your Uncle Wilfred? Perhaps if he really heard Cedric's side +of the case, he would take him away from this school, and see about +fitting him for what he's to be in the future. After all, he's his +guardian." + +"And a very harsh one! No, I daren't tell Uncle Wilfred. Ceddie must try +to get to America. Other boys have run away and made their own +fortunes." + +"But how many have done the opposite?" urged Katrine. "Don't let him +throw away his life like this! Have you no friend you could ask to help +him?" + +Githa shook her head forlornly. + +"Nobody cares to bother about us." + +"I wish Father and Mother were in England!" said Gwethyn. + +"Oh, how I wish they were!" exclaimed Githa, with a flash of hope on her +face that faded as suddenly as it arose. "But what's the use of wishing, +when we know they're in Australia?" + +The suggestion had given Katrine an idea, however. + +"Would you trust your secret to Mr. Freeman?" she asked. "He's one of +the kindest men I know, and perhaps he'd be able to think of some way +out of the matter. I needn't tell him that Cedric is hiding at the +Grange" (as Githa hesitated); "I'd simply state the facts of the case, +and ask for his advice." + +"Oh! Dare we trust him? He wouldn't let Mr. Hawkins get hold of Ceddie?" + +"I promise he wouldn't." + +Having wrung a somewhat unwilling consent, Katrine hurried away before +Githa had time to change her mind. In defiance of all school rules she +and Gwethyn went straight to the village, and called at Mr. Freeman's +lodgings. They found their friend painting in his studio, and, having +first pledged him to strictest secrecy, poured out their story. + +"Whew! Poor little chap!" he exclaimed. "He seems to have got himself +into a precious mess! Sleeping on straw, did you say? And living on +scraps his sister brings him? No, no! He mustn't think of running off to +America. So Mr. Ledbury is his uncle? The solicitor at Carford? Well, as +it happens, he's doing some legal business for me at present, so I fancy +I might open negotiations with him, very diplomatically, of course. +Don't be afraid! I'll stand the boy's friend. It's high time they were +thinking what to make of him. Leave it in my hands, and I'll see if I +can't talk the uncle round." + +"Oh, thanks so much!" exclaimed the girls. "You don't know what a relief +it is to hand the matter over to you. Now we must scoot, or we shall get +into trouble at school ourselves." + +On this occasion, Katrine and Gwethyn went straight to Mrs. Franklin's +study, and reported themselves for having broken bounds. The Principal +glared at them, entered the offence in her private ledger, and harangued +them on its enormity; but as they had made voluntary confession, she +gave them no special punishment. On the whole, they considered they had +got off rather more easily than they had expected. + +"I can't bear to think of that poor laddie sleeping all alone in that +dismal old house," said Katrine, as the sisters went to bed that night. +"It gives me the creeps even to imagine it. He looked a jolly boy. He +and Githa seem to have hard luck. It was too bad to leave them utterly +to their uncle's charity." + +"The grandfather ought to have provided for them properly," agreed +Gwethyn. "People should make just wills before they die." + + * * * * * + +Githa came to school the next morning with dark rings round her eyes. +She admitted having lain awake most of the night, worrying about her +brother. + +"If Mr. Freeman can't help us, Ceddie means to start to-night for +Liverpool," she whispered to Gwethyn during the interval. + +The three girls spent an anxious day. They wondered continually if their +friend were working on their behalf, and with what success. At about +half-past three, Mr. Freeman called at the school, and asked Mrs. +Franklin's permission to speak to Katrine. He had good news to report. +He had seen Mr. Ledbury and had spoken to him about Cedric, without +betraying the boy's whereabouts, which indeed he did not himself know. +He found that Mr. Ledbury exhibited the utmost relief at hearing tidings +of the runaway. He said he had been making inquiries, and discovered, +through information given him by one of the under masters, that the +school was not what he had thought it to be, and that the punishment +given to his nephew had been excessive and brutal in the extreme. He was +sorry that he had ever placed the boy in Mr. Hawkins's charge, and +should at once remove him. He sent a message to Cedric, telling him to +return home, and that all would be forgiven. He seemed anxious to do his +best for his nephew, and to give him a good start in life. + +"I was able to make a proposition," added Mr. Freeman, "which opens a +way for the boy's immediate future. My brother is in the Admiralty +Department, and I am almost sure that I can persuade him to give Cedric +a nomination for the navy. They want lads of his age at present, and I +should think the life would just suit the young chap. So let his sister +tell him to go home. I don't suppose his uncle will exactly kill the +fatted calf for him, but he won't be thrashed or sent back to school. +I'll guarantee that." + +Githa's eyes shone with gratitude when Katrine told her the result of +Mr. Freeman's kind offices as peacemaker. + +"Oh! I am so relieved--so thankful! Ceddie would love to get into the +navy! It would be far nicer than enlisting as a private. How proud I +should be of him in his uniform! I'll fly now on my bike to the Grange, +and get Ceddie to come straight home with me. I believe Aunt Julia will +be glad. Oh, how ripping to have Cedric at home again! You and Gwethyn +are just the biggest trumps on earth!" + +As Mr. Freeman had prognosticated, the runaway was not received with any +great outward demonstration of joy by his uncle and aunt, though both +were secretly much relieved at his reappearance. Matters took an +unexpected turn, however, for the poor lad had caught cold by sleeping +on damp straw in the empty house, and was confined to bed with a sharp +attack of rheumatism. His illness brought out all the kindness in his +aunt's nature. She had always had rather a soft corner for him, though +she had not been willing to admit it, and had generally persuaded +herself that the two children were a burden. She nursed him well now, +and was so good to him during his convalescence that Githa's manner +thawed, and the girl was more at ease with her aunt than she had ever +been before--a wonderfully pleasant and unusual state of affairs. + +Mr. Freeman's representations at the Admiralty had the desired effect. +Cedric received his nomination, and in due course, when the doctor would +pronounce him fit, was to go up for his examination. He was wild with +enthusiasm. + +"If I can only get quickly into the fighting line," he declared, "won't +I just enjoy myself!" + +"Get well first," commanded Githa, whose sisterly pride seemed to think +her brother destined to become at least an admiral. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A Midnight Alarm + + +Mr. Bob Gartley had not the best of reputations in Heathwell. He had +more than once been convicted on a charge of poaching, and had served +time in Carford jail. Of late his aversion to work had become so marked +that his presence in the bosom of his family seemed a doubtful benefit +to his wife and his olive branches. The numerous young Gartleys learnt +rapidly to scuttle out of reach of the parental fist, and spent a great +portion of their time sitting upon curb-stones or playing under +hedgerows, oblivious of damp or dirt, while poor Mrs. Gartley, who +received the brunt of her spouse's ill-humour, covered up her bruises +and put the best face she could on the matter towards the world. Her +labours had to provide for the household; her better half's uncertain +and occasional earnings being liable to be forestalled at the "Dragon". + +"Why they gives him credit passes me!" she confided to Mrs. Stubbs, who, +having gone through similar experiences, was loud in her condolence. + +"It be a speculation on Stephen Peters's part," replied the worthy +vendor of antiques. "He knows he can get it in kind, if not in cash, +and he be fond of a pheasant for his Sunday's dinner. But Bob had best +be careful, for the keepers are on the watch more than ever, and if he +is taken again so soon, he'll get an extra hard sentence." + +"I'm sure I've warned him till I'm hoarse, but it seems no use. He never +listens to I." + + * * * * * + +One Sunday morning, the obdurate Bob Gartley might have been found +sitting by the fireside in his own kitchen. He was attired in his +shirt-sleeves, and had not yet had the temerity to attempt either +washing or shaving, but he consoled himself for these deficiencies by +puffing away at his pipe, and taking an occasional glance into a +saucepan whence issued a savoury odour strongly suggestive of hare, or +some other unlawful delicacy. The seven little Gartleys, having found +their father in a very unsabbatical frame of mind, had wisely removed +themselves from his vicinity, and were at present scrambling about in +the road, awaiting with impatience the arrival of the dinner-hour, +coming to the door occasionally to indulge in anticipatory sniffs, but +being promptly scared away by a warning growl from the arm-chair. + +"Keep they brats out of my sight!" roared Mr. Gartley fiercely, turning +to his wife, who was making a slight endeavour to tidy up the cottage. +"Why can't you pack 'em off to Church and Sunday School? I were always +sent regular when I were a boy." + +"Much good it's done for you!" retorted Mrs. Gartley scornfully. "Not +but what I'd send the children if they'd any decent clothes to their +backs. I'd be 'shamed to let 'em go, though, in the same rags they +wears week in and week out, and their toes through the ends of their +boots!" + +"It don't be fair as we poor folks should have to take the leavin's of +everything," remarked Mr. Gartley, waxing sententious. "Why shouldn't my +children be dressed as well as Captain Gordon's?" + +"Because you can't buy 'em the clothes, I suppose. What's the use of +askin' such questions?" + +"I'd like to see 'em in white dresses and tweed suits," continued Mr. +Gartley, who might have been a model father as far as aspirations were +concerned; "a-settin' off proper and regular to Church of a Sunday." + +"Precious likely, when all you've got goes at the 'Dragon'." + +"It's a shame as some should be rich and some poor. There were a man +come round last election time, and said as how everything ought to be +divided up equal, share and share alike, and the workin' classes +wouldn't stand bein' oppressed much longer. They'd rise and throw off +the yoke. Those was his very words. Some as is doin' nothing now would +have to set their hands to work." + +"If you mean yourself, it might be a good business." + +"No, it's the idle rich I be talkin' of, like Mr. Everard or Captain +Gordon, or even Parson; for what does he do, I should like to know, +beyond preach, and that's an easy enough job. What right have Captain +Gordon or Mr. Everard to the hares and pheasants? They be wild things, +and I says let anybody take 'em as can catch 'em. The folks in Scripture +went out huntin', and we're not told as it was called poachin'. They +didn't bring Esau up before the magistrates for gettin' his venison." + +Mrs. Gartley shook her head. Such reasoning was utterly beyond her +powers of argument. + +"I reckon times was different then," she ventured. "They be cruel bad +for us poor folks just now." + +"We'd be as good as anybody else if we had the money," urged her +husband. "You're a fine-lookin' wench still, Jane, if you'd a silk dress +and a big hat with feathers like Mrs. Gordon's." + +"What's the use o' talkin'?" replied Mrs. Gartley, amazed at the +unwonted compliment. "I'm never likely to wear a silk dress this side o' +the grave." + +"Unlikelier things has come to happen than that! We might be somebodies +if----" + +"If what?" + +"If something I've got in my mind was to come off." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Oh, nothing particular! Only it would be uncommon nice to set up as +fine as other folks--in a new country, where no one knowed what we had +been." + +"I don't understand." + +"Wouldn't you like to go out to America or Australia, and start afresh?" + +"Why, yes; but we haven't got a penny to go with." + +"No more we have, that's true," chuckled Mr. Gartley. "You say uncommon +clever things sometimes, Jane. No, we've not got a penny-piece to pay +our fares--at present." + +"What are you drivin' at?" + +"Nothing. Don't you begin askin' questions. You'd best keep a still +tongue in your head and shut your eyes, as far as I'm concerned." + +"Oh, Bob! You're never going to be at some of your old tricks? I tell +you it's not safe. A stray hare now and again is bad enough, but when it +comes to----" + +"Shut up!" commanded Mr. Gartley angrily. "I'll mind my own business, +and you may mind yours. Go and turn those squalling brats off the +door-step, they send me mad with their noise. I'll make 'em go to Church +another time, clothes or no clothes. Parson may put 'em in clean +pinafores, if he's so anxious to have 'em at Sunday school." + +Mrs. Gartley fled to disperse her family, and wisely refrained from any +further inquiries about her husband's intentions; arguments, she knew, +were wasted upon him, and it was useless to distress herself with too +close a knowledge of his devious methods of acquiring a living. + +"I can guess what he's after," she thought. "And if he's caught, they'll +give he seven years. It'll mean the poorhouse for I and the children. +Well, it's no use talkin', for once Bob's set his mind on a thing, do it +he will." + +When his wife was safely out of the way, Mr. Gartley retired upstairs to +the bedroom, where after moving a heavy oak chest, he laid bare a loose +plank in the floor. This he lifted, and from some receptacle below he +drew a dark lantern and one or two tools of peculiar workmanship. He +stored these treasures in his pockets, then, replacing the plank, he +lifted the chest back into its accustomed position. + +"She's no idea where I keep 'em," he muttered, "and it's best as she +shouldn't know. I may as well try to-night, folks be always abed early +and sleep sound on Sundays. Parson would say it was their good +conscience. My old granny had a sayin': 'The better the day, the better +the deed', so good luck to my work to-night, and may we soon be off to +America!" + + * * * * * + +On this identical Sunday it happened that a few of the Aireyholme girls, +taking a walk with their Principal in the afternoon, met Mr. and Mrs. +Ledbury and Githa, who were also out for exercise. Now Githa had brought +Tony, and Gwethyn, who was with the school party, fell upon her pet with +the rapture due to long separation. Mrs. Franklin was not at all fond of +dogs, but on this occasion she was in a singularly gracious and generous +mood. She had had a pleasant little chat with Mr. and Mrs. Ledbury, and +when turning to go, she noticed Gwethyn's unwillingness to part with her +darling Tony. + +"It's very kind of Githa to take charge of your dog," she remarked. "If +you like, you may bring him home with you this afternoon, and keep him +until to-morrow." + +Gwethyn walked away cuddling her treasure closely. To have her pet to +herself even for twenty-four hours was an indulgence sufficient to make +her forgive Mrs. Franklin for many other strictnesses. Master Tony was +the idol of the school at tea-time; he was a vain little dog, who loved +admiration, and that afternoon he was cosseted to his heart's content. +He held almost a royal reception, everybody declaring him "perfectly +sweet". + +"I wish we'd even a yard dog at Aireyholme," said Rose Randall. "It's a +pity Mrs. Franklin detests them so." + +"She was quite kind to Tony to-day. How well he looks, the darling! He's +almost too fat now, instead of being too thin. Precious one! Are you +going to sleep with your own missis to-night?" + +Evidently Master Tony had no intention of being left alone, for when +nine o'clock came he trotted upstairs with Gwethyn, and promptly +installed himself on her bed. Miss Andrews, coming her duty-round at +half-past nine, noticed the silky head peeping from under the +dressing-jacket that covered him, but she kindly took no notice. For +once he was to be privileged. + +"Everyone seems to go to bed early on Sunday night," remarked Katrine, +taking a glance through the window at the silent village at the bottom +of the hill below the school. "Perhaps it's the mental effort of +listening that exhausts their brains. I dare say on week-days many of +them are like the agricultural labourer in _Punch_, who said he thought +of 'maistly nought'. People seem far more tired with two services than +with a day's work in the fields." + +The girls had been sound asleep for a long time, when Gwethyn was +suddenly disturbed by an uneasy whimper from Tony. Wideawake in a +moment, she sat up. + +"What's the matter, my precious?" + +The room was in complete darkness, but she could tell from the dog's +warning growl that he was all on the alert. + +"Do you hear anything?" + +Tony's low grumble was a sufficient answer in his own language. + +"Is it rats?" + +"Be quiet, Gwethyn, and let us listen too," said Katrine, who was also +aroused. "I thought I heard a queer noise." + +In dead silence the girls waited. For a minute or two all was still, +then came a curious subdued sound like the very gentle working backwards +and forwards of a file. + +"What is it?" whispered Gwethyn. + +"I don't know." + +"It seems to come from downstairs." + +"Yes, most certainly." + +"Is it a rat gnawing?" + +"That's no rat." + +"Has a bird got into the chimney?" + +"No, it sounds quite different. I believe it's outside." + +"Shall I strike a match?" + +"Better not. I want to listen at the window." + +Katrine crept out of bed, and groped her way across the dark room to the +open casement. It was a cloudy night, with neither moon nor star in the +sky, and the view was one uniform mass of blackness. The silence was +almost oppressive; none of the ordinary country noises were to be heard, +not a cow lowed nor a solitary owl hooted--all the world lay hushed in +quiet sleep. The darkness seemed to hedge them round and cut them off +from the rest of the slumbering humanity in the village. + +Tony had followed Katrine, and pushed his cold moist nose into her hand. +As she bent down to pat him, she could feel his whole body quivering +with tense agitation. + +"He knows something is wrong, or he wouldn't be upset like this," she +thought. + +Again from the darkness outside came that curious subdued scraping +sound. Their bedroom was over the porch. Could a strange dog be +scratching at the door beneath? Or some wild animal--a weasel or a +stoat, perhaps--be seeking an entrance? + +She leaned cautiously from the window, trying in vain to distinguish any +object. Her heart was beating fast, and she was trembling with +nervousness. The noise ceased again, there was a moment's pause, and for +one second she saw a gleam of light in the garden below. Instantly a +sudden illumination swept over her mind: it was neither rat, bird, dog, +stoat, nor weasel, but a human being that was disturbing their peace. + +"Gwethyn," she breathed in a panic-stricken whisper, "somebody is trying +to break in through the dining-room window!" + +At the very suggestion of burglars Gwethyn gave a shriek of terror, +which set Tony barking loudly enough to have disturbed the Forty +Thieves. So furious was his anger against the unknown intruder, that he +would have leaped through the window if she had not held him by the +collar. All his doggish instincts urged him to defend his mistresses, +and he was ready to fly at the throat of whoever had set foot in the +garden below. + +The noise disturbed the other occupants of the landing. The girls came +running from their rooms to inquire the cause of the upset. Mrs. +Franklin appeared upon the scene with the promptitude of fire-drill +practice. On grasping the fact that an attempt was being made to break +into the house, she ran to the big school bell, and tolled an alarm +signal calculated to waken the whole village. She went on ringing +vigorously until shouts and running footsteps outside assured her of +help. + +Mr. White, from the farm near at hand, and some of his boys were the +first to arrive, but they were followed almost immediately by the +blacksmith, the saddler, and a number of cottagers, till quite a little +crowd had collected in the drive. Mrs. Franklin hastily explained the +situation, and some of the men, taking lanterns, made a thorough +examination of the premises. + +This midnight alarm caused a great stir in Heathwell. Such a thing as an +attempted burglary had hitherto been absolutely unknown, and the +inhabitants felt that it was a reflection on the village. The policeman +paid a solemn call at Aireyholme, produced his notebook, and asked a +multitude of questions, particularly of Katrine and Gwethyn; but the +girls could give little or no information. Beyond the fact that they had +heard a noise and seen a light in the garden, there was not a shred of +evidence, or the faintest clue to lead to the identification of the +thief. The inspector examined the frame of the dining-room window, +which certainly bore marks as if an effort had been made to force it +with some sharp tool, and he carefully measured the footprints in the +flower-bed; but as many of these had undoubtedly been made by the +stalwart boots of Mr. White and other assiduous helpers in the ardour of +their search, it would have been impossible for even a Sherlock Holmes +to gain any enlightenment from them. Nobody in the village had seen any +suspicious characters about, and everyone seemed to have been sound +asleep in bed until roused by the ringing of the Aireyholme alarm bell. +In the end the policeman wrote a formal report to the effect that some +person or persons unknown had made an attempt to commit a felony, but +had been interrupted in the act by the barking of the dog. + +"All of which is absolutely self-evident, and didn't need a whole hour's +investigation," said Gwethyn. "Still, I suppose poor old Whately had to +write something in his notebook. The chief credit seems to be due to +Tony. I'm sure he scared the wretch away. I don't know what we should +have done without him." + +Tony was undoubtedly the hero of the occasion. If he had been petted +before, he was lionized now. Even Mrs. Franklin admitted that a dog in +the house was a great protection, and offered to let Gwethyn keep Tony +at Aireyholme for the rest of the term. + +The Principal had been more alarmed at the attempted burglary than she +would confess to her pupils. She tried to reassure the girls, telling +them it was very improbable that any thief would make a second attempt +on the premises; but for many nights everybody in the school slept +uneasily, and woke at the least sound. + +The only person in Heathwell who did not exhibit much excitement at the +news of the attempt to break into Aireyholme was Mr. Bob Gartley, who +received his wife's very enlarged version of the story with an +imperturbable countenance. + +"There was a gang of them, was there?" he remarked. "All armed with +pistols and bludgeons, and bent on murder? Where be they a-gone to, +then? And why ain't Whately tracked 'em out? Seems to me as if he don't +know his business, and he'd best retire. I think I'll apply for the job! +How would you like me as a police inspector?" + +"I've no doubt you'd be up to a trick or two, if you was! It's a +comfort, though, as you're not mixed up in this, for you was over in +Captain Gordon's preserves at Chiselton, though you couldn't bring that +in as an alibi!" + +"Yes, at Chiselton, and that be four miles from Heathwell. If I likes to +take a little midnight walk to admire the moon, I don't see what call +anyone has to go interferin' with me. Everyone has their hobbies, and +mine's for enjoyin' the beauties o' nature." + +"But there weren't no moon last night," objected his wife. + +"What business is that o' yours? A man may be a bit wrong in the +calendar, and go out to look for what ain't there. Why can't you get on +with your washin', instead o' standin' idlin' and talkin'?" + +"It were a nearish shave," reflected Mr. Gartley, as his wife beat a +retreat. "I'd only just nipped over the wall afore John White come +runnin' out. I thought I should 'a managed the trick that time. I were a +fool not to find out first as they kept a dog! 'Twouldn't be safe to +venture it again for a goodish bit, at any rate, so good-bye to America +for the present. It's hard luck on a workin' man who's tryin' to do the +best for 'is family!" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +Amateur Artists + + +Flowery June had given place to blazing July. The pink roses were fading +on the cottage fronts, and the laburnums had long been over. Tall white +lilies still bloomed in the village gardens, and geraniums were +beginning to show their scarlet glory. The fresh green of early summer +had yielded to darker tones, the trees were thick masses of foliage, the +hedges a tangle of traveller's joy. If the landscape lacked the +inspiration of spring, it was nevertheless full of rich beauty, +especially to eyes trained to appreciate the picturesque. Miss Aubrey's +sketching class was at present quite a large one, for it had been +augmented by the addition of Viola, Dorrie, and Diana. Now that their +matriculation examination was over, they no longer needed private +coaching, and Mrs. Franklin transferred their spare hours to her sister. +The three monitresses were glad of the change; after the hard brainwork +and the very close application that had been required from them, they +turned to painting with the greatest relief. Every afternoon a +procession of enthusiastic students, bearing camp-stools and easels, +wended its way from Aireyholme. At first Miss Aubrey had led her +artistic flock to the village, but with July days came a change of +plans. The Council school broke up for six weeks, and Heathwell was +suddenly over-run with children. Although according to statistics the +population of England might be on the decrease, here it certainly showed +no signs of dwindling. Small people were everywhere, as the amateur +artists found to their cost. No doubt it was most unreasonable of the +Aireyholme girls, who liked their own August vacation, to object to +other schools having holidays, but they did not appreciate a crowd of +spectators, and grumbled exceedingly. + +"Good-bye to the last remnants of peace and quiet!" said Dorrie. "We're +simply haunted by these wretched infants. They seem to think us fair +game. I had the whole of the Gartley family, including the baby, sitting +round my feet to-day." + +"I like children singly or in pairs, or even up to half a dozen," +protested Diana, "but when it comes to having them wholesale like this, +I feel as if I were minding a creche. Oh, what a nuisance they are!" + +"It all comes of being too attractive, as the old lady said when she was +struck by lightning!" laughed Gwethyn. + +The class was sketching the street and the market hall. Some of the +girls were making very good attempts at the subject, and Miss Aubrey was +most anxious for them to finish their paintings, so for two more +afternoons they braved their fatal popularity. It was impossible to +escape the too friendly juveniles. Scouts were generally waiting to +convey the news of their arrival, and they would walk down the village +followed by a long comet's tail of small fry, who would encamp close to +them on the market-hall steps, bringing babies, puppies, or kittens, +eating bread and treacle, munching green apples, and singing deafening +school songs in chorus. It was not the slightest use to tell the +youngsters to go away; they would only retreat to a distance of about +ten yards, and then edge gradually nearer again. + +"I've tried to look cross and savage," said Gladwin Riley, "but they +only grin." + +"I've been trying to civilize them," sighed Nan Bethell. "I suggested to +one youth that it would be an improvement for him to wash his +particularly grimy little fingers. He looked at me, and then at his +hands for a moment or two--apparently it takes some time for the +agricultural brain to turn over a new idea--then he remarked briefly: 'I +likes 'em dirty!' and transferred them to his pockets. Any further +arguments on my poor part would, I felt, be superfluous." + +Though the girls laughed over the humour of their experiences, they +really found the children very trying, and both teacher and pupils were +thankful when the sketches of the market hall were successfully +finished. One final incident seemed the coping-stone of their +annoyances. A child, even more eager than the rest to press near, was +jostled by the others off the raised pathway where she was standing, and +fell with a crash on to the road, almost upsetting Katrine's easel, and +smashing a bottle of vinegar which she had been holding clasped in her +arms. A woman, who proved to be the delinquent's mother, came out from +a cottage, and after first administering a vigorous smack to her +offspring, offered hot water wherewith to sponge the damaged clothing. + +"She was really very kind," said Katrine afterwards, "but I could see +that she was all the time regretting such a waste of good vinegar, more +than sympathizing with me for absorbing it. I don't believe this skirt +will ever be fit to wear again. I know I shall feel like a pickled +herring if I put it on!" + +It was not at all an easy matter for Miss Aubrey to choose a suitable +subject for a large class. The girls were at different stages of +ability, and the beginners must not be sacrificed to the cleverer few. +While Katrine, Gladwin, and perhaps Diana could manage a sketch of +trees, hayfield, or reedy river, the others demanded something more +palpable in the way of drawing. A cottage, where you could reproduce the +lines of roof, door, windows, and chimney, was far easier than a misty +impression of sky and foliage. But where there were cottages there were +nearly always children to stand and stare, so again Miss Aubrey found +herself in a difficulty. She solved it by taking her class to sketch a +picturesque, tumble-down little farm, about a mile and a half away from +Heathwell, where, for a marvel, not even a solitary specimen of +childhood resided. + +The mistress of the place was an attraction in herself. She had +established a considerable reputation in the neighbourhood as a herb +doctor, preparing various nauseous and ill-smelling brews for sick cows +or horses, or for human sprained ankles, bad legs, toothaches, +headaches, or other ailments. She charmed warts and cured agues, and was +even held by many to be somewhat of a witch. She was credited with the +evil eye, and awestruck neighbours told dark tales of terrible +misfortunes having befallen those who were unfortunate or rash enough to +cross her will. As it is rare in this twentieth century to meet anybody +with even the shadow of a reputation for the black arts, the girls were +thrilled at the accounts they heard, and much disappointed that the old +dame never vouchsafed them an exhibition of her talents. + +One day she invited them to enter, and they persuaded her to explain to +them the various treasures that adorned her parlour. Certainly the +collection was unique. Two stuffed cocks stood on the window seat, each +covered with an antimacassar, whether to preserve them, or merely to +display the crochet work of which an example adorned every chair, it was +impossible to decide; while a third chanticleer on the mantelpiece was +generally used as a stand for the good woman's best bonnet. They had no +doubt been fine birds in their time, and had won never-to-be-forgotten +prizes at a local show, but their present value as ornaments was a +matter of opinion. A marvellous sampler representing the Tabernacle in +the Wilderness hung over the sideboard; carefully worked flames were +depicted rising from the altar, and two cherubim with black beads for +eyes and white Berlin-wool wings hovered at either corner, a few sizes +too large for the building. On the mantelpiece lay two extraordinary +objects which the girls at first took to be shells, but as they +corresponded with no known specimen of conchology, inquiries were made. + +"Ah, well!" said the old woman, taking them down tenderly. "These are my +poor Richard's heels, the only thing I have left of him now. They came +off all in a piece like that, when he was peeling after the scarlet +fever. Indeed, I've always kept them to remember him by. They're the +best weather-glass I have. I can generally tell by them when it's going +to rain." + +Thirty years--so Miss Aubrey hastened to ascertain--had passed since the +memorable illness, therefore they might reasonably hope that no germs +yet lingered in the relics; but they shuddered to think of the infection +which must surely have been spread in the earlier days, when these +treasures were examined and handled by curious neighbours. + +An old illustrated Bible, with the date 1807, containing many crude +woodcuts, occupied the little round table under the window. Mrs. Jones +declared she never did anything without consulting it; and the girls +were just going to express appreciation of her pious attention to +Scripture, when she explained that her method was to shut her eyes, and +opening the book at random, to insert the door key, and close it again. +It had then to be turned over seven times, and whatever text the key +pointed to, was sure to be appropriate. Once, so she declared, she had +applied to it for advice as to whether to go to law with a farmer who +had encroached upon her plot of land. She had struck the words: "Him +will I destroy", and being thus encouraged to pursue her suit, she had +won her case in triumph. + +"Indeed, it's always right," she said, putting it carefully back on its +wool-work mat. "I call it my conjuring book, and I wouldn't part with it +for anything you could offer me." + + * * * * * + +"One gets odd peeps at life in the course of one's painting adventures," +said Miss Aubrey. "An artist has the opportunity of becoming a good +student of human nature. Sketching somehow brings one into touch with +people in a way which no other hobby can emulate. I have had many funny +experiences since I first took up the brush." + +"Mrs. Jones beats even Granny Blundell at queerness," decided the girls. + +One afternoon, as a very special treat, Miss Aubrey decided to take her +three best pupils with her on an expedition by river to Chistleton. The +landlord of the "Dragon Inn" owned a boat, and would row them there and +back, waiting several hours for them in the town, while they saw the +sights. They were to start after an early lunch, and have tea at a cafe +in Chistleton. Katrine, Diana, and Gladwin were the chosen ones, and +their luck was the envy of the rest of the sketching class, who implored +to be included also. Miss Aubrey, however, stuck to her original plan. +She could not take more than three girls in the boat, and told the +others they must be content to wait until some future occasion. There +was much to be seen in the old town; the walls were still extant, and +two of the ancient gateways remained; the almshouses were show places, +and the castle was the glory of the neighbourhood. Miss Aubrey wished to +encourage the girls in rapid sketching, and made them take quick pencil +impressions of all the principal sights. She had refused to allow them +to bring cameras. + +"People are too ready to make snapshots nowadays," was her verdict. +"They are putting photography in the place of drawing. I grant that your +kodaks will give a perfectly accurate picture, but a photo can never +have the artistic merit of a sketch. In my mind it corresponds to a +piece played on the pianola; it is correct, but has no individuality. +Look at some of the pencil sketches of the great masters: how beautiful +is the touch, and how much is conveyed in a few lines! Nothing gives a +better art training than the habit of continually jotting down every +pretty bit you may see. Hand and brain learn to work together, and you +begin to get that facility with your pencil which nothing but long +practice can give you." + +Miss Aubrey's own drawings were delightful; the girls watched with +admiration as her clever fingers in a few minutes transferred some +picturesque corner to paper. They tried their best to emulate her, and +filled several pages of their sketch-books with quite praiseworthy +attempts. At the castle especially they secured some charming little +subjects. It was a grand old Norman building, half in ruins, with +ivy-clad towers, grass-grown courtyard, and the remains of a moat. The +guard-room with its vaulted roof, the oratory with its rose window, and +the banqueting-hall were almost intact, and a winding staircase led to a +pathway round the battlements. The girls wandered about, drawing first +one bit and then another, going frequently to Miss Aubrey for good +advice. They were pleased with their efforts, which, as well as being +good practice, would make delightful reminiscences of the place. It was +perhaps a weakness on their part to purchase picture post-cards of the +castle; but then, as they elaborately explained to Miss Aubrey, they +only bought them to send away to friends, not to shirk sketching on +their own account. + +Katrine, always on the look-out for antiquities, listened to the voice +of an old post-card vendor of guileless and respectable appearance, who +mysteriously intimated that for a consideration he would transfer from +his pocket to hers a few broken tiles out of the oratory, the removal of +such keepsakes by the general public being strictly forbidden. She +yielded to the temptation, pressed a shilling into his ready hand, and +pocketed the fragments. She brought them in great triumph and secrecy to +show to Miss Aubrey. + +"It's lovely to have some real old pieces!" she exclaimed ecstatically. +"These will go with some Roman tiles that I have at home. I shall get a +museum together in course of time! I had to give the old chap some +backsheesh, but I think he deserved it." + +"Let me look," said Miss Aubrey, examining the treasures. "My dear girl, +I'm grieved to blight your hopes, but I should certainly like to know +how one of these antique crocks has the Doulton mark on the back of it!" + +"It hasn't!" gasped Katrine. + +"There it is, most unmistakably. I'm sorry to undeceive you, but I'm +afraid it's no more mediaeval than I am." + +"Oh, the craft of the old villain!" mourned Katrine. "I wonder how often +he's tried this trick on innocent and unsuspecting visitors? If I could +only catch him, I'd upbraid him, and demand my money back!" + +"You wouldn't get it, you silly child! He has conveniently vanished, and +is perhaps boasting of his cleverness to a circle of envious and +admiring friends. You must be very cautious if you want to go in for +collecting; false antiquities are, unfortunately, more common than +genuine ones, and clever rogues are always ready to lay traps for the +unwary." + +After having tea at a cafe, Miss Aubrey and the girls made their way to +the wharf, and found Stephen Peters, the landlord of the "Dragon", ready +at the trysting-place. In excellent spirits they took their seats, +anticipating with much pleasure their return trip on the river. "They +hadna' gane a mile, a mile", as the ballad says, before they began to +wish themselves back on dry land. Miss Aubrey had not particularly +noticed their boatman's condition before they started; but they had not +rowed far when she made the unpleasant discovery that he was hardly fit +to handle the oars. He was in a jovial mood, and insisted upon bursting +into snatches of song. + +"He was perfectly sober coming from Heathwell; he must have spent the +whole afternoon at the inn on the wharf while he was waiting for us," +thought poor Miss Aubrey, trying to conceal her fears from her pupils. + +The girls were very naturally alarmed, for Mr. Peters was rowing in a +particularly crooked fashion, continually bumping into the banks, and +running into clumps of overhanging willows, perhaps under a mistaken +impression that he was arriving at his own landing-place. + +"I believe the rudder's wrong," said Diana, who had an elementary +knowledge of matters nautical, and had undertaken to steer. "He must +have partly unshipped it before we left Chistleton. It's not the +slightest use. I wish we hadn't come!" + +The landlord's rowdy hilarity was shortlived, and rapidly turned to +pessimism; he now shipped his oars, and regarded his frightened +passengers with a baneful glance. + +"It will be best if I send us all to the bottom!" he announced. + +"Oh, no! Come, come, Mr. Peters, I'm sure you won't do that!" said Miss +Aubrey persuasively, hoping to change the tenor of his mood again. + +"I'll do anything to oblige a lady," was the maudlin response; after +which, apparently finding the situation too much for his failing senses, +he lay down comfortably in the bottom of the boat, and fell asleep. It +was safer to have him thus out of harm's way; but the little party was +in an extremely awkward strait. None of them, except Diana, had the +slightest experience of rowing, and the rudder was undoubtedly half +unshipped. Katrine and Diana each took an oar, but their efforts were of +a most amateur description, and they could make little progress against +the current. Poor Miss Aubrey sat very white and quiet in the stern, +giving what directions she could, though she was practically as +helpless as her pupils. She reproached herself keenly for having exposed +them to such danger. What was their joy, on rounding a bend of the +river, to see an easel on the bank, and the familiar figure of Mr. +Freeman working at a canvas. They all halloed loudly to him for help, +and he soon grasped the situation. + +"Can you manage to turn her, and paddle to the bank?" he shouted. "Be +careful! That's right--never mind where she lands, just get her ashore +anyhow!" + +The boat, after wobbling round in a rather unsteady fashion, finally ran +aground in a bed of reeds. By taking off his shoes and stockings, Mr. +Freeman contrived to wade out and board her, much to everyone's relief. + +"We thought we should never get home safely," said Miss Aubrey. "Peters +has been dreadful! He threatened to send us to the bottom! We were +thankful when he collapsed." + +"The drunken sot!" exclaimed Mr. Freeman, looking with disgust at the +prostrate figure. "He ought to have his licence withdrawn! He has no +right to take out pleasure-boats. We'll leave him where he is, and I'll +row you back to Heathwell. I'll fetch my sketching traps. Oh no, please +don't apologize! I couldn't think of doing otherwise. I'll come again to +my subject to-morrow; I'm in no hurry to finish it." + +"It has been a most horrible experience," said Miss Aubrey to the girls, +when they were at last back in safety at Heathwell. "I hope Stephen +Peters will be thoroughly ashamed of himself when he recovers. I shall +never hire his boat again, and shall warn other people not to trust +him. I certainly thought we were going to be upset. If we hadn't +fortunately come across Mr. Freeman, I don't know what might have +happened." + +"The Fairy Prince always turns up at the right moment!" whispered Diana +to Gladwin, causing that damsel serious inconvenience, for she wished to +explode, but was obliged to suppress such ill-timed mirth in the +presence of the mistress. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +Concerns a Letter + + +The Girls' Patriotic League never for a moment forgot that it was +war-time. Though the quiet village of Heathwell was little affected by +the European crisis, echoes of the conflict often reached Aireyholme +from relations at the front. All the school grieved with Jill Barton +when her brother was reported missing, and rejoiced when he turned out +to be safe and sound after all. They did their best to comfort Jess +Howard, whose cousin's name was added to the Roll of Honour, and shared +Hebe Bennett's anxiety when her father was in a Red Cross Hospital. As a +practical means of showing their patriotism, they had grown vegetables +instead of flowers in their school gardens, and sent the little crops of +peas and onions and cabbages to be distributed among the soldiers' and +sailors' wives at a Tipperary Club in Carford. Katrine and Gwethyn heard +rather irregularly from Hereward. They looked forward to his letters as +uncertain but delightful events, and sat in eager expectation every +morning when Mrs. Franklin distributed the correspondence. News that he +was wounded came as a sore blow, though a letter in his handwriting +followed immediately, assuring them of his convalescence in a Base +Hospital. + +"I am doing splendidly," he wrote, "and hope soon to be at those Huns +again. I am very comfortable here, and as jolly as a cricket, so don't +bother yourselves over me. There's a fellow in the bed next to mine who +says he knows Heathwell. We got talking, and I told him you two were at +school there, so that's how it came up. He used to live at a house +called the 'Grange'. His name is Ledbury--an awfully decent chap--he's +in the Canadian Rifles. He's had rather a nasty shrapnel wound, and will +probably be sent home on sick leave. We've a jolly lot of books and +magazines here, and sometimes there's a concert in the ward. I can tell +you we all yell the choruses to the songs. We don't sound much like +invalids." + +When Katrine and Gwethyn had finished joying over the happy fact that +Hereward seemed to be in no danger, and was apparently enjoying himself +in hospital, it occurred to them to consider the item of news which he +had mentioned concerning his fellow-patient. They showed the letter to +Githa. She was immensely excited. + +"Why, surely it must be Uncle Frank!" she exclaimed. "It couldn't +possibly be anyone else! He's been away for years and years, and no one +knew what had become of him. I haven't seen him since I was a tiny tot, +and I shouldn't remember him at all. How splendid that he's joined the +Canadians! Oh! I'm proud to have a relation at the front. It's glorious! +How I'd love to write to him! If I did, would you enclose it with yours +to your brother, and ask him to give it to him? Of course it mightn't be +Uncle Frank after all, but I think I'll chance it!" + +"Write straight away, then," said Katrine, "for we shall be posting our +letters to Hereward to-day. I'll lend you some foreign paper." + +"Oh, thanks so much!" + +Githa spent the whole of her recreation time at her desk. Her epistle, +if rather a funny one, had at least the merit of being spontaneous, for +she put exactly what came into her head at the moment, without pausing +to think of the composition. + + "DEAR UNCLE FRANK, + + "At least, I'm not at all sure that you really are my Uncle + Frank, but I do hope you are. It's just splendid that you are in + the Canadians. I am dreadfully sorry you are wounded. I hope you + will soon be quite well again. If you come back to England, do + please come and see me, that is to say if you are really Uncle + Frank, but I expect you are. I want to see you most dreadfully. + Cedric and I have often talked about you, and planned that we + would go and live with you. Cedric tried to run away to you in + America two weeks ago, but it is a good thing he did not go, for + he would not have found you there. I am quite sure you are nice, + and I should so like to see you. Nobody is living at the + 'Grange' now, and it looks so wretched. I wish you would come + and live there, and ask me to come too. I should like to live at + the 'Grange' again, and Cedric could come for the holidays. He + is to go to-morrow to stay with a gentleman in London, who will + coach him for the Naval Examination. I must stop now, as the + bell is just going to ring, and I have no more time. I have + written this letter in school. + + "From your loving Niece, + "GITHA HAMILTON. + + "I hope I really am your niece, after all." + +Githa folded and addressed her letter, and ran to give it into Katrine's +safe keeping. Her eyes were dancing, but clouded as a sudden +apprehension struck her. + +"Suppose he's left the Base Hospital?" she queried. + +"Hereward will send it to him. He'll easily find out where he's gone. +I'll undertake it shall reach him somehow." + +"What a trump you are! Oh! I wonder if it is really and truly Uncle +Frank, or only somebody else?" + +"I wish somebody could send me news of my uncle," said Yvonne de Boeck +wistfully. "It is now five months since we hear. Is he alive? we ask +ourselves. My aunt and my two cousins remain yet in Holland." + +Yvonne and Melanie had been at Aireyholme since the preceding November, +and though when they arrived they could speak nothing but French and +Flemish, they were now able to talk English quite fluently. Indeed, Mrs. +Franklin complained that they had picked up many unnecessary +expressions, and often scolded the girls for teaching them so much +slang. They were favourites in the school, partly because everybody was +so sorry for them, but also because they were really jolly, friendly +children, and had adapted themselves so readily to their new +circumstances. Yvonne's twelfth birthday was celebrated with great +rejoicings; the many presents she received and the English iced +birthday-cake which made its appearance on the tea-table caused her +little round rosy face to beam with smiles, and she exclaimed for the +hundredth time: "Mesdemoiselles, you are too good towards me!" Yvonne +evinced the utmost admiration for Tony; nothing delighted her more than +to help with his toilet, to brush his glossy coat, wipe his paws when he +came in from the garden, and assist at his Saturday bath. She was even +found tying her best hair ribbon as a bow on his collar. "C'est un vrai +ange!" she would declare ecstatically. + +One afternoon, when most of the girls were at the tennis courts, Yvonne +happened to stroll to the bottom of the garden to look for a lost ball. +While hunting about under the laurels she could see plainly into the +road, and she noticed Tony trotting through the gate. She called to him, +but, intent on errands of his own, he ignored her, and crossed to the +opposite hedge, where an abandoned bone claimed his interest. He was +still busy gnawing it and growling over it, when tramping from the +direction of the village appeared an old ragman, with a sack slung over +his back. As he passed Tony he stopped, and set his bag down on the +ground, apparently to rest himself, though he glanced keenly round with +such a strange vigilant look on his face that it immediately attracted +Yvonne's attention. Hidden under the laurels, she watched him carefully. +The ragman, finding himself the only occupant of the road, and believing +he was safe from observation, opened his bag, and drawing out a piece +of meat, offered it with a few cajoling words to the unsuspecting dog. +Tony had a friendly disposition, and also, alack! a tendency towards +greediness. He was always ready for something tempting. He left his bone +and came up inquiringly. The moment he was within reach, the ragman +snatched him up and crammed him unceremoniously into the sack, then +shouldered him, and walked off at a rapid pace. It was all done so +quickly that Tony had not even time to yelp, and once in the interior of +the sack, his protests were smothered to suffocation point. + +Yvonne, overwhelmed by the extreme suddenness and unexpectedness of the +occurrence, could only give a gasp of horror; the dog had seemed to +vanish as if by a conjuring trick. Luckily she was possessed of a +certain presence of mind; she raced up the shrubbery, found George, the +garden boy, and poured out her news, pointing the direction in which the +ragman had gone. George flung down his spade, hurried out by the side +gate, and ran along a short lane that led to the road. By thus cutting +off a long corner, he almost fell into the arms of the ragman, who, no +doubt, had been congratulating himself upon the speed with which he was +escaping with his booty, and who certainly did not expect to be +intercepted in so prompt a manner. + +"You rascal! Let's have a peep inside that bag," exclaimed George, and +dragging the sack from the man's shoulder he opened it, and revealed +poor Tony, who crawled out, looking the most astonished dog in the +world. The thief did not wait to explain matters. He took to his heels, +leaving his sack behind him. + +The thrilling tale of Tony's adventure soon spread over the school. +Gwethyn was almost in hysterics at the danger her pet had escaped. +Yvonne, proudly conscious that for once she had acted as a heroine, +received congratulations on all sides with a pretty French air of +graciousness. Coming so soon after the attempted burglary, the episode +made an even greater stir than it would perhaps otherwise have done. It +seemed as if bad characters were abroad in the neighbourhood, and +property must be guarded with unusual vigilance. The girls had allowed +their fears to be calmed a little since the recent midnight alarm, but +now their anxiety broke forth again in full force. They went to their +rooms that night in a highly nervous condition. They looked carefully +underneath their beds and inside their wardrobes, to make sure that no +thieves were concealed there. + +"I wish Mrs. Franklin would let us have night-lights," sighed Rose +Randall. "Directly the room's dark, I know I shall be just scared to +death. Suppose a man climbed in through the window!" + +"I'm more afraid of someone being hidden inside the house, waiting for +his opportunity when every one's asleep," said Beatrix Bates. "Don't you +remember that dreadful story of the pedlar's pack? Oh, yes, you do! It +was at a lonely farm-house, you know; the father and mother were away +for the night, and at dusk a pedlar called, and asked if he might leave +his pack there till the next day. The girl said yes, so he carried it +in, and put it down in the parlour; then he went away. It seemed +fearfully heavy, so the girl was curious and went to look at it, and +then"--Beatrix' voice was impressive with horror--"she saw it move! She +guessed at once that a man was concealed inside it!" + +"Oh! a big parcel came to-day by the carrier--I saw it arrive!" +interrupted Prissie Yorke, in visible consternation. + +"What did the girl do with the pedlar's pack?" asked Dona Matthews. + +"She stuck a knife into it," continued Beatrix, "and there came +out--blood!" + +"Oh! had she killed him?" + +But at this most sensational point of the narrative Miss Andrews came +into the dormitory, scolded the girls for being slow in getting to bed, +and absolutely forbade further conversation. The penalties for breaking +silence rule were heavy, and might involve suspension of tennis on the +following day, so Beatrix' story, like a magazine serial, must perforce +be left "to be continued in our next". + +Rose could not help thinking about it as she lay in bed. She wondered if +groans came from the pack, and what the girl did next--whether she ran +to a neighbour's for help, or called the dog, or locked the parlour +door, or went out of her mind with terror. "It would have driven me +stark staring mad!" she shuddered. She felt too nervous to go to sleep. +All the tales she had ever heard or read about murders and burglaries +rushed to her remembrance with startling vividness. + +The night was very hot, and the window, of course, was wide open. How +easy it would be for somebody to creep up the ivy, and climb across the +sill! The more she thought about it, the more terrified she grew. For a +couple of hours she tossed restlessly, lying perfectly still every now +and then, so as to listen intently. Were those stealthy footsteps in the +passage? Was that the sound of a file on the window below? How could +Beatrix, Dona, and Prissie sleep so peacefully? The whole house was +absolutely quiet; there was no moon, so it was perfectly dark. Again +Rose longed for a night-light. It would be reassuring, at least, to be +able to see for herself that the room held no intruder. What--oh! what +was that? Through the dead silence came a sound like a pistol-shot. She +sat up in bed, trembling in every limb. The noise had wakened the other +girls. Again it rang through the quiet, so near that they were convinced +it must be in the room. Dona was whimpering with terror, Prissie buried +her head in the bedclothes; Beatrix, more courageous than the rest, +stretched out her hand for the matches that lay on a small table near +her bed, and lighted a candle. The girls looked fearfully round, fully +expecting to see a masked figure covering them with a revolver. There +was nobody at all. They stared into one another's panic-stricken faces. +A third time, close at hand, came the ringing report. + +"It's in the cupboard!" quavered Rose. + +At the end of the dormitory two steps led to a small store-room where +Mrs. Franklin kept spare blankets, curtains, and a miscellaneous +assortment of articles. The door was always locked, and the girls had +never even seen inside. It had often excited their curiosity: to-night +it was a veritable Bluebeard's chamber. They remembered that a big +parcel had been delivered that day by the carrier. Had Mrs. Franklin +stored it in the cupboard? Could it--oh, horrible idea!--be a repetition +of the pedlar's pack? Very white and trembling, Beatrix got out of bed, +and, candle in hand, crossed the room. From under the cupboard door, +down the white-painted steps, ran a stream of something dark and red. +The shriek which she uttered was followed by piercing screams from her +companions. That a tragedy was being enacted in the store-room they had +not a shadow of doubt. At any moment they expected the door to open and +the murderer to show himself. With an instinct of self-preservation they +fled from the dormitory, and ran along the passage shouting for help. + +Instantly the house was aroused. Alarmed faces peeped from other +dormitories, timorous voices asked what was the matter. Several girls +began to weep hysterically. Mrs. Franklin, armed with a poker, came +hurrying up, followed closely by Miss Andrews, grasping a hockey stick. +Taking the candle from Beatrix, the Principal proceeded to No. 7, the +girls marvelling at her courage. + +"There's blood oozing out of the cupboard!" Prissie and Dona assured the +audience in the passage. + +"What nonsense! Nothing of the sort!" declared Mrs. Franklin's firm, +matter-of-fact voice, as after a moment of inspection she emerged from +the dormitory. "What has really happened is this. I had left half a +dozen bottles of elder syrup there; the very hot weather has no doubt +caused them to ferment, and I suppose they have popped their corks. I'll +fetch the key. Yvonne and Novie, stop crying this instant! There's +nothing whatever to be frightened about!" + +Mrs. Franklin's supposition proved to be correct. When the cupboard was +unlocked, three corkless bottles and a sticky pool of elder syrup were +revealed. Miss Andrews wiped up the mess with a towel, and carried the +bottles downstairs, removing also the three which were intact, in case +of further accidents. The general alarm had changed to mirth. In their +revulsion of feeling the girls laughed uproariously at their scare. The +elder syrup was used in winter-time to doctor colds, and they were +rather fond of it. It had never played such a gruesome prank before. + +"It's a good thing we didn't ring the school bell again, and send for +Mr. White," said Mrs. Franklin. "We should have looked extremely foolish +if he and half the village had arrived." + +"But how can you tell whether it's a real scare or a false one?" +objected Dona, who felt that there was ample excuse for their alarm. + +The Principal, however, was not disposed to argue that point, and packed +the girls back to their rooms. In half an hour, even Rose Randall was +sleeping the sleep of the just. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +The Wishing Well + + +Mr. Ledbury, feeling rather doubtful whether Mr. Hawkins's tuition had +been up to the required standard, had decided to send Cedric to receive +some special coaching before going in for his naval examination. The boy +departed to London in high spirits, leaving his sister visibly depressed +at his absence. Mrs. Ledbury had lately been far more sympathetic with +Githa, and noticing that the girl seemed to be moping, she suggested +inviting a school-mate to spend Friday to Monday with her. Her aunt had +never before made such an amazing proposition. Much as Githa would have +liked to entertain an occasional visitor, she had not dared to ask to be +allowed to do so. She looked so utterly delighted that Mrs. Ledbury, who +generally saw her most undemonstrative side, was frankly astonished. + +"It's good for you to make friends of your own age," she remarked. "Tell +me which girl you would like to have, and I will write a note to Mrs. +Franklin." + +Githa's choice promptly fell on Gwethyn. The invitation was sent, and +Mrs. Franklin, after an interview in the study, gave majestic permission +for its acceptance. The proposed visit caused much amazement in the +school. Mr. and Mrs. Ledbury had been looked upon rather as bogeys by +the girls. Githa had been so guarded in her information about her home +life that it was always presumed she was unhappy. How she spent her +spare hours she had never divulged. Her doings, away from Aireyholme, +had always been more or less of a mystery. + +"I hope you'll have a tolerable time!" said Gwethyn's friends to her in +private, their tone clearly expressing anticipation of the contrary. "I +suppose Mrs. Ledbury's most frightfully strict. You'll have to be +'prunes and prism' personified." + +"I'll worry through somehow without shocking her more than I can help," +returned Gwethyn. "It's ever so decent of her to ask me." + +"Well, of course you couldn't refuse," decided her chums. + +If Gwethyn had any misgivings upon the subject, the sight of Githa's +pathetic eagerness was sufficient to nerve her to brave a hundred strict +and particular aunts. The poor little Toadstool had been so friendless, +that it was an immense event in her life to be able to bring a companion +back with her on Friday afternoon. Gwethyn had really grown to like her, +so the visit was one of inclination, and not, as her chums insisted, +sheer philanthropy. Perhaps a little curiosity was mixed up with it. She +would certainly be the first Aireyholme girl to see the Ledburys at +home. There was much debating as to whether Tony should accompany them, +but in the end they reluctantly decided to leave him at school. He could +not keep pace with bicycles, and it was almost impossible to ride and +nurse him, so that to take him would necessitate wheeling the machines +the whole way. He possessed such a host of admirers that they could not +honestly flatter themselves that he would pine for their society. Yvonne +would be only too proud to give him his Saturday bath, and he could +sleep on Katrine's bed. Gwethyn's luggage was sent by the carrier, and +when school was over on Friday afternoon she and Githa started off to +cycle. + +Gwethyn laughed as she reminded her companion how she and Katrine had +first approached the Gables on the morning of their unauthorized ride. +The house, which from the back had looked like a farm, proved a very +different building when viewed from the front. It was a handsome modern +residence, with beautifully kept grounds and immaculately rolled gravel +drive. + +Mrs. Ledbury received Gwethyn very graciously; if her manner was not +expansive, she evidently intended to be kind. She was not at her ease +with young girls, that was plainly to be seen, but she made some efforts +at conversation, to which Gwethyn responded nobly. Tea, served in the +garden, was rather a solemn business, for Githa scarcely spoke once +before her aunt, and there were long pauses of silence, during which +Mrs. Ledbury seemed conscientiously endeavouring to think of some fresh +remark to address to her youthful visitor. All three were secretly +relieved when the ordeal was over, and Mrs. Ledbury went into the house, +leaving her niece to entertain her friend alone. + +Githa had much to show to Gwethyn, and they adjourned at once to +inspect the menagerie of pets which she kept in a disused stable. +Gwethyn loved animals, and was ready to wax enthusiastic over the +waltzing mice, the guinea-pigs, the rabbits, the silk-worms, and the +formicarium with its wonderful nest of ants. The latter especially +fascinated her, when Githa removed the cover, and she was able to watch +the busy little workers running hither and thither at their domestic +operations. + +"How do you feed them?" she asked. + +"I put honey inside this doorway, and water inside the other; that's all +they need." + +Rolf, the collie who had given Gwethyn so churlish a reception on her +former visit, was now ready to make friends, and a grey stable cat also +condescended to be petted and stroked. Githa took a deep interest in +poultry, and was anxious to show the flock of young turkeys, the +goslings, the chickens, and ducks, all of which she had helped to rear. + +"Of course I can't look after them altogether when I'm at school all +day, but I get up very early, so that I can give them their morning +meal, and I feed them in the evening too. They know me as well as they +know Tom. I just love taking care of them. When I grow up, I'd like to +have a poultry farm." + +Gwethyn had to see Githa's garden, the seat she had made in the +apple-tree, the field where she often found Nature specimens to bring to +school, and the bushes where the nightingale sang in spring. Indoors +also there were her books and picture post-cards to be inspected, and +some fancy work upon which she had been busy. Mr. and Mrs. Ledbury +dined at seven, and the two girls had supper by themselves in the +morning-room. + +"I do my lessons here in the evenings," Githa explained, "but, thank +goodness, we've none to-night. What would you like to do now? Shall we +play tennis, or go for a walk down the fields?" + +Gwethyn, knowing from school experience that Githa's tennis capabilities +were not of a very high order, chose the walk. It was a greater change +for her; she loved exploring, and Aireyholme rules did not give her as +much scope in that direction as she would have wished. Mr. Ledbury owned +some of the land near The Gables, and Githa proposed that she should +take her friend to see the church, and that they could then come back +through her uncle's plantations. It was a lovely summer evening, with a +fresh little breeze that was most exhilarating after the heat of the +day. They strolled down a lane where wild strawberries were still in +their prime, and could be found for careful searching. Through +cornfields and across a pasture, then down a deep lane, a very tangle of +traveller's joy, their way led to the church, the object of their +expedition. It was a beautiful old Norman building, standing solitary +and apart, with no hamlet or even a farm near to it. It had a neglected +appearance, for the porch was unswept, the walk a mass of weeds, and +grass grew high over the graves. + +"It seems such a lonely place for a church," said Githa. "I often wonder +if there used to be a village here in the Middle Ages. It's a chapel of +ease now to Elphinstone; we only have service here on Sunday afternoons, +except on the first Sunday in the month. Not many people come, only a +few of the farmers about. I wish I could take you inside, but the door's +locked, and the clerk lives too far off for us to go and borrow the +keys." + +By peeping through the windows they could see the ancient carved choir +stalls, and some tattered flags, placed as memorials of long-ago +battles. A few sculptured tombs, with knights in effigy, were also dimly +discernible in the transept. + +"They belong to the Denham family," explained Githa. "They used to be +the great people of the neighbourhood once, and they still own Malbury +Hall, that quaint old place with the moat round it. No, they don't live +there; it's let to some Americans. The Denhams are too poor now to keep +it up. This is their coat of arms over the porch--a griffin holding a +sword. Once they used to come to church with all their followers; it +must have been a grand sight. I often wish I could shut my eyes and +catch a vision of it. They tied their horses to those yew-trees; the +rings are still there. Then they would come clattering with their spurs +up the paved path, and the ladies would come too, with little pages to +hold up their Genoese velvet trains, and the very same bell would be +ringing that rings now, and perhaps some of them would sit in the same +places that we do. They were all baptized, and married, and buried +here." + +"And do they haunt the church?" asked Gwethyn with a little shudder. + +"Many people say they do. I don't think anyone cares to come here after +dark. Sir Ralph is supposed to walk, and Lady Margaret. They go down +that path, towards the Wishing Well." + +"Really a 'wishing well'?" queried Gwethyn. + +"So folks say. It's very, very ancient. Shall we go and look at it? Oh, +we shan't meet Sir Ralph and Lady Margaret! Don't be afraid--it's hardly +dusk yet." + +Githa led the way along an overgrown little path among the bushes. In a +corner of the churchyard, overshadowed by thick trees, lay the well, a +pool of water about six feet square, with walls like a bath. A few +broken pieces of masonry lay about. + +"It's sometimes called the Black Friar's well," continued Githa, still +acting as guide. "He lived during the great Black Death in the reign of +Edward III. The church was closed then, because the rector and most of +his flock had died of the plague; but one of the Dominican friars used +to come from Cressington Abbey and preach in the churchyard to the few +people who were left, and baptize the babies in this well. There was a +sort of little chapel over it once, but that's supposed to have tumbled +down long before the time of the plague, perhaps even before the church +was built." + +"What have Sir Ralph and Lady Margaret to do with it? Did they die of +the plague?" asked Gwethyn. + +"No, that's quite another story. They lived in the time of the Civil +Wars. They were on the side of the King, and after Charles's execution, +Sir Ralph was considered a rebel by the Commonwealth. A troop of +Parliamentarian soldiers was sent to arrest him. They stopped at +Cressington Abbey, which was then the country house of Sir Guy Meldrum, +a Roundhead. His wife, Dame Alice, was cousin to Sir Ralph, and though +of course they were on opposite sides, she was anxious to save him. She +did not dare to write him a letter, or even to send him a verbal +message, but she wrapped a feather in a piece of paper, and made a +stable-boy run across the fields with it to Malbury Hall, while she +delayed the troopers as long as she could at Cressington. People in +those troublous times were very quick at taking hints. Sir Ralph guessed +that he had better fly, but the difficulty was where to go. No one would +be anxious to receive him, and get into trouble with the Parliament. In +desperation he fled to the church, and hid himself in the crypt +underneath the chancel. It was a horrible, dark, gruesome place to take +refuge in, and of course he needed food while he was there. The troopers +had established themselves at Malbury Hall, and kept close watch, but +Lady Margaret, his wife, used to steal out at night, and go to visit her +husband in the churchyard. It must have been terrible for her to walk +there all alone, and she was afraid of being followed by the soldiers. +Her fears were only too well justified. In spite of all her precautions, +the captain of the troopers was too clever for her. + +"One night she stole to the crypt as usual, bringing food and wine for +her husband, and as all seemed safe and quiet, he came up into the +churchyard to get a little fresh air and exercise. They were walking +together along the path that leads to the well, when suddenly there was +a shout, and they found themselves surrounded by the band of troopers. +Their captain had discovered that someone left the house at night, and +had kept watch with extra care. He had caused his men to tie cloths +over their boots, so that they could walk very silently, and when Lady +Margaret was seen vanishing down the garden, they had followed her. They +tried to make Sir Ralph prisoner, but he was determined not to be taken +alive, and fought desperately, with his back to the little bit of stone +wall left near the well. One man had no chance against a troop of +soldiers, however, and he was soon despatched. When they found he was +dead, they laid him down beside the well, and left him until they could +return by daylight and carry his body away. They arrived the next day +with a stretcher, and there, lying close by his side, with her arms +flung round him, they found Lady Margaret--quite mad. They treated her +gently, and took her back to Malbury Hall, and she lived there many +years; but she never recovered her senses, and whenever she could escape +from her keepers she would try to run by night to the churchyard. They +guarded her as carefully as they could, but she was cunning, and at last +she managed to evade them, and get a start. When they discovered her +loss, they followed her, and found her lying drowned at the bottom of +the well. They buried her beside her husband, in the transept, and a +beautiful monument was erected over their grave." + +"I don't wonder they're supposed to haunt the place," commented Gwethyn. +"I vote we go. This churchyard is too spooky for my taste. I don't want +to meet either Cavaliers or Roundheads, thank you!" + +"You mustn't go before trying your luck at the well," said Githa. +"Everybody who comes here goes through the ceremony. It's most ancient." + +"What have I got to do? Will it raise ghosts?" + +"Certainly not. You utter a wish, then you throw a stone into the water, +and count the bubbles that rise. If they are an odd number, you'll get +the wish, but if they're even you won't!" + +"All right--here goes! I wish Mother may bring me back an Australian +cockatoo from Sydney. What a splash! Now, how many bubbles? +One-two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight! Oh, what a sell! I suppose she +won't, though I've asked her in several of my letters. It's your turn +now. What are you going to wish?" + +"That some time I may go and live at the Grange again. My stone went in +with a plop, didn't it? One-two-three-four-five-six-seven! O jubilate! I +shall get it." + +"Please invite me when you're settled there." + +"You bet I will!" + +"Now I'm not going to stay in this haunted hole two seconds longer," +proclaimed Gwethyn. "It's growing ever so dark, and Sir Ralph and Lady +Margaret may come promenading out any time. I'd rather have burglars +than ghosts." + +"Right-o! We'll go across the stile here, and take a short cut home +through the plantation," agreed Githa, leading the way. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A Discovery + + +It was indeed high time for the girls to go home. The sun had set nearly +an hour ago, and the dusk was creeping on to that particular stage when +the law of the land requires cyclists to light up. They climbed the +stile and plunged into the thick copse of young oaks and beeches. It was +dim and mysterious and gloomy under the trees, a slight breeze had +arisen, and the rustle of the leaves sounded like gentle footsteps. + +"It's rather spooky and creepy," said Gwethyn. "I wish there were a +moon." + +"There is; but it's a new one. I saw it--a tiny thin crescent--when we +were in the lane." + +"Don't you feel rather like the Babes in the Wood? It's getting darker +and darker. If we met the two villains I should certainly 'quake for +fear'." + +"We're not likely to meet anyone. It's Uncle's wood." + +"I thought I heard footsteps." + +"I think it's nothing but the wind rustling the branches." + +"Oh no, Githa! It is somebody! Do stop and listen. I can hear voices, +and they're coming towards us. Suppose they're poachers! Let us hide +quickly behind these bushes, and let them pass without seeing us. I wish +we'd brought Rolf." + +Since the midnight adventure at school Gwethyn was disposed to be much +alarmed at all doubtful characters, and would have gone considerably out +of her way to avoid a tramp. She seized Githa's arm, and drew her aside +now, in nervous haste, and together the pair crouched behind a thick +sheltering group of bramble bushes. In the dim light they were just able +to distinguish the features of the wayfarers who advanced; one was +unmistakably Bob Gartley, and the other they recognized as a carter whom +they had sometimes noticed hanging about the "Dragon". The errand of the +two men seemed of a doubtful nature, and might well justify Gwethyn's +suspicions. They stopped opposite the very bush where the girls were +concealed, and taking various pieces of wire and string out of their +pockets, commenced to set traps with much care, and a skill worthy of a +better cause. They were so near that the unwilling listeners behind the +brambles could overhear every word that was spoken. + +"Things aren't the same as they used to be," remarked Bob Gartley +sulkily. "It's hard work for a poor man to get even a rabbit nowadays. +Look out, Albert, you're spoiling that noose!" + +"It was very different when I was a boy," returned Albert. "Mr. Ledbury +didn't own the shooting in these woods then, and they weren't so +strictly kept. One had an easy chance of a pheasant or two." + +"Aye, it all belonged to the Grange, and it always went with the house +in those days." + +"Pity it's changed hands." + +"Yes; old Mr. Ledbury never used to trouble much, and if one took a walk +in his woods there was no particular questions asked." + +"This lawyer chap's too sharp." + +"He got more than his share. When the old man died, everyone in the +village said it was a shame those two Hamilton children should have been +overlooked and left nothing. Some folks went so far as to say there must +have been a later will, and gave Mr. Wilfred the credit of suppressing +it. There was a lot of talk at the time. It seems there was a big sum of +money, thousands of pounds it was, that old Mr. Ledbury was known to +have received only a day or so before his death. It had been paid over +to him in notes. He hadn't put it in the bank, and after his death it +never turned up. He was a queer chap was old Ledbury; fond of gambling, +and the tale went that he must have lost it at play." + +"Now you speak of it, I've heard some talk in the village myself. They +say old Ledbury was a miser as well as a gambler, and hoarded things +like a magpie. It was a queer thing what he'd done with that money." + +"It was uncommon queer," replied Bob, "and between you and me, Albert, I +could tell you a thing or two about that." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Something I saw once," admitted Bob cautiously. "But so far it's not +been worth my while to let on about it, and I ain't been able to take +advantage of it myself. I sometimes think if I'd a pal now----" + +"You and me was always thick, Bob," put in Albert eagerly. + +"I dare say. But you go clacking like an old hen, when you've a drop of +drink in you!" + +"I wouldn't touch aught--leastways not more than my usual pint at +supper." + +"If I thought you could keep a still tongue, the two of us might manage +a pretty big deal. It 'ud be a risky enough job, but I know you don't +stop at a trifle." + +"Not me!" chuckled Albert. + +"Well, I don't mind tellin' you that I was peepin' in under the blinds +at the Grange on the very night before old Mr. Ledbury died." + +"And what did ye see?" + +"Never you mind what I saw exactly, but all they panels aren't solid +like the rest. There be one as takes out." + +"Wheer?" + +"Ain't I tellin' you? In the room at the Grange, plump opposite the +fireplace it were. There's a knob as twists. Look here, if you've a-set +that noose proper, why can't you be comin'? Do you expect me to be +waitin' on you same as if you was Captain Gordon? If we ain't quick the +keepers will be comin'. That Morris always takes a round about dark, +that's what brought me out so early." + +"All right, but as you was a-sayin'----" grunted Albert, his voice +sinking to a murmur as he rose and followed his estimable friend farther +into the wood, where more snares might be set with advantage during the +progress of their conversation. + +When they judged the two men to be at a safe distance, Githa and Gwethyn +emerged from behind the bush, and scurried away along the path as fast +as the gathering dusk would permit. So anxious were they to get out of +the wood, that neither spoke a word until they had reached the farther +side, and, climbing the fence, found themselves once more in the fields +below The Gables. + +"It was the Gartley children's father," exclaimed Gwethyn, taking +Githa's arm, not so much for protection as for a sense of companionship +in the dark. "I've always heard he's a dreadful poacher. I think he's +such a hateful, insolent kind of man. I'm thankful he didn't see us." + +"So am I. It will serve them right if the keepers catch them." + +"Could you understand what they were talking about?" + +"You mean what they said about Grandfather and the Grange? It was most +mysterious." + +"Gartley certainly dropped a hint about a panel." + +"Yes, but I couldn't make out the rest, or what he wanted Albert to help +him with." + +"You don't think that your grandfather could have hidden some money in +the panelling, and that Bob Gartley saw him do it?" + +"If he did, the money certainly wouldn't be there now! Considering the +house has been empty for about three years, Gartley must have had every +opportunity of going in and taking it, and I scarcely think he'd be +restrained by conscientious scruples." + +"Hardly!" + +"No, there was something more--some secret that he didn't want to tell +even to 'Albert'." + +"If only they hadn't gone away just at that identical minute!" groaned +Gwethyn. "It was too tantalizing, when we seemed on the very point of +learning something. It must be important, or he wouldn't make such a +mystery of it, and talk about its being to his advantage. Do you think +his wife knows, and that we could get her to tell us?" + +"No, she's too much afraid of him." + +"But if we tried bribery and corruption? He himself might perhaps be +induced to part with the information." + +"He spoke of a 'risky job', which certainly means something dishonest. +In that case I'm sure he wouldn't reveal a word." + +"If we were to tell the police, could they make him confess?" + +"No, he'd simply deny everything flatly." + +"Then what can we do?" + +"Nothing as regards him, I'm afraid. We might as well investigate at the +Grange, though. Shall we get up early to-morrow, and ride over on our +bikes before breakfast? I don't suppose we shall find anything, but if +you like we'll go and look." + +"I'm your man!" responded Gwethyn eagerly. + +Of the two girls Gwethyn was the more excited. Her romantic imagination +at once made her plan all sorts of delightful possibilities. They were +to find an immense fortune at the Grange, of which her friend would be +the heiress! Who knew what treasures might be hoarded somewhere behind +the panelling? Githa, whose natural disposition was not sanguine, and +who had already tasted some of the hard experiences of life, shook her +head at her school-mate's golden dreams, and stuck to her former +contention--if Bob Gartley was aware that money was hidden in the old +house, he certainly would not have let it remain there for long. + +Nevertheless, Githa was anxious to explore, just to satisfy herself that +there was really nothing to find. She would not admit the weakness, +however, and pretended that the early morning expedition was a +concession to her friend's impatience. + +The girls decided not to tell a word to anybody of what they had +overheard. They did not mention to Mrs. Ledbury that they had been in +the plantation; and Githa, when reproved by her aunt for staying out so +late, merely explained that she had been showing Gwethyn the church. +With an injunction to keep to the garden in future after supper, Mrs. +Ledbury passed the matter over. + +Githa was a habitual early riser, but next morning she excelled herself, +and called her friend almost as soon as it was light. At five o'clock +they were getting their bicycles from the stable. Githa, mindful of her +pets' healthy appetites, chalked a notice on the door asking the +gardener to feed them as soon as he arrived. + +"I haven't time now, but they may be getting hungry for their breakfasts +before we are back," she said; "and the fowls ought to be let out. Tom +will attend to them, I know." + +The ride through the fresh morning air was very pleasant. The girls felt +so fit that they raced along, making nothing of hills, and covered the +distance in record time. The dew was still heavy on the grass as they +went up the drive to the empty old house. Since Cedric's sojourn there +neither had been near the place, and apparently nobody else had +disturbed the solitude. In spite of agents' tempting advertisements no +possible tenant had even come to look at its attractions. The vestibule +window still stood open; an enterprising piece of clematis had made +entrance, and had grown at least a yard inside, and a robin was flying +about in the passage. The girls went at once to the wainscoted room that +had been old Mr. Ledbury's library. + +"Now I wonder if Bob Gartley was telling the truth or not?" queried +Githa. + +"He said 'exactly opposite the fireplace', and 'a knob that twists'," +said Gwethyn, tapping the panels critically with her knuckles. "What +does he mean by knobs? There aren't any." + +"Unless he called these rosettes in the scrollwork knobs!" + +Part of the panelling was beautifully carved, with a twisting +conventional design: no part of it protruded sufficiently to merit the +title of knob, but at intervals there were round objects, possibly +intended to represent roses. They did not look encouraging, but, +beginning with the end near the window, Githa carefully tested each one. +The first eleven were part and parcel of the solid woodwork, but the +twelfth moved; it turned round fairly easily when she twisted it, +evidently unlatching some catch, for the panel below fell open like a +door, revealing a small hole or cupboard. Not altogether surprised, the +girls peeped eagerly inside. + +"Nothing--as I thought!" exclaimed Githa. "Only a thick coat of dust. I +never imagined there would be anything. Certainly not if Bob Gartley +knew anything of it." + +"No, it hardly seemed likely," faltered Gwethyn, "but I'm disappointed +all the same. Move just an inch, and let me put in my hand. Oh yes, I +know it's useless, but I'm an obstinate person and like my own way. I +want to feel the inside. It's uncommonly dirty--and it's absolutely +empty. No! What's this? Why, Githa, look! I actually have found +something after all." + +The object which Gwethyn had discovered in the dust of the cupboard +behind the panels was neither beautiful nor important, only a small key +of such an ordinary pattern that it evidently could not claim any +interest on the score of antiquity. + +"Not much of a find, I'm afraid," she mourned. "Just something that has +been overlooked when the place was cleared out. I don't suppose the +panel was a very dead secret; it opens so easily that the servants would +probably find it when they polished the woodwork." + +"I never knew of it," said Githa. + +"I wonder how Bob Gartley knew of it, though, and why he seemed to think +it rather a valuable piece of information?" + +"Yes, that's decidedly puzzling, except that sometimes uneducated people +like to make an absurd mystery over simple things, just to increase +their own importance. Perhaps he wanted to rouse Albert's curiosity." + +"He succeeded in rousing ours, at any rate." + +"And we haven't gratified it. A key without a lock is a rather useless +discovery. I shall take it, though, and keep it carefully, in case it +ever turns out to be of any use." + +"Well, we've found the precious panel, but no fortune! It's rather a +swindle!" + +"Only exactly what I expected. I wanted to come just for the +satisfaction of seeing there was nothing." + +"We've had a ripping ride, at any rate!" + +"Yes; and we'd better be going home again now. Come along and get our +bikes." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +An Accident + + +After breakfast Githa and Gwethyn, having the whole of Saturday morning +at their disposal, resolved to go mushrooming. The warm weather had +brought out a fairly plentiful crop, and they hoped, by diligent +searching, to be able to fill at least a small can. The pastures were +generally scoured early by people from the village, who sold the +mushrooms in Carford at a good price. + +"We ought to have thought of it first thing, when we were riding to the +Grange," said Githa. "I'm afraid we shall find the best places have been +cleared. To get mushrooms one almost has to sit up all night and watch +them grow. Everybody's so keen on them just now. Still, I think I know +of one or two fields that are worth going to, on the chance that no one +else has been there already." + +The meadows which Githa proposed to visit lay near the river, about +half-way between The Gables and Heathwell. The prospect of finding +mushrooms there was rendered more promising on this particular day +because most of the village children were helping to gather the bean +harvest, and would therefore be busily employed elsewhere. The July +heat was already ripening some of the corn, and before long the reapers +would be at work. + +"It's a pity gleaning has gone so completely," said Gwethyn; "it must +have looked so delightfully romantic. None of the village people are +half so picturesque as those in the old pictures. Even Mrs. Gartley +wears a dilapidated but still fashionable hat, which she bought at a +rummage sale, and Mrs. Blundell's daughter makes hay in the relics of a +once gorgeous evening blouse and a voile skirt, instead of a print +bed-gown and striped petticoat. I suppose people must keep pace with the +times, but from an artistic point of view I wish their clothes were more +suitable to their occupations." + +"It's no use mourning over vanished customs. We don't defy the fashions +and appear in Sir Joshua Reynolds costumes. Granny Blundell, at any +rate, is picturesque in her apron and sun-bonnet. She made a splendid +model for Katrine's picture of the old spice cupboard." + +"The cupboard she's stolen from you!" + +"No, no! She bought it fairly and squarely from Mrs. Stubbs. As I told +you before, I'm glad for her to have it, since I can't have it myself. +How hot it's getting! I believe I'm tired with going out riding so +early. I shall feel in better spirits when I've found some mushrooms. A +penny for the first who sees any!" + +"And who's to give the penny?" + +"Why, the other, of course!" + +"Suppose one sees the mushroom and the other picks it. What then?" + +"Oh, I don't know! It would be like the fable of the two boys and the +walnut." + +"And what do 'toadstools' count?" asked Gwethyn mischievously. + +"A penny on the wrong side, decidedly." + +The best and richest meadows for mushrooms lay a little distance from +the highroad, in a hollow not far from the bank of the river, and beyond +a coppice which was enclosed with wire-fencing and strictly preserved. A +pathway led through the edge of this wood, and the girls, anxious to +avail themselves of a short cut, turned their steps in that direction. +Githa, who was walking first, stopped for a moment to admire a lovely +clump of silver birches which, with gleaming white stems and shimmering +leaves, stood as outposts of the wood. A blackbird--always the sentinel +of the wild--flew from the hedge, clattering a noisy warning of her +approach, and roused a cock pheasant, that whirred almost over her head +in his flight for the open. Laughing at the start it gave her, she +climbed lightly up the steps of the stile, but at the top she paused, +and suddenly drew back, all her merriment gone in a flash. From the +farther side of the fence, down among the bracken and the brambles, she +had heard a groan, an unmistakably human groan, with a faint cry after +it that sounded something like "Help!" + +"Gwethyn," she said, with a decided tremble in her voice, "I believe +there's somebody lying down there!" + +"Is there? Let me look! Oh, I say! It's a man, and I'm afraid he's +hurt." + +[Illustration: "'I BELIEVE I'VE BROKEN MY LEG,' HE MOANED"] + +Gwethyn did not delay a moment to hop after Githa over the stile. A +figure in corduroy trousers and an old tweed jacket lay prostrate in the +hedge bottom. At first sight the girls feared he was drunk, but one +glance at his white face showed that he needed their help. He raised +himself rather shakily upon his elbow as they made their appearance. His +cheeks were drawn with pain, and his eyes were like those of a snared +animal; but they had no difficulty in recognizing Bob Gartley. + +"What's the matter? Have you hurt yourself?" asked Githa briefly. + +"Oh! Thank goodness anyone's come! I believe I've broken my leg," he +moaned. + +"Did you fall?" + +"Yes, and I can't move an inch, not even to drag myself along. I've been +lying here all night, and I thought I was goin' to die like a rabbit in +a trap. I shouted and shouted, but there weren't no one to hear, and +then I couldn't shout no more. I'd give the world for a drop of water," +he added feebly, sinking back on the bracken, and half-closing his eyes. + +"I'll fetch some directly," cried Gwethyn, seizing the can which they +had brought as a receptacle for the mushrooms, and rushing frantically +in the direction of the river. She was quite unused to illness, and had +never seen an accident before, so Bob Gartley's haggard face filled her +with alarm. Suppose he were to die out there in the wood, before any aid +could be secured! The horror of the thought lent wings to her feet. +Without stopping to consider her dread of bulls, she climbed a high +fence, and plunging recklessly through a drove of formidable-looking +bullocks, reached the bank, and dipped her tin in the river, returning +to the stile as quickly as she had come. Bob Gartley was still +alive--that was a mercy--but he was lying groaning in the most terrible +manner. Githa, looking very scared, was supporting his head with her +arm. She seized the can from Gwethyn, and held it to his blue lips. A +long draught of the water seemed to revive him, and he opened his eyes +again. + +"How be I a-goin' to get home?" he asked plaintively. + +The question roused Githa to energy. + +"We must do something to your leg first," she replied. "Gwethyn, +remember our Red Cross work, it's a case for first aid. Help me to find +some sticks, and we'll make splints. I shall want your handkerchief, and +that scarf off your hat. I'm so glad I put on a soft belt this +morning--that will help!" + +It was easy enough to find sticks in the coppice for amateur splints, +and Githa set to work with the best skill she could, binding the pieces +of wood firmly on each side of the broken leg, with handkerchiefs, Bob's +neck-tie, Gwethyn's scarf, and her own belt. The patient moaned +considerably during the operation, but he seemed on the whole grateful. + +"I might 'a died if you hadn't chanced to come by," he remarked. "I've +had a night of it!" + +"How did you manage to fall?" asked Gwethyn. + +"I don't know. I suppose I caught my foot in the dark, gettin' over yon +stile." + +Githa forbore to ask for what purpose he had been visiting a game +preserve at nightfall, and turned her attention to the more imminent +and practical consideration of how to convey him home. + +"I must fetch help at once," she said. "I believe we're quite close to +Mr. Cooper's poultry farm. I'll run there, and try and get somebody to +come." + +"Do. I'll stay here, then, with Mr. Gartley, for I don't think he ought +to be left alone, in case he turns faint again," agreed Gwethyn. + +This poultry farm was within sight, at the top of a small hill. It was +certainly the nearest place at hand. Githa made a bee-line for it, +through hedges and over hurdles. If she tramped across the corner of a +cornfield, her errand was her excuse. Arrived at the house, she seized +the knocker, and gave, in her nervousness, a tremendously rousing +rap-tap. The door was opened by Mr. Cooper himself. + +"Oh, please, there's been an accident!" gasped Githa in tones of tragic +staccato. "Bob Gartley has broken his leg. He's down in the wood there, +and we don't know what to do. Can you come?" + +"Whew! That's a bad job. Of course I'll come. Perhaps I'd better bring a +little brandy with me. Yes, and something to carry him on, for it will +be the dickens to move him. My man will help; he's round now with the +hens. Between us, I should think we ought to be able to manage it; and +if not, we can fetch somebody from Pratt's farm." + +"Perhaps I can carry something," said Githa. "Could I hurry back first +with the brandy?" + +"No, no! If you don't mind waiting a second, I'll come with you. I don't +know where the fellow is." + +"He's lying just by the stile that leads into the wood. You couldn't +miss the place." + +"Right-o! Hello, Jack! Are you there? I want you. Bring two long +broom-handles, and follow me down to the birch coppice. No, never mind +the hens at present, they'll have to wait." + +Leaving Githa for a moment on the door-step, Mr. Cooper darted into his +farm-house, emerging in an incredibly short space of time with a flask +in his hand and a blanket flung over his arm. + +"It's Bob Gartley, you say?" he commented. "Oh, yes! I know the fellow +well enough--a disreputable scamp he is, too! He was in the coppice for +no good, you may be sure. Still, of course, we can't leave him there, +though it will be a doubtful benefit to his wife and family to cart him +back with a broken leg. If you consulted the gamekeeper, I expect he'd +prefer nailing him to a corner of the lodge, in company with a choice +collection of stoats, hawks, and owls. He certainly classes poachers +under the head of vermin." + +They found Gwethyn looking out anxiously for them, and much relieved at +their arrival. Her patient had fainted after Githa left, and she had +been obliged to fetch more water from the river to revive him. He was +conscious now, but very weak, and scarcely able to speak. + +"We'll soon have him home," said Mr. Cooper, pouring a few spoonfuls of +the brandy between his lips. "This will bring him round a little, you'll +see. Oh! There you are, Jack! Got the broom-sticks? That's all right. +Now we must manage to make a litter." + +Mr. Cooper undoubtedly had a head upon his shoulders, and knew exactly +how to manage in the circumstances. He spread the blanket on the ground, +and with Jack's assistance lifted Bob Gartley on to it; then rolling +each side tightly along a broom handle, he contrived a kind of hammock, +on which it was possible to carry the unfortunate man. The first and +greatest difficulty was to get him out of the wood. It was hopeless to +think of lifting him over the stile, so they were obliged to beat down +the hedge, and make a gap sufficiently wide to admit their ambulance. + +"We must explain it to the keeper afterwards," said Mr. Cooper. "It will +be comparatively easy now across the fields. Step with me, Jack, and +perhaps we shan't shake him so much. The poor chap's in awful pain. Now +then--left, right, left, right! We'll get him to the road, and then call +at Pratt's farm, and ask them to lend their cart. It would be difficult +to carry him all the way to Heathwell. The sooner he's home and the +doctor can set his leg the better, though I must say this first aid has +been splendid. If one of you young ladies don't mind taking the flask +out of my pocket, you might moisten his lips with the brandy; he looks +as if he were going to faint again." + +The people at Pratt's farm were busy haymaking, but they put down their +rakes in stolid astonishment at the news of the accident, and after +turning the matter over for a short time in their rustic brains, agreed +to lend their horse and cart to convey the invalid home. + +"We'll put a good layer of straw for him to lie on," said Mrs. Pratt. +"It'll save him from the jolting a bit. Yes, he be too big and heavy to +carry all the way to Heathwell on that blanket. My goodness! He do look +bad. I shouldn't be surprised to see him took. Lor'! It'll need be a +warning to him if he pulls round." + +"So it will, for sure! It's sent as a judgment without doubt," agreed +Mr. Pratt, gazing with contemplative interest at the moaning victim, +laid temporarily by the roadside. + +"I wish they'd think less about warnings and judgments, and be a little +quicker with the cart," whispered Githa. + +"I'll offer to help them get it ready, that will probably hurry them," +replied Mr. Cooper. "Country people have no idea of the value of time in +these cases, or, indeed, in any matter at all, as I often find to my +cost." + +After what seemed an incredible waste of precious minutes, the cart was +at last brought out, and Bob lifted on to the pile of straw. Sending his +man back to feed the hens, Mr. Cooper decided to ride himself with the +invalid, while Githa and Gwethyn ran on to warn Mrs. Gartley of what had +occurred. They found the poor woman in a state of indescribable muddle, +doing some belated washing. Gwethyn, with a promise of sweets, managed +to cajole all the little ones from the cottage, while Githa broke the +news as gently as she could to the mother. + +"I knew it 'ud come to this some day!" exclaimed Mrs. Gartley, flinging +her apron over her head, and collapsing in tears on to a chair. "I've +told him fifty times, if I've told him once, there'd no good happen from +the way he was carrying on, but he never would listen to I!" + +"Have you got everything ready for him?" asked Githa. "He ought to lie +on a mattress, not a soft bed, Mr. Cooper says. I can hear the cart +coming now. As soon as they've brought him in, we must send a messenger +for the doctor." + +It was such a limp, moaning burden which was carried upstairs, that Mrs. +Gartley broke into frantic hysterical sobs at the sight, and was no more +use than the children, who, scenting the fact that for some reason they +were being kept out of the way, evaded Gwethyn's blandishments, and tore +back into the cottage. The men, however, made the poor fellow as +comfortable as they could, and so many neighbours began to arrive that +there was soon far more help than was necessary. + +"We may as well go," said Mr. Cooper to the two girls. "We've done all +we can, and he'll have to wait now for the doctor." + +Bob was lying quite still, with his eyes shut, and his face as white as +his pillow, but he evidently heard that, for he roused himself. + +"If it hadn't a-been for you, I'd ha' died in the wood," he said. "I +shan't forget." + +Githa and Gwethyn had gathered not a single mushroom, but they were much +too excited even to think about them. They ran up to Aireyholme to tell +their news before they walked back to The Gables, and Miss Aubrey +promised to go at once to the Gartleys' cottage, to render what aid she +could. Mrs. Ledbury also was much concerned when she heard the girls' +report of their morning's adventure, and sent during the afternoon to +inquire about the invalid. + +"He's a bad lot, that Bob Gartley," said Mr. Ledbury; "I have more than +a suspicion that he comes poaching into my woods. I've seen him skulking +about once or twice. Still, in the name of humanity, you're bound to +help a man, even if you find him with a hare in one pocket and a cock +pheasant in the other. You can't let him lie with a broken leg. I'm +sorry for his wife, poor thing!" + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +Bob Gartley Explains + + +The prospects of the Gartley family at present were certainly not of a +rosy description. With her husband in bed, Mrs. Gartley could not go out +to work, and her household was obliged to subsist as best it could on +charity. The parish allowed some outdoor relief, which was supplemented +by doles from the Church funds, and neighbours, now that there was the +excuse of real sickness, were kind in giving practical help. There was +no danger of actual starvation, though luxuries were out of the +question. + +Laid by the heels, with no exciting expeditions to break the monotony of +his days, Mr. Bob Gartley alternately pitied himself and railed at fate. +He was a fractious invalid, and spared his wife neither time nor trouble +in attending to his wants. + +"He be worse nor a baby!" she complained to her friends. "I've only to +get him settled and go downstairs and begin a bit o' washin', when there +he is hollerin' for me again, and all about naught. I fair lose my +patience sometimes, but he keeps a boot handy under his pillow, ready to +fling at I if I crosses him, and he be such a good shot he never misses, +duck as I will." + +The exactions of her lord and master kept Mrs. Gartley so busy that her +family lived more than ever in the road, escaping passing motors by a +miracle, and receiving chance meals from anybody who had fragments to +spare--a practice rather sniffed at by some of the neighbours. + +"Not as I've any wish to see 'em go wantin'," remarked Mrs. Blundell, +"but I think they're doin' better now than when their father had his +health. Hungry? Why, yes--they'd always be ready to eat sweet stuff at +any hour of day. That don't prove they be in need. As for Bob Gartley, +he must be livin' like a fightin' cock with all they basins of broth and +pots of jelly. He'll want to break his leg again when times is bad." + +Lying in his stuffy little bedroom, Mr. Gartley had leisure to consider +his circumstances and air his views. He carefully compared the various +viands that were sent him, with criticisms on the culinary skill of the +donors. + +"Don't bring me no more broth!" he said to his wife one afternoon; "I'm +sick of the very sight of it. Might as well be in hospital. Why can't +you get me a scrap of liver and bacon?" + +"Doctor said we wasn't to give you that on no account," objected Mrs. +Gartley. "I wish they had taken you to hospital while they was about it. +If it had been I, I'd have jumped at goin'." + +"Shows how much you knows about it! Why, when I was in the infirmary +they washed me all over every day! Yes, it's the truth I'm tellin' you! +And they left windows open all day long, and wouldn't allow me a smoke, +or even a chew of 'baccy. No more hospitals, says I! Take that broth +away, can't you? Ain't there any jelly in the house?" + +"No, the pot's empty." + +"Then you've let those brats get at it!" + +"I ain't. You've had it all yourself." + +"Maybe they'll be sending some more from somewheres." + +"Like enough; but you won't get much more from Aireyholme." + +"Why not?" asked Mr. Gartley much aggrieved. + +"Because the young ladies is going away next week." + +"Oh, it's their holidays, is it?" + +"Aye; the school's always shut up in holiday time. Miss Aubrey and Mrs. +Franklin goes away too." + +The news appeared to make Bob thoughtful, and he pondered over it for a +few moments. + +"I suppose that young lady'll be takin' that little cupboard with her," +he remarked at last. + +"What little cupboard?" + +"Why, you stupid, the one as she put in the picture with Granny Blundell +and our Hugh. She'd bought it from Mrs. Stubbs." + +"Oh, I remember. Yes, if she's bought it and paid for it, of course +she'll be takin' it with her." + +"It's hard for a poor man to be tied to his bed as helpless as a log!" +groaned Bob. "Goodness knows what she'll do with it if she takes it +away! Sell it again, maybe. Anyways, I shall be off the track of it." + +"What do you mean?" queried his wife. "I can't see as you've got aught +to do with Miss Marsden's cupboard." + +"You never could see farther than your nose, Jane. Some of they young +ladies has been very good to a poor man. I'd a-died if they hadn't found +me in the wood." + +"Why, yes, I know that!" exclaimed Mrs. Gartley, immensely amazed at +such an unwonted outburst of gratitude. + +"It might be good for a fiver," murmured Bob. "That's little enough, but +it would be better than missin' everything. Look here, Jane. Send Mary +across to Aireyholme, and tell her to say I'd like to see Miss Hamilton +on a bit of special business." + +"What's it all about?" asked Mrs. Gartley inquisitively. + +"Never you mind. Leave that to me, and send the child as I tell you." + +Little Mary Gartley arrived with her message soon after four o'clock, +just as Githa was leaving school. Gwethyn was walking with her down the +drive, being in fact on her way to the Gartleys' cottage to leave a +basketful of fruit from Mrs. Franklin. Both girls were much astonished +at the summons. + +"Are you sure your father wants me?" asked Githa. + +"Yes, miss. He said most particular as it was Miss Hamilton." + +"Come with me, Gwethyn!" begged Githa. "You have to call at the door, in +any case. I'm sure Mrs. Franklin wouldn't mind your going in. Perhaps +Mr. Gartley wants to thank us for our 'First Aid'. I don't like going +alone." + +"All serene!" returned Gwethyn, whose curiosity was considerably +aroused. + +"He do be askin' for you," said Mrs. Gartley, who greeted the girls at +the door. "What's come over him passes me, but he's set on seein' you. +It's a poor place upstairs, and I've not had time lately for cleanin'; +still, if you wouldn't mind steppin' up----" + +"Oh, it's all right!" said Githa, stopping the apologies. "Will you go +first to show us the way? Well, Mr. Gartley," as they entered the room, +"you look a little better than when we saw you last." + +"I might easy do that," replied Bob; then turning to his wife, he +whispered: "Chuck they brats downstairs, we don't want 'em listenin' +here." + +Mrs. Gartley hastened to put to flight five of her offspring who had +followed the interesting visitors, and having administered chastisement, +and locked them out of the house, returned panting from the fray, +fearful of missing the least detail of the conference. + +When his audience was ranged conveniently round his bedside, Bob +Gartley, greatly enjoying the sense of his own importance, opened the +conversation. + +"I sent for you, Miss Hamilton," he began, "because there's a something +I've had on my mind. You done me a good turn, and I'd be ready to do a +turn back. Suppose, now, as I had a bit of information that might mean a +deal to you, I reckon as you'd be glad to get hold of it?" + +"I've no doubt I should," replied Githa, "if it's anything worth +knowing." + +"It be well worth knowing. Don't you have no fear on that score. It +might be the makin' of you, and it would clear up a mystery, too." + +"What do you mean?" asked Githa quickly. + +"I'm a poor man," returned Mr. Gartley evasively. "I've a big family to +keep, and I wears myself out with strivin' for 'em. It 'ud be worth +anybody's while to know what I knows, but the question is whether it 'ud +be worth my while to let on. Maybe I'd best keep my information to +myself." + +"Suppose it were made worth your while to tell it?" returned Githa, +grasping the situation. + +"Ah! that 'ud be a horse of another colour. I be grateful for what +you've a-done for me--don't you be mistakin' me on that point--but I +can't afford to be givin' away gratis what ought to be good for golden +sovereigns." + +"How many do you want?" inquired Githa. + +"I've no wish to seem graspin'," replied Bob virtuously. "No one can +accuse me of tryin' to get more than my dues, but I'm not denyin' as +five pounds would be a very handy little sum just at present, as +circumstances is rather awkward." + +"I have five pounds in the Savings Bank; you shall have it if you really +have any information to give me." + +"You shall be judge of that, and I reckon you'll be surprised when you +hear what I've got to tell. Jane, is there anyone a-listenin' on the +stairs?" + +"Not a soul, and the door's locked," said Mrs. Gartley, who stood by, +consumed with curiosity, and almost more eager than the girls for the +coming revelations. + +"That be all right, then. I don't hold with eavesdroppin'. I were +always taught as it were mean and underhand. It was five quid as we +mentioned, wasn't it? Thanks. There ain't nothing like bein' sure of +one's ground. Well, as you're really anxious to know what I knows, I'll +tell you. It were three years ago come last March, and I happened to be +out one night after a little bit of business of my own which took me +round by the Grange. It were quite late, maybe between twelve and one +o'clock, and I were in a hurry to get back to my family, so I makes a +short cut through the garden. All the house were shut up and dark, and +it were plain as everyone was in bed, so I says to myself. When I comes +round the corner, though, if I don't see a light in one of the lower +windows. As I goes past, I noticed that though the blind were down, it +weren't drawn full to the bottom, and there was a chink of about half an +inch left. I'm a man as takes a kind of interest in my neighbours, so I +puts my eye to it, curious-like, and I gets a very good view into the +room. There was old Mr. Ledbury, standin' by the fireplace, and he were +turnin' over some papers in his hand. I'd take my Bible oath they was +bank-notes. He counted 'em, careful-like, and put 'em inside an +envelope. Then what does he do but go across the room--me watching him +all the time at my peep-hole--and he twists a knob round, and opens one +of the panels in the wall. He looks at it as if he was goin' to put the +papers in there; then he seems to change his mind, he shakes his head +and shuts it up again, and goes over to t'other side of the room, where +there was a little oak cupboard. I could see him as plain as I sees you +now. There was small drawers in that cupboard, and an empty space in +the middle of 'em. He slides a piece of wood aside there, and takes a +key from his pocket, and unlocks a little door at the back among the +drawers, and he puts the envelope in there, and locks it up again. Then +he goes back to his arm-chair by the fireside. 'Bob Gartley,' I says to +myself, 'maybe you've found out something to-night, and maybe you +haven't, but you'd best keep a still tongue in your head.' So I never +tells no one, not even my missis here." + +"That you didn't!" agreed Mrs. Gartley. "I'd be the last you'd tell. I +can't make out what you're drivin' at." + +"You wait and see, and you'll find out fast enough. That night as I +looked through the window was the very one afore old Mr. Ledbury was +took bad and died. When it came to readin' his will, there was a lot of +talk in the village, and folks said as a big sum of money were missing, +and couldn't be traced nohow, and he must have gambled it away. I'd my +own ideas on the subject." + +"But didn't you tell anybody?" gasped Githa. + +"Not I! It weren't none of my business. I'd enough trouble on my own +account just then, for me to want to be mixed up in anyone else's +affairs." + +"I remember!" exclaimed Mrs. Gartley. "You was doin' time. You got three +months hard for puttin' a bullet through the keeper's hat." + +"It don't matter what I were doin'," said Bob sulkily. "At any rate, I'd +an engagement wot kept me from puttin' myself in a public position. When +I gets back to Heathwell, do you think I were anxious to go and +interview Mr. Wilfred Ledbury just then, and tell him my views? No, I'd +had enough of lawyers for the present. They was inclined to doubt my +word, somehow, and it hurts an honest man's feelin's to be told as he's +a liar. I thought I'd keep my eye, though, on that little cupboard, but +I found there'd been an auction, and it were sold. I couldn't get on the +track of it, do what I would, or hear who'd a-got it, and I gives it up +as a bad job. Then one day that young lady comes into the house paintin' +our Hugh. There were an oak cupboard in her picture, and I knows it +again in a minute." + +"You don't mean to say----" cried Gwethyn, springing to her feet. + +"Aye, but I do! That be the very one as I sees old Mr. Ledbury put the +envelope inside!" + + * * * * * + +Gwethyn and Githa left the cottage in a state of the wildest excitement. +They went straight back to school, and ran upstairs to the studio. +Fortunately no one was in the room, so they were able at once to begin +investigations on the little oak cupboard. They pulled out all the small +drawers, and poked and pushed in every possible direction, but not a +sign of a secret hiding-place could they find. The wood at the back of +the recess in the middle seemed perfectly solid, and could not be made +to budge by the fraction of an inch. They were very baffled and +crest-fallen. After their success in finding the moving panel at the +Grange, it was the more particularly disappointing. + +"I suppose Bob Gartley really did see what he says he saw?" ventured +Githa rather doubtfully. "I wonder he never mentioned it before." + +"Reading between the lines, I should say he had two good reasons for his +silence," replied Gwethyn. "He was probably at the Grange that night on +a dishonest errand, and didn't want the matter investigated, and also +perhaps he thought he might find a chance some time to appropriate the +notes. He spoke very regretfully about them." + +"Do you think it could have been he who tried to break into Aireyholme?" + +"I haven't the least doubt of it. That scare happened soon after Katrine +had painted her picture of the cupboard. It never struck anybody to +connect the two." + +"He must have intended to get in through the dining-room window, go +upstairs to the studio, and hunt about for himself." + +"He might have managed it, if we hadn't had Tony that night. The darling +roused us with his growling." + +What was to be done next? That was the important question. If Bob +Gartley's account were true, and a secret place really existed, probably +the only way to find it would be to have a joiner up, and get him to +take the spice cupboard entirely to pieces. But it was Katrine's +property, and this could not be done without her permission. She was out +sketching this afternoon with Miss Aubrey. Gwethyn promised to broach +the matter to her when she returned. + +"Don't tell anybody else, please," said Githa. "I'd rather this wasn't +talked about in the school. If there really are bank-notes inside this +cupboard, they won't be mine. I suppose they'll be Uncle Wilfred's, the +same as all the rest of everything." + +"Unless there were a will." + +"No such luck! Ceddie and I weren't born under fortunate stars. I must +be going home now, it's most fearfully late." + +"Don't forget it's the Sports to-morrow!" + +"Rather not!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +The Sports + + +The Summer Term at Aireyholme always wound up with the Sports. They were +as much of an institution as the dramatic performance given shortly +before Christmas. The girls stuck to them with conservative zeal. +Several times Mrs. Franklin had suggested some other kind of fete to +celebrate the close of the school year, but concerts, tennis +tournaments, or pastoral plays were alike rejected in favour of +athletics. For the last week the Committee had been at work arranging +the events and making copies of the programme. The prizes were on view +in the studio, and were inspected with deep interest on the morning of +the great day. + +"I can't think why you should make such a fuss about sports!" said +Katrine, who was touching up some sketches, and found her painting +operations decidedly hindered by the crowd clustering round the table. +"If you'd had an art competition, now, it would have been far nicer. Why +didn't you?" + +"Because we've got to think of something to suit the whole school, and +not just a few hobbyists," returned Viola rather touchily. "You're +absolutely obsessed with painting. We monitresses take an all-round +view, and consider the general good." + +"Isn't it for the general good to elevate public taste?" asked Katrine, +who never missed an opportunity of arguing with Viola. + +"Certainly; but it's not fair on an occasion like this to have a +competition for which only an elect number are eligible. Sports are +democratic things. Every one has the same chance." + +"Now there I don't agree with you. Some girls are better at running and +jumping, just as others are cleverer at music or painting. Sports aren't +a scrap more democratic, really; they only offer a different field of +battle. Your artistic genius may be a duffer at a sack race, and your +crack pianist a butter-fingers with a ball. You must admit that!" + +"I shan't admit anything of the sort. It's well known in every school +that athletics are the fairest things going. That's why they're so +popular." + +"But from your own reasoning----" + +"Oh, I say, stop--for the sake of peace!" interrupted Diana. "We're +going to have the Sports, so what's the good of barging about them? If +you'd write a few extra programmes, Katrine Marsden, instead of giving +your opinions, there'd be some sense in it." + +"I thought you had enough." + +"We could do with half a dozen more. It's horrid to be short; and extra +visitors sometimes turn up." + + * * * * * + +It was the tradition of the school that the summer fete should be held +on the last Saturday in July. Though not the actual breaking-up day, in +the estimation of the girls it was almost as good. After Friday's +classes there were no more lessons; Monday would be devoted to packing, +and on Tuesday all would be speeding away by train to different points +of the compass. It was a kind of "do-as-you-please" day; rules were +relaxed, and everybody made the most of the holiday. A band of helpers, +under the superintendence of the Games Committee, spent the greater part +of the morning preparing the playing-field, forms were carried out to +accommodate the spectators, hurdles and other obstacles were arranged, +and the ground for the long jump freshly raked. + +"It's frightfully rough on Coralie that she mayn't compete this year!" +said Hilda Smart. "She's something wrong with her heart, I believe; +anyhow, the doctor has absolutely forbidden it. Poor old Corrie! She's +so disappointed! She was ever so keen on winning a medal. She'll just +have to sit and watch, like a visitor." + +"And Tita has blistered her foot, and can't run, so two of us are off," +commented Diana. "It's hard luck on the Sixth!" + +"Never mind; we've got Gladwin and Ellaline! They'll have to brace up +for the credit of the form." + +"Trust them! But some of the Fifth are A1, and may steal a march on us." + +"Not while Dorrie Vernon's alive! I'd back her against anybody." + +"Has Katrine Marsden put her name down for anything?" + +"Only for the bicycle race. She thinks the other competitions +hoydenish!" + +"If you'd called them Olympic contests, and required candidates to come +attired in ancient Greek costumes, she'd have been madly enthusiastic!" +grinned Diana. + +"Much jumping one would do in classic draperies!" sniffed Hilda +scornfully. "What does that kid want hallooing at us over there?" + +Novie Bates was running down the field yelling at the pitch of her voice +for Diana. + +"You're to come--at once!" she shouted. "Mrs. Franklin wants you. I saw +the telegraph boy coming up the drive." + +Diana promptly dropped her rake, and fled towards the house, followed by +Hilda and the rest. On this most propitious day the results of the +Matriculation Examination might be expected to be published, and the +three candidates were on the _qui vive_ for news. Mrs. Franklin was +standing by the front door, with the yellow envelope in her hand, but +she did not divulge its contents until Dorrie and Viola also came +hurrying up. + +"All passed. Viola first division, Diana and Dorrie in the second." + +The welcome information was handed on from girl to girl, till in a few +minutes everybody in the school knew of it, and ran to offer +congratulations to the heroines of the hour. The Principal, who had +always considered Diana's mathematics shaky, was looking immensely +relieved. It was a triumph that all were through, and a very happy +finish for the term. Last year two out of the five candidates had +failed, a deep humiliation to Mrs. Franklin; but this success restored +the credit of Aireyholme. It put everybody in a good temper, and made +quite a gala atmosphere in the establishment. The monitresses took their +laurels with an air of dignified humility. They were gratified, but +left the rejoicing to their friends. + +"Of course, when you've worked for a thing, it's a comfort to pass," +admitted Viola, with would-be nonchalance. + +"If I'd got a First Div. I'd be too proud to know what to do with +myself!" declared Laura Browne ecstatically. + +"Will your names be put in the newspapers?" asked Yvonne with awed +admiration. + +"We ought to run up a special flag!" suggested Jill Barton. + +"There! That's enough cock-a-doodling on our behalf!" said Viola. "Some +of the rest of you must do credit to the school this afternoon. I hope +you're all in good form. Don't go tearing about the place, and getting +yourselves too hot beforehand. It's a waste of superfluous energy!" + +The Sports were to begin at half-past two, and by that hour the +competitors and the greater number of the spectators were in their +places. Invitations had been sent to residents in the neighbourhood, and +though the visitors were not so many as on Waterloo Day, there were +quite enough to fill the seats which had been carried out for their +accommodation. + +Githa arrived rather late. It had been intended that she should motor +over with her uncle and aunt, but at the last moment Mr. and Mrs. +Ledbury were delayed by a telegram, the contents of which they did not +disclose to her, and she had set off on her bicycle. By quick scorching +she managed to join the ranks of the school just in the nick of time. +She waved to Gwethyn, but there was no opportunity of speaking, for the +girls were ranged according to their forms. Miss Andrews and Miss +Spencer were respectively to be starter and time-keeper, and Mr. Boswell +and the Vicar would act as judges. The prizes, arranged on a small +table, would be distributed by Mrs. Boswell. The Patriotic League had +been anxious to forgo prizes altogether, and offer bouquets of flowers +or crowns of laurel to the victors; but this decision was overruled by +Mrs. Franklin, who thought the school honour demanded at least a few +inexpensive medals to grace the occasion. + +"I shall not get silver ones this year," she had decreed; "but as we +have the die, the cost of metal ones will be comparatively trifling. +Mrs. Boswell is very kindly giving the form trophy, and Mrs. Gordon the +prize for the bicycle race. Miss Aubrey, the mistresses, and myself wish +to pay for the medals amongst us, and the shillings which you girls +usually subscribe can be sent either to the National Relief Fund or to +the Belgian Fund, whichever you choose." + +This arrangement satisfied even the most patriotic conscience. All had +felt that the Sports would not be complete without medals, though they +were heroically prepared to make the sacrifice. The Athletic Prize +badges were coveted distinctions at Aireyholme, and were treasured by +their winners almost above the books generally awarded for successes in +form examinations. This summer the medals would be specially attractive, +for they would seem almost like military decorations. Each girl was +wearing her form rosette--the Sixth pink, the Fifth green, and the +Fourth blue; the monitresses in addition had white favours, and the +members of the Games Committee, whose duty it was to keep order and +marshal the competitors, wore a "C" embroidered on a mauve ribbon. + +The first event was the junior plain race. The fifteen members of Form +IV started with great enthusiasm, and tore over the ground as rapidly as +their respective running powers permitted. Big Hebe Bennett, Bertha +Grant--also fat and scant of breath--and Myrtle Goodwin were soon +distanced by their more agile companions. Yvonne and Melanie made a +gallant struggle, but fell behind, and after an exciting heat between +Garnet Adams and Gwendolen Jackson, ended by Nora Parnell making a +sudden spurt and beating them both. + +In the higher forms Megan Owen and Ellaline Dickens proved the +Atalantas. Megan, though short and stoutly built, was remarkably +swift-footed, and Ellaline, tall and willowy, covered the ground at a +swinging pace that distanced even Dorrie Vernon, the crack champion of +the Sixth. Dorrie redeemed her character, however, in the next event; +her record in the long jump was the highest ever known at Aireyholme, it +evoked loud cheers, and she retired with the satisfaction of knowing +that her feat would be duly entered in the athletic minutes of the +school. The high jump came next on the programme; juniors led the way +and showed much agility. For several rounds ten of them cleared the bar; +but the next trial proved fatal to seven, leaving only Novie, Myrtle, +and Githa on the field. It was a hard contest between these three. They +were very evenly matched; Novie was the tallest, but Githa had the best +springing power, and came off victor in the end. + +"Glad the poor old Toadstool's scored," commented Dona Matthews to +Gwethyn. "It's a tremendous feather in her cap, because she hasn't been +able to practise as much as the rest of her form. Those kids have been +at it half the evening, all through this week. Our turn next! Hope +you're feeling fit?" + +"I'll do my best, but I always find the feminine petticoat an +encumbrance--even a gymnasium skirt is apt to catch. Boys have that +immense advantage at athletics." + +"Well, it's the same for us all, so we must take the petticoat as a +handicap." + +Gwethyn was fairly good at jumping, and held her own well in the form. +She kept up pluckily when Beatrix, Susie, and even Dona had fallen out. +A large coco-nut mat had been placed for the girls to jump on to, but +the grass was very dry, and just where the spring must be taken it had +become slippery. Gwethyn, so near to victory, slid, alas! as on ice, and +came a heavy cropper. She got up ruefully rubbing her leg, not seriously +injured, but too temporarily lame to make another trial, and the triumph +was scored by Rose Randall; not even the Sixth, who followed, being able +to break her record. + +The sack race for juniors was attended with much merriment. The fifteen +members of the Fourth, fastened up securely to the neck in clean sacks, +were laid on their backs in a giggling row. At the word of command from +the starter they struggled somehow to their feet, and began to make +what shuffling progress they might. It was a case of most haste least +speed, for over-zealous hurry only resulted in a fall, and often five or +six girls would be squirming like caterpillars on the ground. Hopping, +stumbling, tripping, anything but running, the competitors made their +slow way, till Jess Howard, the foremost, literally tumbled across the +ribbon, lying mirthful and speechless till she was raised and released +from her impediment by the stewards. + +The bicycle race was less of an open competition, for only those could +enter who possessed machines. There were ten candidates altogether, +Katrine, Gwethyn, and Githa being among the number. It was the sole +event in the Sports for which Katrine would compete; she affected to +consider running and jumping only fit for juniors, and stood aloof from +such "childish recreations" (as she termed them), greatly to the +indignation and scorn of the monitresses, who held a brief for +athletics. The race was by no means plain riding. Two long rows of +flowerpots had been placed, with due intervals between them, and in and +out among these the competitors must guide their machines in a tortuous +twist. It was a matter of balance and careful steering, and Katrine, who +was perhaps a little too airily confident, came to grief over the ninth +pot, rather--I am afraid--to the satisfaction of some of the members of +the Sixth, who chuckled together at her want of prowess. Katrine, +however, had the virtue of being able to take defeat in a sporting +manner. She wheeled her bicycle away, and watched the finish from a +quite disinterested point of view. Gwethyn did well, but she was still +a little stiff with her fall on the grass, and she lacked practice. +Githa, whose daily cycling to and from school made her absolutely at +home on her machine, had a decided pull over the others, and won by +several points. It was her second victory that afternoon, and the school +applauded loudly. Her pale cheeks flushed with pleasure at the sound of +the clapping. It was sweet for once to be appreciated--she, who was +generally such an outsider among the boarders. + +"Good old girl! You outshone yourself!" cried Gwethyn with an admiring +slap on the back. "You wound about like a boa constrictor!" + +"Thanks for the comparison--I'd rather be a toadstool than a snake!" +laughed Githa. + +The stewards were collecting and rearranging the flowerpots, and a team +of juniors came forward for the tortoise race. A difficult competition +this, for each candidate had to conduct marching operations mounted on +two flowerpots, and was required to balance herself on one leg on one +pot, while she cautiously and skilfully moved the other pot forwards. +Putting a foot to the ground necessitated returning to the +starting-point, and several times the foremost competitors, in their +anxiety to hurry along, let zeal exceed caution and lost their balance. +True to the title of tortoise, the slow and steady made the surest +progress, and Bertha Grant, the hindmost in the opening running, scored +at this event. On the whole the girls voted the obstacle race the best +fun. Every competitor rapidly worked a sum, submitted it to Miss +Andrews, and if correct tore away to scramble through some hurdles and +run over a raised plank. She was then required to open a parcel, take +out a long skirt and put it on, continuing her course, much encumbered +by its flapping, to climb more hurdles as a finish. Lena Dawson, Dona +Matthews, and Dorrie Vernon won credit for their respective forms, the +latter particularly distinguishing herself, as she arrived at the goal +without having torn her long skirt, an achievement not accomplished by +Lena or Dona. + +The last event, the North Pole race, was confined to juniors. The girls +were first blindfolded with handkerchiefs, then paper-bags were tied +over their heads, and thus incapacitated from seeing, they were turned +loose to grope for the "North Pole", a stick placed in the centre of the +field. Attendant scouts kept them on the course, gently turning them +towards the goal when they strayed to other points of the compass; but +in spite of this help they would often pass groping hands within a few +inches of the stick and fail to grasp it. After much fun and excellent +"collie work" on the part of the scouts, Meta Powers tumbled quite by +accident over the winning-post, bearing it with her to the ground as she +shouted a stifled "Hurrah!" from within her paper-bag. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +The Old Oak Cupboard + + +There yet remained the form trophy to be competed for, winners only in +the previous events being eligible as candidates. To ensure equal +chances for all, the test was to be a handicap race, age and height +being taken into consideration. The judges carefully placed the +competitors, tall Rose Randall getting little advantage over Dorrie +Vernon, though she was two years younger, and Jess Howard being in a +line with Dona Matthews. Githa had been given her starting-point, and +was standing in readiness for the signal, when she noticed her uncle and +aunt arriving upon the scene. How late they were! They had missed almost +the entire programme. Who was that stranger in khaki whom they had +brought with them? They were introducing him to Mrs. Franklin, who was +shaking hands, and finding seats for all three. Some friend of Uncle +Wilfred's, she supposed--but here her reflections were brought to an +abrupt close, for Miss Andrews gave the signal, and the race began. +Owing to the handicaps it was a closely matched affair; all were on +their mettle, and exerted themselves to the uttermost. At first Dona +seemed to be making the best progress, but Dorrie and Ellaline were +coming up fast from behind, and passed her. Githa ran steadily until +the two Sixth Form girls were in a line with her; then with a sudden +spurt, of which she had hardly believed herself capable, she sprang +forward, kept her advantage, and a whole yard in front of them touched +the ribbon. The Fourth rent the air with their cheers. The trophy was by +far the most important event of the afternoon, and the girl who had +secured it for her form was the heroine of the moment. Too much out of +breath for speech, but conscious of her honours, Githa walked back to +receive the congratulations of her comrades. Two medals and the trophy! +She could scarcely believe her good fortune. + +Mrs. Boswell, with smiling face, had turned to the prize-table, and Miss +Andrews was marshalling the winners in the order of their events. + +"The poor old Toadstool looks quite pretty for once," said Jill Barton, +as Githa, with shining eyes, and cheeks flushed with unwonted colour, +received her two medals and the charming little clock which would +henceforth adorn the mantelpiece of the Fourth Form room. + +"When she's through her ugly duckling stage, I believe she'll turn out +rather handsome," agreed Ivy Parkins. "I always said she had good +features, only she looked so drab and depressed. Her expression has +changed lately, and it makes an immense difference. She doesn't scowl +like she used to do." + +It was indeed such a bright, beaming, animated girl who expressed her +thanks to Mrs. Boswell, the donor of the clock, that Mrs. Ledbury looked +quite amazed. She beckoned her niece to her side. + +[Illustration: "'THIS CONCERNS US VERY MUCH, GITHA. IT'S YOUR +GRANDFATHER'S LAST WILL'"] + +"Come here, Githa! I'm glad to see you do so well. I want you to speak +to this gentleman" (indicating the khaki-clad officer). "Do you know who +he is? I thought not! Well, it's a surprise for us all." + +But as Githa looked up into the kindly face turned smilingly down to +greet her, old wellnigh forgotten scenes of early childhood came rushing +back, and with a swift flash, half of intuition, half of memory, she +divined the truth. + +"You're my Uncle Frank!" she exclaimed. + + * * * * * + +Later on in the afternoon, when tea was over, and the visitors were +dispersed about the garden, Githa took her new uncle for a walk in the +orchard. She did not feel in the least shy with him, and clung to his +arm, stroking the khaki sleeve--a caress she would never have dreamed of +venturing with Mr. Wilfred Ledbury. + +"I got your letter all right--that's what brought me," confided Uncle +Frank. "I never meant to show my face in Heathwell again, but if you +children want me, that's a different matter. So you think you'd like to +live with me, you young witch? Well, wait till the war's over, and we'll +see what can be managed. Your brother tried to run away, did he? The +rascal! I'm glad he's ready to serve his country--the navy will be the +making of him. I must have a look at the Grange, for old sake's sake. +Now tell me about your little self and your doings." + +Then somehow Githa began pouring out the whole story of the last few +weeks' happenings, including the finding of the movable panel at the +Grange, and ending with Bob Gartley's confession on the preceding +afternoon. Her uncle listened attentively. + +"I should like to see this oak cupboard," he remarked. "You say it +belongs to your friend Katrine, the sister of Marsden whom I met in +hospital? Would she show it to us now?" + +"I'm sure she would. I'll go and fetch her. Please wait for me here." + +Githa returned in a few minutes with both Katrine and Gwethyn. They were +anxious to make Captain Ledbury's acquaintance and to ask for news of +their brother Hereward. The account of his progress was satisfactory. + +"He'll have joined his regiment again by now, I expect, lucky chap! He +wasn't on the 'serious' list, so had no need to be invalided home. Oh, +he's in the best of spirits! He kept us all alive in the ward with his +jokes. Never met such a fellow for making puns!" + +"Just like Hereward!" exclaimed the sisters proudly. + +Katrine led the way to the studio, and did the honours of the little +spice cupboard. + +"I didn't know when I bought it that it came originally from the +Grange," she explained. "It had changed hands twice before I got +possession of it." + +"Githa and I spent half an hour or more over it yesterday, but we +couldn't find any secret place," added Gwethyn. + +Captain Ledbury had stooped down, and was making a careful examination. +He pulled out all the small drawers, and felt carefully behind them. + +"I dare say it's twenty years or more since my father showed me how this +works. I've almost forgotten the trick. Which side was it, now? Right or +left? Why, of course, I remember! You push both together. It's rather +stiff. Right-o! It's moving. Oh, good biz!" + +A thin panel of wood forming the back of the recess had slid aside, +revealing a small door with a keyhole. It refused to open, and was +evidently securely locked. + +"With your permission, Miss Marsden, we shall have to do a little +burgling," remarked Captain Ledbury. "Perhaps my penknife will serve as +a 'jemmy'." + +"Oh no, Uncle Frank!" cried Githa. "Don't force it! Wait half a moment. +I've got it here in my pocket. Look! Try this--the key that I found +inside the panel at the Grange. I've kept it most carefully, in case I +should ever find what it belonged to." + +"I believe you've solved the problem!" murmured her uncle. + +All watched eagerly as Captain Ledbury made trial of the little key. It +fitted exactly. The rusty lock creaked as it turned, and the door flew +open. + +The space revealed was very narrow; there was only just room for a fat +envelope that was wedged inside. Uncle Frank tore the letter open with +impatient fingers. It contained a pile of bank-notes and a sheet of +writing-paper. He studied the latter attentively for a moment or two. +Then he turned to his niece. + +"This concerns us very much, Githa. It's your grandfather's last will, +duly witnessed, and apparently in good order. You and Cedric and myself +benefit considerably. It's a lucky day for the three of us. I shall keep +this packet, and place it at once in the hands of the solicitor who is +named as executor." + +"So Grandfather hadn't forgotten us, after all!" + +"Not a bit of it. You'll come in for a very nice little fortune some +day, young lady! This is better than winning clocks and medals!" + +"I never won anything in my life before. The key has proved my mascot +this afternoon." + +"When one's luck turns, it often comes with a rush," chuckled Uncle +Frank. + +"Bob Gartley really told the truth for once in his life. He'll deserve +the five pounds I promised him." + +"He shall have it, though I'm afraid the scoundrel will only squander it +at the 'Dragon'. Perhaps we can think of some way of helping the wife +and children. I wish I could persuade him to enlist--the discipline of +the army is just what he needs. I remember him very well when he was a +lad, and he had the elements of good stuff in him then. Pity it's all +run to waste. One never knows; after this illness a completely fresh +start in life might make a new man of him. It's wonderful what serving +their country has done for some of our fellows; in their case the war +has been a blessing in disguise." + +"Oh, it would be glorious if he'd go for a soldier!" agreed Githa. +"Perhaps he will if you talk to him, and tell him about what's going on +at the front." + +"What a good thing it is to be extravagant sometimes!" exclaimed +Katrine. "I'm so glad I bought that cupboard from Mrs. Stubbs. If she'd +sold it to a dealer in London, the secret might never have been +discovered." + +"It's certainly the best bargain you could have made," agreed Captain +Ledbury. + + * * * * * + +Monday morning saw the bringing out of thirty-six travelling trunks, and +a corresponding number of damsels busy with the joyful employment of +packing to go home. Rules had vanished to the four winds, and the girls +flitted in and out of one another's dormitories, and talked to their +hearts' content. + +"Father and Mother will be home in ten days!" proclaimed Gwethyn +jubilantly, sitting on Rose Randall's bed amidst a litter of underlinen. +"We're to go and stay with Aunt Norah until they come. Mother won't +bring me the cockatoo--she says they're so noisy, and such a nuisance on +board ship; but she's got another surprise for me, only it's not alive. +Well, never mind! Perhaps Tony wouldn't have liked a cockatoo. He'd be +frightfully jealous if I set up another pet, the poor darling!" + +"We're going to Windermere for our holidays," said Rose, wrapping up +boots and stowing them inside her box. "We're to stay at a house close +to the lake, and I mean to learn to row." + +"We shall be off to our country cottage in North Wales," announced +Beatrix Bates. + +"And Bert and I have an invitation to Scotland," exulted Dona Matthews. + +"Girls!" cried Jill Barton, bursting suddenly into the room; "I've a +piece of news to tell you. Oh, such news! You'd never guess!" + +"Well, fire away!" + +"Someone's engaged!" + +"Engaged for what?" + +"Engaged to be married, of course! What sillies you are! Can't you +guess? Well, it's Miss Aubrey!" + +"Never!" + +"'To-who? To-who?' cried the owl!" + +"To Mr. Freeman." + +"Oh, I say! Hold me up!" + +"Not really?" + +"Mr. Freeman! Why, he's ever so old!" + +"Not so very," interrupted Gwethyn, taking up the cudgels for her artist +friend. "He's only rather grey, and, of course, Miss Aubrey isn't very +young herself--though she's a dear. I'm immensely glad!" + +"Why, so are we all! I hope she'll have the wedding during term-time, so +that we can go and see her married. Wouldn't we cheer her, and throw +rice and old slippers, just?" + +"I don't fancy anything's fixed yet; the engagement is only just +announced." + +"It will be Mrs. Franklin's turn next, perhaps!" + +"No, no! Surely Ermengarde wouldn't permit it!" + +"Besides, what would become of the school?" + +"Joking apart, we shall miss Miss Aubrey dreadfully." + +Gwethyn, who rushed to impart the interesting news to her sister, found +Katrine kneeling on the floor of their bedroom, packing canvases. + +"It will be our gain," was the latter's comment, "because I suppose Miss +Aubrey will come to live at Hartfield when she's married to Mr. Freeman. +How lovely to have her so near! I shall often run in and have talks with +her. It's something to look forward to. Gwethyn, I've decided to give my +picture of the old spice cupboard as a good-bye present to Githa. I +believe she'd like to have it." + +Katrine looked with a sigh at her portraits of Granny Blundell and +little Hugh Gartley. The ambitious hope which she had cherished in +connection with them had fallen to the ground. She had shown the +painting to Mr. Freeman, but he had not encouraged her to submit it to +the hanging committee of any Art Gallery. + +"Your work is still too crude and immature for exhibition, child," he +had said, kindly but truthfully. "You need to go and study, and learn +many things. Persevere, and keep pegging away, and you'll do well in +course of time, I dare say. Art needs an apprenticeship as much as +anything else. The old masters themselves began as pupils in the +workshops of others." + +Leaving her would-be masterpiece out of the question, Katrine had quite +a nice little collection of sketches to take home with her. She had made +distinct progress during her stay at Aireyholme, and she knew that her +father and mother would be pleased with the result of her work. She +looked forward also to showing one or two of her best landscapes to the +head master of the Hartfield School of Art when she should begin her +autumn course there. + +"I'm sure I've really finished with ordinary school for good now," she +soliloquized, taking the box of hairpins (which she had brought from +home) out of the dressing-table drawer, and trying the effect of coiling +up her long pigtail. "I've grown half an inch since I came to +Aireyholme, so if I'm not grown up now, I ought to be." + +"Well, you can't have a coming-out dance till the war's over, for +there'd be no partners," laughed Gwethyn. "You must possess your soul in +patience, and wait till Hereward and his friends come back." + +"May that be soon!" + +"It's been a ripping three months," continued Gwethyn. "I've enjoyed +myself immensely here. I never dreamt I should, and yet it's really +almost been the time of my life. I don't want to go back to Hartfield +High School. I'm going to ask Mother to let me stay on at Aireyholme +instead." + +"Yes," agreed Katrine slowly. "It's been better than I expected--the +lovely country, the village, the sketching, Miss Aubrey, the Grange, the +discovery inside the old oak cupboard, all have combined together to +make it--what shall I call it?" + +"THE JOLLIEST TERM ON RECORD!" pronounced Gwethyn emphatically. + + + + + PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN + _By Blackie & Son, Limited, Glasgow_ + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + + Spelling and hyphenation have been retained as in the original + publication except as follows: + + Page 57 + A char-a-banc with three _changed to_ + A char-a-banc with three + + Page 113 + The Grange is out of bonds _changed to_ + The Grange is out of bounds + + Page 252 + farm, emerging in an incredibly _changed to_ + farm-house, emerging in an incredibly + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Jolliest Term on Record, by Angela Brazil + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JOLLIEST TERM ON RECORD *** + +***** This file should be named 33910.txt or 33910.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/9/1/33910/ + +Produced by Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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