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diff --git a/36018-h/36018-h.htm b/36018-h/36018-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5bdf085 --- /dev/null +++ b/36018-h/36018-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9250 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of At Boarding School With the Tucker Twins, by Nell Speed. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + .copyright {text-align: center; font-size: 70%;} + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + .small {font-size: 70%;} + .big {font-size: 110%;} + .author {font-size: 120%; text-align: center;} + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .chaptertitle {text-align: center; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 1.5em;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold; font-size: 90%;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .right {text-align: right;} + .left {text-align: left;} + + .poem {margin-left: 30%; text-align: left;} + .poem2 {margin-left: 15%; text-align: left;} + .sig {margin-right: 10%; text-align: right;} + .hang1 {text-indent: -3em; margin-left: 3em;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's At Boarding School with the Tucker Twins, by Nell Speed + +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: At Boarding School with the Tucker Twins + +Author: Nell Speed + +Release Date: May 2, 2011 [EBook #36018] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AT BOARDING SCHOOL *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Rod Crawford, Dave Morgan, +Emmy and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 423px;"> +<img src="images/tucker_cover.jpg" width="423" height="600" alt="Cover" title="" /> +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 332px;"><a name="frontis" id="frontis"></a> +<img src="images/tucker01.png" width="332" height="500" alt=""Do you know, Miss Dum, you looked like Diana when you stood on that rock?"—Page 230." title="" /> +<span class="caption">"Do you know, Miss Dum, you looked like Diana when you stood on that rock?"—Page 230.</span> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h1>AT<br /> +BOARDING SCHOOL<br /> +WITH THE<br /> +TUCKER TWINS</h1> + +<div class='center'>By<br /> +<span class='author'>NELL SPEED</span><br /> + +<span class='small'>AUTHOR OF "THE MOLLY BROWN SERIES," ETC.</span><br /> + +<br /><br /><br /><i>WITH FOUR HALF-TONE ILLUSTRATIONS<br /> +BY ARTHUR O. SCOTT</i><br /> + +<br /><br /><br /> +<span class='small'>NEW YORK</span><br /> +HURST & COMPANY<br /> +<span class='small'>PUBLISHERS</span><br /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class='copyright'> +Copyright, 1915,<br /> +BY<br /> +HURST & COMPANY<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class='small'>CHAPTER</span></td><td align='right'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Leaving Home</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_5">5</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Enter the Tuckers</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Gresham</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">My Roommates</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_48">48</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Letters</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Foundling</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Kitty's Foster-Father</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_88">88</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">About Mathematics and Me</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Football</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Boys</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_123">123</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Letters and Several Kinds of Fathers</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Annie's Mother</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_147">147</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Concert</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_167">167</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Spread</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Home for the Holidays</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_191">191</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Visit from the Tuckers</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_201">201</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Deer Hunting</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_210">210</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Mighty Hunter</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_227">227</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Visit to Richmond</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_241">241</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Dinner at Cousin Park's</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_259">259</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXI. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Desperation of Dum</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_274">274</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">More Letters</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_294">294</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII. </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Zebedee's Visit</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_300">300</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Illustrations"> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>"Do you know, Miss Dum, you looked like Diana when you stood on that rock?" </td><td align='right'><i><a href="#frontis">Frontispiece</a></i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>They made such a racket that a sad, crooked face was poked into the door</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_48">48</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>"From mother," exclaimed the girl, trembling with excitement</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_156">156</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Dum looked at me aghast. "Page, you here, and Dee"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_271">271</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> +<h2>At Boarding School<br />with the Tucker Twins.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>LEAVING HOME.</div> + + +<p>Leaving home to go to boarding school was +bad enough, but leaving on a damp, cold morning +before dawn seemed to be about the worst +thing that could befall a girl of fifteen. I have +noticed that whatever age you happen to be +seems to be the age in which hardships are the +most difficult to bear.</p> + +<p>Anyhow, there I was, only fifteen, facing the +necessity of saying early morning farewells, the +first one of all to my comfortable bed, where I +had slept off and on, principally on, for those +fifteen years. And now I and my bed must part.</p> + +<p>"Day done bus'ed, Miss Page. The doctor +is stirrin' an' you'd better rise an' shine," and +kind old Mammy Susan leaned yearningly over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +me. "I hate to wake up my lamb. I knowd dis +day would come when dey'd take you 'way from +me, but I nebber did think 'twould be 'fo' dawn +wif all de long day 'head er me to be studyin' +'bout you. What yo' mammy goin' ter do 'thout +you, chile?"</p> + +<p>"Well, Mammy, we'll have to grin and bear it. +I'll be home Christmas, and that isn't so far +off." I jumped out of bed and pulled my hat-tub +into the middle of the floor, ready for my +daily cold sponge bath. Probably I had inherited +the habit of the cold bath from my English +grandfather along with the big hat-tub.</p> + +<p>"Law, chile, can't you leave off punishin' yo'self +jes' dis onct? You can't be to say dirty, an' +dis here water is pow'ful cold."</p> + +<p>Mammy and I had had this discussion about +my cold bath every morning since I had been +old enough to bathe myself. It was only after +many battles that she had stopped sneaking +warm water into my big can. That morning I +let it pass, although the water was lukewarm.</p> + +<p>"Y'ain't mad wif yo' ole Mammy, is yer, +honey chile? Looks like I didn't have de heart<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +to plunge my baby lamb into sho'nuf cold water +on sech a dark chilly day, wif her a-leavin' an' +all. 'Tain't ter say warm now. I jes' tempered +it a leetle."</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Mammy. 'God tempers the +wind to the shorn lamb' and you, it seems, temper +the water. They say there are lots of bathrooms +at Gresham, and I can have the water as +deep and cold as I want it."</p> + +<p>"Well, don't you go drown yo'self in any er +dem new-fashioned plumbin' tubs, an' fer de +lan's sake, Miss Page, don't you let yo'self be +drawed down inter none er dem was'e pipes," +and Mammy Susan hurried off to bring in the +all too early breakfast.</p> + +<p>I dressed in my usual haste, putting on my +nice blue traveling suit, ordered by mail from +New York. It was quite long, well down to my +shoe tops, and I felt very stylish and grown-up. +I had never given any thought to my appearance, +and no one else in my life seemed to have +except Cousin Sue Lee and Mammy. I don't +know just what Cousin Sue thought about me, +but Mammy thought I was the most beautiful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +creature in the world and freely told me so. +That morning as I put on the little black velvet +toque, also purchased by mail, I looked at +myself very critically in the mirror.</p> + +<p>"Page Allison, are you pretty or not? I, for +one, think not. You've got freckles on your +nose and your mouth is simply huge. I'd like +to say something about your eyes to take the conceit +out of you, but they look so like Father's +that I'd feel just like I was sassing him if I did. +Anyhow, I'm glad your hair curls."</p> + +<p>I had intended to sentimentalize over leaving +my room and going out into the world, but I +forgot all about it, and grabbing my ready-packed +suitcase, also a mail order, I raced downstairs +as Mammy Susan rang the breakfast bell.</p> + +<p>Father was already in the dining-room, standing +with his back to the little wood fire that +Mammy had kindled to cheer us up with. Mammy +always seemed to feel that when we were in +any distress she must warm us and feed us +whether we were cold and hungry or not. That +morning we were neither, but we warmed by +her fire and tried to choke down a great deal of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +her batter bread and roe herring to show her we +appreciated her efforts.</p> + +<p>Father looked up as I came in and for a moment +regarded me in speechless amazement.</p> + +<p>"Why, honey, you almost took my breath +away! You look so grown-up in the new dress +and hat. I didn't know you were so like your +Mother, child," and he drew me to him and +kissed me.</p> + +<p>Father and I were as a rule not very demonstrative, +but I clung to him for a moment and +he held me close with his long, wiry arm.</p> + +<p>"I wish I could take you to Gresham, honey, +but old Mrs. Purdy is very low and she expects +me to be with her at the end."</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Father, don't you worry. +There are certain to be other girls on the train +who are going to Gresham and I'll butt in on +them," I answered much more bravely than I +felt. It did seem terribly lonely and forlorn to be +going off and installing myself in boarding school. +"I think it's fine that you can drive me over to +Milton and put me on the train. Last night when +I heard such a knocking at the door I was afraid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +I wouldn't see you in the morning because you'd +be off on some life or death mission. What was +the matter?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, just Sally Winn's bread pills had given +out and she was afraid she would not last +through the night without them." Father always +took me into his confidence about the bread +pills he administered to the hypochondriacs.</p> + +<p>"Do you know, Father, I believe if you charged +midnight fees for those bread-pill and pink-well-water +prescriptions, that Sally Winn and some +more just like her would at least wait until morning +to die."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, little daughter, Sally's got lots of +good in her, and trying to die is the only excitement +she has ever had in her whole life."</p> + +<p>"Well, I won't begrudge it to her but I do +hate to have your rest broken. Mammy," I said +to Mammy Susan as she came in bearing a plate +of red-hot flannel cakes, "don't you let Father +be too late getting into his heavy underwear; +and make a row every time he drives the colt until +he will stop it from sheer weariness. And, +Father, you make Mammy take her tonic; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +don't let her go out in the wet dew waddling +around after her ducks. She will catch her +death."</p> + +<p>"Susan, you hear Miss Page? Don't dare go +in anything but dry dew. A few inches on her +skirt and her curls tucked up under her bonnet +make her think she's been taking care of us all +these years instead of our taking care of her."</p> + +<p>"Law, ain't she the spit of her Ma, Doc +Allison? 'Cep fer yo' eyes. Ain't quite so tall; +but she's young yit in spite er sich a long trailin' +skirt. I's sorry to be de one to break de news, +but de colt is out dere a-prancin' an' pawin', an' +ef you's a-goin' you'd better go."</p> + +<p>I had often pictured my going away and had +always seen myself with difficulty restraining +my tears; but now the time had come and the colt +was cutting up, so I forgot to cry even when I +told the dogs good-by; and just as I was giving +Mammy Susan a last hug, and if tears were ever +to come they must hurry, Father called to me to +jump in, for he couldn't hold the colt another +minute. And in I was and away and not crying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +at all but laughing, as we turned around on one +wheel and went skimming down the drive.</p> + +<p>The sun was all the way up at last and it +wasn't a cold, damp day at all, but promised to +be fair and clear. We had a six-mile drive to +the station at Milton and the colt saw to it that +we got there in plenty of time.</p> + +<p>"Now, Page, be certain when you make the +change at Richmond, if you have to ask any questions +to ask them of a man in brass buttons."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Father," and I smiled demurely, remembering +how I always acted as courier when we +went on our trips. Father, being the most absent-minded +of men except where his profession +was concerned, was not to be trusted with a railroad +ticket.</p> + +<p>Moving away on the train at last and waving +good-by to his long, sad face, made me realize +that the knot was cut. What a good father he +was! How had we ever been able to make up +our minds to this boarding school scheme? Nothing +but the certainty that my education was a +very one-sided affair and that I must broaden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +out a bit had determined Father; and as for me, +I longed to know some girls.</p> + +<p>I, who yearned for friends, was growing up +without any. Fifteen years old and I had never +had a real chum! I couldn't remember my +mother, but I am sure she would have been my +chum if she had lived. Mammy Susan did her +best and so did Father, but a little girl wants +another little girl. We had neighbors in plenty, +but our county seemed to be composed of old +maids and childless widows with a sparse sprinkling +of gray-bearded men.</p> + +<p>My mother's people were English and she had +no relatives on this side of the water. Father +belonged to a huge family, all of them great visitors, +but so far as I knew, no children among +them. All kinds of old maids: rich and poor, +gentle and stern, soft and hard, big and little, +they all managed once a year to pay their dear +cousin, Dr. Allison, a visit at Bracken. I did +not mind their coming. The soft ones seemed to +have been little girls once, which was something. +I used to think when I was quite a little thing +that the hard ones must have been little boys,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +because of the statement in my Mother Goose +that little boys were made of "Snaps and snails +and puppy dog tails,"—not nice soft collie pups' +tails, either, but the tight, hard kind that grew +on Cousin Park Garnett's pug.</p> + +<p>Cousin Park Garnett was the rich, hard one +whom I visited in Richmond the winter before. +On her annual visitation to us she had remarked +to my father:</p> + +<p>"Cousin James, are Page's teeth sound? +White teeth like that are, as a rule, not very +strong. Her mouth is so enormous you had better +look to it that her teeth are preserved," and +she pursed up her own thin lips and put on her +green persimmon expression.</p> + +<p>"Perfectly sound, I think, Cousin Park. Of +course her teeth must be preserved. As for her +mouth being big, she'll grow up to it." But the +outcome of the conversation was that I had to +visit Cousin Park and take in the dentist. Think +of the combination! Cousin Park took me to the +Woman's Club in the afternoon where we listened +to a lecture on "The Influence of Slavic +Literature on the Culture of the Day." I was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +longing for the movies but managed to keep my +big mouth shut and listen to the lecture, so I +could tell Father about it and make him laugh. +I stayed in Richmond three days and did not +speak to one single soul under fifty. Even the +dentist was old and tottering, so shaky that I was +afraid he would fall into my mouth.</p> + +<p>I saw loads of nice girls my own age skating +on the sidewalk or walking arm-in-arm chattering +away very happily, but Cousin Park didn't +know who they were or did know and knew +nothing to their credit. I was glad to get back +to Bracken where there were no girls to know. +There were at least the dogs at Bracken that I +could talk to and race over the hills with. Even +Cousin Park could not doubt their royal pedigrees.</p> + +<p>It was dear little Cousin Sue Lee who persuaded +Father and me both that I ought to go +to boarding school. Cousin Sue was the best of +all Father's female relatives. She was gentle +and poor and had a job in the Congressional +Library in Washington. With all her gentleness, +she was sprightly and had plenty of what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +Father called "Lee spunk"; and with all her poverty, +she wore the sweetest clothes and always +brought me a lovely present every year and a +nice shawl for Mammy or a black silk waist or +something or other to delight the old woman's +heart. Cousin Park never gave me anything,—not +that I wanted her to. She would visit us +two weeks and then present Mammy with a dime, +using all the pomp and ceremony that a twenty-dollar +gold piece would have warranted.</p> + +<p>"Jimmy," Cousin Sue had said one day (she +was the only one of all the cousins who called +Father Jimmy), "I know you and Page will think +I am an interfering old cat, but that child ought +to go to school. I am not going to say a word +about her education. She has an excellent education +in some things. I have never seen a better +read girl of her age. But the time may come +when she will regret knowing no French, and +she tells me she stopped arithmetic last year and +never started algebra."</p> + +<p>"Well, what good did algebra ever do you or +me?" quizzed Father.</p> + +<p>"Now, Jimmy, don't ask such foolish questions.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +It's just something all of us have to have. What +good does your cravat do you? None; it's not +even a thing of beauty, but you have to have one +all the same."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you women," laughed Father, "there's +no downing you with argument."</p> + +<p>"But as I was saying," continued Cousin Sue, +"it is not dear little Page's education I am thinking +of. It's something much more important. I +want her to know a whole lot of girls and make +a million friends. Why, I'm the only young +friend the child has, and I am getting to be +nearer fifty than forty."</p> + +<p>And so we wrote for catalogues of schools and +settled on Gresham. And Cousin Sue sent for a +bolt of nainsook and yards and yards of lace and +insertion and made up a whole lot of pretty underclothes +for me.</p> + +<p>"Girls need a lot of things in this day and generation," +I heard her say to Father. "A great +deal more than they used to when I was young. +I am determined Page shall not go off to school +looking like an 'Orphan Annie.'"</p> + +<p>"But, Sue, your holiday won't do you any good<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +if you spend it all sewing on the machine for +my child," objected Father.</p> + +<p>"We'll get in Miss Pinky Davis to help and +in a week's time Page will have enough clothes +to last her until she gets married,—that is, if she +does not follow the traditions of the family and +be an old maid."</p> + +<p>It was a pretty well known fact that Cousin +Sue had been a belle in her day, and even now +when she came back to visit in the County several +weather-beaten bachelor farmers would +manage to have business at Bracken. I have always +noticed that an old maid who is so from +choice does not mind joking about it, but the +others do.</p> + +<p>A country doctor is seldom a bloated bond-holder; +so Cousin Sue and I ordered, with great +care and economy, the necessary things from +New York: suit, hat, gloves, shoes, up-to-date +shirt waists and plenty of middies, a raincoat, +umbrella, etc.</p> + +<p>"Now, my dear," said my sweet cousin, "you +can be perfectly sure that your outfit is appropriate +at least. Your clothes are stylish, well-made<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +and suitable to your age. I have always +felt that young people's clothes should be so +right that they do not have to think about them."</p> + +<p>As I sped away on the train to Richmond, I +remembered what Cousin Sue had said before +she went back to the grind in Washington, and +had a feeling of intense satisfaction that my little +trunk in the baggage car held such a complete +wardrobe that I would not have to bother my +head about it any more. Up to this summer, +clothes had been my abomination, but I had at +last waked up to the fact that it made some difference +how I looked; and now I was going to +look all right without any trouble to myself.</p> + +<p>Train pulling into Richmond and still not +a tear! "What is the matter with you, Page +Allison? When girls leave their childhood's +home in books they always weep suds. Don't +you love your home as much as a stick of a heroine +in a book?" I knew I loved my home, but +somehow it was so delightful to be going somewhere +and maybe getting to know a million people, +as Cousin Sue said I must.</p> + +<p>An hour's wait in Richmond! I rechecked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +my trunk, having purchased a ticket to Gresham; +then I seated myself to possess my soul in patience +until the 10.20 train should be called. The +station in Richmond was familiar enough to me, +as Father and I took some kind of a trip every +year and always had to come through Richmond. +As I have said before, I attended to tickets and +baggage when I traveled with Father, so I was +not in the least nervous over doing it now.</p> + +<p>"I must keep my eye open for girls who are +likely to be going to Gresham," I thought. +"They'll all have on dark blue suits." That +was a rule of the school, the dark blue suit. +"There's one now! But can she be going?" And +I thought of what Cousin Sue had said of "Orphan +Annie."</p> + +<p>The girl was seated opposite me in the waiting +room. She had just come up the steps lugging +a huge telescope, stretched to its greatest capacity, +and looking nervously around had sunk on a +bench. She searched feverishly through a shabby +little hand-bag she was carrying and having satisfied +herself that the ticket she had just purchased +was safe she seemed to be trying to compose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +herself; but one could see with half an eye +that she was nervous and frightened. She +glanced uneasily at the clock every few minutes +and constantly compared with it an Ingersoll +watch which each time she had to search for in +her bag. Several trains were called and every +time she got up and made a rush for the gates, +but each time came back to her seat opposite me.</p> + +<p>Her blue dress was evidently homemade. The +skirt dragged in the back and the jacket was too +short for the prevailing fashion. Her hat had +been worn as mourning and still had a little fold +of crêpe around the edge, making a suitable setting +for that tear-stained face. I couldn't tell +whether she was pretty or not, her features were +so swollen with weeping. Helen of Troy herself +looked homely crying, I am sure. I noticed that +her throat was milk white and that the thick plait +of hair that hung down her back, mercifully +concealing somewhat the crooked seams of the +ill-made jacket, was as yellow as ripe wheat.</p> + +<p>"Poor thing," I thought, "I believe I'll speak +to her and see if I can cheer her up some." But +my philanthropic resolution was forgotten because<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +of the entrance into the waiting room and +into my life, I am glad to add, of the three most +delightful and original persons I have ever seen +or known.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>ENTER THE TUCKERS.</div> + + +<p>Two girls about my age and a youngish man +were the arrivals. The girls were dressed in +blue serge, and I felt in my bones that they were +going to Gresham. They had an independent, +easy way with them, and evidently considered +the youngish man a person whom they had a +right to boss.</p> + +<p>"Let's sit here, Zebedee, and you go get the +milk chocolate for me," exclaimed one of the +girls.</p> + +<p>"Don't forget my salted peanuts and a copy of +'Life,'" called the other, as Zebedee hurried +off to make the purchases at the newsstand in a +corner of the waiting room.</p> + +<p>"Elder brother," thought I, "and pretty good-natured +to wait on those girls so much." What +nice looking girls they were, though. At the +first glance, they looked singularly alike, but as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +I examined them more closely while Zebedee was +gone, I saw points of dissimilarity. "They are +twins, for sure," I said to myself, "but I believe +I am going to be able to tell them apart." The +one whom her sister called Dum had red lights +in her almost black hair and her eyes were hazel, +while the one who answered to the name of Dee +had blue lights in her coal black hair and her +eyes were gray. Both of them had sharply defined +brows, straight noses, and broad, laughing +mouths. Dum's chin was square and determined, +but in Dee's there lurked a dimple. They +were exactly the same height and both of them +had fine athletic figures.</p> + +<p>"There you are, Tweedles," said the youngish +man, addressing them both as he pitched his +purchases into their laps. "Who's going to wait +on you at boarding school, I'd like to know?"</p> + +<p>"Well, if you will make us have a roommate, +I reckon she'll have to," laughed Dee.</p> + +<p>"By the way, Zebedee, that is something I +want to discuss with you," and Dum squared her +chin. "You make a great mistake in forcing a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +roommate on Dee and me. We are not used to +it, and we are not going to stand it."</p> + +<p>Zebedee squared his chin, too, and his blue +eyes took on a stern expression. "Not going to +stand it, eh? Well, I say you are going to stand +it. We have discussed the matter threadbare +already, and you must trust me to know what is +best for you sometimes."</p> + +<p>The stern light went out of his eyes and into +them came a look of infinite tenderness as he +put an arm around Dum and held her close to +him. I certainly liked the looks of Zebedee, +but what a name! He, too, had an athletic figure, +but not very tall, not much taller than the +girls, who were very well grown for fifteen. He +had Dum's red black hair, also her square chin, +but Dee's dimple had found a place in the middle +of that determined chin. The three mouths +were so alike that they might have belonged to +triplets, but his eyes were his own; ice blue they +were in color but there was nothing cold about +them. They were the kindest, merriest eyes; +they seemed to see everything and feel everything. +Just now they were feeling very sorry for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +Dum, and as he hugged her, big tears gathered +in them.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dum," exclaimed Dee, "now you have +made him cry!"</p> + +<p>"No such thing. I'm not crying," and he +shamelessly blew his nose.</p> + +<p>I afterwards learned that one of the characteristics +of this delightful trio was that they +thought there was no more shame in crying than +laughing. They laughed in church if there was +anything to laugh at, and cried at a picnic or +farce-comedy if anything turned up to move +them to tears. "We don't bawl," Dee said to +me once, "we just leak. It is all a matter of tear +ducts. We can't help it any more than you could +help sneezing if someone shook pepper in your +face."</p> + +<p>A train was called. It was not ours, but "Orphan +Annie" jumped nervously from her seat. +She dropped her shabby little hand-bag, which +she had just opened for the hundredth time to +make sure her ticket was safe or to compare her +Ingersoll watch with the clock in the station, and +the contents of the bag rolled to the floor. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +dived to assist her and the person called Zebedee +did the same. Of course we bumped heads, and +while we were apologizing, Dum and Dee picked +up the scattered belongings and returned them to +the poor, abashed girl.</p> + +<p>"I just knew you were going to Gresham," +said Dee, handing her the much-thumbed ticket, +"and wondered how long it would take us to get +to the point of speaking to you."</p> + +<p>"You are for Gresham, too," said Dum, turning +to me. "I have been longing to know you. +I might have known that old Zebedee would end +by butting in."</p> + +<p>Here Zebedee took off his hat and bowed to +"Orphan Annie" and me as though we were of +the blood royal, and said with a most engaging +manner:</p> + +<p>"We had best introduce ourselves and then all +the conventionalities will be observed. Conventionality +is a mighty important thing for boarding +school girls to observe. These are the Tucker +twins, called Tweedles when you want both of +them or aren't particular which one answers. +This red-headed one is Dum; this blue-headed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +one, Dee. They have other official names, but +somehow I can't remember them to-day. I am +Jeffry Tucker, at your service, the father of the +Heavenly Twins."</p> + +<p>"Father! You, their father!" I gasped.</p> + +<p>"Certainly. Whose father did you think I +was?"</p> + +<p>"James' and John's," I answered flippantly.</p> + +<p>"That's the reason we called him Zebedee," +chorused the twins. "You know the old gag: +'Who is the father of Zebedee's children?' No +one ever believes he is really a parent."</p> + +<p>I burst out laughing and so did "Orphan +Annie." I was certainly glad to see that she +could laugh. Already the genial atmosphere that +surrounded the Tuckers had had its effect on +her. The drawn expression was leaving her +countenance and the hearty laugh dispelled the +mist in her eyes. The knowledge that there were +two other passengers for Gresham set her mind +at rest, and she evidently felt relieved.</p> + +<p>"My name is Page Allison."</p> + +<p>"Daughter of Dr. James Allison of Milton, I +bet anything," ventured Mr. Tucker.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +"Oh, do you know my father?" I asked joyfully.</p> + +<p>"Of course I do. We are of the same fraternity. +Your eyes are so like his, I came mighty +near slipping you the grip. He was in the class +of '85 and I was in that of '99, but we have met +at many fraternity conventions. I am certainly +glad to know his daughter." And while he did +not give me the fraternity grip, he gave me some +kind of a grip that tingled all the way up to my +heart.</p> + +<p>"And won't you tell us your name?" said Dee +kindly to the other stranger.</p> + +<p>"Annie Pore," said the girl in a voice singularly +full and rich. "I have never been anywhere +alone and I am so afraid I'll miss my train. That +is the reason I dropped my bag. I am so much +obliged to all of you for picking up my things."</p> + +<p>Her timidity seemed to disappear as she realized +she was making friends. As for me, I have +never known what it was to be timid, and I felt +at home with the three Tuckers from the moment +they entered the waiting room; and from +the time that Mr. Tucker and I bumped heads,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +I counted them as the first three on the list of +the million friends that Cousin Sue said I must +make.</p> + +<p>"Well, since we are all going to Gresham, suppose +you young ladies hand over your tickets to +me and I will be courier for the crowd," said +Mr. Tucker.</p> + +<p>I gave him my ticket, also my reservation in +the parlor car. It made no difference how poor +payments were, Father and I always traveled in +comfort. "It saves in the end to ride in a clean, +comfortable coach," Father declared. "Saves +wear and tear on clothes and nerves."</p> + +<p>Annie Pore handed him her rumpled ticket.</p> + +<p>"This is all you have?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, isn't that all right?" she entreated. +"The man at the ticket window assured me it +was right."</p> + +<p>"Of course it is all right. Now there are five +minutes before the train will be called, so if you +young ladies will excuse me, I'll run downstairs +to see that Tweedles' trunks are safe. By the +way, have you attended to your luggage?" he +asked me. "And you?" turning to Annie Pore.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Thank you, yes," I answered; but the other +girl looked piteously at her bursting telescope. +"I haven't a trunk," she said simply.</p> + +<p>I felt mighty sorry for Annie. The Tucker +twins did, too. I could tell by their eyes. Dee's +filled and Dum turned and walked to the steps +with her father.</p> + +<p>Dee whispered to me as she pretended to show +me a picture in "Life":</p> + +<p>"He's gone to get her a ticket in the parlor +car. Just like him! Such a thoughtful Zebedee +as he is! We mustn't let him know we are on. +That would make him raging. He will carry it +off perfectly naturally, and he is fully capable +of any deceit to keep Annie Pore from finding +it out."</p> + +<p>He had done exactly as Dee said he would do: +got a chair in the parlor car for "Orphan Annie." +Right there I took myself to task for thinking +of the poor girl as "Orphan Annie," and I determined +to control my thoughts if possible and +give her her proper name in my mind. Not that +Annie Pore sounded much more cheerful than +the name I had given her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> + +<p>Our train was called and our kind courier bundled +up bag and baggage and hustled us through +the gates and into the chair car before Annie +Pore had time to ask about it; and then he gave +the Pullman conductor our tickets and settled us +and the train started, and the girl never did +know she was being treated to a privilege her +ticket did not give her.</p> + +<p>We had a jolly trip and before it was over I +knew a great deal about the Tuckers, and they, +in turn, a great deal about me, in fact, about all +there was to know. It was many a day, however, +before we broke through Annie Pore's reserve +and learned that she was of English parentage, +that her mother had recently died and +her father had a country store in a lonesome little +settlement on the river. No wonder the girl +was so scary. This was actually her first railroad +journey. What traveling she had done had +been by boat, an occasional trip to Norfolk or +Richmond when her father went to town to buy +his stock.</p> + +<p>There was an unmistakable air of breeding +about her. Her accent was pure and her English<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +without flaw. In spite of her timidity, she +had a certain <i>savoir faire</i>. For instance, when +Mr. Tucker announced that we were to have +lunch with him and ordered the porter to bring +two tables and put them up, Annie accepted the +invitation with a quiet grace that many a society +woman could not have equaled. When she took +off her ugly hat, disclosing to view a calm white +forehead with heavy, ripe-wheat hair rippling +from a part, I had no doubt of the fact that +Annie Pore, if not already a beauty, was going +to be one when she grew up.</p> + +<p>It was only a buffet luncheon and there was +not much on the menu to choose from: baked +beans, canned soup, potted meats, etc.</p> + +<p>"Not much to eat here," grumbled Mr. Tucker.</p> + +<p>"Eat what's put before you, Zebedee, and stop +grouching," admonished Dum.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's a pretty hard state of affairs when +a fellow wants to give a party and there is nothing +to eat but these canned abominations."</p> + +<p>"I have a lunch box in my grip," I ventured; +"maybe that would help out some."</p> + +<p>"Trot it out, do!" cried Dee.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> + +<p>And then Annie had the hardihood to untie +the rope around her telescope and bring out a +bag of the very best and rosiest wine-sap apples +I ever tasted. She also produced a box of doughnuts +she had made herself which were greeted +with enthusiasm. My lunch had been put up +by kind old Mammy Susan, and in her tenderness +she had packed in enough to feed a regiment.</p> + +<p>"Fried chicken!" exclaimed Dee, clapping her +hands.</p> + +<p>"Columbus eggs!" shouted Dum.</p> + +<p>"Not really country ham?" questioned Mr. +Tucker. "That is too good to be true. You +must excuse Tweedles and me, but we have been +living in an apartment and eating in the café, +and some real home food has just about got us +going. When I asked you young ladies to lunch, +I did not dream that I would be able to treat +you so royally."</p> + +<p>"Look, Zebedee, look! Clover-leaf rolls!" +chorused the twins.</p> + +<p>"Stop tweedling and look over the menu and +see what we shall order to supplement with."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +Mr. Tucker called it tweedling when the girls +spoke in chorus as was their habit.</p> + +<p>We decided on cream of tomato soup, iced tea +and butter, with Neopolitan ice cream to top off +with. I was certainly glad that, as usual, +Mammy Susan had paid no attention to my commands, +and had done her own sweet will in giving +me enough lunch for half a dozen girls.</p> + +<p>"It's bes' to err on de side er plenty, honey +baby," the old woman had said when I demurred +at the size of the lunch boxes. "Even ef you is +goin' to a land flowin' wif milk an' honey, a few +rolls to sop in de honey won't go amiss an' some +chicken an' ham to wash down wif de milk won't +hurt none."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>GRESHAM.</div> + + +<p>Gresham at last after a very pleasant trip! We +had picked up blue-coated girls all along the +road, and by the time we reached the little town +on the outskirts of which our school was situated, +the train seemed to be running over with +girls.</p> + +<p>"There must be a million of them," I thought; +but as Gresham could only accommodate one +hundred and twenty-five, I was wrong. Some +of them had mothers or fathers with them, and +some of them big brothers or sisters. Most of +them had some one; at least, most of the new +girls.</p> + +<p>The old pupils hugged and kissed one another +and all seemed to be glad to get back to school. +The new girls looked sad and miserable, even +the ones who had their mothers with them. And +a few lonesome ones who had brought themselves,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +like "Orphan Annie" (there, I slipped +again and called Annie Pore by that obnoxious +name!) or me, looked like scared rabbits. I +wasn't scared a bit, and when I saw the old girls +hugging and loving one another, flaunting their +intimacies, as it were, I said:</p> + +<p>"Don't you mind, Page Allison. You are going +to know all of those girls and like a lot of +them, and a lot of them are going to like you; +and they are just a few of the million friends +you are going to make."</p> + +<p>In the crowded confusion at the little station, +I was separated from the Tuckers and noticed +that poor Annie was put in a bus filled with +Seniors, who looked at her rather askance. Her +ungainly telescope was piled up with the natty +suitcases by the driver's seat, and I saw him +point at it and wink at the driver of the bus +where I had found a seat.</p> + +<p>The girls in the bus with me were very kind +and friendly. There were several mothers along +and they looked at me cordially, and in a few +minutes I knew the names of all the passengers +and they knew mine. By the time the straining<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +horses had pulled the heavy bus through the +crooked streets of the quaint little town, up and +down the many hills and finally up the last long +hill to Gresham School, the whole load of girls +and mothers had been jolted into an enforced +intimacy.</p> + +<p>Bracken, my home, was situated in what persons +from the mountains call a flat country but +which we call rolling, as it is when compared to +the tidewater counties. So the hills of Gresham +seemed wonderfully steep to me, and as we pulled +to the top and stopped in front of the school, and +I realized we could actually see the mountains, +I gave voice to a long-drawn "O—h!" of delight.</p> + +<p>We piled out of the bus, and for a moment I +stood looking at the wonderful view before I +even noticed the school building.</p> + +<p>"I am so glad you like it," said a soft voice at +my side. It belonged to a quiet-looking girl who +had come up with us. She looked a little older +than the rest of the girls and certainly was much +more dignified. "I find if a new pupil notices +the mountains first, she is pretty apt not to kick +because they have dessert only twice a week.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +One can't have everything in this world, and a +mountain view is more filling in the big end than +dessert."</p> + +<p>"It is splendid! You have been here a long +time?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, many years; and now I am a pupil +teacher. This place seems more like home than +any other in the world to me," and she took me +by the arm. "Come on with me, Page. I am going +to call you Page and I do wish you could call +me Margaret, but now that I am a near teacher +I have to be called Miss Sayre. I am going to +introduce you to Miss Peyton, the principal."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you are kind to me and I am so much +obliged!"</p> + +<p>"Give the bus driver your trunk check and in +his good time he will deliver your trunk. Come +on, so you can get into the office before the rush +of Seniors."</p> + +<p>Just then the vehicle with Annie Pore in it, +looking too forlorn for words, came rattling up. +Her hat was knocked over one eye and she had +lost all of the cheerfulness that she had gained on +the train with the delightful Tuckers. No one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +had paid any attention to her on the ride, except +to look her up and down and make whispered +jokes at her expense. I have found out that girls +can be the most cruel creatures in the world, just +from pure thoughtlessness and lack of imagination. +They don't know how to "Put yourself in +his place." They don't mean to hurt, but they +do hurt all the same. I found during the ensuing +year that that same busload of Seniors included +many a fine character, but not one of +them seemed to have imagination enough to +know what Annie Pore was suffering.</p> + +<p>"Miss Sayre," I said impulsively, "please take +this girl with you. I met her on the train and +she seems so forlorn."</p> + +<p>"We'll miss our chance to reach Miss Peyton +ahead of the others, unless we hurry," she said, +looking a little impatient at my request.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry. I think I ought to wait for her, +but don't let me detain you," and I went forward +to meet poor Annie.</p> + +<p>Of course, Miss Sayre came, too. "I might +have known that a girl who noticed the mountains +first thing would have character enough to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +do what she thought was right," she whispered +as she followed me.</p> + +<p>"This is Annie Pore, Miss Sayre," I said, as +I helped the cramped girl out of her uncomfortably +small quarters. Miss Sayre shook her +hand cordially and I hoped Annie did not hear +the titter as one of the Seniors nudged another +and said in an audible whisper: "Annie Pore, +poor Orphan Annie." I hated myself for having +had the same thought.</p> + +<p>"Where is your trunk check, Annie? Give it +to the bus driver," said Miss Sayre, kindly.</p> + +<p>"I haven't a trunk," said Annie faintly, "just +a telescope."</p> + +<p>"By their luggage ye shall know them," said a +stylish girl who was clambering out of the vehicle. +She spoke in a rasping tone with a nasal +touch.</p> + +<p>Annie Pore made a ten strike right then and +there with me and with all of the girls who heard +what she said, and those girls who did not hear +it soon heard about it. She drew herself up, no +longer timid but with what Dum Tucker afterwards +called "Annie's stage presence," and in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +her singularly clear, full voice, that voice that +we were all to be so proud of, said:</p> + +<p>"Not by their luggage ye shall know them, but +by their voices." And with a dignity that a +sagging skirt and crooked-seamed jacket could +not lessen, Annie Pore walked to the front of the +carry-all and demanded from the grinning +driver her bursting telescope.</p> + +<p>A shout went up from the Seniors. "Annie, +Annie, 'rah, 'rah, 'rah!"</p> + +<p>"So, Mabel Binks, she got your goat that +time," laughed a bright-looking, auburn-haired +Senior.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what you mean, Sally Coles. +Orphan Annie's remark seemed to me to be +without point," and Mabel Binks haughtily demanded +a very swell new alligator bag from the +front seat.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you don't know that your voice needs +greasing, it is not for me to break it to you, +Mabel." Mabel flounced off, and all her stylish +clothes, beautifully-hanging skirt, well-cut jacket, +and jaunty velvet sailor hat, did not give dignity +to her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> + +<p>Pandemonium reigned as we entered the spacious +hall of the main building. Girls, girls, +girls! Little and big; fat and thin; pretty and +plain; laughing and crying; alone and attended, +they swarmed over everything.</p> + +<p>"We have lost our chance to get first at the +principal, but I wouldn't have missed seeing +Annie Pore take down that common, purse-proud +Mabel Binks for a million, as poor as I am," whispered +Miss Sayre. "You girls sit here and wait +for me, and as soon as there is an opening we'll +slip in."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how could I ever have made up my mind +to leave my Father and come here?" wailed +Annie, crumpling up into an ignominious heap, +all her dignity gone.</p> + +<p>"Now look here, Annie Pore," I scolded, "anyone +who could jaw back at a Senior as you did +just a moment ago has got backbone, and you +have just got to get a brace on you and cheer up."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but you are different. You make friends +so readily. I am so easily embarrassed," and +the poor thing wept anew.</p> + +<p>"I don't make friends a bit more easily than +you do. I just want to make them, that's the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +difference. Haven't you made friends with me?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, have I really?"</p> + +<p>"Of course you have. Would I be ragging +you this way if I didn't consider myself your +friend? Haven't you made friends with all three +of the Tuckers, and now with Miss Sayre?"</p> + +<p>Annie was somewhat consoled and tried to +take a more cheerful view of life. We had completely +lost sight of our traveling companions. +They had evidently been admitted among the +first to the principal's office. All of the girls +who were accompanied by their parents or guardians +were given preference in having their +rooms assigned them, so that their loved ones +could see where the daughters were to be placed +and then take their departure on the outgoing +trains.</p> + +<p>We were so hidden by the swarming girls, we +despaired of ever being found again by Miss +Sayre; but I persuaded Annie that we would +certainly be placed by bedtime as both of us had +been registered during the summer; and in the +meantime, it was rather fun to watch the girls +and try to guess where they came from and if +any of them were to be in our classes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mabel Binks backed up against us, talking to +an overdressed girl of about nineteen. Both +were dressed in the latest style. I knew what +those styles were from the fashion books that +Cousin Sue Lee had bought when we were planning +my modest wardrobe.</p> + +<p>"I am thankful to say this is my last year at +Gresham," said Mabel. "The place has lost tone +so. We came up in the bus with a most remarkable-looking +person. I am sure Mamma would +not permit me to remain if she knew Miss Peyton +was allowing such ordinary girls to come +here."</p> + +<p>Annie Pore's face was crimson and she looked +ready to burst into tears, but the overdressed +girl, whose name, I afterwards learned, was Josephine +Barr, and who was a thoroughly kindly +person, remarked:</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I heard about that girl. Sally Coles +tells me she is wonderfully pretty and quite a +lady, also that she got a yell from the Seniors +for her quickness in responding to a sally from +you."</p> + +<p>I pinched Annie's arm and whispered: "What +did I tell you? Two more new friends, Sally<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +Coles and this big girl who has just punctured +Mabel Binks' conceit."</p> + +<p>"Come along, girls," and Miss Sayre pushed +her way to our retreat. "I think we can get +into the office now. How do you do, Josephine? +I am glad to see you back," and she shook the +big girl's hand cordially. "I want to introduce +you to two new girls and ask you to see that they +meet the crowd."</p> + +<p>"All right, Margaret, what you say goes. I +was a freshy myself once and know how it feels." +She gave us a cordial grip and assured us we +must call on her if we needed anything, friendly +counsel or protection or even soothing syrup.</p> + +<p>"Jo is a fine old girl," said Miss Sayre, as +she hooked one arm in mine and the other in +Annie Pore's and drew us into the office. (I +noticed that she had completely ignored Mabel +Binks.) "She would fight to the finish for her +friends. Her clothes are impossible, but we +mustn't judge the poor thing by her clothes. +They've got so much money, they don't know +what to do with it. I'm real sorry for her."</p> + +<p>It seemed a queer cause for pity to Annie and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +me, but Miss Sayre was introducing us to Miss +Peyton and we could not ask her why riches +were to be pitied. I liked Miss Peyton from the +minute I saw her and I believe she liked me. Her +countenance was a noble one, her manner frank, +and her voice sounded like music.</p> + +<p>"I am going to put you into the room with +some sisters, Page. I hope you will get along +well together. If everything is not pleasant, +come directly to me. You are No. 117 in Carter +Hall. I will see all the girls to-morrow and classify +them. Miss Sayre, will you please get someone +to show Page her room? Now I will talk +to Annie Pore and assign her her roommate." +And Miss Peyton went on quietly with what +might have been a confusing task, but which she +managed as calmly as a Napoleon marshaling +his troops.</p> + +<p>I found my way to 117 Carter Hall with the +help of an old girl. I was naturally quite interested +to know what the sisters were to be like +who were to be my roommates for the year. +The door to 117 was open and I heard sobbing.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>MY ROOMMATES.</div> + + +<div class="figright" style="width: 335px;"> +<img src="images/tucker02.png" width="335" height="500" alt="They made such a racket that a sad, crooked face was poked into the door.—Page 48." title="" /> +<span class="caption">They made such a racket that a sad, crooked face was poked into the door.—Page 48.</span> +</div> + +<p>"Heavens, I'm tired of tears!" I thought as +my conductor left me with a significant smile. +"I'm actually damp from all of the weeping going +on around me."</p> + +<p>A stormy voice was raised in the room that I +was about to enter, and I stopped in the hall, +not knowing just what to do.</p> + +<p>"Now what did I tell you?" said the stormy, +sobbing voice. "Didn't I tell you all along I was +going to make myself just as disagreeable as I +could if you would put someone in with us? +Aren't we going to be miserable enough without +you, without having some old stick-in-the-mud +hoisted on us from the country, to sleep in the +room with us; and just as like as not want the +window shut at night; and rub her chapped face +all over with mutton-suet? Paugh, I can smell +it now, the horrid stuff."</p> + +<p>"Now, Dum, cut it out. You don't even know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +that your roommate gets chapped," said a whimsical +voice.</p> + +<p>"The Tuckers!" I exclaimed, but naturally had +a delicacy in entering, after what I had heard +Dum say about a roommate from the country. +"Could she know that I am the one?" I asked +myself.</p> + +<p>"Well, how are Dee and I to fight it out the +way you have brought us up to do if we have +got some old mutt in here with us? We might +just as well have left our boxing gloves at +home."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dum, you are making it hard for me," +said poor Mr. Tucker.</p> + +<p>"That's good, I want to make it hard," sobbed +the wretched Dum.</p> + +<p>"I have told you over and over that I think +it best for you and Dee to have to control yourselves +more, and the only way to do it is to realize +how your tantrums affect other people. You +are the best old Tweedles in the world, but you +have no self-control. I am surely sorry for your +roommate, whoever she may be."</p> + +<p>"Well," broke in Dee, "I think it all depends<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +on who she is. I must say it is some lottery. +Roommates ought to be carefully chosen; one +should not just trust to this grab-bag method."</p> + +<p>"Well, how do you know Miss Peyton has not +chosen someone she feels will be suitable? I wish +it would turn out to be somebody like the little +girl on the train. Don't you, Tweedles?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes!" tweedled Tweedles. "But no such +luck."</p> + +<p>This reassured me and I knocked on the open +door. There was perfect silence, broken only +by the sound of Dum's blowing her nose and +Mr. Tucker's clearing his throat; and then a +faint little "Come in," from both girls.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's you! How good of you to come look +us up!" exclaimed Mr. Tucker. "We were afraid +it was the hated roommate. Tweedles are treating +me so terribly because I insist on their having +a roommate so they can broaden out a bit +and learn to control themselves some, which they +will never do so long as they stay together all +the time. I'll leave it to you, Miss Page, don't +you think it will be best?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I have a delicacy in saying," laughed I.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +"You see, I am that poor unfortunate, despised +roommate. This is 117 Carter Hall, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>Then all the weeping was turned to laughter +and the irrepressible Tuckers, father and all, +grabbed hands and danced around me singing, +"Gayly cheer the bride." They made such a +racket that a sad, crooked face was poked into +the door, evidently feeling a duty to admonish, +but Zebedee in his most Zebedeeish humor, sang +out in a friendly voice:</p> + +<p>"Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will +you join the dance? Will you, won't you, will +you, won't you, won't you join the dance?"</p> + +<p>Then the strangest thing happened to that +long, sad, crooked face. The plain features were +illuminated by a smile, the person who owned the +face came impulsively into the room, and after +she had carefully shut the door, she caught hold +of hands with the crazy trio and the dance went +on; and all of us sang:</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"'Will you walk a little faster!' said a whiting to a snail,<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>'There's a porpoise close behind us and he's treading on my tail.<br /> +See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance!<br /> +They are waiting on the shingle—will you come and join the dance?'"<br /> +</div> + +<p>Then the chorus: "Will you, won't you, will +you, won't you, will you join the dance?"</p> + +<p>I refused to play "frog in the middle" any +longer and broke into the dance, soon dropping +into the unfamiliar tune but very familiar words +of the Lobster Quadrille. We sang all four of +the verses from that immortal nonsense.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"'What matters it how far we go?' his scaly friend replied,<br /> +'There is another shore, you know, upon the other side.<br /> +The farther off from England, the nearer is to France.<br /> +Then turn not pale, beloved snail, but come and join the dance.'"<br /> +</div> + +<p>The owner of the long, sad, crooked face was +also owner of a singularly clear, true, well-trained +voice, and Mr. Tucker's fresh baritone +fitted in finely, while Dum and Dee and I did the +best we could with what Nature had seen fit to +endow us in the way of voices. Finally we girls<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +sank exhausted on the bare, uncovered beds, but +Mr. Tucker and the mysterious visitor stood +clasping hands.</p> + +<p>"Jeff Tucker, what in Heaven's name are you +doing at a young ladies' boarding school?"</p> + +<p>"Entering my girls: Tweedles. And you, +Jinny Cox, what are you doing here?" And Mr. +Tucker kept on shaking her hand.</p> + +<p>"I teach singing here. Have been here for +years. And to think of your girls being old +enough to go to boarding school! It seems only +yesterday that you and dear little Virginia were +leading the germans at the University. I haven't +seen you since you married. I meant to write +you when Virginia died, but somehow I just +couldn't."</p> + +<p>"That was all right, Jinny. I knew how you +felt without hearing from you. She only lived a +year, you know. Tweedles were just a few weeks +old when she died." And the dear man who a +moment before had been so cheerily singing the +Lobster Quadrille, now wiped his eyes and +seemed given over to melancholy.</p> + +<p>"I want you to know our girls. This is Virginia,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +indicating Dum, "and this, Caroline," +meaning Dee. I was rather amused at the fact +that earlier in the day he could not remember +their official names, as he called them. "I named +this one Virginia, thinking she was going to +have her mother's eyes, but the little monkey +changed them on me and in a twinkling turned +herself into a hazel-eyed monster," and poor +Zebedee forgot to cry any more and began to +laugh. "This is the much dreaded roommate, +Miss Page Allison, of Milton, Virginia. The +wild orgy which you so tactfully joined was in +honor of the discovery that this young lady was +the roommate."</p> + +<p>"Well, girls, I am glad to see all of you and +hope we can be great friends. My name is Jane +Cox. I can't remember any one having the hardihood +to call me Jinny for some sixteen or seventeen +years. I haven't danced for at least ten +years. I don't know what the management or +the girls would think or say if they knew I had +cut up this way. I don't know what made me +do it. I came to the door to stop the racket +and when I saw Jeff Tucker whirling around<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +with three girls singing, 'Will you, won't you, +won't you, will you, will you join the dance?' +my discretion flew to the four winds. I just did +have sense enough left to shut the door. I forgot +I was an old maid, teaching singing in a +boarding school."</p> + +<p>"It was simply splendid of you to come in and +help us out," exclaimed Dee. Dee was usually +the one who knew what to say and when to say +it. Some persons call it tact, but I have always +thought it was just a kind heart that made her +know what people wanted her to say. Cousin +Sue Lee was the same kind of natural-born social +wonder. "I think your voice is beautiful, +and how on earth did you happen to know our +tune?"</p> + +<p>"Why, child, your father and I made up that +tune on a picnic once years before you were +born. Do you remember, Jeff, when we went to +Monticello, and how it rained? We composed +the tune and improvised a Lobster Quadrille to +cheer up the bedraggled crowd. How Virginia +did laugh! I haven't thought of that tune for +ages. Perhaps it is because I have not been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +with the kind of people who would enjoy 'Alice +in Wonderland.'"</p> + +<p>"Zebedee has put us to sleep with it ever since +we were born," said Dum. "I mean the tune."</p> + +<p>"And I have been reading Alice in Wonderland +ever since I was born," I ventured.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm certainly glad to meet some kindred +spirits at Gresham," said Miss Cox, "and +now, girls, I'm going to ask a great favor of the +three of you. I want you to keep to yourselves +that I broke loose as I did. I have hard enough +work as it is keeping order during study hour +when that task falls to me, and if the girls ever +found out that I was capable of such high-jinks, +I'd lose all control of them." We promised, but +I, for one, thought that the more human you find +your pastors and masters to be, the more apt +you are to want to make things easy for them. +Miss Jane Cox was much older than I, but she +had yet to learn that wisdom.</p> + +<p>"We'll all promise," we declared in unison.</p> + +<p>"But please break loose again, sometimes, +Jinny," begged Mr. Tucker. "The idea of your +calling yourself an old maid! I bet you are not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +thirty-five yet. I'm only thirty-six myself, and, +goodness knows, I am nothing but a kid!"</p> + +<p>"Teaching is a very aging occupation," sighed +Miss Cox. "I don't mind the singing, but it's +teaching mathematics to the backward pupils +that adds ten years a season to my already full +years. Do your girls sing, Jeffry?"</p> + +<p>"Not so's you can notice it. Dum, here, is +going to be a great sculptor; and Dee is uncertain +whether she wants to be a trained nurse or +a veterinary surgeon."</p> + +<p>"Vet'rinary surgeon? Surely you wouldn't +let her go into such a profession?" exclaimed +Miss Cox with her twisted smile.</p> + +<p>"Why not? I'll let my girls go into any profession +that appeals to them. Dum loves to +make mud pies and Dee loves to nurse sick puppies. +Both of them rather dirty arts, but 'Every +man to his taste.'"</p> + +<p>Miss Cox had to leave us and go to attend to +various duties, but before going she assured Mr. +Tucker that she would take especial care of all +three of his girls. You can fancy what it meant +to me to be included. I almost called him Zebedee,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +but I was afraid it might make him feel like +the father of triplets, so I refrained.</p> + +<p>It was almost time for the train which Mr. +Tucker was to catch, as he intended to take a +sleeper back to Richmond that night. I felt the +tactful thing for me to do would be to leave the +girls alone with their father, so I told him good-by +and went off to see how Annie Pore was +faring.</p> + +<p>I found her sitting in a forlorn heap in one +of the neighboring rooms, her hat and jacket +still on; her disreputable telescope in the middle +of the room; and the expression on her face +suited to the tragic muse.</p> + +<p>"Who's your cellmate, Annie?" said I, bursting +in on her.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but I know she will hate me."</p> + +<p>"Hate you, indeed! No one could hate you. +Why don't you unpack and get your things in +order? I am going to stay with you until Mr. +Tucker leaves, so Tweedles can get a chance to +be alone with him for a while. I am rooming +with them, you know. Our room is quite near +you and we can all be real chummy."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> + +<p>The rooms were all perfectly bare and bleak-looking: +white walls, white iron beds, curtainless +windows and carpetless floors. The pupils were +supposed to decorate their own rooms if they +wanted them decorated. Annie Pore had been +put into a two-girl room a bit smaller than the +one assigned to the Tuckers and me, but otherwise +exactly like it.</p> + +<p>"I am dreading a roommate," sighed the girl. +"I have never slept in the room with any one +in my life."</p> + +<p>"Neither have I, but I am crazy about it. Just +think what fun it will be to have some one to +talk to and giggle with."</p> + +<p>I could not fancy giggling with Annie Pore +in her present melancholy frame of mind, but I +was sure that was a phase that would pass and +she would end by being as girlish as the next. +She had too keen a sense of humor to be lost in +gloom forever.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>LETTERS.</div> + + +<div class='center'>From Caroline Tucker to her father, Jeffry +Tucker.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class='right'>Gresham, Sept. 18, 19—.<br /> +</div> + +Dearest Zebedee: + +<p>You would have to be your own daughter to +know how much you can be missed. After you +left the other day, Dum and I cried so much we +came mighty near getting sick, but Page Allison +came back and was so ridiculous in her description +of Annie Pore sitting up in the bus full of +Seniors with her crêpe hat cocked on one side, +that we got to laughing; and you know how easy +it is to be cheerful if someone only starts the ball +a-rolling. Page is splendid and takes the most +interest in life of anybody I ever saw. She +makes a lot of fun, but somehow it is never at +anyone but always with them. She loves dogs, +too, so I am sure to get on with her.</p> + +<p>I do think it was wise in you, dearest Zebedee, +to make us have a roommate, since that roommate +happens to be Page, because she certainly +does do us good; and already I find I am trying +to "exert more self-control," as you say when +you are trying to be Mr. Tuckerish. She hates<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +blubbering and never cries except when the dogs +die or her father reads poetry to her. I tell her +that we don't usually cry, either, that is, we don't +bawl, but just leak a bit. She says just leaking +is rather fascinating and shows temperament, +and she wishes she wasn't so dry-eyed and could +express her emotions in such a graceful way.</p> + +<p>Page has read a whole lot and knows reams +and quires of history, but never has studied any +French at all and has to go with the kids in +mathematics. She is real spunky about it, +though, and doesn't say a word about how humiliating +it must be to have to sit in a class with +children of twelve and even younger.</p> + +<p>She can write Latin like a house afire, but +when she translates we can hardly keep from +giggling outright, as she uses the funny old pronunciation +that Grandpa Tucker does. It seems +she has learned Latin entirely from her father. +Miss Sears, the Latin teacher, is trying to get +her out of this pronunciation, but she compliments +her very much on her knowledge of English +derivatives. Page says that is the side of +Latin that interested her father and he consequently +taught it to her.</p> + +<p>Dum and I have had only one serious set-to +since you left us. I licked her. I wish you +would send Dum a dollar box of plasticine. She +is restless sometimes and I know she is itching +to create, and if she had the mud she could do +it. Dum is being awfully good about holding on +to herself, and is just as nice and polite to Page +as can be, although she did vow and declare that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +she was going to make it so hot for any roommate +we got that the poor thing would have to +leave. Of course that was before we knew it +was going to be our luck to draw such a prize. +There's the bell, so good-by, dear old Zebedeedlums.</p> + +<div class='sig'> +Your own Tweedledeelums.<br /> +</div></div> + +<div class='center'><br />Virginia Tucker to her father, Jeffry Tucker.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class='right'> +Gresham, Sept. 19, 19—.<br /> +</div> + +My darling Zebedee: + +<p>Dee wrote yesterday so I waited until to-day, +although she declared she was not writing the +kind of thing to you that I was going to. I don't +see how she knew what I was going to write +when I don't know myself.</p> + +<p>There is one thing I want to say and that is: +"the old man always knows best." A roommate +is a great institution when she is as bully as +Page Allison. I was awfully afraid Dee was +going to be rude, but she hasn't been a bit. As +for me, I have been a little tin angel. You can +ask Dee if I haven't.</p> + +<p>I am mighty sorry for Dee. She not only +misses you just as much as I do, but she misses +old Brindle almost as much as she does you. I +don't see why they won't let a bulldog go to +boarding school. I asked Dee if she gave you +any more directions about how to take care of +Brindle, and she said she hadn't even mentioned +him she was so afraid of splashing on her letter.</p> + +<p>Your friend Miss Cox has been in to see us +and was just as jolly as could be, but when the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +other girls are around she treats us like perfect +strangers. The truth of the matter is she is +afraid of girls and does not understand them, +nor do they understand her. I got that from +Page, who is very analytical. Page says if she +would let herself go she would be the most popular +teacher in school, but as it is, while she is +not unpopular, she is not regarded at all. She +is awfully interesting but the girls don't know it. +They know she has a good voice and teaches +with good method but she might as well be a phonograph +for all the human interest they have +in her. She is coach for the backward and wayward +in Math. I believe Page Allison will have +to have her, and I bet on Page for drawing her +out.</p> + +<p>I tell you that girl has done wonders with +Annie Pore. Every time she finds her crying +she makes her laugh, and you know no one but +old Zebedee can laugh and cry at the same time +without going into hysterics. Right to her face +she calls her "Melancholy Dane" and "Old Rain +in the Face" and all kinds of ridiculous names, +and Annie simply has to smile. There is one +thing about Page: you can always know she is +going to say what she's got to say right to your +face. Usually when people are that way their +conversation is "yea, yea, and nay, nay," but +Page is not that way a bit.</p> + +<p>Dee and I have had only one bout and then +Dee knocked me out. It was a funny thing the +way I let down my guard, but I got to thinking +about Dee's dimple in her chin and how some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +day I was going to make a stunning bust of her. +You see Dee looks mighty handsome when she +boxes, with her head thrown back, her neck like +a column. I had sure got her going that day +and she had backed way up in the corner, when +the idea of making the bust took possession of +me—well, Dee made a stunning bust of me, +that's all. She tapped me on the nose and drew +the claret.</p> + +<p>The row was all about you. Dee said you +must be pretty near middle-aged and I said she +was all the way a plumb idiot, you were no such +thing and never would be. The fact that she +tapped me does not prove that you are or ever +will be any such thing. Page came in at the crucial +moment and was somewhat shocked to see us +boxing, and was broken up over the gore; but +when she heard what the row was about, she +sympathized with me and offered to put on the +gloves and fight it out with Dee; but she decided +in her amusing way to argue it out instead.</p> + +<p>She said: "If the pen is mightier than the +sword, surely the tongue is mightier than a pair +of boxing gloves." She proved to Dee's perfect +satisfaction that age was a matter of temperament +and that yours was eternal youth. Dee +was convinced and offered the <i>amende honorable</i>, +confessing herself beaten in argument. I +begin to think trial by combat not such a good +way of settling things, after all. It seems to me +a quiet debate is much the better way.</p> + +<p>Write to us soon. I heard one of the Seniors +say you were the most attractive-looking man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +she ever saw. She thought you were our big +brother and meant for me to hear it and of +course wanted me to repeat it to you. Good-by, +my darling old Zebedeedidlums. I am sorry +I made you cry twice on the day you brought +us up here.</p> + +<div class='sig'> +<span style="margin-right: 3em;">Your own,</span><br /> +Dumplingdeedledums.<br /> +</div></div> + +<div class='center'><br />Annie Pore to her Father, Mr. Arthur Pore, +Price's Landing, Va.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class='right'> +Gresham, Sept. 19, 19—.<br /> +</div> + +My dear Father: + +<p>I am writing to you at my earliest opportunity. +I made the journey without any mishaps +and in great comfort. I was astonished to find +how luxurious traveling by rail is. I shall have +to confess to you that I talked to some persons +I met on the train. They were all of them going +to Gresham and were very kind to me. I +found myself conversing with them before I remembered +your admonitions to be very careful +about making acquaintances. I know in England +it is very bad form, but I felt somehow it +would have been much worse form to hold myself +aloof when they were one and all so kind +to me.</p> + +<p>The Institute of Gresham is admirable in +every particular. My instruction has been so +thorough, thanks to your unceasing efforts, that +I find I can take a very good stand. I have +not divulged that an Oxford graduate has been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +my teacher. I am well up in Algebra, Latin and +French, although my French accent is not all +that it should be.</p> + +<p>Miss Cox, the singing teacher, takes a great +interest in my voice but evidently has no personal +feeling for me. I am very grateful to +you for the sacrifices you have made to send me +to boarding school, and am endeavoring to take +advantage of every opportunity to perfect my +education.</p> + +<div class='sig'> +<span style="margin-right: 3em;">Very respectfully,</span><br /> +Annie de Vere Pore.<br /> +</div></div> + +<div class='center'><br />Page Allison to her father, Dr. James Allison, +Milton, Va.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class='right'> +Gresham, Sept. 19, 19—.<br /> +</div> +My dear old Father: + +<p>I can hardly believe it is only a few days since +I left Bracken. It seems ages and eons. I have +a million things to tell you. I made friends with +some delightful people on the train, Mr. Jeffry +Tucker and his twin daughters, Dum and Dee. +Mr. Tucker says he knows you; and my eyes +were so like yours he came mighty near giving +me the fraternity grip. He is the youngest man +to be grown up and have almost grown-up +daughters I ever saw. Their mother is dead, +too. So many mothers seem to be dead.</p> + +<p>We made friends with another girl on the +train, Annie Pore from Price's Landing. She +had never been on the train before, but although +she seemed terribly shy and was dressed in a +most pathetic get-up, still she had all the bearing a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +and carriage of a <i>grande dame</i>. She is a +half-orphan, too, and I have a kind of idea that +her father is not to say so intimate with his +daughter as some other fathers who shall be +nameless. She has been writing to her paternal +parent for the last hour, and she actually copied +the letter and seemed to be writing with as much +care as though it had to be handed in. You +don't want me to write that way to you, do you?</p> + +<p>Gresham is splendid. It is a beautiful building, +red brick with great white columns, giving +it the look of a modern Parthenon. It is on top +of a hill overlooking the little town and has a +beautiful lawn with great chestnut trees and +oaks. But best of all is the view of the mountains. +When it is clear they seem quite close, +almost as though we could walk to them, and at +other times they disappear altogether.</p> + +<p>The first day or two the girls seemed to think +if they did not do a lot of bawling and blubbering +some one might think they did not love their +homes. Some of them cried because they could +not help it, but some of them, I verily believe, +rubbed onions in their eyes like the heartless sisters +in "Beauty and the Beast." I know no home +could be more beautiful than Bracken and I'll +wager anything that there isn't a dad in the +world better or more beloved than mine. And +was there ever a mammy like mine? I'm not +even mentioning the dogs, although they are not +the least of my blessings. And still, not a visible +tear have I shed.</p> + +<p>The first morning when I waked up in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +strange room and stared at the blank bare wall, +it seemed to me as though I simply could not +stand it. I was dreaming about Mammy Susan. +I thought she was pouring hot water into my +tub again. My roommates were still asleep, +having wept themselves into a state of coma. +(I haven't told you that I am rooming with Dum +and Dee Tucker and I like it a lot.) Well, I +got up and went to the bathroom and had the +coldest bath I ever had in my life and then I +dressed in a hurry. I felt as though I must get +out before any one saw me. If I could have a +little run, maybe I could stave off the great wave +of homesickness that was going to swallow me +up in a minute. I raced along the corridor.</p> + +<p>I got onto a covered walk connecting the dormitory +with the main building, and there serene +and beautiful were the mountains stretched before +me. I didn't want to cry any more. A feeling +of deep peace and happiness came to me. I +chanted aloud: "I will look unto the hills from +whence cometh my help," etc. You mustn't think +I don't love you and Mammy Susan just as much +as ever, for I do; but I am having a good time +and am going to learn a few things, and am going +to make loads and loads of friends.</p> + +<p>My love to all the dear dogs and please give +them an extra bone for me. And tell dear +Mammy Susan that all of us on the train would +have starved to death if she hadn't put up all +that good lunch. I'll tell you about what I am +studying in my next letter. Good-by,</p> + +<div class='sig'> +Your own Page.<br /> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE FOUNDLING.</div> + + +<p>"Well, Miss Peyton is some mobilizer," sighed +Dee as she snuggled down in her bed after our +first study hall had been lived through at +Gresham. "Just to think, here we are hard at +work when we have been here only two days."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm glad, for one," said Dum. "If they +work us hard enough, we won't get Zebedee-sick. +That's what Dee and I call homesick. Wherever +Zebedee is, is home for us."</p> + +<p>"My Father and Bracken and Mammy Susan +and the dogs are so mixed up in my mind that +I can't tell what or which or whom I miss most," +and I scrambled into bed in a great hurry just +as the bell rang to warn us that lights must be +out in five minutes. I had not been twenty-four +hours with other girls before I had learned many +things that girls know. One of them was that +the last one up has the chores to do, such as raising<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +the window at the bottom and pulling it +down at the top, a mighty chilly performance +when clothed in nothing but a nightgown; also, +the tardy one has the light to put out.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you foxy creatures!" cried Dum. "I bet +you haven't cleaned your teeth, you've been in +such a hurry to beat me to bed."</p> + +<p>"'Deed we have," we declared, "while you +were calling on Annie Pore."</p> + +<p>"You haven't said your prayers, then," persisted +Dum.</p> + +<p>"I have," I said. But Dee had neglected this +means of grace and had to crawl out of her nice, +warm bed; and she and Dum knelt together. +There was silence for about three minutes; then +Dum bounced into bed and pulled the covers up +to her square chin. There she lay, with eyes +closed.</p> + +<p>"Dum Tucker, you skipped something. I don't +believe you said a single thing but 'NowIlayme,'" +and Dee stood over her sister like an +avenging angel.</p> + +<p>"What's it to you?" yawned Dum. "That's a +matter between me and my conscience. Open<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +the window; and turn out the light; and crawl +into bed before our room gets reported."</p> + +<p>"Well, it was a matter between my conscience +and me whether I said my prayers at all; and +you went and butt in on us. Now you take that +toploftical stand about you and your conscience! +Well, you and your conscience can just lie on +the floor together." With which tirade, Dee +yanked Dum and all her bed clothes out on the +floor. She then whisked off the light and, quickly +raising the window, jumped into bed.</p> + +<p>I wondered what would be the outcome of this +battle and if it would have to be settled according +to the Tuckers' code of honor: a duel with +boxing gloves. But just then there was a sharp +rap on the door.</p> + +<p>"Less noise, please," said a determined voice +outside, "or I shall have to report 117 to the +principal."</p> + +<p>Dum lay on the floor convulsed with giggles. +"Sh-h—." I warned. "Be careful, or we'll all +have to write pages from the dictionary for two +hours."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You won't have to, surely, when Dum and I +made all the racket," whispered Dee.</p> + +<p>"The teacher said '117,' and that means me, +too. Can you get back into bed? Is the foot +untucked?"</p> + +<p>"I believe I can if I don't start giggling +again," and Dum began to squirm out of the +covers.</p> + +<p>"Let me help," said the penitent Dee, and +Dum was soon back in her cot and silence +reigned supreme. After a while I heard Dum +whisper:</p> + +<p>"Say, Dee, I did skip. Conscience bids me confess +to thee."</p> + +<p>"Well, Dum, I'll give it to you that you and +your conscience are perfect gentlemen," said +Dee admiringly.</p> + +<p>"Thanks awfully," yawned Dum. "I know +one thing, I'm a mighty sleepy gentleman;" and +in a trice the quiet breathing from the disheveled +bed told that Dum and her conscience were at +rest.</p> + +<p>There were constant surprises in store for one +who shared a room with the Tucker twins. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +certainly had the gift of infinite variety in the +kind of scrapes they could get themselves into. +They usually got out of scrapes as easily as they +got into them by a certain frankness and directness +that would disarm Miss Peyton herself. +They didn't break rules, because they did things +that nobody had ever thought of making rules +about. The principal at Gresham was not so +farseeing as the teacher in "Mary Had a Little +Lamb," who seems to have made a rule about +lambs in school:</p> + +<div class='poem'> +It followed her to school one day,<br /> +Which was against the rule.<br /> +It made the children laugh and play<br /> +To see a lamb in school.<br /> +</div> + +<p>One day when we were taking a sedate walk, +the school out in full force with two teachers to +keep order along the blue-coated, black-hatted +lines, we saw by the roadside a little kitten, so +young its eyes were hardly open.</p> + +<p>"Poor little foundling!" "I wonder where it +came from!" "I'd like to pick him up!" ejaculated +several of the girls, but Dee Tucker was the one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +who acted. She was bringing up the rear with +Miss Sears, the Latin teacher. As they were +passing the forlorn little feline, Miss Sears +stepped forward to admonish a couple who were +talking too loudly. Dee stooped and quickly +scooped into her muff the poor pussy. No one +saw her and kitty very considerately said nothing. +He lay there warm and contented, dreaming +he was back with his soft, loving mother, +and forgetting the rude hand that had put him +into a bag with his brothers and sisters. The +bag had had a merciful hole, and he, being the +runt of the family, had fallen through before the +proposed drowning came off.</p> + +<p>We marched on, all unconscious of the addition +to our ranks. When we got back to school +and went up to our room to take off our hats, +etc., I noticed that Dee had very shining eyes +and her dimple seemed to be deeper, but she did +not divulge to Dum and me what she had up her +sleeve, or rather her muff. I also noticed at supper +that she swiped some bread and very adroitly +concealed it in her middy blouse. She also +very cleverly called the attention of every one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +at our table to the autumn moon, that was peeping +into the dining room window, and while they +were looking the other way, she filled a little vial +with milk from her glass.</p> + +<p>Naturally I said nothing, but adopted the +watchful, waiting attitude, certain that sooner +or later I'd find out what Dee was up to. And +I did, all right.</p> + +<p>After supper we had an hour before study hall +which we usually spent in the gymnasium dancing. +Dum and Dee had undertaken to teach Annie +Pore and me the new dances. All dances were +new to poor Annie and me. I could cut the pigeon +wing and dance "Goin' to Church," which is a negro +classic (but the Tango and Maxixe with all of +the intricate steps and side-stepping seemed very +difficult). But I must learn, and learn I did. As +for Annie, her sense of rhythm was so great that +she took to dancing as a duck does to water. +She had to get over a certain self-consciousness +that was her ruling fault, but when the Victrola +was started in one of the tunes that would make +a dead darkey want to get up and pat, why, +Annie would forget all about Annie and her ill-fitting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +clothes and would sway to the music with +the utmost abandon.</p> + +<p>I believe I have forgotten to tell whom Annie +got for a roommate. It was none other than +Josephine Barr, the good-natured, dressy Senior, +for whom Miss Sayre felt so sorry because of +her great wealth. I fancy Jo, as we soon called +her, was not very well pleased at first at having +to share a room with such a seemingly dismal +person; but it was either Annie or Mabel Binks, +as all the other rooms were filled and Jo had not +registered in time to have much choice.</p> + +<p>She couldn't bear Mabel Binks; and she did +feel sorry for the poor little new girl who seemed +so ready to dissolve into tears. Jo was the best +old thing in the world, with a heart as big as +all outdoors and an optimistic nature that was +bound to influence Annie and make her more +cheerful; at the same time, Annie's breeding and +careful speech had its good effect on the husky +Jo. Before the year was up, they were as intimate +as a Senior and Sophomore could be.</p> + +<p>On that famous evening which was afterward +known as the "Kitten Evening," Dee<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +kept disappearing between dances. She would +come back, flushed and a little troubled-looking, +but would go on with the dance with a do-or-die +expression. Study hour in the assembly hall +from eight to ten and then half an hour to get +to bed before the bell rang for lights out: that +was the order of procedure. As we studied, I +noticed how Dee kept fidgeting and twisting. +Dum noticed it, too, and the fidgets seemed to be +catching. We were on our honor not to speak +during study hour, and of course that settled +the matter for the Tuckers and me. Dee could +squirm herself into a bowknot and Dum and I +could die of curiosity, and still honor forbade +our making a sign to find out what was the +matter.</p> + +<p>I never spent such a long and unprofitable +two hours in my life. I tried to concentrate my +attention on my lessons, but it was impossible +with Dee at the desk in front of me never still a +minute.</p> + +<p>"The bell at last!" exclaimed Dee.</p> + +<p>"Well, your lessons have been Reeling and +Writhing, Dee Tucker. I never saw such a wiggler<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +in my life." But Dee was off like a whirlwind, +without a word to Dum and me. She +didn't even take her books with her or gather +up the scattered papers that were strewn over +her desk. We mercifully saved her some demerits +by putting things in order for her.</p> + +<p>"What do you reckon is up with Dee?" said +Dum anxiously. "She is either brewing some +mischief or is already in a scrape."</p> + +<p>We found the door to 117 carefully closed and +Dee already in bed. How she ever managed to +get in so rapidly, I could not see, unless she +followed the plan of "Diddle, diddle dumpling, +my son, John."</p> + +<p>"Now, Dee Tucker, what is the matter with +you?" begged Dum anxiously.</p> + +<p>"The matter with me?" said Dee with feigned +coolness. "Nothing on earth, my dear sister. +What should be the matter with me? I am simply +sleepy and thought I would get into bed."</p> + +<p>"How about your teeth and your prayers?"</p> + +<p>"Cleaned 'em and said 'em," said Dee laconically, +and she turned over rather gingerly, I noticed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +and pretended to have fallen into a deep +sleep.</p> + +<p>"She won't be able to keep it to herself very +long," whispered Dum to me. "If it is any fun, +she can't be low enough not to share it; and if +it is trouble of some sort, she is sure to let us in +on it. I'll take the motto of Prosper le Gai: +'I bide my time.'"</p> + +<p>Respecting Dee's evident desire for silence, +Dum and I went very quietly to bed and had the +light out long before it was time.</p> + +<p>A knock at the door! "Come in," called Dum. +It was Annie Pore, very apologetic at disturbing +us.</p> + +<p>"It is ten minutes before lights out bell. I +had no idea you had all gone to bed. I was worried +about Dee. Is she all right? She looked +so feverish."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, she's all right; just sleepy," said +Dum politely. "Thank you all the same, Annie."</p> + +<p>Annie softly closed the door. I heard strange +sounds from Dee's bed but could not tell whether +she was laughing or crying.</p> + +<p>Another knock!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come in," a little wearily from Dum.</p> + +<p>Miss Jane Cox this time!</p> + +<p>"Oh, girls, excuse me! I did not know you +were in bed, I was a little anxious about Dee." +A snore from Dee's bed, rather melodramatic +in tone. "She seemed so upset during study +hour. I was on duty and I did not know whether +she needed castor oil or a demerit." The snoring +stopped. The snorer was evidently deliberating.</p> + +<p>"I think she is all right now, Miss Cox," I +ventured. "She went right off to bed as soon +as study hour was over. Maybe she won't have +to have either, demerit or oil. My private opinion +is she had a flea down her back, but she says +she was just tired and sleepy." A gratified +snore from Dee and Miss Cox with a little +snicker went to her room.</p> + +<div class='poem2'> +"Night, Sable Goddess, from her ebon throne,<br /> +Now stretches forth a leaden scepter o'er a slumbering world."<br /> +</div> + +<p>Lights out bell had rung, and the girls all +along the corridors in Carter Hall had gone to +bed and to sleep. I had a feeling of impending<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +something, not necessarily evil, but excitement, +at least. Dum was breathing gently and regularly +like a sleeping infant. Dee stirred every +now and then and occasionally muttered an unintelligible +something. I dozed but waked with +a start.</p> + +<p>"Mieuw—mieuw—mieuw!" came in a heart-rending +wail from Dee's bed.</p> + +<p>"Shhhh-shhhh! Poor ittle titty puss! Don't +you cwy, honey child! Shhh——"</p> + +<p>"Mieuw—mieuw-mieuw-mieuw!!!!" More +subdued endearments from Dee. Dum slept on, +but I heard a door open way down the hall! +Some teacher, with sharp ears, no doubt.</p> + +<p>"Dee," I whispered, "put your little finger in +its mouth and let it suck until that busybody +down the hall goes back into her room." There +was the sound of a door closing.</p> + +<p>"What is your advice, Page?"</p> + +<p>"Have you anything for it to eat?"</p> + +<p>"Bread and milk, but it won't eat."</p> + +<p>"Of course not, it is too little. Did you warm +the milk?" I inquired.</p> + +<p>"No, how could I with no stove?" One of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +rules of the institution was: no alcohol stoves.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute. I've got a candle that +Mammy Susan put in my bag in case of accidents." +How I blessed the kind old woman who +had thought of everything. "Them newfangled +lights may be mighty fine but if they 'cide not to +wuck some night, a good ole tallow can'le 'll come +in mighty handy, chile, also some saftest +matches," she had said as she overrode all my +objections and tucked the life-saving candle and +matches in my already overworked grip.</p> + +<p>I got up, donned slippers and dressing gown, +gently closed the window, as the night was decidedly +frosty, and found the matches and candle. +We did not dare to light the electric light +because of the transom over the door. Pussy +might at any moment let out another wail, and +then the wakeful teacher, seeing the light, would +make for our room. In feeling for the table, I +touched Dum's foot and she waked with a start.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Dee? Are you sick?" +And Dum sat up in bed.</p> + +<p>"Shhh—No, Dum, she's not sick but the little +kitty is hungry," I whispered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The <i>what</i> is hungry?"</p> + +<p>"Not so loud, Dum dear, please! It's just a +poor, miserable little foundling of a kitty puss +that I simply could not leave by the roadside. +I've got it in bed with me here."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Caroline Tucker! A nasty little cat in +bed with you? What would Zebedee say?" and +Dum sniffed the air disdainfully.</p> + +<p>"He would say just what I say, Virginia +Tucker, that it is a mighty funny thing that you, +who were in line before me and must have seen +the poor little wretched kitten first, didn't feel it +your duty to rescue it from its misery. I am +ashamed of you, belonging to the S. P. C. A., +too," and Dee gave her little charge a brand new +finger to suck.</p> + +<p>Things were looking rather serious: Dum and +Dee calling one another Virginia and Caroline +and that in no modulated tones; and the candle +making such a bright light that I expected every +minute to hear a teacher rapping on our door.</p> + +<p>"Now, look here, Tweedles, both of you stop +your fussing and 'tend to the business in hand. +You can fight it out to-morrow, but for Heaven's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +sake, put all of your surplus energy now on +getting the kitten fed and quiet and 117 not in +a deluge of demerits. Dum, get up and pin two +middy ties over the transom."</p> + +<p>Dum obediently carried out my instructions +while I warmed the milk that Dee had purloined +from the supper table over the blessed candle. I +sweetened it a little and diluted it with water. +I warmed it in Dee's silver pin-tray, as we had +no pan of any sort.</p> + +<p>"Dip your finger in here, Dee, and let the kitten +taste it so it can realize succor is near. It is +lots too young to lap and will have to suck a +rag."</p> + +<p>Dum tore up an old handkerchief for me and +in a little while kitty was tugging away for dear +life, one end of the bit of cambric in its pink flannel +mouth and the other in the pin-tray of milk.</p> + +<p>Dum was soon won over to the helpless little +thing. "It is sweet, Dee, I declare; let me hold +it a minute."</p> + +<p>Dee magnanimously handed it over to her sister +who held the pin-tray very carefully and let +kitty feed as tenderly as any young mother. It<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +soon got its fill and curled up and purred "just +like a fairy buzz-saw," Dum declared.</p> + +<p>"To think of a tiny cat like that knowing how +to purr!" exclaimed Dee.</p> + +<p>"To think of a tiny cat like that having such +enormous fleas on it," shuddered Dum. "Here, +take the beastie, I'm going back to bed before I +get full of 'em."</p> + +<p>"Yes, they are something awful," sighed Dee, +"I am literally eaten alive."</p> + +<p>"Poor old Dee! Change your nightgown and +leave your bed to the pussy and come snuggle in +with me," said Dum.</p> + +<p>Pussy slept very well in Dee's bed, waking +only about every two hours and mewing for +nourishment. Dee and I would get wearily up, +warm the milk and administer.</p> + +<p>"Oh, who could be a cat with kittens?" sighed +Dee.</p> + +<p>Morning finally came and the problem of what +to do with our adopted child had to be faced.</p> + +<p>"Do you know what I'd do if I were you, +Dee? I'd go right to Miss Peyton and tell her +all about it. I'll go with you. She would sympathize<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +with you, I really believe, and help you +find a home for pussy," I said.</p> + +<p>"I'll go, too," cried Dum.</p> + +<p>Miss Peyton was fine. She seemed to think +Dee had merely been imprudent, not at all +naughty. She agreed with Dee that it was a +strange thing that the whole line of girls and +teachers should have passed the little waif by.</p> + +<p>"Girls, I am proud and happy that you should +have felt I was the person to confide in. If +all the school could only understand that I am +their friend and not just the principal and dealer +in demerits. Of course you can't keep the kitten +in your room, but I will see that a good home +is found for it with someone who will take the +trouble to feed it until it can lap for itself. I +think I know exactly the right person in the +village."</p> + +<p>We went from the principal's office in very +happy and exalted states of mind.</p> + +<p>"Isn't she wonderful?" exclaimed Dee. +"Wasn't she splendid to us?"</p> + +<p>"She was fine," enthused Dum. "I am certainly +relieved."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> + +<p>I said to myself: "Miss Peyton was awfully +nice, but it is plain to be seen she is fond of cats. +I wonder how she would have felt if it had been +an orphan snake or an abused Billy-goat!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>KITTY'S FOSTER-FATHER.</div> + + +<p>Tweedles and I were excused from the Gym +exercises that afternoon with the request that +we meet Miss Peyton in her office at three +o'clock. We were there on time, you may be +sure, and Dee had the kitty all done up in a shoe +box ready for the trip. We had christened him +Oliver Twist, because he kept on "hollering for +more" all the weary night.</p> + +<p>Miss Peyton laughed until the tears rolled +down her cheeks over the description of our +trials during the night. When we found out +that she did not think it was so terribly wicked +of Dee, we felt we could tell her everything, even +the middy ties over the transom and the fleas in +Dee's bed.</p> + +<p>"You poor girls must be nearly dead, aren't +you?" she asked kindly.</p> + +<p>"Page and I feel right scrooch-eyed, but after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +the first feeding, Dum slept through it all," +laughed Dee. "I have more sympathy than ever +for poor Zebedee. That's what we call our +Father, you know, Miss Peyton. He had to bring +up Dum and me on bottles as our little Mother +died when we were tiny babies. If one kitten +could keep two girls awake most of the night +heating milk for it, don't you fancy two twins, +like Dum and me, could keep one man awake all +the time?"</p> + +<p>"Didn't you have a nurse?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"Of course we did, all kinds and colors, but +Dum and I wouldn't drink unless Zebedee gave +us the bottles. He says he was afraid the nurse +might not be sanitary and trusted no one but +himself to fix the milk."</p> + +<p>"Poor old Zebedee!" sighed Dum, her eyes +filling. "I don't see how we could have been so +mean to him."</p> + +<p>We had started on our quest for a friend for +kitty, Miss Peyton leading the way down toward +the village. She seemed to be enjoying the little +outing as much as we were.</p> + +<p>"Your Father must be very patient," she said,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +putting her arm in Dum's when she saw the hazel +eyes filling at the thought of her Father.</p> + +<p>"Well, the funny part of it is, he is not one +bit patient except with Dee and me. Do you +know, once he got dreadfully mad with the telephone +girl who kept on cutting him off when he +was in the midst of some most important business +that could not wait, and every time he would +try to get connection again, the operator would +say 'Line busy.' Now he knew the line was not +busy and the person on the other end was just +as anxious to be got as he was to get him, and, +as I was saying, he got so mad he pulled the telephone +out by the roots."</p> + +<p>"Well, that was, to say the least, impulsive," +and Miss Peyton laughed like any schoolgirl.</p> + +<p>"You mustn't think Zebedee is bad-tempered," +put in Dee. "He's got the sweetest disposition +in the world. He's just quick-tempered. He has +learned to control himself wonderfully but you +know he is real young yet."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know," said Miss Peyton solemnly.</p> + +<p>"Tell us whom you are going to get to be +kitty's foster father, Miss Peyton," I said, purposely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +changing the subject. Not that I did not +take the keenest interest in everything pertaining +to Mr. Tucker, but I could see that the twins +were both getting leaky, and it did seem a pity +to have a cloud cast over our delightful walk +with Miss Peyton.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, I will," she said, giving me an approving +nod. "It is dear old Captain Pat Leahy. +I hope you girls will like him as much as I do. +He is sure to like you. Of course he may not +be able to keep the little thing and then I don't +know what we will do. Anyhow, let's not borrow +trouble. I know the dear man will do it +for me if he possibly can. When I first came +to Gresham as a pupil——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, were you a pupil here?" we exclaimed in +one breath.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, I came here before I went to +college. Gresham had not such a grand building +then and accommodated only about fifty girls. +It was more like a home school. Captain Leahy +was then conductor on the local train and took +an especial interest in the Gresham girls. I shall<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +never forget how good he was to me on my first +trip. I was lonesome and shy——"</p> + +<p>"You, shy! Oh, Miss Peyton, were you, +really?"</p> + +<p>"I should say I was. Why, Annie Pore is +brazen beside what I was as a child. Captain +Leahy sat by me between stations and with his +ready Irish tongue cheered me up immensely. +He treated me to peanuts and made me laugh and +gave me a new outlook on life. The poor fellow +lost a leg in a railroad accident about ten +years ago, and ever since then has kept the gate +where the track crosses the main street of +Gresham."</p> + +<p>"Does he like cats?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, he adores them. That is the great +bond of sympathy between us. He loves cats +and he loves flowers. He also has a great fondness +for young people. Here we are," and Miss +Peyton pointed out the gate-house where her old +friend lived.</p> + +<p>It was just an ordinary little square box of +a house painted the pumpkin yellow that railroads +are so partial to, but all around it were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +window boxes, some of them filled with geraniums, +some with Norway spruces and English +ivy. A moon flower had completely covered one +side of the little house, but the frost had touched +the big leaves and they were dropping off one +by one.</p> + +<p>A grizzled old man with a long red beard and +a peg leg was digging around the geraniums as +we approached. "Captain, I have brought some +of my girls to meet you," said Miss Peyton, holding +out her hand to the old man and introducing +us.</p> + +<p>"And I am that proud to meet all of yez; and +so will me cats be. The poor critters long for +some petticoats to cuddle oop to. A peg leg is +but cold comfort to a pussy when she is hankering +for some women folk," and with a hearty +laugh the old fellow stumped to the door of his +little gate-house and called to the cats. Out they +came, seven in all and a motley crew. The Captain +was very democratic and not particular +about the pedigree of his friends.</p> + +<p>"All cats are aristocratic if you just give 'em<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +a chance," he would declare when some cat snob +would suggest that he go in for pure breeds.</p> + +<p>Six of the cats came to him and rubbed their +backs against his good leg; but the seventh, a +large gray one with a mournful look in her eyes, +began to sharpen her claws on a long strip of +sand paper he had tacked to his wooden leg. We +burst out laughing. It was the most comical +thing I had ever seen.</p> + +<p>"A little invintion of me own. There are no +trees handy for the poor critters to sharpen their +claws on and I find this device saves me furniture +many a scratch." He stooped and laid his +hand lovingly on the mournful one, but she +arched her back and moved over to the protection +of Dee's skirts.</p> + +<p>"What, schtill angry wid me, poor Bett? I +had to have her kittens drowned, all but one, +and she can't forgive me, not that I blame her. +But what am I to do, Miss Peyton? Me house +is schmall and Bett is that prolific she could furnish +kittens for all the ould maids in Christendom +in little or no toime."</p> + +<p>"Well, it is a problem, Captain Leahy, but I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +am sorry for Bett. Aren't there enough old +maids in Gresham to help you out some?" Miss +Peyton stooped down and picked up the poor +bereaved mother who nestled comfortably in her +arms and began to purr loudly.</p> + +<p>"The demand doesn't come oop to Bett's supply, +niver in the world," laughed the old man. +"But what am I thinking of keeping yez waiting +out here so long? Come in, come in!" I +have never heard such a rich, delicious voice as +Captain Leahy's; and his brogue was as soft as +the purr of his cats.</p> + +<p>"Before we go in, I might as well tell you +what has brought us to you especially, Captain," +said Miss Peyton.</p> + +<p>"What? You must schnatch me from me +Fool's Paradise? I was after thinking all the +time you had come to see the ould man himself," +and his eyes twinkled mischievously.</p> + +<p>"So we did, dear Captain. We have come to +see you because you are you, and we need your +help," answered Miss Peyton with her engaging +smile that somehow made one feel that her +way was the best way.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, sitting is as cheap as standing and I +want this peg leg to last as long as I do. It is +astonishing how fast they wear out. Come in, +come in, and tell me what it is you want me to +help yez about," and he led the way into his +little house.</p> + +<p>It did not seem so small when you got in because +it was so orderly. The lower berth from +a wrecked Pullman served him as seat by day +and bed by night. The very smallest cooking +stove imaginable, almost a doll baby size, polished +like the boots of a dandy, was at one side. +Over it was a shelf with some blue and white +china on it, and under the shelf a few cooking +utensils and a dish pan and biscuit board.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, sit down, and while the kittle is +biling for tay, I can listen to your trroobles." +We seated ourselves on the Pullman seat while +the dear old man busied himself with the tea +kettle. Bett, the bereaved mother, still nestled +in Miss Peyton's arms, but after a moment she +wriggled out and got into the box behind the +stove. "You'd better look after your baby, you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +ould rip. I'm thinking these ladies are that fond +of cats that they might be making off wid it."</p> + +<p>"That's just it, Captain Leahy, these ladies +are fond of cats, one of them especially," indicating +Dee. "So fond of them that yesterday +when the whole school was out on the Valley Road +taking the dignified walk that is required, what +should Miss Caroline Tucker do but rescue a +poor little lost kitten, mewing by the roadside, +carry it home in her muff without teacher or fellow +pupil seeing her, and actually take it to bed +with her. But, girls, you tell Captain Leahy +about it yourselves," which we did at Miss Peyton's +command.</p> + +<p>He enjoyed the prank as much as Miss Peyton +and laughed until the blue and white china +danced on the little shelf.</p> + +<p>"And now I know very well what ye have +come for. Ye want me to take a boarder."</p> + +<p>"Oh, will you, please?" implored Dee.</p> + +<p>Bett, having nourished her lone offspring, now +carried it in her mouth for Miss Peyton's inspection, +and Dee, seeing her, jumped up in great +excitement, dropping the box she had been holding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +so carefully and waking up Oliver Twist in +the fall. "Look, look! Bett's kitten looks just +like Oliver! I thought it was him at first." Dee +was excited and we all excused her English. +Oliver began to cry aloud and Bett tore around +like one demented.</p> + +<p>"Well, Bett, old girl, your baby has been restored +to yez. If this don't beat all! On the +Valley Road, yesterday, you say? I told that +boy to be careful of the hole in the bag, that the +runt might fall through it, and so he did. You +call him Oliver, you say? Well, that is a handsome +name for such a poor mite, but maybe it +will give him some ambition to grow oop to it. +There's an ould saying: 'If you escape drowning, +you'll live to be hanged.' I hope not, Oliver, +I hope not."</p> + +<p>Now Bett, having one of her babies back, forgave +her master and rubbed herself against his +good leg; and then such another washing as she +did give Oliver before she considered him fit +to get into the box that she called home!</p> + +<p>The kettle was boiling and the tea soon steeping +in the pretty teapot. The Captain put up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +a little table exactly like the ones on the train +and we had the merriest kind of a party.</p> + +<p>"Your cats are so fat, Captain, what do you +feed them on?" asked Dee, in her element with +two cats in her lap.</p> + +<p>"An ould frind of mine, who is schteward on +a diner saves me all the schraps and the cats live +high, higher than their master, by a long shot. +But do you know the windfall I have had lately, +Miss Peyton?"</p> + +<p>"No; do tell me. I am so glad of any good +fortune that comes to you, Captain."</p> + +<p>"Bless your schwate heart for thim words! +Well, I have always had a hard toime about my +shoes since I lost me limb. Such an accumulation +of rights as you never saw wid no one wanting +of thim and no place to put thim and feeling +it was to say the least a sin to be throwing thim +away, when no doubt there was somewhere in +the worrld a man who had lost his lift leg who +would give anything for thim. Well, I came on +this advertisement in a Washington paper: 'A +man who has lost his left leg would like to get +into communication with one who has lost his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +right. 11½ E.' I knew soon as I clapped eyes +on it that some poor fellow was in exactly me +own dilimma. I did get into communication wid +him and now I am no longer trying to find a +place for the right shoes I have no use for and +on the other hand I have enough of the lifts to +last me a lifetime. 11½ E's too, exactly my +size."</p> + +<p>"Well, that was a windfall surely," said Miss +Peyton. ("More like a footfall," muttered +Dum.) "But, Captain, I thought you were going +to buy a fine jointed leg with a foot and then +you would need your own right shoes."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I have given oop the notion. You see +my cats would miss the peg something awful, +wid no place to sharpen their little claws; and +thin I have found a poor widdy woman living +down the track a piece and the right leg of me +pants do come in so handy for the poor thing +to make schuits for her little byes. It would +seem a sin to use that warm cloth to cover cork, +whin some poor little lamb is shivering in the +cold."</p> + +<p>"Ah, Captain, always thinking how you can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +be good to children and cats," said Miss Peyton.</p> + +<p>Then with many thanks to the old Irishman +for his hospitality and his kindness and the +good time he had given us, we took our departure. +I noticed that Dum, who had been very +quiet and whose eyes had been misty several +times, especially when the Captain told of the +fate of his trouser legs, stepped back into the +little house and I heard her whisper to the old +man: "Please, Captain, take this half dollar and +buy some toys for the little lambs who wear the +pant legs." I happened to know it was the whole +of her week's allowance, too.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>ABOUT MATHEMATICS AND ME.</div> + + +<p>I was a very difficult pupil to place, having +been overeducated in some subjects and absolutely +neglected in others. I might have gone +with the seniors in English and History; was +normal in Latin, that is, sophomore, where girls +of my age were put; was just beginning French; +and had to go with the kids in Mathematics. I +had never played a game of tennis in my life +nor even seen a game of basketball, but I was +naturally athletic from the free country life I +had led, and it was soon realized in athletic circles +that I would be on the team with a little +coaching.</p> + +<p>I was glad to see that Miss Cox was to teach +me Arithmetic. Miss Peyton hoped I could get +into Algebra by Christmas and then, with hard +study and earnest coaching, perhaps catch up +with the class. I had a feeling that Miss Cox +and I were going to pull together if she could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +just let herself go. Her manner in the class was +rather wooden, but she was an excellent teacher +and the girls were quick to recognize that, so +while she was not popular, she was not disliked.</p> + +<p>I was such a stupid in Mathematics that I +was afraid she might put me down as a dunce +and lose all interest in me, but the fact that I +read "Alice in Wonderland" seemed to be in my +favor.</p> + +<p>"Page, I will not have you look upon yourself +as hopeless in Arithmetic," she said to me one +day when I despaired of ever understanding +what seemed to me a very intricate problem. +"Lewis Carroll was a great mathematician and +still he wrote the delicious classic that you and +I are so fond of. Now I think minds that appreciate +the same things must be similar. I believe +there is a corner of your brain that is +absolutely unexplored and that corner corresponds +to the great fertile area in Lewis Carroll's. +All it needs in you is working, digging, +cultivating to produce fruit."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Miss Cox, how splendid of you to look +at it that way! I am going to try awfully hard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +to work my poor, little, neglected, unused plot of +brain with all my might. If I can't grow anything +but green persimmons, that would be better +than nothing."</p> + +<p>"Ambition, Distraction, Uglification and Derision +are the hard things. If you look at it +right, one side of Mathematics is really romantic."</p> + +<p>Father always said the way to control me +was through my imagination and Miss Cox had +surely hit on my weakness. The result was that +Mathematics was no longer dry-as-dust to me. I +found it had been a closed book because I had +never been interested enough to open it. I soon +outstripped the kids in my class and was put in +a higher one. I had to read frequent chapters +of "Alice in Wonderland" to cheer me on, and +Miss Cox used to quote Lewis Carroll to me +when she and I were alone. I found the other +girls in the classes looked upon her as nothing +but a teacher and she regarded them as mere +pupils, to be taught conscientiously and then dismissed.</p> + +<p>One day I sailed safely through a problem<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +that was noted as a regular stumper. As soon +as the class was dismissed, Miss Cox exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"'Come to my arms, my beamish boy. You've +slain the Jabberwock.' Page, I really believe you +are going to end by being a pretty good mathematician."</p> + +<p>I answered:</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"'He thought he saw a Garden Door<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">That opened with a key:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">He looked again, and found it was</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">A Double Rule of Three:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">'And all its mystery,' he said,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">'Is clear as day to me!'</span><br /> +</div> + +<div class='unindent'>If I ever understand it, it will be thanks to you +and Lewis Carroll!"</div> + +<p>The Tuckers had been to school pretty steadily +all their lives, so they were able to go into +the sophomore class in everything. I bitterly +regretted that my education had been so erratic, +but determined to make the best of it. Dum +helped me with my French and we tried to keep +to our rule of talking French at the table; but +as we did what Mammy Susan called our own +"retching" and my vocabulary was somewhat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +limited, we had to resort to English a great deal +or go unfed.</p> + +<p>I know Dum and Dee felt sorry for me for +being in a kids' class in Mathematics. I didn't +really mind nearly so much as they thought I did. +The kids were nice to me and I made some +mighty good friends among them.</p> + +<p>There was one little bunchy girl named Mary +Flannigan who turned out in the end one of the +best friends I ever had in my life. She was +short and stumpy, with scrambled red hair and +a freckled face and the very keenest sense of +humor I had ever known. She was a year +younger than I was but very well up in her +classes, and she had a genius for mimicry that +was irresistibly funny. She had some stunts +that endeared her to all the girls. She could +do a dog fight or cats on the back fence; and +could go so like a mosquito that you were certain +you would be bitten in a moment. She was +something of a ventriloquist, which made these +accomplishments especially delightful.</p> + +<p>Mary and I were put into Algebra at the same +time, and to our joy Miss Cox was to teach us.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +Mary had found out Miss Cox, too. Tweedles +and I had religiously refrained from telling any +of the girls about her mad revel on the day of +our arrival, but we had tried to make them understand +what a very good old girl she was if +you could just find her out; and our attitude +toward her was having its effect on the whole +school. Miss Cox, realizing that she was really +liked and understood, had a change of expression +as well as heart. Her sad, crooked face was +now a happy, crooked face and she no longer +saved her jokes for Tweedles and me, but got +them off indiscriminately, and very good jokes +they were, too. The classes in voice culture became +more popular, and more and more girls +wrote home begging to be allowed to "take singing."</p> + +<p>I shall never forget Mary's and my first lesson +in Algebra. Miss Cox looked at us with her +twisted smile.</p> + +<p>"Algebra is rather a poetical-sounding name, +don't you think?" she asked us.</p> + +<p>"Maybe it is," said Mary, "but I bet it takes it +out in sounding so."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know about that," and Miss Cox +opened the book at the first page and read as +follows: "'In Algebra, the operations of Arithmetic +are abridged and generalized by means of +Symbols.' That appeals to the imagination somewhat, +I think. 'Symbols which represent numbers.' +Just that word 'Symbol' sets me to dreaming. +Arithmetic is the prose of Mathematics +where everything is stated and nothing left to +the imagination, but Algebra is very different. +'Known Numbers are usually represented by the +first letters of the alphabet, as a, b, c. Unknown +Numbers, or those whose values are to be determined, +are usually represented by the last letters +of the alphabet, as x, y, z.' The unknown +numbers,—the mysterious numbers,—for what +is unknown is in a measure mysterious and what +is mysterious is romantic or poetic. That is the +way I think of it. In working your Algebra, +don't just look at it as hard, dry facts to be mastered, +but let x, y, z be the Great Unknown +that you are to find. Let the problem be a plot +that you are to unravel as Poe did 'The Gold +Bug.'"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> + +<p>You may well imagine that Mary and I set to +with a will to get all we could out of such a +thrilling subject. There were times when we +felt that Miss Cox was drawing a little on her +imagination to find poetry in such an example +as this, for instance:</p> + +<div class='center'> +4x<sup>-2/3</sup>-3x<sup>-1/3</sup>-27=0<br /> +</div> + +<div class='unindent'>On the whole, though, Algebra was much more +interesting than Arithmetic, and sometimes I had +the realization that it did mean a lot to me; and +Mary said she felt the same way. Anyhow, in +the early spring we were able to take the sophomore +tests and go on in that class. Miss Peyton +said she considered it really wonderful that I +should have progressed so rapidly, but I told her +it was all due to Miss Cox's being so certain that +Lewis Carroll and I had similar brains.</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>FOOTBALL.</div> + + +<p>None of our crowd had reached what the +grown-ups call "the boy age." We had our +heroes of romance that it was difficult for any +of the male persuasion in real life to live up to. +Tweedles declared that Zebedee was boy enough +for them; although Dum thought if she ever +met a Prosper le Gai she might consider him; +while Dee had an idea a boy like Laurie, in "Little +Women," would be some sport and she might +be willing to knock around with him a bit. Jane +Eyre's "Mr. Rochester" was my beau ideal.</p> + +<p>"I want a dark, masterful lover who could +tie the poker up in a bowknot if he had a mind +to; a rude man who could bring tears to my eyes +by his gruffness, and then, with the gentleness +of a woman, soothe my aching head."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Page," chimed in Annie Pore, "how +could you want such a ruffian? I like Henry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +Esmond, so kind and courteous and dignified——"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and as stiff as a poker. My 'Mr. +Rochester' could tie him up in a bowknot in no +time——"</p> + +<p>"And soothe your aching head with him, too, +I fancy. I think a man who is rude enough to +make a woman cry and strong enough to tie +up pokers would be more than likely to beat his +wife with said poker." This from Mary Flannigan, +who was in our room during the discussion +of our favorite heroes. "I want 'Charles +O'Malley' or nothing. Give me a man who is +gay and rollicking, at the same time good-tempered +and kindly if quick to fight withal."</p> + +<p>We had to laugh at Mary. She was such a +little Mother Bunch, with her crinkly red hair +bushing out around her fat freckled face,—hardly +a likely person to attract a hero of romance. +Mary wore as many petticoats as Mammy +Susan and all of them were tied around her +waist with draw strings. I verily believe that +she and Mammy Susan were the only persons +left in the world who wore red flannel petticoats.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +In that day and generation when slimiky +skirts were the rage, you can fancy how Mary +looked with her gathered skirts. She also had +a leaning toward deep ruffles around her neck, +which more than ever gave her the look of a +clown dog.</p> + +<p>She had a way of breaking into the conversation +very much as the clown dog breaks into +the ring, and no matter how serious she was, we +simply had to laugh at her. She was very good-natured +and not the least bit touchy. We +laughed at her general bunchiness just because +we couldn't help it, but one and all liked her for +her good temper and ready wit and respected her +for her excellent standing in her classes, where +she was the youngest pupil. We also envied her +the delightful stunts that I believe I have mentioned +before.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather be able to go like a dog, the way +Mary can, than make the finest statue of one +that ever was done," sighed Dum.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, Dum. Anybody can go like a +dog with a little practice, but to make one in clay +is going some. But to return to our lovers:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +what do you girls say to taking in the football +game over at Hill-Top? The seniors are going, +one and all, and Miss Peyton says any of us can +go who wish. Miss Cox will chaperon the +sophomores."</p> + +<p>Hill-Top was a boys' school on the other side +of the village from Gresham Academy, and +young ladies from our school were always invited +to the match games there; and our school +in turn sent a formal invitation to the pupils of +Hill-Top when an interesting basketball game +was to be played at Gresham.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do come, all of you. I've never seen a +game of football in my life and I'm just wild +to," I begged.</p> + +<p>"I guess I won't go," said Annie.</p> + +<p>"Well, I think you've got another guess coming, +unless you have a powerful good reason," +I exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"My only reason is that I am so embarrassed +with boys," and poor Annie gave her usual painful +blush.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you won't have to speak to the boys. +They never notice the Sophs, anyhow, but give<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +all their twaddle to the Juniors and Seniors. If +a boy, old enough to walk 'loney, breaks through +Mabel Binks' guard, he is a hero for fair," +laughed Dee.</p> + +<p>So, Annie's objections overcome, we hurried +her and Mary off to put on their hats and wraps, +and quickly donning our own, got downstairs +just in time to form in line with the Sophomores, +who were starting under the leadership of Miss +Cox for the game at Hill-Top.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to see you are going, Page," said +Margaret Sayre, as she hooked her arm in mine. +"I am to help Miss Cox keep order, although I +don't really think I am needed. Sophomores +are never boy crazy. The Juniors are the ones, +as a rule, that need quieting. Sometimes I wonder +where all the bad Juniors go to and where +all the good Seniors come from."</p> + +<p>"Well, I reckon the bad Juniors were once +good Sophomores and they can just as easily +turn into good Seniors," I responded.</p> + +<p>The Juniors at Gresham were a rather wild +lot and they had as a leader Mabel Binks, who, +although she was a Senior, chose her friends entirely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +among the Juniors. The truth of the matter +was, as Mammy Susan used to say, Mabel +would rather be a "king among buzzards than +a buzzard among kings." The Seniors would +have none of her leadership and among them +she had to take a back seat; while the Juniors +welcomed her to their ranks with joy, not realizing +why she had chosen them, and flattered +by her notice.</p> + +<p>The long line of girls, two abreast, wound its +way through the streets of the little town and +out into the country again to the boys' school. +It was really a very pretty sight, this row of +blooming, happy girls, all ages and sizes, dressed +in the universally becoming dark blue, with their +jaunty velvet sailor hats perched at every conceivable +angle on heads of hair of every conceivable +color.</p> + +<p>"Doesn't Annie Pore look pretty in her new +hat?" whispered Miss Sayre.</p> + +<p>These velvet sailors were ordered by the school +and every pupil was obliged to have one. All +of us were glad that Annie was forced to discard +her forlorn-looking crêpe hat that looked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +for all the world like a last year's bird's nest. +The black velvet sailor was exactly right for +her, throwing into pleasing contrast her milk-white +skin, and bringing out the wonderful tints +in her ripe-wheat hair. Jo Barr with wonderful +tact had managed to change the hang of +her dragging skirt and it was now even around +the bottom.</p> + +<p>"I think she is beautiful and she is really very +fine in many ways. I have grown so fond of +her. All of us have. And I think Dum and +Dee are having a splendid effect on her spirits, +for she is not nearly so lugubrious."</p> + +<p>"Dum and Dee may be having a fine effect, +too," laughed Miss Sayre, "but a girl named +Page Allison is doing her part. All the faculty +notice it. I wish someone like you could be in +every class, someone to leaven the whole lump +with a certain quality of camaraderie. Annie +Pore was as forlorn a specimen of humanity as +ever stepped out of a 'bus that first day here, +and now look at her!"</p> + +<p>Annie was laughing heartily as Mary Flannigan +made a noise like a sick kitten, throwing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +her voice, with her powers as a ventriloquist, +so it seemed to come from a clump of sumac by +the roadside. Dee was peering eagerly into the +bushes before she caught on to the joke. Annie +Pore certainly did not look like the same girl. +No one would think of nicknaming her "Orphan +Annie" now. The name clung to her, however, +among a certain class, thanks to Mabel Binks, +who had not been able to forgive or forget the +laugh raised against her by Annie on the first +day of school.</p> + +<p>Hill-Top was built much in the same style as +Gresham, and it, too, had the Parthenon effect +with its big white pillars. The view was not +quite so fine as ours, but from the little experience +I had had of boys, I imagined they did not +go in for views to any great extent.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"A primrose by the river's brink,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A common primrose was to him and nothing more."</span><br /> +</div> + +<div class='unindent'>For that matter, I noticed that mighty few of +the girls at Gresham appreciated the view, and +as Miss Sayre said, thought more of dessert for +dinner than of the view of the mountains.</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> + +<p>The game was just starting as we arrived, so +we seated ourselves on the benches provided for +the visitors with as little stir as possible. Dum +got on the other side of me to put me on to the +points of the great game of football.</p> + +<p>"It seems too foolish and backwoodsy for me +never to have seen a game," I said, "but at Milton +everyone is too old to do more than walk +through a set of croquet or too young to do +more than bounce a rubber ball. Father occasionally +threatens to go up to Richmond for the +Virginia-Carolina game at Thanksgiving, but +somebody is always coming or going (I mean +getting born or dying), and we have never made +it yet."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, honey," and Dum gave me a +hug, "you'll learn all the points of the game to-day, +and some time when we are back in Richmond, +Zebedee will give us a great football party. +We always go to the Thanksgiving game. I +don't see what Zebedee will do without us this +year."</p> + +<p>"Who, that good-looking pa of yours?" said +Mabel Binks, who was seated right in front of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +us, with the Juniors, as usual. "Why, I'll wager +he can find someone to take your place. I bet +he's having a pretty good time with you kids +off his hands."</p> + +<p>Dum's hands clinched and unclinched. Her +eyes were closed and her lips moving. I had +not lived with the Tucker Twins for several +weeks without finding out what that meant. +When Dum did that way, it meant she was trying +to control her temper. Her lips formed these +words: "Oh, God, make me good! Don't let me +biff Mabel Binks! Don't let me biff Mabel +Binks!"</p> + +<p>For a moment the wicked wish came into my +heart that she would "biff Mabel Binks"; but +when I thought of the consternation it would +arouse in Gresham and the disgrace to our class, +to say nothing of poor hot-headed Dum, I felt +ashamed of myself for harboring such a militant +desire. I slipped my hand over Dum's +clenched fist and in a moment I felt it relax.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Page. God answered my prayer +quicker than usual, thanks to you," and Dum +gave a great sigh of relief. "It seemed to me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +almost like it would be wrong if I didn't hit her. +Zebedee would fight for us any day and I don't +see why I can't fight for him."</p> + +<p>"Well, when you come down to facts, Dum, +Mabel Binks did not say anything derogatory +of your father. She said he was good-looking +and intimated that he was naturally popular. I +fancy she would like to go to the Thanksgiving +game herself with him. There is nothing for +you to fight about. I have an idea that Mr. +Tucker can take care of himself enough not to +take her to the game at least," I whispered; and +Dum laughed aloud so that Mabel turned +around and asked, "What's the joke?" And +Dum had the satisfaction of saying in honeyed +tones: "One of the kid jokes that I fancy you +would not appreciate."</p> + +<p>The game of football at first impressed me +as little more than a tangle of legs, and a dog +fight at Bracken had more sense to it; but as +Dum explained the points, I began to see some +method in the seeming madness of twenty-two +boys lying down on one poor ball and yelling. +Needless to add, I very soon became as enthusiastic<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +about that game as all other games I ever +had any knowledge of, and before the football +season was over I was as rabid a rooter as the +Tuckers themselves.</p> + +<p>"I believe you are a born lover of games, +Page," said Miss Sayre, smiling as my enthusiasm +got the better of me and I let out a piercing +shriek in honor of a short, bow-legged boy who +had seized the ball at a crucial moment and literally +dodged his way through the Seniors and +made a goal. The game was between the Seniors +and Sophomores, and of course the Sophomores +of Gresham were in honor bound to root +for the Sophomores of Hill-Top.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"Who's all right? Who's all right?<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Shorty!—Shorty! Out of sight!"</span><br /> +</div> + +<div class='unindent'>yelled the class for their bow-legged hero, and +then the Seniors gave him fifteen 'rahs. Seniors +always have a special feeling for Sophomores +and a game between them is usually a +very friendly bout. Of course the Seniors do +not exactly want to be beaten, but they take +a great delight in the prowess of their pet class.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +In spite of Shorty's good playing and a great +deal of good playing from the other ten Sophomores, +the Seniors won, which was quite meet +and proper. The younger boys had put up a +good fight and were much applauded by their +elders.</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>BOYS.</div> + + +<p>After the football game, some of the more +self-assured boys came over to the visitors from +Gresham and singled out their friends to conduct +them to the tables on the lawn where the +matron was serving ice cream.</p> + +<p>All the boys spoke to Miss Cox and seemed +on the most friendly terms with her. I remembered +then that she went over to Hill-Top twice +a week for the purpose of training a chorus. +She knew them all by name and chatted with +them very freely, much more freely than she +did with any of the girls, except Dum and Dee +and me.</p> + +<p>"Evidently, Miss Cox understands boys better +than she does girls and they understand her," +thought I. Her manner with them was frank +and natural, exactly as it had been with Mr. +Tucker.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> + +<p>A tall, good-looking boy was holding a laughing +conversation with her about the game. He +it was who had saved the day for the Seniors +when it had looked as though the younger class +would certainly win, owing to the strategic +movements of the popular Shorty.</p> + +<p>"Didn't the kid make a fine play, though, Miss +Cox? It seemed a pity to take the game from +them; but I tell you, if the Sophomores won +from the Seniors there would be no living with +them. They're rather a cocky lot as it is, bless +'em."</p> + +<p>"Yes, they are fine boys and I wish they might +have won just this once. They worked so hard +and you Seniors were playing so lazily you almost +let the game slip through your fingers. It +would have been a good lesson for your team if +they had lost."</p> + +<p>"That's just what I tell them, Miss Cox. I +hate lazy playing, even if you are up against +something easy. I believe in playing the game +to the best of your ability, if it's nothing but +push-pins."</p> + +<p>I certainly liked the way that boy talked and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +agreed with him. I unconsciously drew nearer +to where he and Miss Cox were standing, not +with any idea of being introduced but because I +was interested in what they were saying.</p> + +<p>"No, you don't, Miss Buttinsky," was whispered +in my ear, "Seniors first when there is a +good thing in sight," and Mabel Binks crowded +in front of me and deliberately joined the group +around Miss Cox. An introduction to the handsome +football player naturally followed. I drew +back abashed. One of the most hateful things +about Mabel Binks was that she usually attributed +her motives to other persons. She was +determined to meet this boy and she took for +granted it was what I was after, too.</p> + +<p>I felt like employing Dum's method and praying +not to "biff Mabel Binks," but I was anxious +to see what the outcome would be and if the +handsome youth, whose name I had learned was +Harvie Price, would be attracted by the charms +of the stylish Mabel. Mabel was not a bad-looking +girl, rather handsome, in fact, but a +trifle too vivid for my taste. Her eyes were as +black and shiny as new patent-leather shoes; her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +abundant hair, coarse and curly; her lips too full +and red; her figure handsome but rather too well +developed for a girl of seventeen. She was always +richly dressed and in the latest style.</p> + +<p>The idea of the directors of Gresham in having +the pupils dress in blue suits and black hats +was to do away with the custom of overdressing +common to many boarding schools. They seemed +to think that a blue suit was a blue suit. They +were vastly mistaken, however, as anyone with +half an eye could see by comparing Mabel Binks +with Annie Pore. Annie Pore's appearance I +have described. Mabel's suit was a costly affair +of handsome cloth combined with velvet and +trimmed with fur. The skirt was slit, showing +a cerise petticoat; a cerise crêpe de Chine tie gave +color to her very V-necked blouse; and around +her velvet sailor she had pinned several large, +fine ostrich plumes. The latest style of high-heeled +pumps with cut steel buckles were on her +feet, making them a little too prominent, considering +their size and shape. Spotless white +gloves finished her costume; unless one might +consider the strong odor of musk perfume the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +finishing touch. She did look handsome and her +clothes were pretty and fine, but a little too fine +for a football match.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Price," she gushed, "your playing +was just grand. All of us were just wild about +it. I said 'it,' not 'you,' you understand," and +she giggled affectedly. "I think it was real noble +of you to let the kids get any points at all."</p> + +<p>"Yes, mighty noble," said Harvie Price, looking +at his dashing admirer rather quizzically, "so +noble they came mighty near winning the whole +shooting match."</p> + +<p>"Isn't that ice cream they are serving over +there?" she hinted. "I think ice cream is simply +grand."</p> + +<p>"Ah, Miss Binks, you praise my feeble game +and ice cream with the same words. Fortunately, +ice cream is more easily taken in than +I am. Hey, you Shorty, come here," he called +to the jolly-looking little Sophomore who was +trotting by. "I want to introduce you to Miss +Binks. Mr. Thomas Hawkins, Miss Binks. +Shorty, she's dying for some ice cream."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Your humble servitor, madam," and Thomas +Hawkins made a low bow. "Shall I bring it to +you or take you to it?"</p> + +<p>"Bring it here," said Mabel shortly. Just then +Harvie Price saw Annie Pore talking to Mary +Flannigan and Dee.</p> + +<p>"Tell me who that girl is over there, the one +with the thick yellow plait," he asked Mabel.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's 'Orphan Annie.' Isn't she a +mess?"</p> + +<p>"Is her name Annie Pore?"</p> + +<p>"I believe it is or poor Annie, if you prefer."</p> + +<p>"Well, by Jove! Who would have thought it!" +and Harvie Price without any apology left the +dashing Mabel and going up to Annie took her +by both hands. He shook them warmly and exclaimed: +"Little Annie Pore, where on earth +did you come from? I am glad to see you." And +Annie, without the least embarrassment, was +equally delighted to see him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Harvie, I did not dream you were here. +You've grown so I didn't know you."</p> + +<p>"Grown! And what have you been doing? +Certainly not standing still. And how is everyone<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +at the Landing? Geewhilikins, I'd like to +spend another summer there! Just think, it is +five years since I have been there."</p> + +<p>"Everything is about the same. Your grandfather +is rather more feeble but as handsome as +ever."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know, poor old Grandad," said Harvie +soberly. Annie told me afterward that a family +row had separated old General Price from his +son, Harvie's father, and for that reason the boy +had not been allowed to come to his ancestral +home at Price's Landing.</p> + +<p>"And how is your father? As British as ever +and still invisibly clothed in blue paint?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, about the same," blushed Annie.</p> + +<p>"You know I like your father, Annie, and +didn't mean anything," and the boy looked very +sorry that he had embarrassed his little friend.</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Harvie, but you know——"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know," he said sympathetically. "Now +come on and let's have some ice cream. Who are +your special friends? Introduce me and I'll take +them all."</p> + +<p>Dum and Dee and Mary Flannigan and I were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +of course the chosen few, and as soon as Shorty +had arranged so Mabel Binks could "take in" the +ice cream, he joined us and a very merry time +we had. We met many boys and liked most of +them. They were a healthy, wholesome lot and +almost as much fun as girls. Miss Cox joined +us and let herself go with as much abandon as +she had in the Lobster Quadrille.</p> + +<p>I have never seen anyone so happy as Annie +Pore. She and Harvie Price had been friends +from the time they could walk. The boy had +spent a great deal of his time with his grandfather +at Price's Landing and the little English +maid, whose father kept the country store, was +the one white child in the neighborhood whom +the proud old aristocratic General Price considered +suitable to associate with his grandson.</p> + +<p>"You ought to see Mr. Pore," Harvie confided +to me. "I tell you he is a rare one. He is about +the best educated man I ever met. Grandad +says he can think in Latin. Be that as it may, +he can certainly teach it. I had some lessons +from him during one summer and have been +grateful to him ever since. He is awfully English<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +and just as strict with Annie as can be. Mrs. +Pore was a beautiful woman and it seemed +strangely incongruous to see her in the country +store measuring calico and what not. Grandad +used to say she looked like a Duchess at a Charity +Bazaar. Nobody at Price's Landing ever has +known what brought Mr. Pore to keeping a +country store in a little Virginia village."</p> + +<p>"Maybe thinking in Latin wasn't nourishing," +I suggested.</p> + +<p>"I fancy that was it," he laughed, "but why +should an Oxford graduate keep a country store +for a livelihood? There must have been other +avenues open to him."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps his beautiful wife discovered she +had a genius for selling at Charity Bazaars, and +when the time came to choose a profession, she +chose what she had shown talent for as an amateur," +I hazarded.</p> + +<p>"Well, I see Miss Page Allison has some imagination +and if she ever has to choose a profession +it should be novel writing."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it will be," I said, "but I'd rather +keep a country store than do anything. You can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +see so many people that way, 'specially if you +have the postoffice in it."</p> + +<p>"You like people, then?" inquired the boy.</p> + +<p>"Like people? I should say I do. I just adore +people; and I mean to know just as many people +as I can."</p> + +<p>"Well, that is the requisite for successful novel +writing, so our professor in English tells us: +'Know people and sympathize with them, all +kinds and conditions.' But tell me something, +Miss Page, does Annie sing? Mrs. Pore's voice +brought old sinners to church that had not been +for many a year. She sang in the choir at the +little old Episcopal church at Price's Landing +and although I was nothing but a kid,—you see +I have not been there for five years,—I used to +thrill all over when she chanted the <i>Te Deum +Laudamus</i>."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, Annie's voice is splendid. Miss Cox +is teaching her and I believe she expects great +things of her. We are to have a concert at Gresham +before long and then you can hear her."</p> + +<p>I looked over at a group of girls and boys +where Dum and Annie were talking very gayly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +with Tom Hawkins, alias Shorty, and smiled to +think of Annie's hesitancy in coming that day +because she was so afraid of boys, and then I +laughed outright when I considered how little +Shorty resembled Dum's hero, Prosper le Gai.</p> + +<p>The ice cream that Shorty brought to Mabel +Binks must have been as bitter as gall, judging +from the faces that young lady made while devouring +it, nor did it "set easy on her innards," +as Mammy Susan would put it. Could it be +that she had literally turned green from jealousy +and the ice cream was innocent, after all? +It must have been a bitter pill to have the despised +"Orphan Annie," with her kid friends, +carry off the most desirable young man at Hill-Top.</p> + +<p>"Aren't you feeling well, Mabel?" said the +good-natured Josephine Barr, as Harvie Price +and I passed near her on our way to join the +group where my special friends were.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm just disgusted. Did you ever see +such a beau grabber in your life as that countrified +Page Allison? And there's 'Orphan Annie'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +actually posing as a belle! They make me +sick."</p> + +<p>I did not hear what Jo answered, but I felt +that Annie and I were safe in her hands. My +cheeks were burning as though Mabel had given +me a real slap.</p> + +<p>"Don't you mind, Miss Page. If girls only +knew how fellows detest that kind of thing! It +must be awful to be a girl and not fight things +out. If a boy had insulted me as that girl did +you just now, I'd either beat him or get beaten +in short order."</p> + +<p>"Well," I said, pulling myself together as I +realized that after all Mabel Binks was not much +of a lady, "you see, I have already beaten her, +although I did not know at the time I was doing +it. Annie and I have got the 'beaux,' that is, if +she means you and Shorty."</p> + +<p>"Bully for you! That's the way to talk. I +see Miss Binks will not pull off anything over +you. Can Annie defend herself, too?"</p> + +<p>So I told him of the first day at Gresham and +the cheer the Seniors gave Annie because of her +come-back at Mabel Binks.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Poor little Annie! I don't see how anyone +could try to hurt her," and the big boy looked +very tenderly at his one-time playmate. "I am +certainly glad she has found such good friends +at Gresham as you and those wonderful twins, +and also that nice little square Irish girl who +looks like a match for our Shorty."</p> + +<p>That night before lights out bell rang, we had +a little chat in our room. Mary and Annie had +scurried across the hall in their kimonos. Dum +was in bed and Dee and I had unearthed some +slight refreshment in the way of crackers and +sweet chocolate, which we passed around.</p> + +<p>"I bet Prosper le Gai would have played a +dandy game of football," said Dum, getting her +sheets all crumby with crackers. "He always +smiled in battle. I noticed Harvie Price did, +too."</p> + +<p>"Do you know, I think Harvie Price looked a +little like Laurie in 'Little Women,'" said Dee.</p> + +<p>"I always did think so," exclaimed Annie. +"When you were talking about Laurie this morning +I thought of Harvie. I never dreamed of +seeing him. I'm so glad you girls liked him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I tell you he's all right," said Mary, "but +I wouldn't be at all astonished if Charles O'Malley +wasn't just such another boy as Shorty when +he was a kid."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>LETTERS AND SEVERAL KINDS OF FATHERS.</div> + + +<div class='center'>From Page Allison to Miss Sue Lee, Washington, D. C.</div> + +<div class="blockquot">My dearest Cousin Sue: + +<p>You told me not to write to you until I had +got real settled and could give you some decided +opinions about the place and the people. I am +settled now and feel as though I had been born +and bred here. I just love it and am making +loads and loads of friends.</p> + +<p>First thing I must tell you how right my +clothes are. It is splendid not to have to think +about them, but just to put them on and know +that they are suitable. Some of the girls here +are great dressers, in spite of the endeavors of +the directors to put them into a kind of uniform, +but I can't see that their fine clothes make them +any more popular than the others. Do you +know, Cousin Sue, I'd rather be popular than +be president?</p> + +<p>My roommates, the Tucker twins, are awfully +popular, but they don't care nearly so much about +it as I do. You see, they have been knowing +lots of people all their lives and I haven't. Sometimes +I am afraid I'll get kind of mealy-mouthed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +in my anxiety to have people like me, and the +only thing that saves me from it is my hatred +of fools and snobs. I know I shouldn't hate +fools because they can't help it, but I think snobs +ought to be hated.</p> + +<p>We have become acquainted with some boys +from Hill-Top, the academy on the other side +of the town. They are real nice and I find I +am not at all embarrassed with them. They are +not a bit beauy or lovery (the Tuckers and I +would hate that), but they are just boys and +have got lots more sense than I expected to find +in the male sex.</p> + +<p>The Juniors here at Gresham are lots of them +beau crazy. They talk about boys from morning +till night. I do hope when I get to be a Junior +I won't go through that stage. Miss Sayre, a +lovely girl and too nice to me for anything, a +pupil teacher and at least nineteen, says she has +never known but one girl in her life who arrived +at her age without going through the stage of +talking about boys all the time, and she says that +poor girl was dumb and she took it out in making +eyes. Dum and Dee and I told her we'd +cut out our tongues before we'd make boys our +sole topic of conversation, and Miss Sayre just +laughed and asked us if we would gouge out our +eyes, too.</p> + +<p>I am doing very well in my studies, and working +awfully hard. You see, we have to spend +a certain time over our books and learn in spite +of ourselves. French is coming easy to me and +I believe it is because Father has drilled me so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +thoroughly in Latin. I am getting on top of +Mathematics by the hardest kind of climbing. +At first I felt as though I'd have to remove +mountains ever to learn a thing, but now I realize +I don't have to remove mountains, but just +climb them; and certainly as you climb you get +an outlook that you never dreamed of.</p> + +<p>Father writes very cheerfully but I am afraid +he is mighty lonesome. I feel very selfish to be +off here having such a good time when I know +how hard it is for him. I wish you would write +him a nice long letter. Your letters always do +him good.</p> + +<p>I like Miss Peyton, our principal, ever and +ever so much; she is so just. All of the teachers +are pretty nice, but I am not getting quite +as much from the English Literature teacher as +I hoped I would. She is a good teacher, I have +no doubt, but not interesting. I have the feeling +that she likes what the textbooks tell her to, and +has no taste of her own. Her knowledge of +poetry, for instance, stops with the age of Tennyson.</p> + +<p>You know Father's extravagance and relaxation +is poetry, past, present and even future. He +has been reading poetry to me since before I +could talk, and a new poet is more interesting +to him than a new disease. He had never told +me that poetry had to arrive at a certain age, +like veal or cheese, before it was worthy to be +taken in; and I brought down the scorn and +wrath of Miss Prince on my devoted head and +came mighty near getting enough demerits to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +keep me in bounds a week, because I asked her +if she did not think Masefield's poem of "The +Dauber" had more atmosphere of the deep sea +in it than "The Ancient Mariner." She looked +at me very severely through her visible bi-focals +and said: "Miss Allison, this is a class in English +Literature; and matters foreign to the subject +are not to be discussed."</p> + +<p>I rather miss the reading I have always done. +We study so hard there is no time to read, and +the library is one of these donated ones. It +has sets of Dickens and Scott in such fine print +that you can't keep your place, a few odd volumes +of Thackeray, Milton and Pope, and the +rest of the shelves are crowded with books that +some generous patron evidently has had no use +for himself. They are the kind of books that +Father says are good enough to keep the doors +open with or to put under a rocker when you +don't want to rock.</p> + +<p>There is a good encyclopedia and dictionary +and our textbooks are very complete. I believe +it is good for me to have to confine myself to +the textbooks for a while, but I shall be glad +to be at Bracken again and curl up on the sofa +with the dogs some dull old rainy day and read +as long as I can see.</p> + +<p>Some day I hope you will know my friends. I +have told them all about you and they think you +are splendid. The Tucker twins are going to +stay a few days at Bracken during the holidays, +and I am to be with them for a week-end in +Richmond. It will be a more agreeable visit than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +the time I spent with Cousin Park Garnett, I +fancy. By the way, Cousin Park sent me a present +the other day. You could never guess what +it is: a black and purple crocheted shoulder +shawl! I'm real glad to have it because we are +going to have a dicker party and it will be the +very thing to contribute.</p> + +<p>You don't know how much obliged I am to you +for the huge box of marshmallows. We have +not opened it yet, as we are saving up for a +grand spread that Dum and Dee and I are going +to give. Good-by, dear Cousin Sue.</p> + +<div class='sig'> +<span style="margin-right: 3em;">Yours devotedly,</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Page</span>.<br /> +</div></div> + + +<div class='center'><br />Mr. Jeffry Tucker to the Misses Virginia and +Caroline Tucker.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><div class='right'> +Richmond, Va.<br /> +November 28, 19—<br /> +</div> + +My dearest Tweedles: + +<p>How am I ever to get through Thanksgiving +without you? Of course I'm going to the game +to root for Virginia, but I'll be mighty lonesome. +I've been invited to join several parties, +but I believe I'll take old Brindle and go by my +lonely. The only pleasure I take in Thanksgiving +is that it is just a little nearer to Christmas, +when I'll have my babies back with me for +a delirious three weeks.</p> + +<p>I miss you so much that I can't remember +what my reason was for thinking it best for you +to go to boarding school. I must have had some +good reason, but it is swallowed up in misery<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +over your absence. Could it have been that you +needed training and to learn to control yourselves? +Foolish notion! When you come home +you can fight all over the shop if you've a mind; +and sass your pa until he crawls under the bed +with Brindle; and get late to your meals; and +go around with holes in your stockings; do anything, +in fact, that your fancy dictates. All I +ask of you is to come home the same old Tweedles, +loving your poor, lonesome, old Zebedee as +much as ever.</p> + +<p>I am delighted that you are making so many +good friends. There is nothing in all the world +like friends and the ones made in early years +are worth all the others put together.</p> + +<p>Please remember me to Miss Page Allison and +tell her I saw her father the other day, and +he was looking mighty fit, considering he has +not had her to take care of him for so long. He +had come up to Richmond for a medical convention. +I am glad you are enjoying Miss Page so +much. I liked her on short acquaintance better +than any friend you have ever had. I am delighted +that you have invited her to spend some +of the holidays with us. I asked Dr. Allison +if he could spare her to us for a few days, and +he said of course he could. You girls seem to +have a mutual admiration society. Miss Page, +according to Dr. Allison, is as enthusiastic about +my girls as my girls are about his girl.</p> + +<p>I am intensely gratified that the three of you +have kept up with the poor scared child we met +on the train. Such a wholesome trio would be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +sure to be good for the timid, miserable little +thing. You must ask her to come to see us in +Richmond if you have not already done so.</p> + +<p>I am sending you a box of goodies for your +day-after-Thanksgiving spread. I am afraid +some of the things are contraband, but people +who make rules would not make them unless +they expected schoolgirls and their outrageous +young fathers to break them. I fancy I have +concealed the true nature of the contents of the +box, and unless the supervision is very thorough, +it will pass muster and the contraband articles +find the way to their destination—your little +insides. Love to Jinny Cox.</p> + +<div class="sig"> +<span style="margin-right: 3em;">Good-by,</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Zebedee</span>.<br /> +</div></div> + + +<div class="center"><br />Dr. James Allison to Miss Page Allison.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><div class="right"> +Bracken, Sunday aft.<br /> +</div> + +My dear little daughter: + +<p>I saw young Jeffry Tucker in Richmond last +week and what he had to tell me of my girl +gratified me greatly. I am not going to divulge +to you what he said, but you may know it was +something pretty nice.</p> + +<p>I miss you very much, my dear Page, but poor +old Mammy Susan is worse off than I am because +she is at home all the time and I am off +on my rounds, and when I am at home, thank +God, I have books. I do not mean to say that +books take the place of my girl, but I mean I +can bury myself in them and for the time being +be oblivious to everything else.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sally Winn is still trying to die, poor woman. +I was called out in the wee small hours this +morning to help her cross the Styx. She has +been more determined than ever since Mrs. +Purdy passed over. She is very jealous and +said this morning: "Betty Purdy always was a +pushing thing. She made out all the time she +didn't want to go but that's not so, I know. +She's been getting ahead of me all her life. Pretended +she married Purdy because he was so +bent on it that she had to. Everybody knows it +was just the other way, she was so bent on it, +Purdy had to." Of course you must have heard +that Mr. Purdy courted Sally first. I suggested +that it would be well if she tried to live and perhaps +she might console the widower; and do you +know, I left her with a much stronger pulse.</p> + +<p>I hope your Thanksgiving will go off finely. +I cannot tell you how we long for you, my dear; +but Christmas will soon be here, and in the meantime +I am going to bury myself in a new book +I got in Richmond last week.</p> + +<p>I am so glad for you to make these good +friends you write of. The Twins sound delightful. +Tucker is one of the best fellows I know. +He is ridiculously young to be the father of +girls as old as you. He is one of the cleverest +newspaper men in the South, so clever I wonder +the South keeps him. New York newspapers +seem to suck in all the bright men sooner or +later.</p> + +<p>I am so glad your friends will come to Bracken +for a visit with you during the holidays, and I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +will of course let you go to them for a visit. I +may run up to the city at the same time. Cousin +Park Garnett has made me promise to stay with +her the first time I go to Richmond, so I am +afraid the trip will not be altogether hilarious +for me.</p> + +<p>The dogs send love to their mistress in yaps, +yowls and whines. Mammy says she hopes "you +ain't done wash all de meat off'n you in dem +plumbin' tubs."</p> + +<div class="sig"> +<span style="margin-right: 3em;">With much love,</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Father</span>.<br /> +</div></div> + + +<div class="center"><br />From Mr. Arthur Ponsonby Pore to Miss Annie +de Vere Pore.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><div class="right"> +Price's Landing, Va.<br /> +</div> + +My dear Annie: + +<p>I am most gratified at the account you give +of the progress you are making in your studies. +The authenticity of your account is verified by +the report I have received from the principal of +the institution.</p> + +<p>I am surprised and grieved that you should +find your wardrobe not sufficient for your needs. +There is a vulgar tendency among all Americans +to overdress which you must avoid. Remember +that in your veins flows the blood of +Ponsonby and de Vere and that is more to be +considered than all the fine clothes in the world +of the <i>nouveau riche</i>. I will send you the box +containing some old lace and a white dress of +your Mother's. If that is not suitable, I think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +you had better not appear at the concert of which +you write.</p> + +<p>I also wish to warn you against undue intimacies +with persons of whom you know little or +nothing. The sacrifice I am making in sending +you to boarding school is not that you may +amuse yourself with friends no doubt beneath +you in birth and breeding but that you may perfect +yourself in your studies and cultivate your +voice, which may prove of material benefit to +you.</p> + +<p>General Price called on me yesterday and told +me he had received a letter from his grandson, +Harvie, in which he had mentioned the fact that +he had met you at a football game. I hope you +are not wasting much of your time in such frivolous +pursuits.</p> + +<div class="sig"> +<span style="margin-right: 7em;">Yours truly,</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Arthur Ponsonby Pore</span>.<br /> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>ANNIE'S MOTHER.</div> + + +<p>We were rather troubled about Annie Pore +and what on earth she was going to wear to the +concert. Her wardrobe, not being extensive, +was well known to all of her friends and certainly +there was nothing suitable in it for a girl +who was going to have to stand up on the stage +and sing.</p> + +<p>"If she would only not be so proud," groaned +Dum; "but who could say to Lady Clara Vere +de Vere, 'Let me lend you some of my duds?' +Now I shouldn't in the least mind borrowing +anything from anybody if I thought the person +cared for me. Don't I wear the Liberty scarf +your Cousin Sue sent you every time I find it +idle, and if I could borrow from you, Page, +why shouldn't Annie?"</p> + +<p>"Well, it is different, Dum, because Annie +hasn't got anything. You borrow the scarf just +as a frill, but if it were a necessity I don't believe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +you would." I had intense sympathy for +Annie because I could fancy what my own +clothes would have been if dear Cousin Sue +Lee had not had them in charge. Miss Pinky +Davis, our country dressmaker, would have +turned out just such another crooked seamed +suit as Annie's if Cousin Sue had not insisted on +a mail order, and I know my shirtwaists would +have been big where they should have been little, +and little where they should have been big: +and as for Middy blouses, there is no telling +what they would have looked like: rick-rack +trimming on the collar, no doubt, and ruffles +around the tail. Cousin Sue did let Miss Pinky +make me some white evening dresses and they +turned out all right because Cousin Sue bridled +Miss Pinky's fancy.</p> + +<p>"Let me see," said Dee, "as far as I can remember +Annie has a blue serge skirt, two white +shirtwaists, one blue poplin one and a plaid silk +blouse for Sunday. I can't bear to think of her +on the stage in any of that array. Of course +it makes no difference to any of us, but think +of that nasty Mabel Binks and her following!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +Ugh! I tell you one thing," she added excitedly, +"if any of them make Annie feel bad, they've +got me to fight."</p> + +<p>"Me, too," chimed in Dum.</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't see that that would help Annie's +clothes much," I laughed, "but it might +keep you, Tweedles, from having apoplexy."</p> + +<p>"Dee, you've got so much tact, you go see Annie +and find out what she is going to wear," suggested +Dum.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, not me! I'm so afraid I might leak, +and that would never do," and Dee got out a +handkerchief ready for emergencies. "You see, +I feel so bad about Annie and so desperately +sorry for her that I have to cry just thinking +about her, and what would it be if she should +get out her poor little blouses and ask my advice? +Just think of all the clothes Jo Barr has, +simply going to waste and how old Jo would +love to dress Annie up in them! Still, we all +know that Annie would be cut to the quick at +the suggestion of such a thing. Oh, dear, oh, +dear! I wonder what Zebedee would do."</p> + +<p>"Well, I know what I am going to do," I said,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +uncurling myself from the window sill where I +could, by a good deal of craning of the neck, +catch a glimpse of my beloved mountains; "I'm +going in and have it out with Annie. She knows +I love her and I don't believe I'll hurt her feelings. +I think she trusts us, and when you really +trust people they simply can't hurt your feelings +unless you have a natural born chip on +your shoulder, which Annie hasn't."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Page, you are just like Zebedee," +tweedled the twins. "That's what he would +do."</p> + +<p>I found Annie looking very like old Rain-in-the-Face. +She was in a forlorn heap on the +floor; her eyes red; her ripe-wheat hair all +disheveled; and in her hand a crumpled letter. +On the floor by her was an unopened box which +had just come by parcels post.</p> + +<p>Her "Come in" in answer to my knock had +been more like a sob than an invitation to enter.</p> + +<p>"What is it, dear Annie? Tweedles and I +have just been talking about you and we wonder<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +if you know how much we love you. Do you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Page, I don't see how you can!"</p> + +<p>"Well, we do, and I said I believed you loved +us enough to trust us. I mean to understand +that we could never hurt your feelings in any +possible way, just because we'd rather be boiled +alive than hurt you."</p> + +<p>Annie looked up and smiled a rather watery +smile, but a smile all the same.</p> + +<p>"Now s'pose you trust me and tell me what +is the matter. What are friends for if you can't +tell them your troubles?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Page, I'd like to tell you, but it would +seem so disloyal to my Father."</p> + +<p>"You understand, Annie, that if you tell me +anything it would be just like telling it to a +Father Confessor. I mean I'd never breathe a +word of it." It sounded as though I were full of +curiosity, but while of course I did want to +know, my reason for pressing Annie was that I +felt she needed to let off steam, that is, her pent-up +emotions.</p> + +<p>"I know you are the best friend any girl ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +had and I believe I will tell you all about everything."</p> + +<p>"Well, wash your face first and let me brush +your hair while you talk."</p> + +<p>So Annie got up and bathed her face, and +while I combed and brushed her thick, yellow +hair, she told me the following tale:</p> + +<p>"You see, Page, my Father is an Englishman +and he is awfully proud. He does not understand +a little girl a bit nor did he understand +my beautiful Mother. He loved her, though, +adored her, in fact, and I know has never been +happy one minute since she died; that's been +about four years now. He does not love me, +though, I am afraid; but maybe I do him an injustice +and don't understand him. Anyhow, he +is never chummy and chatty with me like Mr. +Tucker is with Tweedles."</p> + +<p>"I bet he does love you, Annie. My Father +is not so intimate with me as Mr. Tucker is with +his girls, but I know he loves me. You see, Mr. +Tucker is almost the same age as his daughters +and I fancy your Father is much older than +you are, just as mine is." And I went on brushing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +her hair, knowing she was becoming calmer +and beginning rather to enjoy talking about herself.</p> + +<p>"My Father, you know, is very well born; in +fact, his Father was a baronet of very ancient +stock and his elder brother now has the title and +estates. Father was educated for the church. +He has an Oxford degree and is very scholarly. +However, after all his education, he did not want +to take orders. He felt that he had no vocation +for the ministry, and he and my grandfather +had an awful row about it. You see, English +younger sons have to do something. Mother +told me all this. Father has never mentioned +it to me. He occasionally reminds me that I +am of good birth and that is his only reference +to England. Immediately after this row with +Grandfather, he met Mother and fell in love with +her at first sight. It was at a Charity Bazaar."</p> + +<p>"Oh——!" I exclaimed involuntarily, but +made out I was sneezing. I remembered the +conversation I had held with Harvie Price about +Mrs. Pore and the Charity Bazaar.</p> + +<p>"Mother's people are noble, too. She was the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +daughter of a younger son of the Earl of Garth, +but she had not a penny to her name. When +she met my Father, she was visiting some very +wealthy relatives who were interested in her and +preparing to launch her on the concert stage. +Mother had a wonderful voice, you know."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Harvie Price told me that all the old +sinners in your county went to church to hear +her sing."</p> + +<p>"Well, Mother fell in love, too, and in spite +of all that her rich relatives had to say about +her career, she married Father; and then what +did Grandfather, Sir Isaac Pore, do but stop +Father's allowance? It was not very much but +it was enough for the young couple to live on if +they lived very simply. Sir Isaac thought he +could force Father into taking orders; but +Father was opposed to doing this, feeling he was +not suited to the Church, and Mother upheld him +in his resolve."</p> + +<p>"They were right, I think. It seems an awful +sin to me for a man just to go into the ministry +for a living," I ventured.</p> + +<p>"Of course they were right. Then my parents<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +were in a quandary. Father had about +two thousand dollars to his name and that +wouldn't go very far. They decided to come to +America, he to go into some kind of business and +Mother to do something with her voice. They +stayed in New York for a year. He got some +teaching, coaching boys for college, and she sang +in a church. Mother said they had a hard time. +Father's manner was proud and overbearing and +he was so intolerant of Americans that he lost +pupils constantly. Then my brother was born +and Mother had to give up her position in the +church."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I did not know you had a brother!" I +exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he died before I was born. He lived +five years, I believe. I think that is one reason +Father does not love me more. You see, all of +his hopes were settled on the boy, who was in +line for the title. My uncle, the present baronet, +has no boys. Well, they got on the best they +could until the boy died. They went from place +to place, Father always able to get pupils because +of his talents and education and always losing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +them because of his proud intolerance. Mother +had lots of tact and charm and she was always +smoothing things over and pacifying Father."</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 334px;"> +<img src="images/tucker03.png" width="334" height="500" alt=""From Mother!" exclaimed the girl, trembling with excitement.—Page 156." title="" /> +<span class="caption">"From Mother!" exclaimed the girl, trembling with excitement.—Page 156.</span> +</div> + +<p>"She must have loved him a whole lot not to +have pacified him with a big stick," I thought, +but I did not give utterance to my reflection.</p> + +<p>"They finally landed in Norfolk. I was born +there, so you see, I am a Virginian. While at +Norfolk, Mother heard of the country store at +Price's Landing which could be bought for very +little. She had come into possession of a small +legacy, and she immediately bought the store +and all the stock and we moved there and have +been there ever since."</p> + +<p>"English people are always getting small legacies. +I never heard of Americans getting them," +I said as I plaited Annie's hair in the great rope +that was the envy of us all.</p> + +<p>"We really have prospered at Price's Landing. +Mother took charge of the store a great +deal and by her graciousness won customers, +and when once people get used to Father, they +don't seem to mind his stiffness so much; everybody +but me; somehow, I'm always afraid of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +him," and Annie looked very sadly at the crumpled +letter in her lap.</p> + +<p>"Mother was so gay and cheerful; I wish I +could be like her. She would sing at her work +and Father would smile and look almost happy +when he would hear her voice."</p> + +<p>"Don't you sing at your work ever?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"No, no, I am so afraid of disturbing Father."</p> + +<p>"I bet he'd like it. Why don't you try? Your +voice must be like your Mother's."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I couldn't—really, Page. Well, to go +on:</p> + +<p>"Mother used to play a lovely game with me, +and no one knew we were playing it, which made +it just so much more fun. We used to pretend +while we were keeping store that it was a Charity +Bazaar——" (I laughed aloud) "especially +when dear old General Price came in for anything. +You see, most of the people at Price's +Landing, while very kind and good, are quite ordinary; +but General Price is very aristocratic and +fine, and we could play the game with him to +perfection. He had so much manner that sometimes +it almost seemed that he was playing, too."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +This was too delicious, and here was I sworn to +secrecy! I certainly did want to tell Harvie +Price, but a Father Confessor must keep many +good things to himself.</p> + +<p>"Mother died when I was eleven." I made a +rapid calculation how long poor Annie must have +been wearing the old crêpe hat. "Since then, +Father and I have looked after the store together +and now we have a clerk," only Annie +called it "clark." "We are not so poor as we +used to be and the books show we are making +a very comfortable living, but Father saves and +saves. He started doing it before Mother died +and it worried her a lot. She said he used to +be a great spender and she had to do the saving, +but when money began to come more easily +he seemed to hate to part with it. She made +him promise before she died that I should go +to boarding school or I know it would never +have come about. Of course he doesn't know +how girls of the day dress and how odd I look, +but even if he did know I believe he would let me +be ridiculous rather than spend money on anything +that he considered unnecessary." Annie's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +eyes flashed, which was an improvement on the +eternal tears she seemed so prepared to shed.</p> + +<p>"I am going to let you read this letter from +him so you can see," and she handed me the +crumpled sheet. It was the letter which is in +the last chapter.</p> + +<p>It was certainly some letter. I could not help +comparing it with the one I had just received +from my Father, and also one that Tweedles had +read me from their Zebedee. I hardly knew +what to say but I knew what to think, and that +was that one of the so-called "vulgar Americans" +ought to give him a good beating!</p> + +<p>"Well, Annie, I wouldn't mind that letter. +Your Governor evidently doesn't understand +girls. Let's have a look in the box." We cut +the string and took off the outside wrapper. The +box was tightly corded.</p> + +<p>"It is just as Mother left it," sighed Annie. +"He didn't even open it to see if the things in +it were of any value for me. I'm glad he didn't, +because I like to feel that I am untying her knots +myself."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> + +<p>We didn't cut those strings, but Annie carefully +and reverently picked loose the knots. +When the top was taken off the box, there was a +faint smell of dried rose leaves. The contents +were carefully wrapped in blue tissue paper. +"To keep the things from turning yellow with +age," whispered Annie.</p> + +<p>I felt somehow as though I were at a funeral. +Annie didn't cry, though, as one might have expected, +but her countenance shone with a kind +of subdued light and she looked like an angel. +She shook out a soft, white, crêpe de Chine dress +made over silk. It looked as fresh as though +it had just come from the dressmaker's. In another +wrapper was a lovely real lace scarf and +in yet another some white silk stockings.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Annie, Annie!" and I jumped up and +down for joy. "They are exactly right for you! +And see how carefully they have been packed! +Not a wrinkle in the dress! Here, take off your +clothes and try it on."</p> + +<p>"Mother wore it at the Charity Bazaar where +she met Father. Her rich cousin had just had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +it made for her," and the excited child began to +take off her shabby blouse and skirt.</p> + +<p>"All you will need for the concert is white +slippers and you will surely wear mine just to +let me know you love me," I begged.</p> + +<p>Annie flushed and I was afraid her stubborn +pride was going to master her, but she astonished +me by saying: "Yes, I will wear them if you +will lend them to me. I remember Mother told +me she had to borrow slippers from a friend that +night, but she knew her friend loved her and so +did not mind."</p> + +<p>I slipped the dress over her head, but as she +pushed her arm into the sleeve she stopped and +drew her hand quickly out.</p> + +<p>"Wait, the sleeve is pinned." So it was, and +pinned through a letter that was sealed and addressed +to Annie.</p> + +<p>"From Mother!" exclaimed the girl, trembling +with excitement. "Every now and then I find +a little note from her. She knew she could not +live for a long time before she died." Out fluttered +two ten-dollar bills and a five wrapped in +a tiny penciled note.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot">My Darling: + +<p>The time may come when you will wish to +wear this dress that I have saved so carefully +for you; and when that time comes you may also +want a little money that perhaps you will not +have, money for clothes, I mean. I give you +this twenty-five dollars for your very own, to +spend as your needs require. It is not much, +but it may help you to look like other girls. +Fathers do not always understand what girls +need, but Mothers know. I earned this +money myself, giving singing lessons to the +blacksmith's daughter and you helped me by +keeping store while I taught, so you can take +added pleasure in spending it.</p> + +<div class='sig'> +<span class="smcap">Mother.</span><br /> +</div></div> + +<p>Something happened right here that was to +say the least unexpected: I, Page Allison, gave +up and cried like a baby. I know I hadn't cried +so since old Buster, my pointer, died. And Annie +Pore, instead of bawling, which she would +have been perfectly justified in doing, never shed +a tear; but with that exalted look on her face, +which she had worn from the time she opened +the box, she actually comforted me by patting +me on the back and smoothing my hair.</p> + +<p>"Page, Page, it's all right; don't be so miserable,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +she said as she endeavored to soothe me. +So I blew my blooming nose and made her go +on trying on the dress. It was a wonderful fit, +just a little too long for a girl of fifteen, but we +hemmed it up in no time. Strange to say, although +the dress was more than twenty years +old, it was not out of style but cut very much +according to the prevailing mode. The truth of +the matter is that Dame Fortune is quite like +the old preacher who wrote a barrel of sermons, +and when he had preached them all, he just +turned the barrel up-side-down and began again. +Fashions and styles get put in the barrel only +to appear again after so many years.</p> + +<p>"Have you a catalogue for a mail-order house, +Page? Because I want to spend my money right +off."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll get it for you just as soon as my +nose dies down a little. I don't want Tweedles +to know I've been crying. What are you going +to get?"</p> + +<p>"Plenty of middy blouses and a good skirt to +wear with them, some dancing slippers and some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +kind of simple dress I can put on in the evening, +if the money can be stretched to it."</p> + +<p>I was sure it could with careful ordering; and +in a few minutes I thought my nose would bear +inspection, so I went back to 117 to get the catalogue. +Tweedles was out visiting, so I did not +have to run the gauntlet of their curiosity.</p> + +<p>Annie and I soon found exactly the right +things in my wonder book, and we had the letter +written ordering the things before the warning +bell rang for visiting to cease.</p> + +<p>"I fancy Father would be awfully cut up if he +could know I am spending all of this money on +my clothes; but he needn't know anything about +it. I can wear my old things during the holidays +and next summer——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Annie," I broke in, "you are making an +awful mistake if you do not let your Father +know all about this letter from your Mother, and +take him into your confidence immediately. It +wouldn't be fair to him if you didn't."</p> + +<p>"Not fair to Father! I never thought of such +a thing. I am afraid he will be awfully angry +with me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How could he be? Aren't you doing exactly +what your Mother tells you to? I tell you, honey, +it pays every time to be perfectly frank. You +try and see if it doesn't."</p> + +<p>The warning bell rang and I had to beat a +hasty retreat, but before I went I kissed poor +little Annie and she clung to me and whispered: +"I know you are right and I'll write to Father +to-morrow and send him Mother's letter."</p> + +<p>"That's a good girl; but, Annie, get your +letter off to New York for your things first before +the Governor has time to veto it."</p> + +<p>"Well, what ho!" exclaimed the twins as they +tore in to our rooms, undressing as they came +to beat the lights out bell to bed. "Tell us all +about Annie!"</p> + +<p>"There's nothing to tell," I declared, making +the mental reservation that there was nothing +I could tell, "except that her father sent her a +pretty white crêpe de Chine dress that she is +going to look charming in, and she has consented +to borrow my white slippers for the occasion."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how splendid!" cried Dum. But Dee +looked at me very solemnly and said: "Page<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +Allison, I know where to put my confidence. +Annie Pore has told you the story of her life +and wild horses could not drag it from you. I +wouldn't have even known she had told if your +precious little freckled nose wasn't as red as a +cherry." I felt awfully foolish but I borrowed +my policy from the Tar Baby "an' kep' on sayin' +nothin'."</p> + +<p>After the light was out, I gave a little audible +chuckle as I lay there going over in my mind the +very exciting happenings of the evening. I +chuckled to think what Mabel Binks would say +if she knew the despised "Orphan Annie" was +the granddaughter of a baronet on her father's +side and the great-granddaughter of an earl on +her mother's.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE CONCERT.</div> + + +<p>The concert was a great affair. They had not +only the singing and playing from the musical +pupils, but refreshments afterward and a little +reception. Many of the townspeople came and +the boys from Hill-Top. Our Assembly Hall +was full to overflowing. Miss Jane Cox was in +a highly nervous state.</p> + +<p>"I have two pupils who will sing flat," she confided +to me, "and if they do it to-night, I'll die +of mortification."</p> + +<p>"Well, Annie Pore is going to do you credit, +anyhow, I feel sure," I said, hoping Miss Cox +would take a more cheerful view.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am looking to her to save the day. +Have you seen her? She looks beautiful."</p> + +<p>I had seen her; in fact, I had hooked her up. +My slippers fitted finely and Annie's dress was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +without doubt the best-looking one on the stage +that evening.</p> + +<p>Mabel Binks headed the programme with a +flashy selection on the piano. She was in her +element, showing off. Everything about her proclaimed +<i>le dernier cri</i> of fashion. Even her hair +was the latest creation of twists and rolls. Her +hands were covered with rings and her arms +had several bracelets in the form of snakes coiling +around them. These rings and bracelets had +a way of clicking ever so slightly but just enough +to accentuate the effect that her performance +was a purely mechanical one.</p> + +<p>"Pianola," whispered Dee to me. Dee and I +had captured dear old Captain Leahy and made +him sit between us. The old fellow was in fine +feather and full of jokes. Miss Peyton smiled +approval when she saw that we had taken care +of her old friend, who always came to the school +entertainments by her especial invitation.</p> + +<p>"And do ye call that music? I'd rather hear +'Sweet bye and bye' played on the whistle of an +engine by a freight engineer on our line than +that rattle bang. The freight engineer puts some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +sowl into his worrk, some meaning. He wants +to let his frinds know he is a-cooming home, and +his wife to know that 'tis toime to put on the +frying pan and get the pot to b'iling. But that, +what does that mean? Nothing but nimble fingers. +There's no heart in it,—just noise."</p> + +<p>We heartily agreed with the old man, but at +the close of Mabel's performance there was such +a storm of applause from the Juniors who were +her especial admirers that the perfunctory clapping +from the rest of the audience was completely +drowned. She bowed and smiled and rattled +her bangles and then sat down and played +"Annie Laurie" with her foot on the loud pedal +all the time, and with all the variations possible +to weave around the beautiful old air.</p> + +<p>"Now isn't that too Mabel Binksy for anything?" +hissed Dum in my ear. She was right +behind us sitting next to Harvie Price, who had +sought us out on his arrival at Gresham. "She +knows perfectly well that Annie Pore is to sing +'Annie Laurie,' and she chose that for her encore +deliberately and without the knowledge of +Miss Cox or the piano teacher, either. Cat!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And why should ye insult poor pussy so, Miss +Tucker?" asked the Captain, who had overheard +Dum's remark. "I haven't a cat to me name +who would do such a trick."</p> + +<p>Annie followed Mabel immediately. I wondered +if she would be upset by Mabel's having +just played her song, but she was not a whit. +She whispered to Miss Cox, who was to play her +accompaniment and they evidently decided to +change the program.</p> + +<p>As Annie came on the stage, I verily believe +half of the girls did not at first recognize her. +Her dress had that unmistakable air that a good +dressmaker can give, and twenty years had not +diminished the style; but it was Annie's walk +and manner that astonished everyone, even her +best friends. Could this be the same, tearful +little Annie? She wasn't really little, but I always +had thought of her as small just because +she seemed to need protection. She was quite +as well grown as the Tuckers and a little larger +than I was. Her carriage had dignity, and there +was a poise and ease to her that is rare in a +school girl. Miss Cox played the opening bars<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +to Tom Moore's beautiful and touching song, +"Believe me if all those endearing young +charms," and Annie sang with the simplicity +and confidence of a great artist.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Which I gaze on so fondly to-day,</span><br /> +Were to change by to-morrow and fleet in my arms,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Like fairy gifts fading away,</span><br /> +Thou wouldst still be adored, as this moment thou art,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Let thy loveliness fade as it will,</span><br /> +And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Would entwine itself verdantly still.</span><br /> +<br /> +It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And thy cheek unprofaned by a tear,</span><br /> +That the fervor and faith of a soul may be known,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To which time will but make thee more dear!</span><br /> +No, the heart that has truly loved never forgets,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But as truly loves on to the close,</span><br /> +As the sunflower turns to her god when he sets<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The same look which she turned when he rose.</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>There is something in that song that touches +everyone, old and young. As Annie finished, +for a moment there was perfect silence and then +such an ovation as the little English girl did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +have! Old Captain Leahy beat his peg leg on +the floor. "Forgetting me manners in me enthusiasm," +he declared. Annie bowed and smiled, +no more flustrated than Alma Gluck would have +been.</p> + +<p>"Did you ever see such stage presence?" whispered +Dee. "Why, she is more at home there +than we are in 117 in our kimonos."</p> + +<p>"That's because she loves to sing and knows +she can do it," and at the risk of being considered +Annie's claque, I started fresh applause +which was taken up by the whole audience; and +after another whispered conference with Miss +Cox, Annie sang again. This time it was "Bonnie, +sweet Bessie, the maid of Dundee." These +were songs her mother had taught her, and I +could almost fancy the spirit of the mother had +entered into the daughter.</p> + +<p>"I could almost see her mother as she sang," +Harvie Price said to me later on. "I believe Annie's +voice is going to be stronger than her mother's +and it has the same note of pathos in it. +Why, it was all I could do to keep from sobbing +when she sang 'Sweet Bessie.' And did you see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +Shorty? Why, Shorty had his face buried in +his hands, and now he pretends he has caught a +bad cold! Isn't she pretty, too? The old man +must have loosened up some to get that swell +dress for her. Grandfather wrote me the other +day that Mr. Pore is so economical these days +that he won't go to church because he does not +want to part with his nickel. He says he is making +money, too, on the store, since there is absolutely +no competition at the Landing."</p> + +<p>"I am so glad you liked her dress," I answered, +nearly dead to tell this nice, sympathetic +boy all about it; but keeping to my role of Father +Confessor, I naturally said nothing about how +she came by it.</p> + +<p>"I am hoping I can spend part of next summer +with my grandfather," continued Harvey. +"You know my Governor and his Father fell +out about politics and I had to stop going there, +but, thank goodness, they have made up now. +Father would vote for Roosevelt, while Grandfather +thinks anybody belonging to him must be +a Democrat. And not long ago Father decided +that President Wilson was, after all, about the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +best President we have ever had, so he wrote to +Grandfather and said he was sorry he had ever +voted for a Republican; and now the row is over +and the family is reunited. Grandfather is very +arbitrary and of course it is hard to live with +him, but he is the kindest and most generous old +man, and I truly love him."</p> + +<p>"Annie Pore says he is charming and delightful +and that her mother cared so much for him," +I said, feeling that that much of Annie's talk +with me it would be all right to repeat. This +conversation with Harvie was after the concert +when we were having refreshments in the Gymnasium. +The concert had gone off very well. +Miss Cox was jubilant because her pupils who +would sing flat had refrained for the occasion. +Miss Cox herself had sung delightfully and had +won the heart of old Captain Leahy by giving +"The Wearing of the Green" as an encore.</p> + +<p>When the programme was all over and everyone +had done the best she could, Miss Peyton +made a little speech and said that by especial request +from some of the older guests Miss Annie +Pore was to sing "Annie Laurie."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> + +<p>That was really the treat of the evening. We +were delighted because it made Mabel Binks so +mad.</p> + +<p>"I am some weary of that sob stuff from 'Orphan +Annie,'" I heard her say to one of the +Hill-Top boys.</p> + +<p>"Why, I think it is great!" was his unsympathetic +reply. "And what a little beauty she is, +too!"</p> + +<p>Once off the stage, Annie's shyness returned +in full force, but it soon wore off under the genial +good fellowship of the Tuckers and Mary Flannigan, +and Harvie's big-brother air of pride in +her success, and Shorty's funny reproaches for +making him catch such a bad cold. She looked +very happy, and not even Mabel Binks could mar +her cheerfulness, although she plainly heard +Mabel say to a Junior: "I wonder who lent her +that dress. It certainly looks familiar to me and +anyone could see it was shortened for the occasion."</p> + +<p>My stitches were not so small as they might +have been!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE SPREAD.</div> + + +<p>Saturday night was a great time for spreads +as there was no study hall on that evening and +the girls could come early and stay late. A +grand feast was in preparation at 117 Carter +Hall. Mr. Tucker had sent a box that had +passed inspection at the office, although it was +filled with contraband articles; but as he wrote +Tweedles, they wouldn't make rules if they did +not expect them to be broken.</p> + +<p>"My, I'm glad Miss Peyton doesn't put us on +our honor not to have cake and such," said Dee +as she opened up a box stamped with the name +of a well-known drygoods firm and plainly +marked in a masculine hand: "Virginia's Shoes, +the fourth pair she has had since Spring and she +must be more careful and have her old ones half-soled."</p> + +<p>"Isn't old Zebedee a peach? Look! Tango<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +sandwiches!" (The catalogue to Gresham plainly +says: "Nothing but crackers, fruit and simple +candy is allowed to be eaten in the rooms.")</p> + +<p>"Here are olives done up to look like shoe polish," +said I, diving into the big box. "And what +is this big round parcel at the bottom?" On it +I read: "Caroline's winter hat. I think you +are a very vain girl to insist on your winter hat +just to wear it home on the train for Christmas. +I hope it is not mashed but think it would serve +you right for thinking so much about your appearance." +The hat proved to be a great caramel +cake, stuck all over with English walnuts, +packed so carefully it was not a bit mashed. Jars +of pickle masqueraded shamelessly as Uneeda +Biscuit, being ingeniously pasted up in the original +wrappers. Cream cheese and pimento sandwiches +came dressed as graham wafers; and a +whole roasted chicken had had a very comfortable +journey buttoned up in Dum's old sweater, +with a note pinned over its faithful breast saying +that Dum must make out with that sweater +for another season as Mr. Tucker could not put +up with her selfish extravagance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> + +<p>We heard afterward that Miss Sears, whose +duty it had been to inspect this box before it +was delivered to the girls, had said that she was +surprised to find that Mr. Jeffry Tucker did not +spoil the twins nearly so much as she had been +led to believe. In fact, he seemed to be rather +strict with them and quite critical. For instance, +an old sweater that he expected Dum to wear +through the season was not really fit to be seen +in!</p> + +<p>There were several boxes of candy, besides all +the other goodies. They were all marked peppermint +but were really candied fruit, chocolates, +nougat and what not.</p> + +<p>"I tell you, Zebedee is some provider when he +gets started," said Dee. "I'm glad I didn't eat +much dinner and I intend to eat no supper at +all."</p> + +<p>We were taking stock of our eatables before +supper bell so we could see how many girls we +could invite to the spread. It was etiquette at +Gresham to give a girl fair warning when a +spread was under way, so she could save space +and not go and fill up in the dining-room. We<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +wanted to avoid feeling like the old countryman +who had his first experience with a table d'hôte +dinner. Not knowing there was to be so much +following the first course, he ate too much of +it, and afterward loudly lamented: "Thar I sot +chock full er soup."</p> + +<p>Annie Pore was, of course, on the list and +funny little Mary Flannigan and the two Seniors, +Sally Coles and Josephine Barr. They had been +especially nice to our crowd and we were anxious +to show them some attention. That made seven +in all.</p> + +<p>"We've really got food for one more or even +two," declared Dee, "but maybe we had better +go easy because there is really not room for +more."</p> + +<p>117 was rather crowded with the three beds, +two bureaus, three chairs and a table, and +seven girls would just about fill it to overflowing. +It did not look like the bare cell that +had so appalled us on our day of entering +Gresham. We now had a scrim curtain at the +window; rugs on the floor; Tweedles had pretty +Roman blankets on their beds with bright sofa<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +cushions; while I had a beautiful log cabin quilt +that Sally Winn had pieced for me in between +her different death throes. The walls were literally +covered with pennants from many schools +and colleges with a few pictures that Dum had +stuck in her trunk, purloined from their apartment +in Richmond.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe Zebedee will ever miss them, +and they mean a lot to me," she had said when +Dee had expressed astonishment on her producing +them from her trunk. "I am so constituted +that I've just got to have something beautiful +to look at every now and then." The room was +pleasant and cozy but the crowded walls rather +got on my nerves. Bracken was so big and simple +(some people would have called it bare) that +I could not get used to such a conglomeration +in a bedroom. I kept my taste to myself, however, +as they were two to one, and no doubt my +ideas of decoration were very old-fashioned and +out of date.</p> + +<p>Sally Coles and Jo Barr, whom we sought out +before supper, were glad to accept and vowed +they would eat not a bite before the feast so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +that they could come perfectly empty. Of course +Annie Pore and Mary Flannigan were holding +themselves in readiness for the arrival of the +promised box from Mr. Tucker, and the news +of its having come safely to hand was greeted +with enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>You get tired of any steady food except home +food and sometimes you think you are tired of +that, but as a rule you are pretty glad to get +back to it. I fancy the table at Gresham was +kept up about as well as any boarding school, +but we knew that as sure as Tuesday was coming, +roast veal was coming, too; and Wednesday +would bring with it veal potpie; Thursday, beefsteak; +and Friday, fish; Saturday, lamb stew +with dumplings; Sunday, roast chicken; and +Monday, not much of anything. This certainty +bored us, and sometimes I used to think if I +couldn't find something in the potpie besides +veal, I'd scream. I had to do a lot of looking +at the mountains on Wednesday, somehow.</p> + +<p>A spread was a godsend, and an invitation to +one was not as a rule given in vain. As Sally +Coles and I fox-trotted together in the Gym<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +after supper, she whispered in my ear: "It's +certainly good of you kids to ask Jo and me. +We're crazy about coming."</p> + +<p>"We think it's pretty nice of you Seniors to +come. You didn't even know we are to have +caramel cake, either, did you?" I answered.</p> + +<p>"Heavens, no! I'm mighty glad we didn't accept +Mabel Binks's bid to a Welsh rarebit in her +room. We fibbed and told her we had a partial +engagement. It was just with each other but +we didn't tell her that, and now you Sophomores +have saved our souls by making our imaginary +engagement a real one. I hate to tell even a +white lie, but I'd hate a deal more to have to go +to a spread of Mabel Binks's giving. Don't you +know the hammers will be flying to-night? Can't +you hear Mabel and those rapid Juniors she runs +with knocking everything and everybody?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I reckon the only way to save your skin +is to stay with her and help knock. But how +does she manage a rarebit when we are not allowed +to have chafing dishes?"</p> + +<p>"Manages the same way you and the Tuckers +manage to have caramel cake, I fancy. We are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +not allowed to have cake, either. Of course it +is easier to hide a cake than it is a chafing dish, +especially if the cake is sliced and there are a +half-dozen empty girls to help. I believe some +of the girls keep their chafing dishes under their +mattresses. Did you hide your cake well before +you came down to supper? It would be the +psychological moment for some busybody to +make an inspecting tour—and then, good-by, +cake!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you scare me to death!" and I grabbed +Dee, who was whirling by, trying a brand new +step with a giddy Junior, and, whispering Sally's +warning to her, we beat a hasty retreat. Our +beloved cake was on the table covered with a +napkin just as we had left it, seemingly, but on +raising the cloth we discovered that a great +wedge had been cut out of it.</p> + +<p>"Well, of all the mean tricks!" spluttered Dee. +"Who do you s'pose——?"</p> + +<p>"Thank goodness, they only took about a +fourth! What is left is enough to give all seven +of us fever blisters. Caramel cake with nuts in +it always gives me fever blisters," I laughed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But I don't mind. I'll take the cake, fever blisters +and all, every time."</p> + +<p>"Me, too! Well, I hope that the thief will +have a mouth full of them," said Dee vindictively.</p> + +<p>"Well, honey, it's a sight better to have some +mean girl take off one fourth than some teacher +in her mistaken zeal take off the whole thing +and give us demerits, besides. Here's your +handkerchief," I said, picking up a little pink +crêpe de Chine one from the floor.</p> + +<p>"Not mine, I don't possess such a thing. +Don't you know Zebedee and Dum and I use the +same sized handkerchiefs? When we want a +handkerchief, we want a handkerchief, not a +little pink dab. It must be yours."</p> + +<p>"No, I haven't any crêpe de Chine ones. +Here's an initial—B. It certainly is scented up." +The finishing touch to Mabel Binks's costume on +the afternoon we had seen the game at Hill-Top +came back to me suddenly: the strong odor of +musk. The handkerchief smelt exactly the same +way.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, Dee, I reckon it won't take a Sherlock +Holmes to say who took the cake, now. Let's +not give her back her hanky until to-morrow. +If we took it to her to-night she would know that +we are on to her, and she would be just mean +enough to peach on us and have our cake seized." +So we determined, like Dee and Prosper le Gai, +to "bide our time."</p> + +<p>What a spread we did have and what fun! +Dum turned up with two more girls, members +of our class, and there was enough and to spare. +Mr. Tucker was as lavish as Mammy Susan herself. +We had no plates or glasses, but we had +plenty of box tops for dishes and our toothbrush +mugs served as loving cups to drink the very +sour lemonade Dee made in the water pitcher. +The same knife carved the chicken, then cut the +cake. The olives, always difficult to extract from +the bottle, were poured into the soap dish which +I had scoured hard enough to suit the most +squeamish.</p> + +<p>"My, what good eats!" exclaimed Jo Barr. +"And how did you ever smuggle that cake within<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +the lines?" We showed her the wrapper it had +come in and the stern note from Mr. Tucker.</p> + +<p>"Well, if that doesn't beat all! I tell you there +is nothing like being smart enough to keep the +eleventh commandment: 'Thou shalt not get +found out.' I had a whole fruitcake taken bodaciously +from me last year. I am always breaking +the eleventh." And that was so. Poor Jo +always got caught up with.</p> + +<p>"Well, I tell you one thing," said the wise +Sally, "that cake had better skidoo until danger +of inspection passes. Teachers are a suspicious +lot."</p> + +<p>I just got it whisked under a down cushion on +Dee's bed when there was a sharp rap on the +door. "Come in," we called in a chorus. It was +Miss Sears, rather astonished at our ready invitation +to enter.</p> + +<p>"Oh, girls, having a spread, are you," glancing +sharply at the innocent-looking packages of +crackers and peppermint candy without coming +all the way into the room. "Well, I hope you +will have a nice time."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Won't you join us, Miss Sears?" asked Dum +sweetly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you, no. I am on inspection duty +to-night," and she closed the door, never seeing +that Jo had wrapped the roasted chicken up in +a spangled scarf she was sporting. That chicken +had had all kinds of dressing in its fat, young +life: first its own feathers; then the dressing, +which is really the un-dressing; then the dressing, +which is really the stuffing; then Dum's old +sweater; and now Jo's fine scarf.</p> + +<p>We proceeded then to put the good, appetizing +food where nothing short of an X-ray could +inspect. So thorough were those nine girls that +not a crumb of cake nor scrap of sandwich was +left to tell on us. The chicken bones were some +problem but we decided that if each girl took a +bone and disposed of it, it would simplify matters +somewhat. Sally got the wishbone and said +she was going to gild it and put it on her "memory +string."</p> + +<p>When we had eaten to repletion, we demanded +stunts from those gifted that way. Mary did a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +dog fight and new turn she had just mastered: +going like a mouse.</p> + +<p>"I wish I could think it was a mouse who nibbled +the cake," sighed Dum. "It kind of hurts +me all over to feel that somebody did it."</p> + +<p>"Well, if it was a mouse, I bet it sounded like +this," and Mary imitated Mabel Binks's nasal +speech until we almost had hysterics.</p> + +<p>"Why do you fancy she took only a hunk instead +of the whole cake?" I asked. "It would +have been so much more like her to take it all."</p> + +<p>"That's the reason she only took part. She +thought by behaving out of character she would +throw us off the scent," suggested Sally.</p> + +<p>"Well, if she wanted to throw us off the scent, +she shouldn't have dropped her handkerchief," +said Dee. "But let's forget it and think of something +pleasant. Annie, you sing, please," and +she handed Jo's guitar to the blushing Annie. +Annie was always embarrassed when she had to +sing before a few persons. She got her "stage +presence" when there was a real audience.</p> + +<p>"What shall it be?" asked Annie.</p> + +<p>"Oh, something real sentimental and lovesick,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +demanded Sally, who was supposed to be engaged; +and with a little humorous twinkle in +her usually sad eyes, Annie sang "Sally in our +Alley."</p> + +<div class='poem'> +Of all the girls that are so smart<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There's none like pretty Sally;</span><br /> +She is the darling of my heart,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And she lives in our alley.</span><br /> +There is no lady in the land<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is half so sweet as Sally;</span><br /> +She is the darling of my heart,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And she lives in our alley.</span><br /> +<br /> +Of all the days that's in the week<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I dearly love but one day—</span><br /> +And that's the day that comes betwixt<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A Saturday and Monday;</span><br /> +For then I'm dressed all in my best<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To walk abroad with Sally;</span><br /> +She is the darling of my heart,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And she lives in our alley.</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>Then Dum and Dee stood back to back and +buttoned themselves up in their sweaters, which +they had put on hindpart-before and impersonated +the two-headed woman, Milly-Christine, +singing a duet, "The mocking bird is singing +o'er her grave," in two distinct keys. That was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +an awfully funny stunt and one the Tuckers +had made up themselves. Before we had half +exhausted the talent of the assembled guests, the +bell rang to warn us that lights must soon be out +and we had to break up.</p> + +<p>The next morning there was a fine crop of +fever blisters due to the very rich cake. Annie +Pore and Sally Coles were the only ones who +escaped with a whole skin. When I handed Mabel +Binks her smelly, pink, crêpe de Chine handkerchief, +I noticed that her rather full lips were +decorated with a design similar to my own.</p> + +<p>"Here's your handkerchief," I said. "Cake +with caramel and nut filling is awfully rough on +the complexion, isn't it?" And the girl had the +decency to blush.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.</div> + + +<p>I could hardly believe that it was I, Page Allison, +who had been off to boarding school. +Bracken was so exactly as I left it and I dropped +so easily into my old habits and customs, that I +felt as though I had only dreamed I had been +away. The dogs almost ate me up for joy, and +Mammy Susan had three kinds of hot bread for +supper. Father and I chatted away for dear +life for a while, and then we just as naturally +settled down to a quiet evening of reading, as +though I had merely been over to Milton to mail +a letter. He was vastly pleased to have me back, +and every now and then looked over his glasses +at me with a very happy smile on his dear, old, +lean, weather-beaten face; and I lay curled up +in a big Sleepy-Hollow chair simply devouring +the last "Saturday Evening Post" that I had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +bought on the train coming from Gresham, feeling +that I had about the pleasantest home and +the best father and kindest Mammy Susan and +the finest dogs on earth.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Tucker tells me you have asked him +down to hunt," I said as I surprised a loving +glance from Father.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I thought it would be nice if he +could come when his girls pay you their promised +visit. He is mighty good company. I declare +he can keep a whole party in a good humor," +and Father chuckled, evidently in remembrance +of some witticism of Mr. Tucker's. "We +are thinking of getting up a deer hunt over in +the swamp. Jo Winn shot a good-sized buck +last month and I am told a great many persons +have seen deer in the distance lately."</p> + +<p>This was over in a corner of our county where +many small rivers and creeks formed a perfect +network, making very inaccessible, marshy land. +The hunting was as a rule pretty good and during +the winter we feasted quite royally on wild +turkey, partridge and rabbit. Deer, of course, +were not so plentiful, but an occasional one was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +shot. It seems strange that Virginia, the first +state settled, should still be boasting big game.</p> + +<p>"I wish you could take us. Dum and Dee +would like it a lot."</p> + +<p>"And you, I fancy, would just go along out of +politeness," he teased.</p> + +<p>"Well, you know I'd rather get killed myself +than kill anything, but the Tuckers have their +own guns and often go hunting with their father. +I believe they are very good shots."</p> + +<p>"If you think they can stand the trip, we'll +take them. I know you can stand what I can +stand, unless boarding school has made you soft. +Let me feel your arm—ah, as hard as ever."</p> + +<p>"That's basketball and gym work. I'd have +been soft, indeed, if I hadn't gone in for athletics. +I'm so glad we can go. I'll write to the +twins to bring their guns and rough clothes."</p> + +<p>Christmas day came and went with plenty of +good cheer and happiness, but none of the hurry +and bustle of the present-day Christmas in +town. At Bracken we knew nothing about white +tissue paper and Christmas seals and bolts of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +red and green ribbon. Our simple gifts to one +another were exchanged without much ceremony; +and then Father and I got into his buggy, +with the colt ready to run twenty miles if he +could get the bit between his teeth, and distributed +baskets and bags of candy, nuts and +oranges to our many poor neighbors, colored and +white. We always had a box of oranges for the +holidays and simple candy and mixed nuts by +wholesale quantities.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to take these things around on Christmas +Eve and let the little children think Santa +Claus brought them, but I know the mothers +would give them their share right away and then +there would be nothing for Christmas day."</p> + +<p>"Well, I believe they think 'Docallison' is a +kind of Santy, anyhow," I said, as we whizzed up +to a particularly poor-looking cabin that seemed +to be simply running over with little nigs. The +grimy window was black with their dusky faces +and the doorway was so full that the children in +front were being pushed out onto the rickety +excuse for a porch.</p> + +<p>"Howdy, Aunt Keziah! I hope you and your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +family are well this beautiful morning," called +Father, pulling in the colt and taking from between +his knees a large hamper literally running +over with sweets.</p> + +<p>"Chris'mus gif'! Chris'mus gif'!" came in a +chorus from all the little mouths. Aunt Keziah +hobbled out, smacking the little blacks as +she came with a very horny hand; but they +seemed to take it as a kind of pleasantry and +bobbed up grinning from ear to ear.</p> + +<p>"Shet ep, yer lims er Satan! Cyarn't yer see +Docallison's colt ain't go'nter stan fer no sich +yellin's? Chris'mus gif', Docallison! Chris'mus +gif', Miss Page!"</p> + +<p>This last came with a voice as soft as the +wings of a dove, while the tone in which she +had admonished the little darkies had been as +rough as a nutmeg grater. You could hardly +believe the two voices had issued from the same +lips. Aunt Keziah was the neighborhood "Tender": +that is, she minded the children whose natural +guardians had gone away for one reason +or another,—sometimes to work in the cities, +sometimes as house servants for the county families,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +where such encumbrances as offspring were +not welcome. She was paid a small sum for +each child and always spoke of them as "bo'ders."</p> + +<p>Aunt Keziah had her charity, too, (as who +has not?) and supported several orphans. These +she treated with especial kindness, and always +made the "bo'ders" wait until the objects of charity +were helped to "ash-cake an' drippin's."</p> + +<p>Father lifted out the heavy basket and the +pickaninnies swarmed like flies around a molasses +barrel.</p> + +<p>"Git back, thar, you kinky-haided Gabe. You +know you ain't nothin' but a bo'der. You let +dis here lil orphant Minnie git fust grab," and +Gabe got back and Minnie came proudly up and +got her bag of candy and nuts. We had tied the +treat up in separate packages so there could be +no broken hearts. Mammy Susan had reported +that Aunt Keziah had two new ones, Milly Jourdan's +twins, making fourteen in all.</p> + +<p>"What did you name the twins, your new +boarders, Aunt Keziah?" I asked.</p> + +<p>Aunt Keziah demanded one thing from her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +patrons and that was that she be allowed to name +her charges. No matter what their names had +been up to the time they entered her domain, +they had to be rechristened. A big boy who +had been called Bill for eight winters was now +known as Clarence. Mary Banks was Chrystobel +and Mump Davis, a raw-boned, fiery-looking +boy, part Indian, seethed and chafed under +the <i>nom de guerre</i> of Fermentation. The charity +orphans kept the names their mothers had +seen fit to give them, out of respect for the departed.</p> + +<p>"Well, Miss Page, I studied a long time 'bout +them thar twins. Naming is moughty important +fer boys special, sence matrimony cyarn't in no +way improve 'em, an' I done decided to call 'em +Postle Peter an' Pistle Paul."</p> + +<p>"Capital, capital!" laughed Father. "I hope +Postle Peter and Pistle Paul are healthy. You +raise the strongest children in the county, Aunt +Keziah."</p> + +<p>"Yassir, Docallison," said the old woman with +a toothless grin. "They's a right likely pair. +The reason my bo'ders an' all is so healthy is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +'cause I make 'em wash theyselves. An' ev'y +las' one er 'em is gotter have two shuts or shifts +to they backs er I won't tend 'em. An' what +they ain't a wearin', I puts in a pot an' biles. +De boys gits a big washin' on Chusdays an' +Fridays, an' de gals on Wednesdays an' Sat'days. +Sometimes whin de lil gals all gits washed +of a Sat'day night, it looks like it's a kinder pity +to was'e all them hot suds what ain't ter say +dirty, so I picks out a boy er so dat done got +siled some, and makes him take a extra scrub, +jist fer luck. As fer eatin's, dey don't git nothin' +but corn braid an' drippin's wif lasses on Sunday +ef I kin make out to have 'em, but dey gits a +plenty of what dey do git and de victuals 'grees +wif 'em, an' I don't never have a nigger a month +'fo he's as fat as a possum."</p> + +<p>"Well, Aunt Keziah, you are doing a fine +work, raising healthy citizens. I hope you will +have a happy Christmas and a prosperous New +Year. There are toys enough to go around in +the bottom of the basket and here's a pound of +tea for you and some tobacco for your pipe and +some chocolate drops that are easy to chew."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Thank yer, thank yer. Docallison, specially +fer de sof' candy. I always did useter have a +sweet tooth but now I ain't got nothin' but a +sweet gum, but I's got dat all right."</p> + +<p>Just then the colt, tired of standing, made a +bolt and all we could do was to wave good-by +to the funny old woman and her fourteen +charges.</p> + +<p>"Old Aunt Keziah is bringing up those children +according to the teachings of modern science, +even to sterilizing their shirts and shifts, +and she doesn't know there is such a word as +germ. I fancy the many cracks in the cabin +wall where you can see daylight are partly responsible +for the health of the 'bo'ders.' I find +more sickness among the colored people where +their cabins are better built and airtight. Ventilation +is avoided like the plague," said Father +as he got the colt under control and we went +spinning off to some more "pensioners," as he +called them.</p> + +<p>The doctor's buggy was finally emptied of its +load and we skimmed back home with the colt +as fresh as ever, agreeing that we would not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +give up horses for all the automobiles under the +sun. There is an exhilaration that comes from +driving a good horse that I do not believe a +car can give one, no matter how fine the car or +expert the driver.</p> + +<p>Mammy Susan had a dinner for us that was +fit for kings and queens. It seemed a pity to +cook so much for just Father and me, but some +of that dinner found its way to many a cabin +where Father felt it was most needed; and then +on Christmas Day the dogs were given extra +rations and not limited to their one big feeding +of corn meal and salt, scalded and baked in a +great pan until it was crisp. On this day of +days they had a bone apiece and all kinds of +good scrapings.</p> + +<p>After dinner we settled ourselves to enjoy the +Christmas books, of which there were many, as +our tastes were well known. Father's patients +were considerate enough not to send for him all +afternoon. Not a soul got sick on this happy +Christmas day. Even poor Sally Winn did not +try to die.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>A VISIT FROM THE TUCKERS.</div> + + +<p>The Tuckers arrived, and Tucker-like, neither +at the time nor by the route expected. I was +just calling Sam to hitch Peg (short for Pegasus) +to the surrey to drive to Milton to meet +them, when the unaccustomed toot of an automobile +attracted my attention. It was tearing +down our avenue at breakneck speed. Dee was +at the wheel with Mr. Tucker beside her, and +Dum was bouncing around alone on the back +seat.</p> + +<p>"Beat the train! By Jove, I thought we +could!" exclaimed Mr. Tucker, when he spied +me at the yard gate. "We were so afraid you +might have started for Milton. That's the reason +we were violating the speed limit," and they +all piled out, the girls hugging me and kissing +me and Mr. Tucker almost hugging me and not +quite kissing me.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It was such a grand day we couldn't resist +coming in the car," tweedled the twins, "but if +you had started for Milton before we got here, +we would have died of mortification."</p> + +<p>When I told them I had not even had Peg +hitched up yet, they were delighted.</p> + +<p>"A mounted policeman chased us just as we +were leaving Manchester, but we dusted him so +Tweedles and I are hoping he did not get our +number," said Mr. Tucker.</p> + +<p>I called Sam to bring in the grips and rugs.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry he can't take your steed around +to the stable, Mr. Tucker, but we don't know a +thing about automobiles at Bracken."</p> + +<p>"Leave it where it is, maybe we can have a +spin later on."</p> + +<p>We went into the house, where the open wood +fires made everything bright and cheerful, although +not very warm for persons who are accustomed +to steam heat. Mammy Susan in a +stiffly starched purple calico dress with a gay +bandanna handkerchief on her head was ready +to greet the guests.</p> + +<p>"Well, bress the Lord, an' you done come all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +the way from town in that there fire wagon. I +hearn the horn a tootin' and a rushin' like +mighty wings, and I says, says I: 'Susan Collins, +'tis the Angel Gabr'el a comin' fer you.' So +I clap on my clean head hankcher an' a starched +apron tow be ready fer the Resrection."</p> + +<p>"Mammy Susan, we've heard a lot about you. +Page talks about you all the time at school," +said the twins, shaking the old woman warmly +by the hand.</p> + +<p>"Well, now, does she? Mammy's baby don't +fergit her any more'n Mammy fergits her baby. +An' is this your pa? Well, save us, ef you don't +look more like somebody's great-grandson than +anybody's pa."</p> + +<p>"Well, they do treat me like a stepson, sometimes, +Mammy," laughed Mr. Tucker. "If I +could only take on the looks of years without +the years, I'd be glad, and maybe I could command +more respect."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you grow some whiskers, then? +They ain't nothin' so ageyfying as whiskers on +a young man."</p> + +<p>"I'll do it, I'll do it!" exclaimed Mr. Tucker.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, and you do and we'll pull 'em out," +Tweedles declared.</p> + +<p>"Well, here am I a-gassin' when I ought to be +settin' a little lunch fer the travelers."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we had lunch on the way," the three of +them declared. "We were not going to be any +trouble to you by coming so much earlier than +we were expected."</p> + +<p>"Oh, now, you must be hungry," I said. "It +won't take Mammy Susan a minute."</p> + +<p>"Cose they's hungry, child. Can't I tell hungry +folks soon as I claps eyes on 'em? Maybe they +did eat a snack in that there chariot of fire, but +the way they come down the abenue was enough +to jolt down a Christmus dinner, plum puddin' +an' all, an' plum puddin' takes a heap er joltin'," +and Mammy Susan hastened out to "set a little +lunch,"—which the Tuckers later declared was +a feast.</p> + +<p>They were hungry and cold, in spite of their +protestations to the contrary, and cold turkey +and country ham with the delicious little cornmeal +cakes that Mammy could stir up and bake +in half a minute disappeared like magic.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Such coffee!" and Mr. Tucker rolled up his +eyes in ecstasy. "And real cow cream! I tell +you, Tweedles, as soon as you finish getting this +much needed education, we've got to get out of +an apartment and into a house where we can +do some real housekeeping and have some home +cooking."</p> + +<p>"You ought to be made to eat at Gresham for +a month or so, Zebedee, and you would think the +café is pretty fine," said Dee. "The grub at +Gresham is not so bad, but there is such a deadly +sameness to it."</p> + +<p>"Well, the grub may be tejus," broke in +Mammy, who had just come in with a heaped-up +plate of corn cakes, "but it must hab suption +in it, 'cause lil Miss Page is growd in width as +well as wisdom, and you two young twin ladies +is got cheeks like wine-saps."</p> + +<p>"You are right, Mammy, the food must be +pretty good to keep them so fat and rosy," said +Mr. Tucker, helping himself plentifully to the +dainty little cakes.</p> + +<p>"Yassir," and Mammy had a sly twinkle in +her kind old eyes, "an' that there caffy whar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +you gits yo' victuals mus' be dishin' out some +nourishment, too, 'cause you ain't to say peaked +lookin'."</p> + +<p>How we did laugh at Zebedee, and as for him, +he got up and gave Mammy a little hug. The +Tuckers all knew how to take jokes on themselves.</p> + +<p>"She certainly did get you, Zebedee," teased +Dum. "You were trying to be so Mr. Tuckerish, +too, admonishing Dee and me for complaining +about the food at Gresham."</p> + +<p>Father came in soon from his rounds and +greeted the visitors in his kindly hospitable way. +Mr. Tucker was to have several days' holiday +from his newspaper and Father said the neighborhood +was in an extremely healthy condition, +owing to the clear, cold weather, and he did not +expect to be overworked; so the gentlemen began +immediately to plan their hunts. Dum and Dee +were wild at the prospect of going on the deer +hunt.</p> + +<p>"I saw Jo Winn this morning, daughter," said +Father, "and he will go with us. He has a cousin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +from New York who is visiting him and he +wants to take him."</p> + +<p>"Well, if the cousin has no more conversation +than Jo he certainly will not bore us with +his chatter," I said. "Now, how about lunch, +Father? We must give Mammy some warning, +because she gets flustrated if we come at her +too suddenly."</p> + +<p>"To-morrow suits Jo and his kinsman, and it +will suit us, too, I think. Tell Mammy how many +of us there are and tell her to put up twice as +much lunch as you think she should. That +ought to be 'most enough. We'll want the big +camping coffee pot and a skillet and some salt; +also some sliced bacon, ground coffee and sugar, +and a little flour to roll the rabbits in. We may +make a fire and cook some if we get cold and +have good luck in the morning."</p> + +<p>I went out to the kitchen to interview Mammy, +Tweedles following me, and then we had to go +see the dogs. Dee approved of them and they +heartily approved of her. Dum did not have the +passion for them that Dee and I had, but she +liked them well enough. The dogs licked her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +hand respectfully and then jumped up on Dee +and knocked her down and had a big romp.</p> + +<p>How delightful it was to have some companions +of my own age at my beloved Bracken! +The Tuckers wanted to see everything and go +everywhere. We visited the horses in the stable +and the cows in the pen and climbed up in the +hay loft to hunt for eggs that a sly old blue hen +refused to lay in the proper place.</p> + +<p>"It's just like Grandpa Tucker's, only nicer," +declared Dum. "Grandpa treats us as though +we were about two years old and treats Zebedee +as though he had just arrived in his teens, so +when we go there, while we have splendid +times, we are being told what not to do from +morning till night."</p> + +<p>"Well, nobody ever has told me not to do +things," I said. "Mammy Susan grumbles when +she thinks I am too venturesome, but she has +always ended by letting me have my own way; +and Father says he thinks my way is about as +good as anybody's way."</p> + +<p>"Well, isn't it funny you are not spoiled?" +tweedled the girls.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I believe I used to be spoiled when I was a +tiny thing; but Father says if people grow up +spoiled, it is because they lack sense, and he always +said he knew I had sense enough to live +down the spoiling that he and Mammy Susan +just couldn't help giving me."</p> + +<p>"I believe Dr. Allison is right, Dee," said Dum +very solemnly, "and when we are unruly with +Zebedee I know it is not the fault of our early +training that we love to lay it on, but just plain +lack of sense."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm going to try to be mighty good, +then," exclaimed Dee. "If there is anything in +the world I hate, it's stupidity."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>DEER HUNTING.</div> + + +<p>It was a glorious morning. Of course we had +to get up before the sun thought of such a thing. +Indeed, there was a crazy, old, lop-sided, dissipated-looking, +gibbous moon still hanging on to +life when we came piling out of the warm, lighted +house and climbed into the two vehicles waiting +for us. Father and Mr. Tucker were to go +in Father's buggy, and the girls and I were very +snug, three on the seat of the runabout, with the +lunch and coffee pot bouncing around in the +back, and the Tuckers' guns carefully stowed +under the seat.</p> + +<p>Jo Winn joined us at Milton, the New York +cousin in the buggy with him. We were curious +to see the cousin, whom Father had reported +as being "quite likely." Jo was as good as gold +and perfectly intelligent with a keen sense of +humor, but he was as silent as the tomb. His<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +sister Sally was the greatest chatterbox in the +world, I am sure. She simply never stopped +talking except on those occasions when she was +doing her best to "shuffle off this mortal coil," +and then she seemed to be not able to stop talking +long enough to die thoroughly. Just when +the grave was yawning for her (or maybe because +of her) she would think of something she +simply had to talk about and come back to life.</p> + +<p>The Winns were F. F. V.'s, in that they were +among the first families in Virginia, if not of +Virginia. They were not aristocrats, certainly. +They came of good pioneer stock who were tillers +of the soil in the seventeenth century and still +were in the twentieth. They had lived on the +same tract of land for two centuries and a half, +and in America that should stand for aristocracy, +but somehow with the Winns it never had. +They had no desire to be considered great folk +and so they never were. The war between the +states had left them as it had found them, in +fairly prosperous circumstances. Never having +owned slaves, the emancipation of the negroes +did not affect them one way or the other. Having<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +always done their own sowing and reaping, +they could still do it. The family had never been +much on marrying, and now there were none +left but the hypochondriacal old maid Sally and +her younger brother Jo.</p> + +<p>I had given the twins a history of the Winns +as we spun over to Milton. Pegasus was in fine +feather, which seems a strange thing to say of +a horse, but of one whose name suggests wings, +perhaps it is appropriate.</p> + +<p>"I fancy Jo is so silent because Sally talks so +much," suggested Dum.</p> + +<p>"Maybe it is the other way and Sally talks so +much to make up for Jo's silence," I said; "but +I hope the cousin from New York will strike a +happy medium."</p> + +<p>"A 'cousin from New York' always sounds +so exciting and just as like as not he'll come +from Hoboken. Dr. Allison says he is about +twenty-five, so I reckon he'll not notice us kids, +anyhow. It won't break our hearts, that's sure," +and Dee tossed her blue-black head in disdain of +all males.</p> + +<p>Jo and the cousin were waiting for us at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +crossroads. The cousin was a good-looking +young man with blue eyes and light hair, very +picturesque in a brand new hunting suit, leggins +and all.</p> + +<p>"They won't stay new long," I whispered to +the girls, "with Jo's hounds flopping all over +them."</p> + +<p>Jo was forced to open his mouth and speak, +as it was up to him to introduce the cousin, but +he did it in as few words as possible.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Kent—Miss Allison." And then an appealing +glance at me gave me to understand that +the matter was in my hands, so I took up the +social burden and introduced Jo and Mr. Kent +to the Tuckers. Mr. Reginald Kent,—that was +the picturesque name that went with the picturesque +corduroy suit,—proved himself to be a +young man of resources. He had no idea of +taking the long drive to the spot of the possible +deer alone with the silent Jo, the hounds wallowing +all over his new clothes.</p> + +<p>"See here," he exclaimed, "I think one of us +fellows ought to get in with the young ladies.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +They might need some protection on the trip." +Jo looked very much amused at my needing protection +and the twins certainly looked buxom +enough to take care of themselves without the +help of Mr. Reginald Kent.</p> + +<p>"Well, sort yourselves in a hurry," called +Father. "The colt won't stand another minute +and I don't want to get too far ahead of the +rest of you."</p> + +<p>"Let me get in with Mr. Winn," begged Dee. +"I'm crazy to ride with the dogs." Jo's dogs +were the only ones going, although the pack at +Bracken plead piteously to be allowed to join the +party. It seemed best not to take too many, and +Jo's dogs were so well trained that the men had +decided on them.</p> + +<p>Mr. Reginald Kent squeezed his new corduroys +between Dum and me, and Dee jumped into +the buggy with the grinning Jo. Dee declared +later that Jo talked as much as most men and +was a very agreeable person; but I fancy the +real truth of the matter was that Dee chattered +away at her usual rate, and that Jo was such an +eloquent listener Dee never did discover that she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +was doing all the talking. Certainly they found +a topic of interest to both of them in the dogs, +and as talking about the dogs meant patting the +dogs, the dogs naturally were pleased.</p> + +<p>Our cavalier proved to be very cheerful and +very complimentary. He was evidently much +pleased to escape the silent Jo. We liked him in +spite of his fulsome compliments, and when we +gave him to understand that flattery was not the +way to curry favor with us, he became more natural +and we had a very amusing time with him. +It turned out that he did not live in Hoboken +as Dee had predicted, but in the heart of New +York City. He was employed by an advertising +firm, not only as a writer of advertisements, but +also as illustrator.</p> + +<p>"Of course there is no pleasant way of making +a living," he said, "but I long to get out of this +commercial art and into regular illustrating."</p> + +<p>"But I adore ads," exclaimed Dum. "Dee and +Zebedee and I always read every word of them +and Zebedee says you can find more pure fiction +in them than in the magazine proper—or improper."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, after this I shall do my work more enthusiastically +and more conscientiously, knowing +there is a chance of its coming under such eyes," +and Mr. Kent's glance of admiration into Dum's +hazel eyes gave her to understand he was speaking +of those particular eyes and not Dee's and +Zebedee's. I rather expected to see Dum give him +a back-hander, but instead she blushed in rather +a pleased way, just as any young girl should +on receiving such a compliment from a handsome +young man from New York.</p> + +<p>The roads in our county are much improved, +thanks to the automobilists who have worked +such reforms throughout the whole country. On +that morning they were hard and dry, even +dusty, and we went spinning along through the +frosty air, Father ahead with the colt behaving +as though it were a hurry call and every moment +counted. I was next in line and Peg was +giving me all I could do to hold her in. She +seemed to want to let us all see that an upstartish +colt could trot no faster than she could. +I was rather glad that Mr. Reginald Kent had +taken a fancy to hazel eyes instead of gray, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +I needed my gray eyes to pick a smooth road for +Peg. Jo Winn and Dee were just far enough +behind us to keep out of our dust, and occasionally +we could hear Dee's ringing laugh and an +unusual guffaw from the silent Jo.</p> + +<p>"You see now why we couldn't come in your +automobile, as Mr. Tucker wanted," I said to +Dum, as Father wheeled the colt sharply to the +left into a forest of pines where scrub oaks and +chinquepins almost concealed a very poor excuse +for a road.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Daughter," Father called back to +me; "we'll keep close together through the +woods, as there is no dust."</p> + +<p>I really believe that the road through that +pine forest is the very worst road in Virginia, +and that is saying a good deal, as my beloved +state has only recently awakened to the fact that +it reflects on her standing to be noted as having +the worst roads in the Union. That particular +road had great granite bowlders; ruts that +threatened to swallow us; gnarled tree roots that +stretched across the path as though they meant +to trip us up; and sometimes even a fallen trunk<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +over which we would have to bounce, testing the +springs of our vehicles to their utmost endurance.</p> + +<p>"Well, I reckon little Henry Ford" (that is +what the Tuckers called their car), "would have +been ditched long before this," gasped Dum, as +one wheel took a bowlder and the other a deep +rut.</p> + +<p>"Miss Allison, I haven't asked you to let me +assist you in driving, just because I know you +can do it so much better than I can," said Mr. +Kent. "I'd have turned over there as sure as +I'm born."</p> + +<p>"Well, I came mighty near doing it," I +laughed. "If Dum's hat had not been on the +side and tilted toward the bowlder, we would +have landed in the ditch, I know. We had just +about an ounce's weight in our favor."</p> + +<p>"I guess it's a good thing I part my hair in +the middle in these hairbreadth escapes. Just +think, suppose it had been parted on the left side +and had counterbalanced Miss Dum's hat tipped +toward the right! Over we would have gone."</p> + +<p>Just then a Molly Cotton-tail jumped up out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +of the bracken and the dogs set up a fearful +howling. It was all Jo Winn and Dee could do +to hold them in their places. Mr. Tucker and +Dum looked longingly at their guns but the colt +would not stand for shooting going on so close +to him, and, besides, when people go out for +deer they do not want to begin on rabbits. So +little Miss Molly got off for that time at least.</p> + +<p>I was glad. There is something in my make-up +that recoils from killing anything. To be +sure, I am fond of a rabbit's hind leg, about as +good eating as one can find, but when I am picking +on one of those hind legs I have to close my +mind carefully to the fact that that same hind +leg has helped to carry some Bre'r Rabbit +through many a briar patch. If the image comes +to me of a perky little white tail scurrying +through the bushes with the eager dogs in pursuit, +I simply have to give up eating the delectable +morsel and Mammy Susan has to broil me +some bacon.</p> + +<p>"Hi, there, Uncle Peter," called Father to an +old negro man approaching on a mule, a great +sack of corn balanced on his pommel, "don't tell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +me you are not at home when we are coming to +see you."</p> + +<p>"Well, Docallison, I done tech bottom in de +meal bag dis very mawnin', an' I was jes' a takin' +some cawn to de mill; but efn de quality folks +is a comin' ter see me, I kin sho make out wif +de scrapin's till anudder day."</p> + +<p>"We are going to try our luck with the deer, +Uncle Peter, and I thought we would leave our +teams at your cabin and get you to bring our +provisions over to Falling Water in your wheelbarrow."</p> + +<p>"'Visions, you say? Well, efn you's goin' ter +have 'visions, dey ain't no us'n my goin' ter de +mill fer days ter come. 'Visions from Bracken +means dat Mammy Susan done had her say-so, +and dat ole nigger 'oman is sho a amplified perfider. +They'll be 'nuf leavins ter feed de multitude +on Mount Aryrat." And Uncle Peter +turned his willing mule's head around and led +the way to his cabin.</p> + +<p>Click! Click! went Mr. Kent's pocket camera. +"Exactly the type I am looking for! Now, Miss +Dum, when you look through the advertisements<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +several months from now, be sure to notice a +certain molasses that is to be put on the market. +Uncle Peter will be there taking his corn to the +mill so he can have a 'pone to sop in de 'lasses.' +Oh, look at the cabin! Isn't it charming?"</p> + +<p>It was indeed a typical log cabin. It was old, +very old, but Uncle Peter kept it in good repair, +patching the mortar in the chinks from time to +time and propping up the great stone chimney +that stood at about the angle of the Leaning +Tower of Pisa. On the door and walls were +tacked many coon skins. That is the method employed +for curing the skins, and Uncle Peter +made quite a little money selling coon skins. He +had only a small clearing around his cabin but +a good cornfield down in the creek bottom.</p> + +<p>"'Light, 'light," said Uncle Peter, "Rosana +will be that proud ter 'ceive you. She been +throwing rocks all mornin' at that ole Shanghai +rooster who would crow fer comp'ny. Co'se +Rosana didn't know de comp'ny was a goin' ter +be white folks. She done' low it would be some +er dem low-down niggers tother side er de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +swamp what is always a-comin' empty and gwine +away full."</p> + +<p>Aunt Rosana squeezed herself sideways +through the cabin door. She was a mountain +of flesh, with about as much shape as a football. +Indeed, she looked very like the potato +babies Mammy Susan used to make me: a big +potato for the body; a little potato for a head, +stuck on with a match; feet and arms of peanuts; +and a face scratched on with a kitchen +fork. Her voice sounded like hot mashed potato +as she bade us welcome.</p> + +<p>"Well, efn I won't hab ter gib dat ole Shanghai +rooster a extry handful er wheat! Here I +been a-was'in' time all mornin' tryin' ter make +him shet up his 'nostigatin' fer comp'ny, not +thinkin' he was a-crowin' fer quality. I mought +a-knowed he wouldn't er crowed so loud an' clear +fer nuthin' but niggers, an' swamp niggers, at +dat," and a laugh shook her huge body, reminding +me of the "bowl full of jelly."</p> + +<p>We were glad to stretch ourselves after the +long drive, and Aunt Rosana took us into her +cabin while the men of the party attended to unhitching<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +the horses. The cabin was spotless, although +the one room it boasted was kitchen, parlor +and bedroom in one. A great fireplace almost +the entire length of one side of the room +was really the kitchen. Aunt Rosana scorned +iron stoves and still did her cooking with pot-hooks +and Dutch ovens. Even now, hanging +from one hook, was a singing black iron kettle +and from another a covered pot from which issued +an aroma that told me that Uncle Peter was +going to have cabbage for dinner. Homemade +rag rugs covered the floor almost entirely, but +wherever a spot of oak flooring showed, it was +gleaming white with much scrubbing.</p> + +<p>A great four-poster had the place of honor opposite +the fireplace. It was a bed fit for the +slumbers of kings and princes. Many families +in Virginia will exhibit just such beds and +proudly tell you that in those beds Lafayette and +Washington had slept. I don't know how Uncle +Peter and Aunt Rosana happened to have it, but +I know that the beautiful old bed had never harbored +a more worthy couple. The patchwork +quilt, with its intricate rising-sun pattern, was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +Aunt Rosana's handiwork. The walls were decorated +with brilliant chromos, calendars dating +back into the 'seventies and on up to date.</p> + +<p>The twins were charmed with the place and +their interest was most flattering to Aunt Rosana. +She showed them all her treasures, even +her photograph album.</p> + +<p>"And who are all of these people?" asked +Dum, who was politely looking at every photograph.</p> + +<p>"Lor', chile, I dunno. Peter bought dat ere +album at a sale ober in de nex' county. Ev'ybody +in de book is white, an' dey looks like quality +ter me; but dese days yer can't tell. Some +er de quality is lookin' moughty stringy an' de +oberseer class is pickin' up so dey is kinder mergin' +inter great folks."</p> + +<p>"What's this up your chimney?" queried Dee, +peering up the great flue.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dat's whar I smokes my meat. They's +some shoulders up dar; an' some sides er baking +wif a streak er fat an' a streak er lean as pretty +as any you kin buy in de city. An' them's my +little chany valuebowles what I been collecking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +of sence I was a baby," said Aunt Rosana to +Dum, who was examining a great array of little +china ornaments on top of a large old highboy.</p> + +<p>There were little china girls kissing little china +boys; little baskets with turtle doves on the handles; +pink puppies and green cats, some of them +meant for match safes and some of them purely +ornamental; little cups and saucers of every +shape and hue; little pitchers with big ears and +some with no ears at all. I have never been in +a cabin of self-respecting colored people where +there was not a chest of drawers or a table filled +with similar treasures. I know Aunt Rosana +thought as much of her "chany valuebowles" as +Father did of his books, and her sensations when +Dum almost dropped a little shell-covered box +was just what Father's would have been if he +had seen a careless reader turn down a page in +one of his beloved books, or bend back the covers +of one of his first editions.</p> + +<p>"Do look at this," begged Dum of Mr. Kent, +who had just entered the cabin. She held up +in her hand a china cow of a decidedly lavender +hue with horns and hoofs of gilt, and quoted:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> + +<div class='poem'> +"'I never saw a purple cow;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I never hope to see one;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">But I can tell you, anyhow,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I'd rather see than be one.'"</span><br /> +<br /> +"'Ah, yes, I wrote the "Purple Cow"—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I'm sorry now I wrote it!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">But I can tell you, anyhow,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I'll kill you if you quote it!'"</span><br /> +</div> + +<div class="uninident">laughed Mr. Kent, taking the fearful and wonderful +animal in his hands and examining it with +great interest. "Isn't this place delightful? If +I had only brought my sketching things instead +of my gun, I'd stay here and paint. I'm going +to ask Aunt Rosana to let me take some time +exposures of the interior of her cabin. Just look +at that bed and that fireplace! Thank goodness, +I've got my camera with a perfectly new +film good for twelve exposures."</div> + +<p>"Well, Gawd be praised dat ole Shanghai gib +me warnin' of comp'ny comin' an' I done stirred +my stumps an' straightened up some, efn my +room's goin' ter git its Dager'type took," and +Aunt Rosana's flesh quivered with delight.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE MIGHTY HUNTER.</div> + + +<p>The pictures were soon taken and we were on +our way to the low country. Everyone carried +a gun but me. Uncle Peter brought up the rear +with a wheelbarrow laden with the "'visions."</p> + +<p>It was a long walk but such a delightful one +that we never once thought of getting tired. +Our way lay through a pine forest and was up +hill and down dale. Tweedles and I were as +well able to take the walk as any of the male +persuasion, although it took some time to make +Mr. Kent understand that we could get along +without his assistance. He would help Dum +over a worm fence, much to Dee's and my +amusement, as we knew that Dum could vault it +with one hand, just as we did.</p> + +<p>"I never saw such independent young ladies as +you three," he confessed after a daring leap we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +had made over a gulch. "The girls I know in +New York expect to be assisted over every gutter."</p> + +<p>"Maybe that's their town manner, and if they +were turned loose in the country they might help +themselves as well as we can," I suggested. "To +tell the truth, it makes me fall down if anyone +helps me."</p> + +<p>"Do you know," whispered Dee to me, "I verily +believe that Reginald Kent person is getting +stuck on Dum? I hope he won't shoot her. I +don't believe he ever carried a gun before in his +life. He handles it like a walking stick."</p> + +<p>"He's real nice, don't you think?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, nice enough, but I can't see why +Dum lets him boost her over every stick and +stone. She's perfectly able-bodied. She looks +to me as though she rather liked to be treated +like a boneless vertebrate," and Dee looked very +disgusted. The fact was that Dum was taking +the helping just as she was taking the compliments: +in a perfectly natural, girlish way.</p> + +<p>"Fond of the country?" asked Mr. Tucker,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> +glancing with an amused twinkle at Mr. Kent's +nonchalant manner of holding his gun.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, fond enough, what I know of it. +I've had to stick pretty close to Broadway all +my life. I spent a summer down here with the +Winns once when I was a kid and that's about +the only country I've known."</p> + +<p>"Haven't you hunted before?" questioned +Dum, jumping back from the barrel of Mr. +Kent's new gun that was pointing ominously at +her.</p> + +<p>"Well, I've shot the 'shoots' at Coney Island, +and have practiced at hitting the bull's-eye in the +galleries at that gay resort until I can ring the +bell every time, but that is the extent of my experience," +and Mr. Kent looked a little wistful. +"I'd be mighty glad of some pointers from any +of you that have had more."</p> + +<p>"Well, point your gun, barrel down," tweedled +the twins.</p> + +<p>"Ah, so, I see," he said, grasping his gun in +a more sportsmanlike manner, and all of us +breathed a sigh of relief. I had been in terror +for fear he might ring a b-e-l-l-e or hit some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +eye not in a bull ever since we left Aunt Rosana's +cabin. "I'm awfully green," continued +the young man, modestly. "I cut a poorer figure +turned loose here in the country than old Uncle +Peter would on the Great White Way."</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it," said Mr. Tucker kindly. He +seemed rather impressed by Mr. Kent's frankness +and modesty. Indeed, the young New +Yorker could not cut a poor figure anywhere. +He was well grown and sturdy and had an athletic +swing to his walk due not only to much +work in a gymnasium but to the "magnificent +distances" he had been compelled to walk in +New York.</p> + +<p>I have noticed that town-bred persons as a +rule walk much better than country-bred. When +they get on rough ground they walk as though +it were smooth, while country people when they +strike pavements look as though they were still +getting over plowed ground. Reginald Kent, if +he did not know how to carry a gun, knew how +to carry himself. With shoulders back, chin in +and head well up, he stepped along like a West<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +Pointer; while Jo Winn slouched with shoulders +bent and head forward.</p> + +<p>We chatted away very merrily until we came +to the creek where the party was to separate. +There was not much chance of any game, big or +little, with such a crowd tramping through the +woods. It was agreed that Father, Mr. Tucker +and Jo Winn should cross the creek and go on +to the river, where they were to take a skiff, +owned by old Uncle Peter and kept moored at +a certain spot, known to Father; from there they +were to go into the marshes; and, later on, come +down the river and join us at the mouth of the +creek. We were to keep on straight down the +creek with Uncle Peter and Mr. Kent, who earnestly +desired to stay and "take care" of the +ladies.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to change my loads for rabbits," +said Dee, suiting the action to the word. "This +big shot would tear a rabbit all to pieces and I +believe we are more apt to see rabbits than +deer."</p> + +<p>Mr. Kent followed suit but Dum kept "loaded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +fur b'ar," as she expressed it. Dee soon got a +rabbit, which she wept over.</p> + +<p>"She always does that," explained Dum. "She +shoots things for the love of shooting and then +bawls because she has taken an innocent life."</p> + +<p>We had one of Jo's dogs with us. The other +two had gone with the three men to stalk the +possible deer. Our dog started up several rabbits +and Mr. Kent joyously got two of them.</p> + +<p>"Gee, this beats clay pigeons and shooting galleries," +he declared. "I feel like a man-eating +lion now; since I have tasted blood, I'll never be +content to go back to my quiet, uneventful life."</p> + +<p>We pitched camp near the mouth of the creek +on a cliff overlooking the river. Uncle Peter +and I made a fire and skinned the rabbits, while +the Tuckers and the cavalier went off in search +of more game. Under a great ledge of rock +we found some snow left from a storm we had +before Christmas, and after washing the rabbits +well and letting them stand in cold water +long enough to get out the animal heat, we +buried them in the snow: "Ter git the fraishness +out'n em," explained Uncle Peter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p> + +<p>I always loved to mess around a campfire, and +Uncle Peter proved a most delightful companion.</p> + +<p>"I like this a lot better than killing things, +Uncle Peter," I said.</p> + +<p>"Sho, child, so do I. I've been a-huntin' all +my life, but it ain't been fer pleasure. I hunts +fer a livin' an' I wouldn't shoot nothin' fer the +love er killin' any mor'n I'd go dig taters fer +exercise. I digs taters fer taters. I done tuck +de libbuty of bringin' some sweet taters I made +dis year fer ter roas' fer you-alls dinner," and +the old man pulled a bag from the wheelbarrow +that held great sweet potatoes almost as big as +my head.</p> + +<p>"They's nothin' so 'lectable as sweet taters +what is roasted in de cam'fire. Jes' put 'em down +in de ashes and kiver 'em over an' den fergit +'em, jes' fergit 'em. Dey can't cook too long +'kase de mo' de outside burns de mealier de inside +is go'nter git," and Uncle Peter piled on +more brushwood and raked the hot ashes over +the yams.</p> + +<p>Every now and then we heard a shot off in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +the direction of the Amazons and their so-called +protector. I did hope the girls were having good +luck and would come back with game of some +sort. Uncle Peter and I got out the "'visions" +and began to prepare for the hunters who, experience +told us, would come along soon, hungry +as wolves.</p> + +<p>"Killin's a mighty ap'tizin' spo't," laughed +Uncle Peter, "an' victuals cooked in de open +seems ter be mo' tasty-like dan de ones in kitchens."</p> + +<p>First we fried the bacon and then put it in a +covered pan to keep hot, and used the bacon +grease to fry the rabbits, which we had seasoned +very highly and rolled in flour. I filled the coffee +pot with fresh water from a bubbling spring +near by, and, resting it on two stones about six +inches apart, I raked out hot coals, and soon it +began to heat up. I had just completed this +culinary feat when Uncle Peter whispered to +me:</p> + +<p>"Look, chile, down yander by the ribber!"</p> + +<p>The cliff where we had pitched our little camp +overlooked the river, and about a hundred yards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +from the base of our cliff was a graveled ford, or +shallows. The scrub growth was close down to +the water's edge but stretching out into the +stream was a little sandy beach. Beyond the +scrub growth rose the dark pines, and an occasional +oak with its great bare branches towered +above all meaner trees. From the underbrush +had stepped a young buck. He was picking his +way daintily across the pebbles to the water's +edge. How beautiful he was! I wanted our +guests to have good sport, but I longed with a +longing that was almost a prayer that no one +with a gun was seeing what Uncle Peter and I +were seeing. What wind there was came from +his direction so he got no scent of us, and he +drank his fill with unconcern, as though he lived +in the "forest primeval." Then he proudly +raised his antlered head and stood a moment +sniffing the air.</p> + +<p>"Bang!" rang out a shot, whizzing close to my +ear, and "Bang!" came the echo from the cliff. +The young buck stood a moment as though +sculptured, and not until the echo answered did +he drop. It almost seemed that the echo had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +been the good shot that had laid low this possible +future leader of herds.</p> + +<p>"Oh, the pity of it! The pity of it!" my heart +cried out. Turning, I saw my friends on a ledge +of rock farther down the river; Dum, with her +smoking gun still raised to her shoulder, an +exalted look on her face and her black hair with +the coppery lights tumbling all about her, an +Amazon, indeed; Dee, crumpled up in a little +heap, her hands over her face.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" shouted Reginald Kent, beside +himself with excitement.</p> + +<p>Dee jumped up from her crumpled heap and +clambered down the cliff, tears streaming down +her face and great sobs shaking her body. She +fortunately had on waterproof boots, because +she thought no more of water than she did of +land. She splashed right across the shallow +ford and, kneeling down by the poor deer, she +buried her tear-stained face on his twitching +shoulder.</p> + +<p>Just then the skiff with Mr. Tucker, Father +and Jo Winn came round a bend in the river.</p> + +<p>"Hello! What's this?" called Mr. Tucker in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +some alarm, seeing his daughter kneeling on +the sand by an expiring stag. "Where's Dum? +What's happened?"</p> + +<p>"It's just Dee, deedling," called out Dum. "I +shot the deer and now Dee's breaking her heart."</p> + +<p>"O—h, O—h, but he recognized me just before +he died!" sobbed Dee. "I could tell by the +way he looked at me."</p> + +<p>"It was a good thing he did 'recognize' you," +grinned Jo Winn. "If he had not, he might +have gored you. An injured buck is a right dangerous +thing to fool with."</p> + +<p>We comforted Dee as best we could and +praised Dum for her shot. Soon we were gathered +around our campfire, and then Uncle Peter +and I came in for our share of praise for the +good dinner we had cooked.</p> + +<p>"We'll feast on venison to-morrow," said +Father.</p> + +<p>"Ah, never!" shuddered Dee. "I couldn't, not +after he recognized me."</p> + +<p>"Maybe Molly Cottontail, whose hind leg you +seem to be enjoying so, would have recognized +you, too, if she had ever seen you before," teased<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +Mr. Tucker. "Now, Miss Page, here, has such +a tender heart she can't eat rabbit that she has +seen running in the woods but contents herself +with bacon."</p> + +<p>"Have you no pity, then, for the poor faithful +hogs?" asked Father. "They no doubt enjoy +life as much as the deer or Bre'r Rabbit. That +is perhaps bacon from one of old Sally's offspring; +and, Page, you used to play with those +pigs when they were little as though they were +kittens. I have no doubt all of the litter would +recognize you. When we begin to sentimentalize +about our food, we had better 'open our mouths +and shut our eyes,' as there is no telling to what +lengths it may lead us."</p> + +<p>"But, Doctor, you know 'Pigs is pigs,'" broke +in Mr. Tucker, and the discussion ended with a +laugh.</p> + +<p>After dinner the gentlemen made another excursion +across the river but came back without +having seen even a deer track. They got a few +partridges, however, and some rabbits and were +content. We started home through the pine forest +a very happy, merry party.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. Reginald Kent stuck closer than a brother +to Dum's side, and Mr. Tucker, who was walking +with me, and I overheard this conversation +between the infatuated young New Yorker and +the ingenuous Dum:</p> + +<p>"Do you know, Miss Dum, you looked like +Diana when you stood on that rock and aimed +at the deer? I wanted to paint you awfully +bad and did click the camera on you. I hope +you don't mind."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, I don't mind if it will help you any +in your advertising. Are you going to put me +in the 'lasses ad, too?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, now, Miss Dum, quit your kidding! You +know I didn't mean I wanted to paint you for +advertising, I meant for myself." And then +Dum blushed.</p> + +<p>Mr. Tucker frowned. He evidently did not +relish his girls getting old enough to be talked +to that way.</p> + +<p>"Miss Dum, will you do me a great favor?" +continued Mr. Kent. "I want more than anything +in the world a lock of your hair. It is the +most wonderful hair I have ever seen. Sometimes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +it looks black, and then in another light it +is almost red. When it came down while you +were aiming at the deer, it was like copper in +the sun. Please give me just a little lock to take +back to New York with me."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid Zebedee would not like for me +to cut my hair," answered Dum primly. "But I +tell you," she added generously, "I can save you +the combings, if you would like them."</p> + +<p>Mr. Reginald Kent looked rather nonplused +and Mr. Tucker handed me his gun to hold while +he rolled in the leaves for very joy. As we were +bringing up the rear, nobody saw this pantomime +but me, and I was as glad as Dum's father that +she was not going to be grown up for a while +yet.</p> + +<p>Mr. Kent was to go back to New York on the +following day; in a little more than a week Dum +would be in boarding school; and it would of +necessity be many a day before the two could +meet again. Perhaps the next time they do +meet, Dum will have grown to the age when she +will know that to offer a young man combings in +lieu of a lock is not conducive to romance.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>A VISIT TO RICHMOND.</div> + + +<p>Those were certainly three mad, merry days +I spent in Richmond with the Tuckers. Poor +Father had to go to Cousin Park Garnett's and +he just hated it. But he had promised her that +the first time he went to Richmond he would stay +at her house, and stay he had to.</p> + +<p>The Tuckers met us at the station in little +Henry Ford. It had been only a few days since +they had been with us at Bracken, but we had +much to talk about and a great deal of news to +exchange.</p> + +<p>"Father is having the deer skin tanned to +make a rug for our room at Gresham, and the +antlers are to be mounted for a hat-rack," exclaimed +Dum.</p> + +<p>"Sally Winn tried to die last night, and I +drove over to Milton with Father, and Jo told<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +me he thought you, Dee, were the most sensible +lady he had ever met," I managed to get in.</p> + +<p>"He promised me a pointer pup; I hope he +won't forget it. Brindle had a fight yesterday +and is all bunged up from it. I know you are +dying to meet Brindle," said Dee.</p> + +<p>"No doubt she is pining away for that honor," +teased Mr. Tucker, "but don't you think she +could wait until after luncheon? How about it, +Miss Page?"</p> + +<p>"Well, if Brindle can stand it, I fancy I can," +said I. And so we went to a delightful restaurant, +where we had a scrumptious luncheon (I +know no other word to express it): Lynhaven +oysters on the deep shell; Hampton spots so +beautifully cooked that it must have made them +glad to be caught and fried; shoestring potatoes +vying with the fish in charm; Waldorf +salad, with everything in it but the kitchen stove, +as Dee declared.</p> + +<p>Cousin Park was not expecting Father until +the afternoon, so he was spared to us for a little +while, much to his delight and ours.</p> + +<p>"Now, what shall we have for dessert?" asked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> +our genial host. "Tweedles always wants pie,—cocoanut, +as a rule."</p> + +<p>"Pink ice cream for me," said Father. "Did +you ever see a country Jake that didn't want pink +ice cream as soon as he hit the city?"</p> + +<p>"What seasoning?" laughed Mr. Tucker.</p> + +<p>"I don't care, just so it's pink."</p> + +<p>"I believe I'll have what Father has. I like it +pink, too."</p> + +<p>"Well, cocoanut pie for mine," ordered Dum.</p> + +<p>"And lemon meringue for mine," ordered Dee.</p> + +<p>"You are not like the young man who never +ate lemon meringue pie because it messed up his +ears so, are you, Dee?" said Mr. Tucker; and +so our gay little luncheon proceeded.</p> + +<p>"My, how I hate to go to Cousin Park's!" +sighed Father. "She is kind in a way, but so—so—ponderous."</p> + +<p>"Poor Father!" and I patted his knee under +the table, "I do wish you didn't have to go."</p> + +<p>"Well, I have plenty of engagements that will +keep me busy, and I won't have to do much more +than eat and sleep there. But it is her long formal +dinners that bore me so."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, you have simply got to have dinner +with us to-morrow, Saturday, evening at the +Country Club, and no doubt these girls will have +you fox-trotting before the evening is over," +and Mr. Tucker would not take "No" for an answer,—not +that Father was very persistent in +his refusal. We dropped the dear man at Cousin +Park's great, dark house and he had the look of +"Give up all hope ye who enter here."</p> + +<p>The Tuckers had a very attractive apartment +in a large, new, up-to-date building, but I could +fancy the havoc that Dum and Dee caused whenever +they resorted to the gloves to settle their +disputes. The place was so full of nicknacks +that one could hardly turn around. There were +really enough of what Mammy Susan called +"doodads" to decorate a mansion, and all of +these things were crowded into a not very large +apartment. Some of the things were very beautiful +and all of them were interesting, but if they +belonged to me I would pack about half of them +away in storage.</p> + +<p>I thought of a colored woman in the country +who lived in a very small cabin with six little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +children falling over her feet all the time, and +she used to pray fervently, "Oh, Gawd, gimme +grace not ter git so pestered dat I'll throw ary +one er dem out do's." I am afraid I would have +been so pestered with all of the doodads that I +would surely have thrown some of them outdoors.</p> + +<p>"Miss Page, I have been trying to persuade +Tweedles to help me to get rid of some of the +mess in these rooms," said Mr. Tucker, almost +as though he had read my mind. "I feel the +stuffiness of it even more since our visit at +Bracken." That was it, the simplicity of Bracken +had spoiled me for overcrowded rooms.</p> + +<p>"But Zebedee, everything we want to get rid +of is just the thing you think most of, and the +things that you think superfluous are our special +treasures," complained Dum.</p> + +<p>"Well, I am afraid we'll have to wait until you +get some kind of education, and then, if stocks +is riz, we'll move into a house big enough to +spread out in."</p> + +<p>Their rugs were beautiful and their pictures +I have since found out were very fine. At that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> +time, however, they did not seem very good to +me. The taste in art of a fifteen-year-old girl +who has seen next to no pictures is not to be +relied upon; and no doubt my taste was abominable.</p> + +<p>Brindle took me to his heart and made me perfectly +at home. He was a bow-legged, brindle +bull with undershot jaw and eyes like damson +jam. Dee loved him next to Zebedee and Dum; +and I know cried herself to sleep many a night +at boarding school, longing for her pet. He was +certainly a very human person, or rather dog, I +should say, and ruled the Tuckers with a rod of +iron. He actually made Mr. Tucker get out of +a chair that he, Brindle, had taken a fancy to, +and he curled himself up on the seat with a +haughty sniff that made us scream with laughter, +until Dee insisted that we control our merriment, +as Brindle did not like to be laughed at.</p> + +<p>"It is his one fault," she said; "he has not a +very keen sense of humor."</p> + +<p>"He has one other, Dee," said Mr. Tucker; +"he does smell like a dog, you must admit." Dee +had to admit it, but declared she thought a dog<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +should smell like a dog and not like a tuberose; +so the discussion ended.</p> + +<p>We took in the movies that afternoon. I don't +know how many of them, but it was great fun.</p> + +<p>"Zebedee won't usually let us go without him," +said Dee, "but he thinks you are dignified enough +to hold us down."</p> + +<p>"Me—dignified? Why, father thinks I am as +wild as a March hare!"</p> + +<p>"Well, Zebedee says you know when to be +quiet. Zebedee likes you a lot, Page," declared +Dum. "If you weren't exactly what you are, +Dee and I would be awfully jealous of you. +What you blushing about?" Such a double-barreled +compliment would make an old pair of +leather saddle bags blush; and a girl of my thin +skin naturally took on a rosy hue, that Dee declared +put me out of the chaperone class.</p> + +<p>That evening we went to a vaudeville performance. +Mr. Tucker's newspaper connection +gave him the <i>entrée</i> anywhere in the house, so +we were very grand in box seats. A particularly +amusing black-faced artist was giving a song-and-dance +when Dee exclaimed:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Look up there in the balcony!" And what +should we see but Father's dear old lean, solemn +face convulsed with merriment. Zebedee—I +mean Mr. Tucker—went up and made him join +us.</p> + +<p>"How did you escape Cousin Park?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, she thinks I am in solemn conclave with +some of my professional brethren! I didn't exactly +tell a lie, but I acted one. It was either +that or burst a blood vessel. You know my +Cousin Park, do you not, Mr. Tucker?"</p> + +<p>"Y-e-s, I know her, but she never seems to +know me. With Mrs. Garnett, one must have +either plenty of very blue blood or more than +plenty of very yellow gold. I've got blue blood +to burn, but no yellow gold, as you know. There +must be something radically wrong with me in +her eyes. What it is, I don't know; nor do I +much care. I was very fond of her husband. +Major Peyton Garnett was a good friend to me. +I admired him immensely."</p> + +<p>"Yes, the Major was a fine old gentleman," +said father. He afterward told me that one reason +he had to escape from Cousin Park's presence<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +or break a blood vessel was that she had so +many unkind things to say of Mr. Jeffry Tucker, +the old croaker that she was! "I am sorry for +you, Page, but you are in for a Sunday dinner at +Cousin Park's." I groaned in agonized anticipation. +"I couldn't get out of it for you, my +child, she made such a point of it. She is our +kinswoman, and we have to show her some respect."</p> + +<p>"Well, thank goodness, this time I don't have +to go to the dentist's, too! The combination of +Cousin Park and the dentist is a strong one, I +can tell you. If you can stand her, Father, I +reckon I can."</p> + +<p>"That's my good girl," said Father, patting my +shoulder, and Mr. Tucker gave me a warm and +friendly glance and said:</p> + +<p>"Tweedles and I will see that you get there +late and come away early."</p> + +<p>It seems to me I laughed more at that vaudeville +performance than anybody in the theater. +I had seen very few shows in my life, and everything +was new and fresh to me. I was not bored +even by the strong man who seemed to be so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> +tiresome to the audience, and no joke was too +much of a chestnut to be scorned by me. To +have Father with us, too, made my cup of happiness +full to the brim.</p> + +<p>The next evening, Saturday, we had dinner at +the Country Club, and stayed for the dance afterward. +The Country Club was a beautiful +building with spacious grounds, golf links, tennis +courts, and a view of the James River that +appealed to me very much. The dinner was fine, +and Father and I had a splendid time.</p> + +<p>"I am glad to escape all the meals I can at the +apartment house café," confessed Mr. Tucker. +"When Tweedles are away, I eat anywhere but +at home."</p> + +<p>"You are an extravagant piece," said Dee.</p> + +<p>"But I have my regular meals served for +Brindle," laughed Mr. Tucker.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that alters the case, then!" exclaimed +Dee. "Brindle should have just as good food as +people, with a variety of vegetables."</p> + +<p>What a ballroom floor they had at that clubhouse! +I had never danced, as I said before, +until I went to school, but I had been an apt pupil<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +because I was such an eager one, and now +knew enough of the modern dances to get along +very well. I had never in my life danced with a +man. At school we took turns guiding, and I +was much sought after because of my being so +untiring.</p> + +<p>"Miss Page, you are the guest of honor and I +am the host, so it is in order that you give me +this first dance." And Mr. Jeffry Tucker bowed +in front of me as though I were a great society +belle.</p> + +<p>The Tuckers were all born dancers, and as I +glided away with Mr. Tucker, I remembered +what Miss Jane Cox had said about his leading +the germans at the University with his little +sweetheart Virginia, afterward his wife. A +great wave of pity for the poor little dead wife +swept over me, and I came very near missing +step in a rather intricate dance we were attempting. +It must have been so sad to die and leave +such a delightful husband and the twins, who +were such charming girls that they must have +been cunning little babies. What a vigorous +presence was Jeffry Tucker's! He must have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> +been a lover that any girl would have been happy +with. I hoped if I ever did have a lover that he +would be the kind that I fancied Mr. Tucker +must have been. Something made me blush as +my thoughts dwelt on my ever having a lover.</p> + +<p>"My, what a color dancing gives you!" exclaimed +my partner. "A minute ago you looked +so sad I wondered what you were thinking of, +and now you are as rosy as the dawn."</p> + +<p>"'It is darkest just before dawn,' you know," +I answered. I wondered what he would have +said had he known what I was thinking of when +I looked so sad. And then a strange thing happened, +and the kind of thing has happened very +often in my life when I have been with Mr. +Tucker: he took up my thoughts almost as +though he had read them and said:</p> + +<p>"I was thinking of my little girl wife, Virginia. +I so often think of her when I dance. +She and I danced our youth away. She was a +wonderful dancer. She had the same smooth +glide that you have. I hate a hoppy dancer," +and with his usual disregard of appearances he +wiped his eyes in which the big tears had gathered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> +I did feel so sorry for him, I actually had +the hardihood to pat him on the shoulder where +my left hand rested, but I could not say anything +to him, I felt so choky. The sun came out in a +very few moments, however, and he smiled into +my eyes, and we finished the dance without ever +losing a step. I know Mr. Jeffry Tucker is the +only person in the world who could cry and dance +at the same time. His tears were sincere, too, +quite as sincere as his dancing, and he certainly +put his whole soul into every step he took.</p> + +<p>"Miss Page, you have been mighty good to +Tweedles. I don't know how to thank you for +it," he said, as the music stopped and left us +stranded across the ballroom from Father and +the twins, also, who had been dancing with some +college boys, home for the holidays.</p> + +<p>"Me good to them! Why, they are good to +me, as good as gold!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know what you have done for them. +They control themselves so much better than +they used to and are so much more considerate +in every way. I see your influence at every turn. +They haven't had a fight since they came home<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> +and actually listen when I talk, whether I have +anything to say or not." I had to laugh at this. +I had really made the girls come to their senses +about fighting when they disagreed. Even with +gloves on, it was a very boisterous way of settling +disputes; and we had a rule at 117 Carter +Hall, instituted by me, that a fine of one penny +was imposed when any of us interrupted, unless +the speaker had had the floor out of all reason.</p> + +<p>We found the girls enthusiastic over the dancing, +and Father having as good a time as any of +us. It was his first experience in seeing the +much written and talked-of new dances, and he +was greatly interested.</p> + +<p>"Why, daughter, you dance beautifully!" he +said fondly, as I squeezed in by him. "If you +have learned as much Latin and French at Gresham +as you have dancing, you will be a highly-educated +young woman."</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't promise that," I laughed; "but I +know how to conjugate 'to dance' both in Latin +and French."</p> + +<p>"Well, to be able to conjugate as well as dance +means you are becoming very erudite. That is a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> +very pretty step that Dum has been taking. Is +that the fox-trot? It looks easy, too."</p> + +<p>"It is easy, Doctor Allison," answered Dum, +"and now they are going to dance it again. Come +on and try!" And to the delight and astonishment +of all of us, Father was on the floor with +Dum fox-trotting with a precision that made us +know he had been watching the dancers very +carefully and had been mentally dancing for +some time. I know he had not danced for at least +sixteen years, but, like Miss Jane Cox, once a +dancer, always a dancer.</p> + +<p>"This is more fun than Gresham," whispered +Dee to me, when we stopped to rest a minute +between dances. The college students had been +very attentive and the twins and I had danced +every dance. Who should come rushing up to +us at this moment but Mabel Binks! She embraced +us noisily, and one would have thought we +were her long-lost sisters. We were coldly polite, +but she overlooked our want of cordiality +and fastened herself on to us. There was nothing +for us but to introduce her to Father and +Mr. Tucker and the young men who had been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +dancing attendance on us. That was what she +wanted, and the dead set she made at Mr. Tucker +showed what she considered big game. The festive +Mabel, who lived in Newport News, was +stopping in Richmond for a few days on her way +back to Gresham. She was visiting an old cousin +who, she volubly explained, was too selfish to +do anything for her pleasure. She had with +difficulty persuaded her to bring her to the Country +Club, and now they were there the cousin +either wouldn't or couldn't introduce her to any +men.</p> + +<p>"I can just shift for myself, I'll let her know!" +the dashing girl exclaimed. "The wall is not +meant for me to hold up, and if no one will ask +me to dance, I'll get out and do a <i>pas seul</i>!"</p> + +<p>"I should like to see that <i>pas seul</i>, but first will +you do me the extreme honor to dance this with +me?" said Mr. Tucker, with mock grandiloquence.</p> + +<p>"Dee-lighted!" gushed Mabel, and was soon +engaged in a boisterous hopping match with Mr. +Tucker.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I could kill Zebedee!" said Dum through +clenched teeth. "I believe that Binks thing came +through Richmond with the hope of meeting him, +and here he tumbles at the first shot and goes off +dancing with her as though it—— Oh, I can't +talk about it, it makes me so furious. Look how +they are romping, too! I dare Dee or me to +romp that way."</p> + +<p>I could but recall the views Mr. Tucker had so +recently expressed to me about dancers who +hopped, and here he was jumping around like a +hen on a hot griddle, and as far as I could see, +enjoying himself very much. I sympathized with +Dum; while I did not feel called upon to get into +a rage and clench my teeth, I was a little disappointed +in my kind host. I felt very young and +shy all of a sudden. Mabel, as she triumphantly +bore off the prize, had in a most condescending +way tossed me her handkerchief and gloves with +a "Here, child, hold these for me!" That I +would not do. The heavy smell of musk that +hung around all of Mabel's belongings sickened +me; and why should she make a catch-all of me, +anyhow? I put them down disdainfully on a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +chair, meeting with Dum's hearty approval by +my act, and then had a nice quiet dance with +Father, who proved to be as good a partner as +one could want.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>DINNER AT COUSIN PARK'S.</div> + + +<p>Sunday dawned and with it the consciousness +that I had to go through the ordeal of dinner +with Cousin Park. Oh, how I hated the thought +of it! We had slept late after the unusual hours +we had kept the night before, and Mr. Tucker +had kindly had our breakfast sent up from the +café.</p> + +<p>"That's to make up for treating us the way he +did last night," said Dum, buttering her cakes +as she sat up in bed.</p> + +<p>"Treating us what way?" inquired Dee.</p> + +<p>"Dancing with that Binks abomination. He +knew he had no business to do it."</p> + +<p>"Why, Dum," I said, determined to cool her +down if possible, "I don't really see how Mr. +Tucker could have done otherwise. A schoolmate +who from all appearances is devoted to his +daughters, joins our group and lets it be known<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> +that she is dying to dance, indeed is thinking of +dancing alone. Why, there was no way for a +gentleman to behave than just exactly as Zeb—I +mean Mr. Tucker—did behave. I would have +been pleased if my Father had done exactly as +yours did, and I believe Father would if her innuendos +had been addressed to him."</p> + +<p>"Well, Doctor Allison would never have +hopped as Zebedee did. What I hate to think +about is the way that girl is going to tell all the +girls at school about our handsome young Father +and how he devoted himself to her. I bet she +comes here to-day on some pretext or other."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll sic Brindle on her if she does. He +can't stand cats!" hissed Dee, who was becoming +worked up by Dum's evident passion.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll tell you one thing: the ruder you +are to Mabel the more polite your Father will +be; and the more polite you are, the more indifferent +Mr. Tucker will be," I admonished.</p> + +<p>"How did you get so wise, old Solomon?" +asked Dum, in rather muffled tones through a +mouthful of flannel cakes.</p> + +<p>"Why, Mammy Susan says, 'Men folks an'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> +mules is moughty sim'lar; jes' nachally contrary-wise. +Ef yer want 'em ter go ter de mill, make +out dey's got ter stay in de parsture, an' jes' ter +spite yer dey'll run all de way ter de mill.'"</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll make out Zebedee has got to go +to the mill and he'll want to stay in the pasture. +Mabel Binks is more like a mill than a pasture," +said Dum, rather taken with my philosophy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and 'All is grist that comes to her mill,' +too," declared Dee. "I am going to try the plan +on Zebedee this minute," and she bounced up and +donning slippers and kimono went in to the living +room where Mr. Tucker was deep in the Sunday +paper. She left the door slightly ajar and +Dum and I could plainly hear the conversation.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Zebedee," and the sound of a +hearty kiss. "It was awfully good of you to have +breakfast sent up to us. We did not mean to +oversleep."</p> + +<p>"Glad to do it, Tweedledeedles. I thought all +of you would be tired after tripping the light +fantastic toe almost into Sunday morning."</p> + +<p>"Say, Zebedee, Page has to go to her Cousin +Park's to dinner to-day, so don't you think it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> +would be nice to have Mabel Binks to dinner +with us?"</p> + +<p>Dum gasped and started to rush into the sitting +room, without the formality of a kimono, +but I grabbed her and with a warning finger +quieted her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, come now, Dee, I should think you and +Dum would be content to spend your last Sunday +at home quietly with your poor old lonesome +Zebedee. I can't see what you want with Miss +Binks. She is much older than you, Tweedles, +and not a bit the kind of person I should encourage +you to have as an intimate. I get the names +of your schoolmates mixed, but wasn't she the +girl you wrote me was so purse-proud and unfeeling +in her treatment of that nice ladylike +little girl from Price's Landing?"</p> + +<p>"Ye—s, but I thought you liked her pretty well +last night."</p> + +<p>"Why, I never gave her a thought! She so +plainly asked me to dance with her that I had +to do it; but that was all. She is showily handsome +and amusing enough in the daring way in +which she talks, but nay, nay, not for me!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span></p> + +<p>More sounds of kissing, and then: "Now run on +and all of you get dressed in a hurry so we can +take a nice spin with Henry Ford and go to +church before Miss Page has to be delivered +over to the Dragon."</p> + +<p>"What's that smell, Zebedee? The hall is +reeking with a terrible odor," asked Dee, sniffing +suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"I can't imagine. I was afraid you and Dum +and Miss Page had gone in for musk. The +whole apartment is permeated with it." Dee +went out into the little hall connecting the girls' +bedroom with the living room and poked around +the hatrack, where the odor seemed to be +strongest.</p> + +<p>"Here it is," she cried, "in your overcoat +pocket!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that wretched girl's gloves! She asked +me to hold them for her just before we left the +club, and I must have put them in my pocket. +Hang 'em outside the bathroom window. That +smell is enough to make all of us faint. Please +turn my pocket inside out, so it can air."</p> + +<p>"What did I tell you?" and Dee burst into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> +the bedroom, waving the smelly gloves as she +came; "the minx made Zebedee keep her gloves +just so she could get around here. We'd better +dress in a hurry so we can be ready to receive +her. She might eat up poor Zebedee without his +knowing what got him," and she scornfully hung +the offensive kids out the bathroom window.</p> + +<p>Mabel Binks did come before Dum and I were +quite dressed, but Dee was installed in the living +room waiting for her with Brindle at her side +ready to sic on Mabel if she showed signs of +walking off with the handsome young father.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you naughty man, I am almost sure you +purloined my gloves last night!" we heard her +say, in her loud and strident tones. "I thought +I would stop in on the way to church to get +them."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he did hook them from you," said Dum, +making her appearance like a whirlwind. "Zebedee +is great on that. He steals girls' gloves +all the time and gives them to Dee and me. We +never have to buy any. All the girls get him to +hold their gloves for them and then he brings +them home to us and we divide them up. Here<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> +yours are. Zebedee did not know whose they +were, but we recognized the perfume you are so +fond of. They are too big for us, so we were +not going to row over them." Mr. Tucker sat +dumfounded during this tirade of Dum's, and +as for me, I had to dive back in the room from +which I was emerging to get my countenance +straightened out.</p> + +<p>Dee buried her nose in Brindle's neck and +made such a funny little noise trying to keep +back her laughter that Brindle growled and +wrinkled up his neck in a most ominous manner. +Mabel took the gloves, and for once her aplomb +deserted her. She beat a hasty retreat with good-bys +that were scarcely audible.</p> + +<p>I fully expected that Mr. Tucker would admonish +Dum for the ridiculous fabrication of +which she had been guilty, but he seemed to forget +all about the behavior befitting a parent, and +caught us by the hand and in a moment we were +dancing the Lobster Quadrille and singing lustily, +"Will you, won't you, won't you, will you, +will you join the dance?"</p> + +<p>"Now hurry up and get on your hats and jackets<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> +and we will speed little Henry Ford to +church." And off we went in a Christian frame +of mind and at peace with the whole world, especially +Dum, who had scored heavily over the detested +Mabel.</p> + +<p>The hour for dinner at Cousin Park's had at +last come. How slowly I walked up the broad +stone steps leading to her fine house! The same +lugubrious butler opened the door that had performed +that office when I visited Cousin Park +on that other memorable occasion. He had the +air of one who is letting in the mourners. I involuntarily +glanced at the door bell to see if by +any chance crêpe could be hanging from it.</p> + +<p>This butler's appropriate name was Jeremiah, +and he was what is known as "a blue-gum nigger." +I smiled when I greeted him, and for a +moment he showed his blue gums in a vain attempt +at cheerfulness, but he quickly subsided +into his habitual gloom. I recalled what Mammy +Susan had said to me many a time. "Be mighty +keerful, honey; don' nebber cross a blue-gum +nigger, fer de bite er one is rank pizen and sho +death."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span></p> + +<p>Cousin Park was seated in state in her ugly, +handsome, oiled-walnut parlor. The room was +of noble proportions and might have been pretty, +but Cousin Park had happened to marry the +genial Major at the period when oiled walnut +was the prevailing style, and her whole life had +been built on the oiled-walnut basis ever since. +Her costly velvet carpets still came right to the +edge of the floor and were snugly tacked close +to the baseboard. No hardwood floors and rugs +for her.</p> + +<p>The heavy furniture was deeply carved, and +if the unwary visitor forgot himself for a moment +and attempted to lounge in his chair he was +quickly brought to a sense of propriety by a +carved pineapple getting him between his shoulders +or maybe a bunch of grapes striking him in +the small of his back. I usually tried to sit on +the horsehair sofa. Long practice in riding +bareback had given me a poise that enabled me +to be very comfortable seated thus without sliding +off. The pictures were hung close up to the +ceiling according to the style in vogue in times +gone by. They were mostly dark portraits in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> +heavy gilt frames and they glared down at you as +though they resented your intrusion into their +mausoleum.</p> + +<p>Father was seated forward in his chair, trying +to avoid the pineapple, and on his face was +an expression like that of a little boy who has +been taken to church and fears every minute to +be questioned as to the text. I rather expected +our stern relative to tell him to go wash his +hands for dinner. He jumped up and hugged +me enthusiastically, and I felt ashamed that I +had hated so to come. Cousin Park gave me an +upholstered embrace and I made for the horsehair +sofa, that seemed friendly and yielding in +comparison with Cousin Park.</p> + +<p>"Well, so you have torn yourself away from +those Tuckers long enough to do your duty, have +you?" I scented a battle from afar, but determined +to be good and not say anything to make +my cousin angry. No doubt she was hungry and +would be more agreeable as soon as dinner was +announced.</p> + +<p>"It is kind of you to ask me to dinner, Cousin +Park, and I am glad to come," I meekly replied.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +And thinking maybe it would be tactful to +change the subject, I said to Father: "How do +you feel after dancing last night?"</p> + +<p>"Fine, daughter; I never had such a good time +in my life."</p> + +<p>"Cousin James! You—dancing! You are +surely jesting—you—you—a man of your age!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm not so awfully old, Cousin Park! +There were men on the floor ten years older +than I am—bank presidents, eminent surgeons, +and several judges, all dancing the new dances +with the utmost abandon."</p> + +<p>"Well, where on earth did you learn the new +dances, Cousin James?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I never saw them danced before, so it +must have been by a correspondence course." +And Father winked at me.</p> + +<p>The sepulchral butler came in to announce dinner +just at this crucial moment when his irate +mistress looked as though she would burst her +tight black satin basque in which she had been +so compactly hooked. He quavered in a sad +voice: "Dinner is served," but his tone reminded +me of Jeremiah, Chapter IX, first verse: "Oh,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> +that my head were waters and mine eyes a fountain +of tears that I might weep day and night!"</p> + + +<p>The dining room was one degree more cheerful +than the parlor, as instead of the portraits +there were Audubon prints and the Marriage of +Pocahontas. A heavy walnut sideboard laden +with massive silver almost filled one side of the +room. The table was precisely set and the food +may have been good, but everything was so ponderous, +including the hostess, that when we got +through with the long tiresome courses I felt +like the old wolf that Mammy Susan used to tell +about. He swallowed seven little kids whole +and then, while he slept by the water's edge, the +Widow Goat came and ripped him open, took out +the dear little kids and put in their place seven +huge stones. The old wolf was naturally thirsty +after this surgical operation, and so was I when +I had packed in and hammered down roast +chicken, boiled hominy, mashed potatoes, baked +rice, macaroni and I don't know what besides, +except that we topped off with a plum pudding +that was the last straw.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span></p> +<div class="figright" style="width: 334px;"> +<img src="images/tucker04.png" width="334" height="500" alt="Dum looked at me aghast. "Page, you here, and Dee!"—Page 271." title="" /> +<span class="caption">Dum looked at me aghast. "Page, you here, and Dee!"—Page 271.</span> +</div> + +<p>I longed for sleep with an intensity that was +truly painful, and I could see that poor dear +Father was desperate. The conversation at the +table was as heavy and starchy as the food. +Father and I could not help comparing it to the +gay little dinner we had enjoyed the night before +at the Country Club.</p> + +<p>Cousin Park's manner was always dictatorial, +even when she was the visitor instead of the hostess, +and on that day she seemed to think she +was born to boss the Universe. She picked on +me most of the time and I let her do it, knowing +Father must have had his share of correction, +but when she began on my friends, the +darling Tuckers, I got a little restive. Mammy +Susan always told me: "Don't sass old folks +till dey fust sass you," and I began to feel that +old folks were sassing me considerably. I smiled +to myself, remembering that Mr. Tucker had +told me that when the Major died, at his funeral +they sang "Peace, perfect peace," and the pall +bearers themselves could hardly keep from grinning +to think what a far from peaceful time the +poor Major had had on earth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></p> + +<p>Father came to my rescue when our masterful +cousin finally sprung this mine on us: "I am astonished, +Cousin James, that you should have +no more sense of propriety than to let Page visit +that Jeffry Tucker without a chaperon."</p> + +<p>"Why, Cousin Park, you astonish me! Page +is visiting Mr. Tucker's daughters, her schoolmates. +They are all three very young to have +a question of propriety brought up."</p> + +<p>"I don't care, a woman is never too young or +too old to be made the subject of gossip," and +Cousin Park creaked ominously.</p> + +<p>"Well, that being the case, I think it is highly +improper and imprudent for me to be visiting +you, unless we can look upon Jeremiah as a +chaperon."</p> + +<p>And Cousin Park, knowing herself to be +worsted, sighed a great, heaving sigh and looked +sadly at the Major's portrait, as though if he +had been alive he would have protected her.</p> + +<p>How glad we were to hear the toot of Henry +Ford and to know that our time in purgatory +was over. The fresh air took away that awful +drowsiness, and the cheerful talk of the Tuckers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +as we spun out into the country made us forget +the deadly conversation we had been forced to +be a party to. Father had an engagement for +supper with a medical brother, and he was to go +back to Bracken the next day.</p> + +<p>"Blood may be thicker than water," he said. +"In fact, to-day it was so thick you couldn't stir +it, but never again do I intend to make a visit at +Cousin Park Garnett's. Why, I feel as though +that blue-gum nigger had bitten me."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>THE DESPERATION OF DUM.</div> + + +<p>Back at Gresham and trying to get into harness! +Some of us kicked over the traces, feeling +our oats, as it were; and Dum got the bit +between her teeth and came very near running +all the way home before we could stop her.</p> + +<p>It was hard to get into what Mr. Mantilini +calls "the demnition grind" after three weeks of +untrammeled freedom. The whole school seemed +restive and the teachers were not much better +than the pupils. Miss Peyton had to drive her +coach very carefully. Her infinite tact showed +itself constantly. A word of warning here, a +slight tightening of the reins there, just a little +tap to the ones who seemed inclined to laziness, +and soon we were trotting along the road of +knowledge just as though we had not been kicking +up our heels in the green pastures. All but +Dum, she could not get back to work.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If the year were only half over, but it's only +the middle of January now! We've got months +and months to wait before we see Zebedee again. +When we once get into February, I can stand it +better. I can't and won't study, and as for demerits—let +'em give me all they want to. Let +'em put me in bounds. I don't want to go off +of the old place. What fun is it to walk down +into that dinky little village keeping step like +convicts? I'd rather have striped clothes like +convicts than these old stupid blue things. There +is some variety in stripes but this eternal, and +everlasting dark blue—ugh! I hate it!"</p> + +<p>"But, Dum," I expostulated, "if you get so +many demerits you will not only be in bounds +but you'll have to write pages and pages of dictionary."</p> + +<p>"I'll see 'em make me. 'You can lead a horse +to water but you cannot make him drink.' They +can tell me to write the dictionary all they want +to, but I've yet to see the man, woman, or child +who can make me write anything. I just won't +and that's an end of it."</p> + +<p>"But what will your Father think?" I asked,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> +hoping to get on her better side by appealing to +her love for her adored Zebedee.</p> + +<p>"Think? 'He can think like young niggers +think: buckeyes is biscuit.'"</p> + +<p>This made me roar, as it was a saying I had +told the twins that Mammy Susan had taught +me when I was a child. There was no persuading +the headstrong Dum. She had the bit between +her teeth and she was rushing straight to +destruction. She got zero in her classes during +the day, and that night in study hall she spent +the time making cunning little brownies out of +the colored clay she had brought in her pocket. +She did not open a book except for the purpose +of propping it up on her desk to conceal the little +lifelike figures she was so busy modeling.</p> + +<p>Dee gazed at her with an agonized expression +on her face and I gave her many an appealing +glance, but she merely made a face at me and +went on with her sculpture. Where was it to +end? Zero for that day's lessons and many preceding +days; and not a single one prepared for +next day. She seemed perfectly careless of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> +teacher who was keeping study hall, as though +she invited reproval; but it so happened that Miss +Sears, who was on duty that night, did not seem +to notice Dum's behavior. When the study hall +was over, the reckless girl picked up all her +brownies and carried them carefully on her open +book up to her room, right under Miss Sears's +nose.</p> + +<p>"She must be crazy," whispered Dee to me, +"and Miss Sears must be in love or blind or +something. She didn't see how Dum was cutting +up."</p> + +<p>"Well, Dum was certainly reckless. I thought +every minute she was going to be called down. +You've got to be either good or careful, and +Dum was certainly neither."</p> + +<p>Miss Sears beckoned to me and I fell back, and +the Tuckers went on to 117.</p> + +<p>"Page," said Miss Sears, "Miss Peyton is +rather worried over Virginia Tucker. Of course +I saw how she was conducting herself during +study hall, but Miss Peyton has decided the best +way to get hold of Dum is to let her alone for a +while. The rest of the school is back in working<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span> +order, but she is as wild as a deer. Miss Peyton +asked me to take you into our confidence and +see if you can help us some. Will you keep a +pretty sharp eye on Dum?"</p> + +<p>"You mean tell on her if she gets into +scrapes?" I asked, flushing painfully.</p> + +<p>"My dear girl, no. You would not be the kind +we would go to if we wanted an informer. We +want you to try to influence Dum to quiet down, +and let her realize that she must get to work. +Demerits seem to have no effect on her. I verily +believe she enjoys getting as many as she can. +You have lots of influence with those girls, and +I believe a talk from you would do her more +good than being brought up before the faculty," +and Miss Sears looked at me very kindly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll do my best but I can't promise that +Dum will listen to me." I did not like to say that +I had already done what I could, but I determined +to try, try again.</p> + +<p>Dum had her brownies ranged in a line on the +bureau and under each she had tucked one of +her visiting cards, on which she had written +something. Dee looked sad and Dum defiant.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I was just telling Dum," began Dee.</p> + +<p>"Never mind what you were telling Dum," interrupted +the outrageous girl. "It's none of your +business nor is it Page Allison's if I get into +scrapes. I reckon I'm old enough to take care +of myself without the assistance of persons no +older nor wiser than I am."</p> + +<p>"So you are, but you owe a penny for interrupting +Dee; that's twenty-five cents since the +holidays," I said sternly.</p> + +<p>"I don't care if I do. I don't intend to pay it. +I need my money for other things besides this +foolishness."</p> + +<p>I looked at Dum in amazement. She and Dee +often were rude to each other but in the three +months that I had known them, neither one of +them had been anything but scrupulously polite +to me. I realized that silence would be the better +part of valor in this encounter, so I prepared +for bed without saying a word. I gave a warning +glance at Dee, and she, ever tactful, held her +peace. Dum was evidently disappointed, as she +was simply "sp'iling for a fight."</p> + +<p>We got to bed as lights out bell rang and in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> +a moment everything was perfectly quiet. I did +not go to sleep immediately but pondered over +what Miss Sears had said. "How can I best help +Dum?" I asked myself. I must keep an eye on +her and still not let her know it. It was hard +to take her rudeness without giving her as good +as she sent, but I felt that a real loss of temper +on my part would mean an equal loss of influence. +I dropped off to sleep with Dum on my +mind.</p> + +<p>It must have been a little after midnight when +I awakened, and something prompted me to +glance at Dum's bed. It was a bright night, the +moon not full, but big enough to make everything +in the room visible. A light snow was on +the ground, which aided the lighting powers of +the moon by reflection.</p> + +<p>Dum's bed was empty. Her nightgown was +on the floor and her clothes which I had seen her +throw on the chair near her bed were gone. I +got up in an excitement that made my heart go +like a trip hammer and found her hat and jacket +gone, too.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> +"Dee, Dee," I said in as quiet a voice as I +could command, "Dum is gone!"</p> + +<p>"Gone! Gone where?" said poor sleepy Dee.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but it is up to us to find out. +Get into your clothes as fast as you can. I don't +believe she has been gone long, her bed is so +warm."</p> + +<p>I had felt it as soon as I jumped out of mine. +Dee shuddered at this announcement of mine. +She said afterward it sounded like the report of +a coroner's inquest.</p> + +<p>Fire engine horses could not have sprung into +their harness quicker than Dee and I did into our +clothes. In a twinkling we were wrapped in our +warm sweaters and had donned hats and rubbers, +the last not only because of the snow but +to deaden our footsteps down the long corridors. +I got ready a moment sooner than Dee +and I struck a match and read one of the cards +Dum had stuck under the little clay brownies: +"To Miss Peyton as a parting token of appreciation +of her discipline." I gasped with astonishment. +Dum was crazy surely, perfectly daft.</p> + +<p>"What is on the card?" asked Dee anxiously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, just some of Dum's nonsense! Hurry!" +I did not think I had better tell Dee. It sounded +like a last farewell.</p> + +<p>We found the front door unlocked. She had +certainly gone out recently, as the watchman +made his rounds every hour and it was then +12:20 by the big clock in the hall. I know the +wisest thing for us to have done would have been +to warn the watchman and let Miss Peyton +know, but somehow I felt that we could cope +with Dum by ourselves; and I also knew that +the offense that Dum was guilty of was a very +serious one and might mean that she would be +expelled from Gresham.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Gave a luster of midday to objects below."</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>So, thank goodness, the prints of Dum's tennis +shoes were quite plain to us. I was relieved +to see that they went toward the village. I had +had a nameless fear of the lake. On we sped! +Once we saw where poor Dum had evidently +paused and then turned back for a few yards.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> +That encouraged me more than anything we had +found out yet. She was softening and relenting.</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose she means to do, +Page?" panted Dee.</p> + +<p>"She is trying to make that 12:40 train to +Richmond. There she is!"</p> + +<p>We had turned a sharp corner and there about +a hundred yards ahead of us was Dum. She had +almost reached the crossing where Captain Leahy +had his unique abode. One minute more would +land her at the station, and already we could +hear the far-off whizzing of the approaching express. +There was a light in the little gatehouse +and just at that moment the dear old man +emerged and began to let down his gate.</p> + +<p>"Well, Saints preserve us! And what maid +travels so late? Why, if she isn't one of the +sponsors of Oliver." Dum stopped stockstill in +the road.</p> + +<p>"Captain Leahy, I'm going to take that midnight +train to Richmond. Will you flag it for +me?"</p> + +<p>"And sure I'll do anything to please the ladies,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> +but aren't ye young and tinder to be after taking +such a thrip at this toime o' night?"</p> + +<p>"But I have to go. I could never go back +to Gresham now, and it would be best for me to +go straight to my Father."</p> + +<p>Dee and I had advanced silently, thanks to +our rubber shoes, and we now came up behind +the old Irishman and Dum.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Dum, you can get back to Gresham +before the watchman makes his one o'clock +rounds if you hurry."</p> + +<p>Dum looked at me aghast. "Page, you here, +and Dee!"</p> + +<p>"Where should I be but with my twin? We +have never spent a night apart yet, Dumplingdeedledums." +Dee's tact had won the day. That +was Mr. Tucker's pet name for Dum, and Dee +using it at such a time brought Dum to her +senses. "What would Zebedee think and say of +this escapade?" was what came to Dum's mind.</p> + +<p>"Good-night, Captain, I reckon I won't go to +Richmond to-night. We'll have to hurry to get +in before one. That's the 12:40 now whistling +for the crossing." And before the old man could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> +get his breath, we had scurried away over the +light fall of snow like so many rabbits.</p> + +<p>It was uphill most of the way back to Gresham, +but we made short work of it. If I had +not been so desperately afraid the watchman +would discover that the front door was unlocked +before we got back and perhaps raise an alarm, +I would have enjoyed our run immensely. The +moon went behind a great black cloud, but we +knew our way well enough not to be dependent on +her light. Not one word did we speak, but saved +our breath for this real fox-trot.</p> + +<p>At the school at last! I tried the great door, +almost afraid to breathe. It yielded to my push +and we were in the dark hall. I had just sense +enough left to lock the door, and then we flew +up the steps and were safe in our room without +having encountered the watchman.</p> + +<p>"Quick work!" I gasped, falling on my bed. +"Down to the station and back in forty minutes!"</p> + +<p>But safety was not ours yet. We heard a +door open down the corridor and light-slippered +steps approaching 117.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span></p> + +<p>"In bed with you, quick!" exclaimed Dum; +and without the formality of night dresses, we +jumped into bed, only taking the precaution to +remove our hats. Diving under the covers with +only our noses sticking out, we were to all appearances +as lost to the world as the seven sleepers.</p> + +<p>It was a teacher who had evidently heard a +suspicious noise and had come out to investigate. +She stopped a minute in front of our door and +then gently turned the knob. "All quiet along +the Potomac!" She stood a minute listening to +Dum's "gently taken breath" and Dee's lifelike +snore, and then quietly retired on tiptoe; and in +a moment we heard her door close at the end of +the corridor. If we got dressed like engine +horses going to a fire, we got undressed like +boys seeing who can get into the swimming hole +first.</p> + +<p>Dum kissed us both good-night, or rather +good-morning, but said never a word about what +her intentions had been nor the reasons for her +flitting. We were asleep in a minute and the +next morning I had to pinch myself to see if it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> +had not been a dream. Our damp skirts and +overshoes and each girl's hat under her bed was +all that made me realize that we had been on +that mad chase at midnight after the irrepressible +Dum.</p> + +<p>"Girls, you are both bricks!" exclaimed Dum, +rubbing her eyes as the relentless rising bell +tolled out. "Just think! If you had not come +for me, I would have been in Richmond by this +time and poor old Zebedee disgraced for life. +There is nothing I can do to make it up to +you——"</p> + +<p>"Yes, there is," chorused Dee and me, "get to +work again."</p> + +<p>"I wasn't quite through what I was saying, +but I am not going to impose the fine that you +owe for interrupting, and I am going to pay my +fine that amounts to a quarter now. I was awfully +ashamed of not paying it last night, but +you see I just did have enough money to get +me to Richmond if I traveled on a day coach, +so I had to let my debts of honor slide. I have +been a bad, rude, unreasonable girl and I am +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span>just as sorry as I can be. I deserve to be expelled.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I don't know what has been the matter</span><br /> +with me but I believe I have been getting ready +to go to the home for the criminally insane. I +hated the school; I hated the teachers; I hated +lessons and rules; I just wanted Zebedee. He +was the only person I wanted and I wanted him +so bad I was just going to have him." Dum got +out one of the gentlemen's handkerchiefs that +she and Dee used and wept copiously. "Do you +reckon we'll be found out?"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it," I reassured her. "The +blessed snow that was in that black cloud hiding +the moon last night has covered up all our rabbit +tracks, and when we take our walk this afternoon +I am going to slip out of line long enough +to warn Captain Leahy not to tell on us. Now, +Dum, you get back to bed and stay there all day. +I am going to tell Miss Peyton you don't feel +quite up to snuff, which is certainly so. You +jump in and study all your back lessons that you +have missed and catch up with your classes. It +will take a day of diligent work to do it because +you have loafed ever since we got back to school,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> +and by to-morrow morning you will feel reconciled +to life and take your place again."</p> + +<p>"Well, that would be kind of pleasant, but +bring me up enough breakfast, 'cause I am not +too ill to eat; and before you go down, hand me +those brownies I made last night," and Dum +reduced the inoffensive little works of art to Limbo +with one squeeze of her hand. "I was leaving +one of them for each teacher. I wanted to +make them into devils but thought maybe that +would be a little too sassy. I don't feel a bit +that way now. I may model some angels to-day +if I can get time after I have mastered all +my back work."</p> + +<p>Miss Peyton was easily persuaded by me that +a day in bed would restore Dum to health and +reason. She said she had hoped I could do something +with the refractory twin and she was going +to trust to me, since I was a doctor's daughter +and no doubt had inherited some skill as a +healer.</p> + +<p>That afternoon, when we took our walk, Dee +and I got permission from the teacher in charge +to stop a moment at the crossing, presumably<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span> +to call on Oliver and see how much he had +grown.</p> + +<p>"Captain Leahy," I cried, "you won't tell anyone +about our being down here last night, will +you?"</p> + +<p>"And phwat do ye take me for?" he asked. +"Didn't I see that ye were after saving the little +twinlet and that she was crazy with homesickness? +I mind too well the time many years +ago when I got off of that very express just as +Miss Peyton, then a wee slip of a maid, was +after boarding it; and I took her by the hand and +led her back to Gresham, she weeping bitterly +all the toime. She was half mad for the sight +of her folks and had run away from school."</p> + +<p>"Miss Peyton!" we exclaimed in one breath. +"Not Miss Peyton, the principal?"</p> + +<p>"The same," he answered; "and this is the first +toime, so help me, that I have mintioned it to a +livin' sowl."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll never tell, Captain," I said, grasping +his hand.</p> + +<p>"And don't I know that? Would I be divulging +the loiks to ye if I did not know the stoof<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span> +ye are made of? I just tell ye so ye can know +that I'll keep the little twinlet's secret as long +as I have Miss Peyton's. If I iver tell it, it will +be when she cannot be hurt by it, and some other +poor little lamb can be oop-lifted."</p> + +<p>"You want us to tell Dum, don't you?" asked +Dee.</p> + +<p>"For sure! And all of you come have tea with +me soon and bring Miss Peyton."</p> + +<p>We joined the line of blue-coated girls after +a sharp run and then had to make up things to +say about Oliver, because we had forgot even to +ask about him.</p> + +<p>Miss Cox spoke to me on the way to supper +that evening. She looked worried and her face +was crookeder than ever, but her eyes had a very +kind light in them.</p> + +<p>"Did I wake you last night, Page, when I +opened your door?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, was that you?" I involuntarily exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"I had an idea some of you were awake," and +the kindly woman smiled at my ingenuous acknowledgment. +"I was afraid to knock, hoping<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span> +you were asleep, so I tried the door and peeped +in. I did not mean to be spying, but I have been +very uneasy about Dum lately. I was afraid she +needed some friendly advice. I had been writing +late and had not been able to get to sleep, +and I was almost certain I heard the front door +open and shut. I simply could not rest without +making sure that you three girls were safe in +your downies. I had thought I heard something +some forty minutes before but tried to make myself +think I was just a foolish, nervous old maid."</p> + +<p>I felt very foolish during this talk and could +hardly look kind Miss Cox in the eye, but I did +not consider it to be my secret and I said nothing. +Mammy Susan always said: "The saftest +thing in fly time is ter keep yo' mouf shet," and +I felt that this was fly time for me.</p> + +<p>"I have written to Mr. Tucker," Miss Cox +continued. "I don't want the twins to know it, +but I felt it was my duty as an old friend of +both their parents to let him know how miserable +Dum is."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I have written, too!" I cried. "I wish I +could stop my letter now, but it is too late. Poor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span> +Mr. Tucker will think things are in a terrible +way with Dum. I believe she is herself again +now after a day in bed, but I just felt I must let +him know that an early visit from him would be +advisable. I wouldn't let Tweedles find out for +a million that I have done it."</p> + +<p>"Well, you keep my secret and I'll keep yours. +I am glad the Tuckers, father and daughters, +have such a wholesome friend as you," and Miss +Cox pressed my hand warmly.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>MORE LETTERS.</div> + + +<div class="center">From Miss Jane Cox to Mr. Jeffry Tucker.</div> + +<div class="blockquot">My dear Jeff: + +<p>I feel it my duty to write you in regard to +your daughter Virginia. I told you I would look +after your girls and I have tried to, but since +the holidays Dum has been very difficult and the +teachers hardly know how to cope with her. My +private opinion is that the child is longing so for +you that she is in a fair way to be made sick by +it. A vacation of three weeks seems to be very +upsetting and a great many of the pupils find +it hard to get back into line, but Dum does not +even want to, so far as I can see.</p> + +<p>I do not mean to complain of Dum. You surely +understand that, but I want to let you know +the state of affairs. I am writing entirely on +my own hook as your friend and the friend of +the other little Virginia, companion of my +youth. I fancy Miss Peyton would not approve +of my doing it, as she feels able to master poor +Dum by kindness; but I have studied her closely +and feel that I understand her temperament better +than our beloved principal. I have been +afraid the child might take it into her head to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span> +run away from school. It is not that she does +not like Gresham. I believe she likes it very +much. She is popular with the whole school and +has many friends. She is a good student and +has done well up to the time she returned from +Richmond. Since that time her marks have been +zero.</p> + +<p>Page Allison, who has a very good influence +on all the girls with whom she comes in contact, +is looking after her and she may be able to bring +her to reason; but in the meantime, my dear +Jeff, I want you to write to Dum very often,—of +course not mentioning the fact that you have +heard from me,—and give her hopes of a visit +from you in the near future. That would mean +everything to her.</p> + +<p>Of course, an attempt to run away from school +would be a very serious fault if discovered, because +of the effect on the rest of the pupils. I +don't want to alarm you, but I feel that I would +be a poor friend indeed if I did not let you know +of the trouble your little daughter is in a fair +way to get herself into. Dee is back at work +and doing finely, although as a rule she is not +a better student than Dum. I am told that during +study hall this evening Dum made no effort +to concentrate on her lessons, but spent the whole +time modeling grotesque little figures in colored +clay.</p> + +<p>Hoping you will take this information as it is +meant, not thinking that I am a "tattle tale tit," +but that I have the welfare of the children of +my old friends very much at heart, and that it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span> +would be a cowardly and selfish act for me to +hold back for fear of being misunderstood, I am,</p> + +<div class='sig'> +<span style="margin-right: 3em;">Your sincere friend,</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Jinny Cox</span>.<br /> +</div></div> + + +<div class="center"><br />From Mr. Jeffry Tucker to Miss Jane Cox.</div> + +<div class="blockquot">Jinny dear: + +<p>You always were a trump, and I can never express +to you the gratitude I feel for the letter +you have written me about my poor little headstrong +Dum. She was particularly docile about +returning to school, but as I told her good-by at +the station she had a kind of smoldering look in +her eyes that bodest no good. She has the most +generous and kind heart in the world, but has +always been the more difficult of the twins to +manage. The matter is she has an artistic temperament, +but I have been trying to conceal this +fact from her all her life, as I think when a person +once discovers he has an artistic temperament, +he can commit any crime in the name of +his temperament and feel that the world must +forgive him. I want my little Virginia to understand +that it is up to her to behave just as +well as the ordinary folks who have no temperament +to speak of. I am writing to her by this +mail, but of course she is never to know you +wrote to me. I am coming up to Gresham for a +little visit just as soon as my strenuous duties +will permit, and then I hope we can have another +Lobster Quadrille.</p> + +<p>I am very thankful that Tweedles has such a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span> +delightful companion as Miss Page Allison. She +has improved them more than all the schooling +in the world would. I am also thankful beyond +measure that they have found such a friend as +you are, dear Jinny. Keep on being good to +them and if Dum shows further signs of insubordination, +please telegraph me. I'll come, if no +newspaper is published from this office for a +month! Thanking you again, dear friend, in my +name and also for the little Virginia, companion +of your youth,</p> + +<div class="sig"> +<span style="margin-right: 3em;">Very truly yours,</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Jeffry Tucker</span>.<br /> +</div></div> + + +<div class="center"><br />From Page Allison to Mr. Jeffry Tucker.</div> + +<div class="blockquot">Dear Mr. Tucker: + +<p>I can't bear to worry you, but I think you +ought to know that Dum wants to see you mighty +bad. She has been very restless since we got +back to Gresham; and while she is quieter now +and says she is going to study hard and be a +model pupil henceforth, I am afraid she will +break down because she has so many demerits to +work off. Miss Peyton has been very kind and +patient, but of course it would not be fair to the +other students to let up on Dum; and I believe +she has enough demerits to keep her in bounds +for about three weeks.</p> + +<p>Now please don't think I am bossy, but if you +could write her and tell her that you think you +might get up to Gresham in about three weeks, +that would give her some ambition to work off<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span> +those marks and not get any others. You see, +if she is in bounds when you come, she can't see +much of you.</p> + +<p>I don't want Tweedles to know I am writing +this to you, but if you should mention having +got a letter from me, you can call it a "bread +and butter letter."</p> + +<p>You were so kind to me on my visit to the +girls. I had about the gayest and best time I +ever had in my life, and I do want to thank you +for it.</p> + +<div class="sig"> +<span style="margin-right: 3em;">Very sincerely,</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Page Allison</span>.<br /> +</div></div> + + +<div class="center"><br />Miss Page Allison, from Mr. Jeffry Tucker.</div> + +<div class="blockquot">My dear Miss Page: + +<p>Your word is law! In three weeks' time I will +be in Gresham. I don't consider you a bit bossy +but very sweet and kind and wise. Thank God, +my poor little Dum has made such a friend. I +wish I could flatter myself that I could call you +friend as my girls can. I thank you from my +soul for your interest in Tweedles.</p> + +<div class="sig"> +<span style="margin-right: 3em;">Most gratefully,</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Jeffry Tucker</span>.<br /> +</div></div> + + +<div class="center"><br />Mr. Jeffry Tucker to his daughters, Virginia and Caroline.</div> + +<div class="blockquot">Dearest and best beloved Tweedles: + +<p>Surely "'tis an ill wind that blows nobody any +good!" Know you that there has been a big<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span> +shooting scrape up in the mountains, and it is +of such importance that I have decided to cover +the trial myself instead of sending a reporter. +This trial comes off in a little over three weeks, +and as Gresham is on the way, I am going to +stop off to see my babies, and hope they will be +glad to have their old Zebedee with them for a +day or so. I'll manage to get there on Saturday +afternoon and stay until Monday night. Be +good girls until then, so you will not have any +hateful demerits to work off.</p> + +<p>I miss you so much, more than I did at first, +but I'm trying to be a very good boy and stick +to business. I can hardly wait to see you. Give +my kindest regards to Miss Page, and tell her +not to get any demerits between now and the +time of my visit, as she must do whatever the +Tuckers do on that visit.</p> + +<div class='sig'> +<span class="smcap">Your own Zebedee.</span><br /> +</div></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<div class='chaptertitle'>ZEBEDEE'S VISIT.</div> + + + +<p>Mr. Tucker's promise of a visit did all that I +knew it would for Dum. She worked off her demerits +without a murmur; studied her lessons +diligently; soon caught up in her classes; and +was altogether an exemplary Dum.</p> + +<p>If his promise of a visit worked such wonders, +his visit completed the miracle. We had +already come through our mid-year examinations, +some with flying colors and some with tattered +banners like the poor Confederate flags +that you see in the Valentine Museum in Richmond,—but +the thing was that we were through +and none of our little crowd of cronies had failed. +Annie Pore carried off the honors in Latin, +thanks to the drilling she had been brought up +on by the severe Oxford graduate. Dum was +easily first in mathematics. Dee seemed to know +the physiology off by heart. History was Mary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span> +Flannigan's forte and not a date from Noah's +flood to the San Francisco earthquake could +stump her. Literature was what most interested +me, and it would have been silly not to get an +honor when it did seem so easy.</p> + +<p>We were rather proud of our achievements as +a coterie of chums, and Miss Peyton, as a reward +of merit, let all of us go to the station to +meet Mr. Tucker, accompanied by Miss Cox.</p> + +<p>How good it was to see him! I believe I was +almost as glad as Tweedles. He looked very +boyish indeed as he swung off the Pullman, a +suitcase in one hand and a great basket, neatly +covered with purple paper, in the other.</p> + +<p>"I know what that purple paper means," cried +Dee from afar. "He's been to Schmidt's and +that basket's full of goodies."</p> + +<p>So he had, and, Zebedee like, had a proposition +for pleasure. I have seldom seen Mr. +Tucker that he did not have some scheme on +hand for amusement for someone, and the best +thing about it was that he usually was ready to +partake of the fun himself; and his partaking of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span> +it meant there was twice as much fun as there +would have been without him.</p> + +<p>"There's skating on the lake surely?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes! Yes!" in chorus.</p> + +<p>"Well, come along, and I'll get permission +from your Lord High Executioner to take all +of you skating, and we'll have supper on the +bank. What do you say to that, Jinny?"</p> + +<p>"Splendid! I haven't skated for years, +though."</p> + +<p>"Have you got your skates?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; you see this is all the home I have, +so I've got everything I possess here."</p> + +<p>"And you girls? All of you have skates that +fit and shoes to skate in?"</p> + +<p>"Yes! Yes!" And off we went, the gayest +crowd imaginable. Of course Miss Peyton let +us go. No one had ever refused Mr. Tucker +anything in reason, I am sure, nor had he ever +asked for anything out of reason.</p> + +<p>"Will you have enough food for such a crowd? +Had you not better come back to Gresham to +supper?" asked Miss Peyton.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Never fear. I have food enough for a dozen +boys. I'll take good care of all of them and +bring them back at bedtime."</p> + +<p>There was another crowd on the lake when we +got there: a party of Greshamites, Juniors and +Seniors, and some boys from Hill-Top. The ice +was perfect, and while the air was cold, it was +not cutting but dry and invigorating. We put +our basket in a safe place; that is, a place where +everyone could see it. Mr. Tucker said the way +to lose things, especially food, was to hide it. +So he placed it on top of a little hillock overlooking +the lake, where it looked like a great +bunch of violets against the patches of snow.</p> + +<p>Our skates did fit and our shoes were suitable, +so we were on the ice in no time. One of the +most irritating things under Heaven is to go +skating with persons whose skates don't fit or +whose heels are too high or soles too thin. I had +learned to skate on the duck pond at home; and +while on the duck pond my stroke had been necessarily +limited, I found when I got on the broad +lake I could hold my own very well.</p> + +<p>Annie Pore was timid and faltering if she tried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span> +to skate alone but did very well if she had a +partner. Mary Flannigan, singularly ungraceful +but a real racer, with flapping arms and +bowed legs, could get over the ice faster than +the fleetest boy from Hill-Top. The twins skated +well, as they did everything in the way of athletics, +and wonderfully handsome they looked +skimming over the lake arm in arm.</p> + +<p>Miss Cox was a revelation to us all. She had +not skated for years but her stroke was as sure +as it had ever been and in five minutes she and +Mr. Tucker were doing the double Dutch roll +together, now frontward, now backward, with +all kinds of intricate strokes. I suddenly realized +that with all of her crooked homeliness, +Miss Cox was far from plain. Her figure was +singularly graceful and her head very well set.</p> + +<p>The boys cheered as they approached the far +bank, where the ice was a little better.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"Who's all right? Who's all right?<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Miss Cox, Miss Cox! Out of sight!"</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>I was supporting Annie Pore, so was necessarily +going slowly, and I heard one of the +Juniors say to Mabel Binks, who was looking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span> +very handsome in a red silk sweater and cap to +match: "Who's the man with Miss Cox? They +are some skaters, for sure."</p> + +<p>"Oh, hello!" exclaimed Mabel. "If that ain't +my beau from Richmond!"</p> + +<p>I did not hear any more, but I felt amused a +little and indignant a good deal. Harvie Price +was among the boys and he immediately skated +up and got in between Annie and me. He was +a strong skater and soon we found ourselves doing +stunts with him that we had not dreamed possible.</p> + +<p>"That Dutch roll is not so hard when you get +the hang of it. See, like this—raise your right +foot, not too high—strike out with your left, +a good long stroke, and then down with your +right, crossing the left. Just look at us! We are +not quite up to Mr. Tucker and Miss Cox, but +we surely are good enough to have some notice +taken of us." And so we were.</p> + +<p>"Pride goeth before a fall," however, and just +as we were getting the hang of the stroke, we +ran plump into Mary Flannigan and Shorty, +who were having a race backward, and the five<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span> +of us fell into an ignominious heap. Nobody +was hurt, not even feelings! Mr. Tucker picked +me up and skated off with me.</p> + +<p>"Who was that good-looking young fellow you +were skating with?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that was Harvie Price. He's a mighty +nice boy, and an old friend of Annie Pore's."</p> + +<p>"And that little runty boy with the bright +face, the cause of your recent disaster, who was +he?"</p> + +<p>"Tommy Hawkins,—Shorty! Isn't he nice-looking?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, very! I'm going to ask these boys to +stay and have supper with us. You introduce me, +and then I'll make myself known to the teacher +I see over there; and if I include him in the invitation, +maybe I can get permission for the +boys to stay."</p> + +<p>Of course the boys were delighted and with a +great deal of finesse, Mr. Tucker ingratiated +himself into the affections of the teacher who +had them in charge, a Mr. Anderson, and he accepted +for himself with alacrity and gave the +boys permission.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I wish I had grub enough for the whole ship's +crew of them," sighed Mr. Tucker. "If there is +anything in the world I like, it is to give a boy +a treat. But seven of us and Mr. Anderson and +the two boys will just about clean up my basket. +I wanted to ask four boys so we could 'balance +all,' but I was so afraid of running short."</p> + +<p>Mabel Binks had been circling around us, determined +to attract Mr. Tucker's attention. He +had given her a polite bow but held tightly to +my hands and skated on by her. She was a good +skater and her red sweater showed off her figure +to great advantage. Dum and Dee came racing +up to us and we all caught hold of hands and +went the length of the lake together.</p> + +<p>"Don't we four get on well together, Zebedee?" +exclaimed Dee.</p> + +<p>"We certainly do," he answered heartily. +"Miss Page seems to be just the oil needed to +make us, salt, pepper, vinegar, hot Tuckers into +a palatable dressing."</p> + +<p>"Look here, Zebedee, it is up to you to skate +with that despicable thing, Mabel Binks," and +Dum looked sternly at her parent.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't see it that way," he answered coolly.</p> + +<p>"Well, you see she has gone around claiming +you as her Richmond beau who came up to Gresham +to see her, and now she says that I won't +let you skate with her."</p> + +<p>"Too bad, that," he laughed. "Well, honey, +you can tell her that you have no influence over +me at all. You could not keep me from skating +with her nor can you make me do it."</p> + +<p>The machinations of Mabel, however, were beyond +our ken. She came bearing down on us, +all sails spread as it were. We tacked as best +we could, but the determined girl turned at that +moment and skated backward right into our line. +Dee, who was next to me, broke and avoided +her, but I got the collision full force and went +down with an awful whack, with Mabel's hundred +and fifty pounds right on top of me.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"The best laid schemes o' mice an' men,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Gang aft a-gley."</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>Mabel had meant to occupy the center of the +stage herself, and here was I, Page Allison, +knocked senseless for a moment by the fall, while<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span> +Mabel was simply pulled off me by the infuriated +Zebedee and left to shift for herself. Dum +said she looked awfully silly as she got unaided +to her feet. Of course I could see nothing, as +I was so dazed by the fall that at first I lay with +my eyes closed. In a moment the crowd of +skaters had gathered, and Dee told me it was like +a dog fight, everybody trying to see at once.</p> + +<p>"Page, little Page, are you dead?" were the +first words that I heard, and Mr. Tucker's face +the first one I saw.</p> + +<p>"Dead? I should say not! I'm not even hurt. +Let me get up," and I caught hold of his ready +hand and struggled to my feet.</p> + +<p>"She's not hurt! She's all right!" he called to +the anxious Tweedles who had been pushed back +by the curious crowd, and he wiped the ever-ready +tears from his eyes. Then the boys from +Hill-Top gave me a yell, our especial yell that +we sophomores used at moments of supreme victory:</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"Ice cream—soda water—ginger ale, pop!<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sophomores! Sophomores! Always on top!"</span><br /> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I wish I had been," I said ruefully; and there +was a general laugh.</p> + +<p>A whistle from Gresham warned the girls that +it was time to go back to the school, and in a +short time the Hill-Top boys had to leave, all +but Harvie and Shorty and the tutor, Mr. Anderson.</p> + +<p>We piled more brush on the fire that had been +started to warm toes by, and in a little while +we had a blaze that, as dusk came on, lighted up +the whole lake and made up for the lack of a +moon.</p> + +<p>I never saw such a wonderful lunch as Mr. +Tucker had brought. There were sandwiches of +all kinds; cream cheese and pimento, chicken, +ham, tongue and lettuce. There was a great +jar of chicken salad, beaten biscuit, cheese +straws, olives, pickles and salted almonds, and +a chocolate cake even larger than Dum's so-called +best hat that Mr. Tucker had sent for the +Thanksgiving spread.</p> + +<div class='left'> +"Bleat, my little goat, bleat,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cover the table with something to eat," sang</span> +Dum. "Zebedee, you seem to me to be working<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span> +magic. I don't see how all those things could +have been packed in that basket."</div> + +<p>"If yours had been the task to 'tote' it this far, +you would have thought there was more than +that in it," he answered.</p> + +<p>"Well, ours will be the task to help 'tote' it +back," said Dee in tones muffled by cream cheese.</p> + +<p>The crowning wonder of the repast was some +great thermos bottles that finally emerged from +the bottom of the capacious basket. One was +filled with hot coffee and the other with hot +chocolate, and lying snugly by them was a jar +of whipped cream.</p> + +<p>"Well, by the great jumping jingo, what +next?" said Shorty. And then funny Mary +Flannigan used her ventriloquist's powers and +made a noise exactly like a puppy trying to get +out of something, and Shorty bit. He dived into +the basket to the assistance of the imaginary +canine!</p> + +<p>The coffee and chocolate were smoking hot, in +spite of the long journey they had taken. Mr. +Tucker had made a clever calculation, also, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span> +to the number of guests, so the drinkables just +did go around.</p> + +<p>"I thought I heard Miss Binks say she was +going to have supper with you," said Harvie +Price to Dum.</p> + +<p>"Ah, indeed! I fancy she did intend to, but +after she made a hole in the ice with poor little +Page, I reckon she forgot to wait for her invitation."</p> + +<p>We ate up every crumb of that supper and +the little birds who hoped to feast on what we +left must have had but poor pickings.</p> + +<div class='left'> +"We shan't have to say:<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'Bleat, bleat, my little goat, I pray,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And take the table quite away,'" laughed</span> +Mr. Tucker. "If I had been twins instead of +Tweedles, I'd have brought twice that much." +</div> + +<p>We had had enough, and much gayety and +good-humored repartee had made it a very delightful +party. Mr. Anderson proved very agreeable +and made himself pleasant to everybody. +Miss Cox was happy and full of fun, and even +Annie Pore forgot to be shy and actually rolled +Shorty in a patch of snow because he stole a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span> +piece of chocolate cake, all icing, that she was +saving for the last mouthful.</p> + +<p>Everything must have an end, even skating +parties and books—but there will be more skating +parties and more books, too.</p> + +<p>On the way back to Gresham, Mr. Tucker divulged +to us that he had a scheme for pleasure, +and if we girls, one and all, studied hard, and +if Miss Cox would promise to be as blind to our +faults as she honorably could, we were all of us +included in the scheme! He had engaged a cottage +at Willoughby Beach for the month of July +and there we were to camp out and live the simple +life.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how grand!" we gasped together.</p> + +<p>We had something to look forward to now and +knew that the last half of the year would fly +by. We could hardly wait for the camping time +to come,—and I just hope my readers are as anxious +to hear about my "Vacation with the Tucker +Twins" as I am anxious to tell them about it!</p> + + +<div class='center'><br /><br />THE END.</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p> + +<p>Varied hyphenation was retained. This includes words such as Cotton-tail and Cottontail; gatehouse +and gate-house.</p></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of At Boarding School with the Tucker +Twins, by Nell Speed + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AT BOARDING SCHOOL *** + +***** This file should be named 36018-h.htm or 36018-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/0/1/36018/ + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Rod Crawford, Dave Morgan, +Emmy 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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