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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/37043-h.zip b/37043-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..871d56b --- /dev/null +++ b/37043-h.zip diff --git a/37043-h/37043-h.htm b/37043-h/37043-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..61a9535 --- /dev/null +++ b/37043-h/37043-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8863 @@ +<!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"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=us-ascii" /> +<meta content="pg2html (binary v0.20)" name="generator" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of + Jill's Red Bag, + by Amy Le Feuvre. +</title> +<style type="text/css"> + body { margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + p { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + font-size: 100%; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { text-align: center; } + hr { width: 50%; margin: 1.5em auto 1.5em auto; } + .quote { margin-left: 6%; margin-right: 6%; + text-indent: 0em; font-size: 100%; } + .figure { margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; + text-indent: 0em; text-align: center; font-size: 100%; } + .center { text-indent: 0; text-align: center; } + .sc { font-variant: small-caps; } + a,img { text-decoration: none!important; border:none!important; } + table { margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 75%; } + td { padding: 0em .5em 0em .5em; } + span.pagenum { position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 91%; + font-size: 8pt; color: gray; background-color: inherit; } +</style> +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Jill's Red Bag, by Amy Le Feuvre + +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: Jill's Red Bag + +Author: Amy Le Feuvre + +Illustrator: Alfred Pease + +Release Date: August 11, 2011 [EBook #37043] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JILL'S RED BAG *** + + + + +Produced by Betty Haertling, Joel Erickson, Michael +Ciesielski, David Garcia and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br /><br /></div> + +<div class="figure"> +<a name="image-0001"><!--IMG--></a> +<a href="images/cover.jpg"><img src="images/cover-s.jpg" width="300" height="460" +title="Front Cover." +alt="Front Cover." /></a> +</div> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br /><br /></div> + +<div class="figure"> +<a name="image-0002"><!--IMG--></a> +<a href="images/image01.jpg"><img src="images/image01s.jpg" width="300" height="455" +title="'The Birds Were Screeching and Fluttering Their Wings.'" +alt="'THE BIRDS WERE SCREECHING AND FLUTTERING THEIR WINGS.'" /></a> +<br /> +'THE BIRDS WERE SCREECHING AND FLUTTERING THEIR WINGS.' +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="pagei" name="pagei"></a>[i]</span></p> + +<div style="height: 6em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h1> + JILL'S RED BAG +</h1> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br /><br /></div> + +<p class="center"> +<big>By AMY LE FEUVRE</big> +</p> +<p class="center"> +<i>Author of<br /> "Probable Sons," "The Odd One," etc.</i> +</p> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br /><br /></div> + +<div class="figure"> +<a name="image-0003"><!--IMG--></a> +<img src="images/logo.png" width="150" height="110" +title="(logo)" +alt="(logo)" /> +</div> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br /><br /></div> + +<p class="center"> +New York Chicago Toronto <br /> +<big><span class="sc">Fleming H. Revell Company</span></big> <br /> +London and Edinburgh +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="pageii" name="pageii"></a>[ii]</span></p> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br /><br /></div> + +<p class="center"> +Copyright, 1903, by <br /> +FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY <br /> +(<i>April</i>) +</p> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br /><br /></div> + +<p class="center"> +New York: 158 Fifth Avenue <br /> +Chicago: 63 Washington Street <br /> +Toronto: 27 Richmond Street W <br /> +London: 21 Paternoster Square <br /> +Edinburgh: 30 St. Mary Street +</p> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="pageiii" name="pageiii"></a>[iii]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_TOC" id="h2H_TOC"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + CONTENTS +</h2> + +<table summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr><td align="right"> I.</td><td>"What Can Be Done with Them?" </td><td align="right"> <a href="#page1">1</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> II.</td><td>"We're to Have a Governess" </td><td align="right"> <a href="#page12">12</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> III.</td><td>"The Golden City" </td><td align="right"> <a href="#page24">24</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> IV.</td><td>"Let's Be Truants!" </td><td align="right"> <a href="#page37">37</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> V.</td><td>"A Very Solemn Vow!" </td><td align="right"> <a href="#page53">53</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> VI.</td><td>"God's Cabbages" </td><td align="right"> <a href="#page67">67</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> VII.</td><td>The Trespasser </td><td align="right"> <a href="#page80">80</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> VIII.</td><td>"I Must Love First, before I Can Give" </td><td align="right"> <a href="#page99">99</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> IX.</td><td>Trying to Be "Double Good" </td><td align="right"><a href="#page114">114</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> X.</td><td>A Paper Chase </td><td align="right"><a href="#page131">131</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> XI.</td><td>A Donkey Ride </td><td align="right"><a href="#page148">148</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> XII.</td><td>The Bishop and the Geese </td><td align="right"><a href="#page165">165</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> XIII.</td><td>Mona's Tenth </td><td align="right"><a href="#page179">179</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> XIV.</td><td>"You and Your Red Bag Are at the Bottom of It All!" </td><td align="right"><a href="#page192">192</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> XV.</td><td>"Worn Out in a Good Service" </td><td align="right"><a href="#page205">205</a> </td></tr> +</table> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="pageiv" name="pageiv"></a>[iv]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_LIST" id="h2H_LIST"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS +</h2> + +<table summary="List of Illustrations"> +<tr><td></td><td align="right"><i>Facing page</i></td></tr> + +<tr><td> "The birds were screeching and fluttering their wings" </td><td align="right"><a href="#image-0002">title</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td> "Good gracious!" he ejaculated "what a scene" </td><td align="right"> <a href="#image-0004">2</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td> "Are these my little pupils"? </td><td align="right"> <a href="#image-0005">22</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td> "Bumps knelt down" </td><td align="right"> <a href="#image-0006">60</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td> "There's my mite towards it" </td><td align="right"> <a href="#image-0007">164</a> </td></tr> +<tr><td> "You're trespassers and thieves" </td><td align="right"> <a href="#image-0008">192</a> </td></tr> +</table> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page1" name="page1"></a>[1]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_4_0002" id="h2H_4_0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<p class="center"> +<big>Jill's Red Bag</big> +</p> + +<div><a name="h2H_4_0003" id="h2H_4_0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + I +</h2> +<p class="center"> + "WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THEM?" +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, Jack! do let her go! I'll make you if you don't!" +</p> +<p> +"Get away! She's an early Christian, and I'm seeing if she's a real one." +</p> +<p> +"It's Sunday, and if she screams much louder, they'll hear in the +drawing-room." +</p> +<p> +"It's a proper Sunday game, and I don't care for anybody in the +drawing-room!" +</p> +<p> +When Jack was defiant, Jill knew it was a hopeless case. +</p> +<p> +She sat on the back of a cane chair, her feet beating a tattoo on its +seat; and a twinkle of amusement succeeded the marked disapproval in +her big blue eyes when Jack proceeded to stuff his victim's head into +a pillow-case. +</p> +<p> +Six-year-old Winnie, or Bumps, as she was called, was always a ready +subject for her brother's ingenious mischief. She worshipped + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page2" name="page2"></a>[2]</span> + + the ground +he trod upon, and would promise to be all that he desired, until +the experience of it proved too much for her endurance. She was +at present gagged and bound with bedroom towels, antimacassars, and +pocket-handkerchiefs combined. She had been rolled over and over on +the floor, with Jack on the top of her, and now he announced in an +offhand tone— +</p> +<p> +"She's going to be put into a sack and thrown into the river, and that +will be the end of an early Christian." +</p> +<p> +"Where's the river?" asked Jill with interest. +</p> +<p> +"The bath-room, of course. Go and fill the +bath." +</p> +<p> +Jill laughed, and started up to obey. The fun of such a prospect before +her overcame her scruples. But in her haste she overbalanced herself, +and came with a crash to the floor. Her screams united with Winnie's +brought two people to the nursery, and the first one to open the door +was a young man. +</p> +<p> +"Good gracious!" he ejaculated, "what a scene!" +</p> + +<div class="figure"> +<a name="image-0004"><!--IMG--></a> +<a href="images/image02.jpg"><img src="images/image02s.jpg" width="300" height="450" +title="'Good Gracious!' He Ejaculated, 'What a Scene.'" +alt="'GOOD GRACIOUS!' HE EJACULATED, 'WHAT A SCENE.'" /></a> +<br /> +'GOOD GRACIOUS!' HE EJACULATED, 'WHAT A SCENE.' +</div> + +<p> +He might well say so. The nursery floor was covered with a medley of +furniture, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page3" name="page3"></a>[3]</span> + + toys, and miscellaneous articles that clearly had no business +there. In her fall Jill had caught hold of a tablecloth, and swept to the +ground the remains of the nursery tea. Broken plates, a stream of milk, +and bread and butter were mingled with the entangled bodies of the three +children. Bumps had escaped from the pillowcase, but was rolling about +screaming lustily; Jack was trying to extricate Jill out of the meshes +of the broken chair, and a small terrier puppy was dancing to and fro, +and worrying at everything in turn. +</p> +<p> +"Oh it's you, Captain Willoughby," said Jack, getting upon his feet. +"It's a pretty mess, I'm afraid." +</p> +<p> +"You young scamp! I bet you are the originator of it! Your sister is +wondering if the ceiling will withstand your onslaughts. Ah, here she +is to speak for herself." +</p> +<p> +A pretty delicate-looking girl with dark hair and eyes and impulsive +manner stood at the door. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, you children!" she exclaimed. "Where is nurse? And what are you +doing? Don't you know you ought not to romp like this on Sunday?" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page4" name="page4"></a>[4]</span></p> + +<p> +"Nurse is at her tea. She gave us ours too early." +</p> +<p> +Jill had struggled to her feet by this time, and was rubbing the back +of her head ruefully. +</p> +<p> +Captain Willoughby was busy releasing Bumps from her bonds. +</p> +<p> +"It strikes me there has been a bit of bullying going on here," he said, +eyeing Jack severely. "Is this the way you generally treat your small +sister?" +</p> +<p> +"She likes it," asserted Jack eagerly. "On my honour she does—don't +you, Bumps?" +</p> +<p> +"Yeth, I does!" sobbed his victim. +</p> +<p> +"Nurse has no business to leave you," said Mona Baron decisively, as +she gave a sharp pull to the nursery bell. "Now, Jill, pick up some of +these things at once. Why can't you keep Jack quiet? I don't know which +is the worse of you. It is six of one and half-a-dozen of the other!" +</p> +<p> +She did not speak angrily, for these three pickles always afforded +her considerable amusement. But she felt that a limit must be drawn +somewhere, and when the nurse appeared, considerably ruffled by her +sudden recall from the servants' hall, she was spoken to so sharply by + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page5" name="page5"></a>[5]</span> + + her young mistress that she gave notice on the spot. +</p> +<p> +Mona went back to the drawing-room with Captain Willoughby. +</p> +<p> +"That makes the fifth nurse we have had in ten months," she said. "What +can be done with them? They are too small to go to school." +</p> +<p> +"Can't you get a governess?" +</p> +<p> +"I suppose I must try. But I was made so miserable myself as a small +child by one, that I resolved never to give them the chance of such an +experience. I must talk it over with Miss Webb." +</p> +<p> +The nursery party up-stairs soon calmed down. Nurse restored order, and +set the three delinquents in separate corners of the room. Her tongue +was a powerful one, and she did not spare them. +</p> +<p> +"I shall be thankful to get out of the house, for never in my life have +I seen such bold, owdacious children, and no respectable woman would +stand it. Your sister ought to look after you herself, and then she'd +know what you were like. She dances out to all her gaieties with that +lazy Miss Webb, who's in a field of + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page6" name="page6"></a>[6]</span> + + clover if any one is, and expects +me to grind on in this four-walled room without a friend to keep me +company. I would as soon be in prison, and I'm not going to stand it. And +as for you, with your monkey tricks and your wicked ways, you want to +be well whipped and placed in a reformatory. That's the place for the +likes of you!" +</p> +<p> +No one dared speak. She talked on in the same strain for a good quarter +of an hour, then dared them at the peril of their lives to move from +their seats, and walked down to the servants' hall again. +</p> +<p> +"Sunday is a <i>dreadful</i> day," observed Jill plaintively. "I wonder what +it was made for!" +</p> +<p> +"I s'pose God thought it would make people good," said Jack; "it may do +grown-up people good, but it makes children dreadfully wicked!" +</p> +<p> +"Yes," assented Jill; "because there's nothing to do after church, and +we're always shut up in this old nursery. When I grow up I shall live +in a house without any doors, so that I can never be shut up anywhere!" +</p> +<p> +Jack looked across at his sister meditatively. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page7" name="page7"></a>[7]</span></p> + +<p> +"Then what would you do when robbers came?" +</p> +<p> +"I'd run away, of course, stupid!" +</p> +<p> +"They'd soon catch you. We'll try it to-morrow. I'll be the robber, and +you can leave all the doors open to give yourself a chance, and I'll +give you five minutes' start." +</p> +<p> +"Me too!" exclaimed Bumps, removing her thumb from her mouth, which she +had been contentedly sucking. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, you!" said her brother scornfully. "You can't even be an early +Christian without screaming the house down! But you've done one good +thing! Nurse is going, and a jolly good job too! Nurses are all rot!" +</p> +<p> +Jill shook her head doubtfully. +</p> +<p> +"We shall only have another worse than this one! I wish we could do +without them, like the Clarkes. Their mother looks after them." +</p> +<p> +"That's because they're poor—George told me so." +</p> +<p> +"What's poor?" asked Bumps. +</p> +<p> +"It's having no money," explained Jill. +</p> +<p> +"But we haven't no money," argued Bumps. +</p> +<p> +"No, you little stupid, but Mona has. I heard nurse say she was an +heiress, and that's + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page8" name="page8"></a>[8]</span> + + an awfully grand thing to be, it's next to being +a princess in a fairy-book." +</p> +<p> +"Now we've sat still long enough," announced Jack with a yawn. "We'll +have a kind of 'Puss in the Corner.' Our chairs will be the corners. We +can easily get back to them before nurse comes." +</p> +<p> +"It's Sunday," objected Jill again. +</p> +<p> +"Here's Miss Webb!" shouted Jack. +</p> +<p> +A stout, pleasant-faced lady came into the room as he spoke, and saved +the situation, for restless Jack could never stay quiet for long. +</p> +<p> +The little Barons could remember neither father nor mother. Their mother +had died at Bumps' birth, their father a year after. He had married +twice, and Mona was the daughter of his first wife. Miss Webb, a cousin +of Mr. Baron's, had taken charge of the household after his death; +but when Mona had finished her education she came home, and when she +came of age and inherited a good bit of money, Miss Webb still stayed +on as her chaperon. +</p> +<p> +The children were fond of Miss Webb, though they did not see much of her, +and their faces brightened at her appearance. +</p> +<p> +"Your sister asked me to come and see if + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page9" name="page9"></a>[9]</span> + + order had been restored," she +said, smiling. "Why, you are as quiet as mice! Now, why can't you always +sit still like this?" +</p> +<p> +"We were just going to finish it," said Jill. "We've been here ages. Do +you like Sunday, Miss Webb? We don't." +</p> +<p> +"I think I used to when I was a little girl," said Miss Webb, taking a +seat by the nursery fire, and placing Bumps upon her lap. +</p> +<p> +Jack and Jill came to her side at once. +</p> +<p> +"Do tell us about it. What did you do?" +</p> +<p> +"My mother used to have me down-stairs in the drawing-room in the +afternoon, and show me lovely pictures out of some books she had, and +talk to me about them. I had no brothers and sisters, and I used to be +allowed to dine with her and my father, and sometimes she sang to me. She +had a beautiful voice, and she would play hymns for me to sing with her." +</p> +<p> +"Ah," said Jill, with a long-drawn breath and a wistful look in her eyes; +"but then, you see, we haven't got a mother." +</p> +<p> +"But you have a nice kind sister," said Miss Webb, pity filling her +heart for the children who had never realised a mother's love. +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Jack; "Mona is very good, but + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page10" name="page10"></a>[10]</span> + + she's always out, and she +doesn't make Sunday nice to us." +</p> +<p> +"May we thing hymns in the drawing-room?" asked Bumps eagerly. +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Miss Webb on the impulse of the moment, "you shall. Nurse +has made you tidy, so come along, just as you are." +</p> +<p> +Down two flights of stairs they scampered, delighted at the prospect +of leaving the nursery. They found Mona leaning back in an easy-chair +by the fire. A butler was removing the tea, and Captain Willoughby was +standing, hat in hand, saying good-bye. Mona's other Sunday visitors had +taken their leave. She looked up astonished when she saw the children. +</p> +<p> +"Now, what are you doing, Miss Webb?" she said, laughing. "Bringing them +in their right minds to express contrition for their Sabbath-breaking?" +</p> +<p> +"No," said Miss Webb quietly. "They are going to sing some hymns. I +thought you would like to play for them." +</p> +<p> +Mona elevated her eyebrows. +</p> +<p> +"Wish I could stay to join you," said Captain Willoughby, "but I've +promised my + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page11" name="page11"></a>[11]</span> + + mother to take her to evening church. Au revoir!" +</p> +<p> +He departed. Mona got up from her seat and went to the piano. Then she +twirled round on the music-stool and confronted Miss Webb. +</p> +<p> +"What new freak is this?" she asked, laughing. +</p> +<p> +Miss Webb looked at her gravely. +</p> +<p> +"We were wondering why Sundays should be such a trial," she said, "and +Jill solved the problem. She said it was because they have no mother. I +reminded them that they had you, and we finally bethought ourselves of +hymn-singing down here." +</p> +<p> +Mona's laughing dimples faded away. She turned to the piano, her little +sisters and brother clustered round her, and soon the sweet, childish +voices were uplifted in song. +</p> +<p> +When bedtime came Bumps said ecstatically, "Thinging hymns in the +drawn-room is nearly as nithe as thinging them in heaven!" +</p> +<p> +"When did you sing them there?" demanded Jack. +</p> +<p> +And Bumps replied promptly, "Before I wath a baby." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page12" name="page12"></a>[12]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_4_0004" id="h2H_4_0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + II +</h2> +<p class="center"> + "WE'RE TO HAVE A GOVERNESS" +</p> + +<p> +"Miss Jill, your sister wants to speak to you." +</p> +<p> +Jill was curled up on the nursery hearthrug, reading a story-book, and +sucking peppermints. She had a slight cold, and had not accompanied Jack +and Bumps in their daily walk with nurse. She jumped up with alacrity. +</p> +<p> +"Where is she, Annie? Not in the drawing-room?" +</p> +<p> +"No, in the library," answered the nursery-maid. +</p> +<p> +Jill dashed down-stairs, and burst open the library door very noisily. She +drew back when she saw a strange young lady in earnest conversation with +her sister; and she was conscious of a rough head of hair, a buttonless +shoe that was being trodden under heel, and some very sticky fingers. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page13" name="page13"></a>[13]</span></p> + +<p> +Mona turned round. +</p> +<p> +"This is one of them, Miss Falkner. Shake hands with this lady, Jill." +</p> +<p> +Jill kept her hands behind her back. +</p> +<p> +"They're sticky," she said, staring at Miss Falkner in wonder. +</p> +<p> +"Never mind," said Miss Falkner with a smile. "You are fond of +peppermints, are you?" +</p> +<p> +Jill stared the harder, then she said— +</p> +<p> +"How did you know? Cook gave them to me. She said they were good for +a cold." +</p> +<p> +"You do look a little object," said Mona, drawing Jill to her, and +smoothing her hair as she spoke. "She is the eldest, Miss Falkner, +then comes Jack, then Winnie. They are very backward for their ages, +I am afraid, but you will remedy that." +</p> +<p> +Jill's blue eyes scanned Miss Falkner up and down. "Who was she?" she +wondered. +</p> +<p> +"Can you read, dear?" asked Miss Falkner. +</p> +<p> +Jill nodded. +</p> +<p> +"And write?" +</p> +<p> +Another nod. +</p> +<p> +Mona gave her a little shake. +</p> +<p> +"Speak properly, Jill. Where are your manners? + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page14" name="page14"></a>[14]</span> + + You are like a little +savage this afternoon. I am sure it is high time you had a governess +to keep you in order." +</p> +<p> +Mona did not often speak so crossly. +</p> +<p> +Jill darted away from her with scarlet cheeks and flashing eyes. "Who +is she? and what does she want?" she demanded passionately. "Is <i>she</i> +a governess? Because, if she is, I hate her!" +</p> +<p> +Then flying out of the room she banged the door violently behind her, +and raced up-stairs, never drawing breath till she reached the nursery. +Here she flung herself down face foremost on the hearthrug, and when +a little time later Jack and Bumps rushed in, they found her still +muttering angrily to herself. +</p> +<p> +Jack at once flung himself on the top of her. +</p> +<p> +"You're in a tantrum! What have you been doing?" +</p> +<p> +Jill would not answer till she had extricated herself from his +clutches. Then she sat up and tossed her long hair back from her flushed +little face. +</p> +<p> +"We're to have a governess!" +</p> +<p> +"Hurray!" shouted Jack. "Good-bye to nurses, who are rotten rot!" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page15" name="page15"></a>[15]</span></p> + +<p> +"And I've seen her," pursued Jill, shaking her head mournfully; "and I was +rude to her, I told her I hated her, and she'll never forgive me. Mona +was so cross, and then I was, and of course the governess will hate me +back, and we'll fight from the very beginning!" +</p> +<p> +"What was she like?" demanded Jack. +</p> +<p> +"Like any other person," said Jill crossly. +</p> +<p> +"Is she coming to tea?" asked Bumps with round eyes. +</p> +<p> +Jill looked at her small sister scornfully. +</p> +<p> +"She's coming to breakfast, and dinner, and tea, for ever and ever; she's +just like a nurse, only it will be lessons all day long, and punishments." +</p> +<p> +This depressing view had no effect on Jack. +</p> +<p> +"We can play truant," he suggested eagerly. "Boys do that when they go to +school—at least in books they do. To be sure," he added thoughtfully, +"they always come to a bad end and wish they hadn't, but before the end +comes, it's jolly." +</p> +<p> +"Is truant a nice game?" asked Bumps. +</p> +<p> +Jill's brown eyes began to dance with mirth. +</p> +<p> +"So we will," she exclaimed. "We'll settle what to do at once. We must +save up bits of + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page16" name="page16"></a>[16]</span> + + cake and biscuits, and anything else we can stuff in our +pockets, for we must have food." +</p> +<p> +"But," objected Jack, looking thoughtful, "it's winter, and I think you +can only be truants in summer. You always spend a day in the woods +and have a kind of picnic, and you must be in the country to do it, +and we're in a town." +</p> +<p> +"What does that matter?" said Jill impatiently. "We'll show how we can +truant. I'll think of the most splendid things when I'm in bed to-night." +</p> +<p> +All her ill temper vanished. Jill's thoughts in bed were the admiration +of her brother. His brain was a quick and busy one, but nothing to be +compared to Jill's. He laid the foundation for many a mischievous scheme, +but it was Jill who took it up and worked it out. +</p> +<p> +Bumps was at present a nonentity, but she was a sturdy little follower, +and would as cheerfully have tried to walk a tight-rope as to eat her +dinner, had she seen the others attempt it. +</p> +<p> +"When shall we start?" pursued Jack—"to-morrow?" +</p> +<p> +"I don't know when she's coming," Jill replied. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page17" name="page17"></a>[17]</span></p> + +<p> +"I think we shall have to do lessons with her one day first," said Jack, +"because we shan't be proper truants unless we do." +</p> +<p> +"Oh yes, and if it's a very wet day we won't go." +</p> +<p> +It was a great disappointment to them when Mona came into the nursery +that evening and called them to her. +</p> +<p> +"A very nice lady named Miss Falkner is coming to live with us," +she began. +</p> +<p> +"I know!" exclaimed Jack. "She's a governess. Is she coming to-night?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh dear, no, not for another month, when we go down to Willowlands." +</p> +<p> +The children's faces fell. Willowlands was their country home, and it +was only shut up for three months in the winter. They liked London best, +and were always sorry when their time came to leave it. +</p> +<p> +Mona watched their expressive faces. +</p> +<p> +"You must try to be very good till she comes," she said cheerfully. "The +time will soon pass. Jill, what made you so naughty this afternoon? I +was quite ashamed of you." +</p> +<p> +Jill got very red, and twisted her hands together, as was her habit +when embarrassed. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page18" name="page18"></a>[18]</span> + + Then she looked straight at her sister with a defiant +sparkle in her eyes. +</p> +<p> +"Of course we don't like her," she said. "You've told us how you used +to hate your governess, and we shall do it too." +</p> +<p> +"Oh dear!" said Mona with a smile and a groan. "I'm always so stupid when +I talk to you. My governess was very different from Miss Falkner—she +was a tall, grim, strict old thing, who never smiled. I've found you a +very different kind of governess, and you will all love her, I feel sure." +</p> +<p> +"I wish she was coming now," said Jill gloomily. +</p> +<p> +"Why? What a queer child you are." +</p> +<p> +"It's only," explained Jack hastily, "we've settled to do something when +she comes, and we don't like waiting." +</p> +<p> +"What is it?" asked Mona unsuspiciously. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, it's a secret," exclaimed Jill; "we aren't going to tell any one." +</p> +<p> +"I hope it isn't anything naughty. I wish you would try to be good. I +can't think why you are always in mischief!" +</p> +<p> +She left them. Jill was up on the window-seat drumming her fingers on +the pane. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page19" name="page19"></a>[19]</span></p> + +<p> +"I wish," she said at length, "that the king would pass a law that for one +day every child could do exactly what they liked, that they could be just +as naughty as ever they wished to be. Why, there are crowds and crowds +of things that I'm <i>longing</i> to do, only Mona would think it wicked!" +</p> +<p> +"And God would too," put in Jack, who in spite of his mischievous +rollicking ways had occasional qualms of conscience. +</p> +<p> +Jill looked at him meditatively. +</p> +<p> +"I try and think God looks the other way sometimes when we're doing +things. That's what I shall do when I have any children. I shall only +look at them when they want me to! It's a pity this governess isn't +coming soon; but we'll have plenty of time to save heaps of food for +our truant day, and I'll think out some lovely things to do on it." +</p> +<p> +"I think," said Jack, "I'll keep the food in my play-box that locks +up. Lumps of sugar will be a very good thing to save up." +</p> +<p> +"And treacle pudding," put in Bumps anxiously. She was only too eager +to bring contributions to Jack's secret store. He kept his box in a +corner of the nursery, and more than once + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page20" name="page20"></a>[20]</span> + + had to interfere when Bumps +was eagerly putting all kinds of her favourite puddings into screws of +paper and attempting to stuff them in with drier and more suitable food. +</p> +<p> +This hope of "playing truant" did much to comfort them in the dread of +possible lessons and punishments. Jill's programme for "truant day" +grew more glorious as time went on, and when her imagination sometimes +failed before Bumps' eager and original questions, Jack came to her +rescue and threw himself gallantly into the breach. +</p> +<p> +"What shall we do if there are no blackberries or nuts in the woods to +eat, and a mad bull has eaten all our food, and the sun has dried up +all the ponds and rivers so that we can get no water? Why, you stupid, +of course we'll go up to a cottage like beggars, and they'll give us +some food." +</p> +<p> +Bumps nodded contentedly. +</p> +<p> +"We'll be proper beggarth, with no shoeth and stockingth, and we'll have +no hat, and I'll tear a 'normouth hole in my frock!" +</p> +<p> +The time seemed to pass very slowly, but the month wore away, and then +came the move into the country. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page21" name="page21"></a>[21]</span></p> + +<p> +For the first few days after their arrival the children ran wild. Nurse +was too busy unpacking and arranging things to heed them, and their +adventurous spirits led them into every kind of mischief. +</p> +<p> +Then Mona was appealed to, and she made short work of nurse's complaints. +</p> +<p> +"I don't care what they do as long as they don't hurt themselves. Miss +Falkner is coming the end of the week, and then she will be entirely +responsible for them." +</p> +<p> +And so, after a long and tiring journey, when Miss Falkner arrived at +the house, this is what she saw in the hall— +</p> +<p> +Bumps seated in a large copper coal-scuttle, which was suspended by a +rope from the stair-railings above. Her face, pinafore and hands were +covered with black coal-dust, for the contents of the coal-scuttle had +been hastily emptied into the hall fire-place, and Bumps had taken her +place without a thought of consequences. +</p> +<p> +Jack, with red and hot cheeks, was sitting astride of the balustrade and +trying vainly to haul up his heavy load, being in danger of over-balancing +himself with his exertions, and Jill, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page22" name="page22"></a>[22]</span> + + arrayed in all the coats and wraps +that she could find, was ambling about on all fours making sudden +rushes at the coal-scuttle, which was just high enough to swing over +her head. All three children were screaming at the top of their voices, +and when William the butler came forward to open the door, nothing that +he could do or say seemed to have any result. +</p> +<p> +It was not till a very bright clear voice spoke that there was a sudden +hush. +</p> + +<div class="figure"> +<a name="image-0005"><!--IMG--></a> +<a href="images/image03.jpg"><img src="images/image03s.jpg" width="300" height="445" +title="'Are These My Little Pupils?'" +alt="'ARE THESE MY LITTLE PUPILS?'" /></a> +<br /> +'ARE THESE MY LITTLE PUPILS?' +</div> + +<p> +"Are these my little pupils?" +</p> +<p> +Jill threw off her disguise and stood upon her feet. Jack scrambled +down from his post, and Bumps was the only one that continued her +occupation. She swung helplessly to and fro, and puckered up her face +as if she were meditating a weep. +</p> +<p> +"Take me down, Jack," she whined; "I'm thy!" +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner lifted her down. +</p> +<p> +"Now, what game is this, I wonder?" she said. "It looks most interesting; +do tell me." +</p> +<p> +"It's a princess being rescued from a dragon," said Jack eagerly. "And +I'm the one who saves her; I'm the prince!" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page23" name="page23"></a>[23]</span></p> + +<p> +Miss Falkner smiled, and her smile emboldened Jack still further. +</p> +<p> +"Everybody is out," he informed her; "Mona and Miss Webb have gone +to a party. We've had our tea, and nurse has gone down-stairs to have +hers. She's going to-morrow, because you've come, and I'm jolly glad too! +And if you make haste and have your tea, you can come back and be the +old queen who has lost the princess. It's a jolly game. Jill and I made +it up ourselves." +</p> +<p> +"I think I should like some tea very much," said Miss Falkner, following +William up-stairs. "Won't you all come and talk to me while I have it?" +</p> +<p> +When Mona returned home just before dinner, she found the children +clustering round their new governess in the school-room, whilst she +related to them some childish reminiscence of her own. Their rapt +attention proved she could interest them, and Mona said to Miss Webb +triumphantly— +</p> +<p> +"I have succeeded at last in finding some one who will manage them." +</p> +<p> +Miss Webb shook her head doubtfully. +</p> +<p> +"Time will show," she said wisely. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page24" name="page24"></a>[24]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_4_0005" id="h2H_4_0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + III +</h2> +<p class="center"> + THE GOLDEN CITY +</p> + +<p> +Another Sunday. The children had been to the little village church in +the morning, and now after their early dinner were discussing plans +for the afternoon in the school-room. It was a lovely day. The French +windows were open, and the green lawn, with its fringe of young larches +and birches at the bottom of it, looked very inviting to the little ones. +</p> +<p> +This lawn was their special property. It was not so smoothly rolled and +cared for as were the two on which Mona had her croquet and tennis, +but then, when cricket and rounders were as often the order of the day +as anything else, it was not to be expected that its turf would be as +well preserved. It belonged to the children, and their little feet used +it well. +</p> +<p> +"Shall we be naughty or good?" questioned Bumps anxiously. +</p> +<p> +Jill screwed up her mouth and nose impatiently. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page25" name="page25"></a>[25]</span></p> + +<p> +"Shut up, Bumps; you shouldn't ask such silly questions. Jack and I are +going to be what we like. I don't think we shall want you at all." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, she can come if she likes," said Jack, "we may want her. We're +going to play a proper Sunday game—one out of the Bible." +</p> +<p> +Jill looked at her little sister meditatively. +</p> +<p> +"She would make a good Joseph!" +</p> +<p> +"Yes," cried Jack, cutting a caper; "and there's the rubbish-pit in the +backyard, she could never climb up without a rope." +</p> +<p> +"But there's the coat of many colours," said Jill slowly; "we must +have that." +</p> +<p> +There was silence. Bumps looked slightly uneasy. +</p> +<p> +"The rubbith-pit is very dirty, and I've got my bestest frock on," +she ventured. +</p> +<p> +Jill turned upon her severely. +</p> +<p> +"You ought to be <i>thankful</i> to be Joseph, Bumps. He was an awfully good +little boy, you can't do wrong if you play at being him. S'posing if +we told you to be Cain, how would you like that?" +</p> +<p> +"There's my striped red-and-blue jersey," broke in Jack, "we'll dress +her up in that." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page26" name="page26"></a>[26]</span></p> + +<p> +"Yes, go and get it quick, and I've got some yellow ribbon that Mona +gave me; we'll twist it round and round, and it will look splendid!" +</p> +<p> +It was unfortunate, from the children's point of view, that Miss Falkner +should take it into her head to come into the room just when Bumps was +being arrayed in her many-coloured garment. They had taken it for granted +that she would retire to her room for a long afternoon nap, after the +custom of their nurse. +</p> +<p> +Bumps was quite happy now. She stood on a chair with beaming pride, +whilst Jill wound her yellow ribbon round and round the coloured jersey, +till she looked like some fat wasp. +</p> +<p> +Jack with his hands in his pockets was watching the proceeding +impatiently. +</p> +<p> +"Hurry up, Jill—and, I say! we haven't half talked it out. How shall +we manage to dip it in blood, and who's to be old Jacob?" +</p> +<p> +Jill was never at a loss. +</p> +<p> +"I'll be Jacob. I can easily be him, and we'll get a can of water, and +one of Mona's red paints—the oil ones in the tubes—I'll soon make +some blood." +</p> +<p> +Then Miss Falkner spoke. +</p> +<p> +"I did not mean to leave you so long, chicks, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page27" name="page27"></a>[27]</span> + + but I was looking in my +box to see if I could find a story-book to read to you. I haven't been +successful, but I thought we would all go out on the lawn and sit under +the trees, and then I would tell you a story!" +</p> +<p> +The children's faces looked rather blank. +</p> +<p> +"We're having a game, thank you," said Jill slowly, striving to be polite. +</p> +<p> +"Why are you making Winnie such a guy? I think we must leave such games +for week-days." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, but," said Jack eagerly, "this is a Sunday game; we're most +partic'lar to play only Sunday games on Sunday. Mona likes us to." +</p> +<p> +But Miss Falkner showed a bold front. +</p> +<p> +"I cannot have it," she said decidedly; "take that jersey off, Winnie, +and come out into the garden with me." +</p> +<p> +It was Miss Falkner's first Sunday. Her little pupils were still in awe +of her, but their disappointment was great, and they followed her out +into the garden with sullen, angry faces. +</p> +<p> +Yet when they were settled under a lime-tree with chairs and cushions, +the sweet spring air and sunshine, and the singing of the birds, charmed +their discontent away. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page28" name="page28"></a>[28]</span></p> + +<p> +Miss Falkner could tell a story well, and they knew it. Bumps sat +on a cushion at her feet, Jack lay on his back on the grass with +another cushion tucked under his head, and Jill was curled up in a +big wicker-chair sitting on her feet in true tailor fashion, as was +her custom. +</p> +<p> +"Once upon a time," began Miss Falkner, "there lived two children who +were orphans. They were a boy and a girl named Rufus and Cicely. They +had no one to care for them and love them, for an old uncle with whom +they lived could not bear children, and told them to keep out of his +sight and way as much as possible. They used to spend most of their +time out of doors, and would wander over the country day after day, +taking their dinners in their pockets, and only coming home at bedtime. +One day they went out feeling very unhappy. Their uncle had been very +angry with them, and told them to be gone, and never come back again, +for he was sick and tired of keeping them in his house. They walked on +and on through a wood, and at last came out on the other side to the +banks of a river which they had never seen before. Cicely was tired, +so she sat down on the grass, and Rufus did the same. It was + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page29" name="page29"></a>[29]</span> + + very quiet, +and they soon fell asleep, but after a time they awoke with a start. An +old man with a kind face and a grey beard was speaking to them. He held +a letter in his hand. +</p> +<p> +"'This is a letter for you, dear children, from a King who loves you, +and wants you to come to Him in His Golden City.' +</p> +<p> +"'For us?' said Rufus; 'it must be a mistake. No one loves us, no one +wants us.' +</p> +<p> +"'My Master does. Read His message.' +</p> +<p> +"Rufus took the letter. His name and Cicely's were written upon it. He +opened it. In golden letters which shone like the sun was written— +</p> +<p> +"'Come unto Me. Those that seek Me early shall find Me. This is the way, +walk ye in it.'" +</p> +<p> +Jill sharp eyes were lifted at once to her governess's face. +</p> +<p> +"That sounds like a text," she said. +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner made no remark, but went on— +</p> +<p> +"Rufus read the letter through again and again. +</p> +<p> +"'What does it mean?' he asked. 'Where does this King live? Where is +the way to Him? + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page30" name="page30"></a>[30]</span> + + We would like to go to Him if He wants us, would we not, +Cicely?' +</p> +<p> +"'Oh, yes,' Cicely cried. 'Let us go at once. Show us the way.' +</p> +<p> +"The old man smiled. +</p> +<p> +"'Are you in earnest?' he asked. 'Do you really want to go to my Master? +Then follow me. He has sent me to show you the way.' +</p> +<p> +"Then he led the children to the bank of the river, and told them to look +across it. They saw on the other side a green hill with people walking +up, and at the very top some glittering golden gates. +</p> +<p> +"'That is the Golden City,' he said gently. 'If you want real happiness +it is to be found inside those gates; no pain, no unkindness, no +disappointment ever finds its way there, and no sin.' +</p> +<p> +"He said these last words very solemnly. +</p> +<p> +"Rufus and Cicely began to feel uncomfortable. +</p> +<p> +"'We aren't altogether good,' they said. +</p> +<p> +"Then they looked about them with interest. They saw other children +trying to cross the river; one boy was rowing himself across in a boat, +another was building a bridge, some were + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page31" name="page31"></a>[31]</span> + + standing on the bank hesitating. +One little girl and boy bravely jumped in and began wading through it. +</p> +<p> +"'They will be drowned,' exclaimed Cicely. 'How shall we get across? In +a boat?' +</p> +<p> +"The old man shook his head. +</p> +<p> +"'It is the King's wish that all travellers shall arrive at His gates +with spotlessly clean clothes. Look through this telescope and you will +see what is written above the gates.' +</p> +<p> +"The children looked through eagerly, and Cicely spelled out: '"There +shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth."' +</p> +<p> +"'What does that mean?' she asked. +</p> +<p> +"'It means that no dust or dirt of any kind is allowed inside.' +</p> +<p> +"Rufus looked down at his boots and clothes, then at his sister's. +</p> +<p> +"'We are very muddy,' he said; 'how can we make ourselves clean?' +</p> +<p> +"'By plunging into this river and being washed,' the old man said. 'The +King's Son made this river. It cost Him His life, but it was the only +way travellers could be cleansed. Look up at that sign-post and read +what it says.' +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page32" name="page32"></a>[32]</span></p> + +<p> +"Rufus read: '"Wash and be clean." "If I wash thee not, thou hast no +part with Me."' +</p> +<p> +"'The river is the only true way to the Golden City,' the old man +said. 'You will only be turned away at the gates if you arrive there +without washing in the river. That boy you see building a bridge is very +eager and earnest, but his clothes will be too travel-stained and dusty +to allow him to enter the gates when he gets there. He has made a wrong +start, and is trying to reach the Golden City in the wrong way.' +</p> +<p> +"'And the boy in the boat?' asked Rufus. +</p> +<p> +"'He is wrong too, he too has overlooked the first start of all. The +King would never have placed the river there if He did not mean every +one to go through it.' +</p> +<p> +"Then Rufus led Cicely down to the river. +</p> +<p> +"'We will go through,' he said. 'We want to be washed clean.' +</p> +<p> +"Cicely was rather frightened at first, but the river was not deep, and +when they clambered up the other side, they found to their delight that +their clothes were new and fresh and clean. Then they started walking +up the hill. +</p> +<p> +"It was steep and stony, but they kept their + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page33" name="page33"></a>[33]</span> + + eyes fixed on the golden +gates, and presently they found their old friend by their side again. +</p> +<p> +"Other people were climbing the hill, but many had never been through +the river, and they were so dusty and shabby that their chance of +entering the city was small indeed. Suddenly Cicely, who had been walking +carelessly, stumbled and fell. She picked herself up, but her clean +frock was soiled. She began to cry. +</p> +<p> +"'I can't keep myself clean,' she said; 'what shall I do?' +</p> +<p> +"The old man took hold of her hand and showed her a little stream running +along by the side of the path. +</p> +<p> +"'It comes from the river,' he said, 'and is always close to you. You +can wash in it whenever you get yourself dirty.' +</p> +<p> +"So Cicely dried her tears and quickly washed away her stain, and she +went on happily with her brother. They walked with other children a part +of the way; sometimes they found themselves alone; sometimes the path +was rough, sometimes easy, and after a long, long time they reached +the Golden City. It was a happy day for them then. They were tired, +but they forgot their troubles when they + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page34" name="page34"></a>[34]</span> + + saw the lovely gates. Two shining +angels stood by the entrance, and they only let those in who had +been washed in the river. They were the only ones who arrived in clean +clothes. The others sadly turned away. Then Rufus and Cicely saw the +King Himself. He came to meet them, and His look and smile was wonderful. +I cannot tell you what He said, but He put His hands upon their heads +and blessed them, and they followed Him up the golden street." +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner paused. There was a short silence, then Bumps remarked +reflectively— +</p> +<p> +"That was Jesus; no one puts their hands on children's heads and blesses +them except Him!" +</p> +<p> +"It's a sort of parable, isn't it?" asked Jack. "I don't like parables, +they make me feel so muddled. I love the <i>Pilgrim's Progress</i> if nobody +tries to explain it. But it gets so mixed up when they do, that it's +quite spoilt!" +</p> +<p> +"Would you like me to explain my story?" asked Miss Falkner gently. +</p> +<p> +"No," said Jack promptly. +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Jill, in the same tone. +</p> +<p> +"We ought to be all journeying to the Golden + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page35" name="page35"></a>[35]</span> + + City every day," said Miss +Falkner. "I have only told you about the start, because I wanted you +to make the right beginning. Perhaps some of you have started, have you?" +</p> +<p> +The children made no answer. Jill uncurled her feet, and her big +questioning eyes were fixed intently upon her governess. +</p> +<p> +"I haven't started," she said abruptly. +</p> +<p> +"The King wants you quite as much as He wanted Rufus and Cicely," Miss +Falkner said softly; "He wants all three of you." +</p> +<p> +"But where's the river?" asked Jack. +</p> +<p> +"Jesus Christ is the Water of Life, His blood that He shed will wash +you whiter than snow. You must go to Him and ask Him to cleanse you, +and then you will be able to start on your journey." +</p> +<p> +"I like journeys," announced Bumps, only dimly understanding the allegory, +"partic'ly when we have thandwiches." +</p> +<p> +Jack rolled over on the grass. +</p> +<p> +"It will be a first-rate game," he said, rising to his feet; "I think +better than Joseph!" +</p> +<p> +Then he caught sight of an early butterfly, and in a moment was off +across the lawn in pursuit of it. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page36" name="page36"></a>[36]</span></p> + +<p> +The little party broke up. Bumps trotted after Jack, but Jill betook +herself to their hammock. Here she swung herself to and fro wrapped in +deep meditation. The Golden City had entranced her. For the first time +in her little life she began to long to be good, and later on that +day, after she had been put to bed, Miss Falkner heard her murmur in +her sleep— +</p> +<p> +"I'll start to-morrow!" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page37" name="page37"></a>[37]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_4_0006" id="h2H_4_0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + IV +</h2> +<p class="center"> + "LET'S BE TRUANTS!" +</p> + +<p> +But to-morrow found her with different intentions. She awoke at six +o'clock, the birds were singing, and the sun was streaming through the +yellow blinds, bathing the room in golden light. +</p> +<p> +Jill and Bumps slept in a room leading out of Miss Falkner's, Jack +had a small room across the passage. Softly Jill stole out of bed and +peeped out of the window. It was a morning that would tempt any one out +of doors. She saw a bright blue sky and sunny meadows. The fresh green +trees, the spring flowers, the sweet scents of early morning all seemed +to say, "Come out and enjoy us!" +</p> +<p> +Jill's cheeks grew rosy at a thought that flashed through her brain. +</p> +<p> +She opened the door softly and crossed the passage. Turning the handle +of Jack's door she whispered, "Jack! Are you awake?" +</p> +<p> +Jack sprang up at once. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page38" name="page38"></a>[38]</span></p> + +<p> +"Of course I am. What do you want?" +</p> +<p> +"Let's be truants to-day." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, jolly! When? How?" +</p> +<p> +Jill came in and sat on the bottom of the bed. +</p> +<p> +"We must go before breakfast, or we shan't be able to get away without +being seen. Miss Falkner sends Bumps and me down at half-past seven, +and breakfast isn't ready till eight, so we shan't be missed. You get +the food ready and dress as quick as you can." +</p> +<p> +"And where shall we go?" +</p> +<p> +"Anywhere. What does it matter? I'll go back and wake up Bumps and +tell her." +</p> +<p> +Jill crept back to her room, and Bumps, a sleepy fat bundle, was shaken +into consciousness. +</p> +<p> +When she understood she was delighted, and was full of fuss and importance +at once. +</p> +<p> +"I'll take my best china mug on the mantelpiece to get some water from +a thtream; and do you think I might take a umblella, because it might +come on a thunderstorm; and thall I take my thpade and bucket I took to +the thea?" +</p> +<p> +"Hush," whispered Jill; "you'll wake Miss Falkner. You needn't take +anything, you little stupid! Keep quiet, and do what I tell you." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page39" name="page39"></a>[39]</span></p> + +<p> +Bumps was not crushed. She kept up an incessant stream of shrill whispers +till Jill refused to respond, and then she confided the whole plan of +action to a beloved rag doll that she always took to bed with her. +</p> +<p> +It was hard to keep the secret from Miss Falkner, who always helped +them to dress, but at last they were dismissed, and scampered +down-stairs. Jill had quietly conveyed their hats and boots into the +passage before-hand, so they had no difficulty in getting themselves +ready for their day out. +</p> +<p> +Jack joined them in the hall below. One of the maids noticed them but +thought they were going into the garden, which indeed they did, though +they did not stay there. +</p> +<p> +"We will walk along the road till we come to a nice field," said Jill, +who was taking the head. +</p> +<p> +"And now we've really begun to truant!" said Bumps importantly; "but +please don't go so fatht!" +</p> +<p> +"Hurrah!" shouted Jack, throwing his cap into the air and catching it; +"we're going to do no horrid lessons to-day!" +</p> +<p> +They tramped along, Bumps getting hot and + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page40" name="page40"></a>[40]</span> + + breathless with her eager +resolve to keep pace with the others. +</p> +<p> +"My legs is so short!" she panted ruefully; "pleath let me hold your +hand, Jill." +</p> +<p> +Jill seized hold of her impatiently. +</p> +<p> +"You must be quick, Bumps, or else they'll find out we've gone, and run +after us. Now, Jack, let us go across this field, it leads down to the +river, and no one will find us there because the trees are so thick." +</p> +<p> +The grass was wet, but that was a trifle. Buttercups were already +springing up in the meadow; larks were rising in the air singing their +morning hymn of praise, and the children broke into a run. Not a shadow +fell on their spirits, they felt exhilarated by the fresh morning breeze. +</p> +<p> +They reached the river and then began to think of breakfast. Jack with +great pride produced his store. It was rather a fragmentary one. Two +or three figs, some bits of cake and one orange were divided into three +equal portions. The novelty of such a breakfast compensated for the +quantity and quality. But when Bumps announced she was thirsty they +looked rather dismayed. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page41" name="page41"></a>[41]</span></p> + +<p> +"You must drink from the river," said Jill. +</p> +<p> +"But I might thwallow some fishes," objected Bumps, "and I've no cup." +</p> +<p> +"Then you must wait till we go home. You can't be thirsty early in the +morning." +</p> +<p> +Bumps heaved a sigh, and looked at the river meditatively. +</p> +<p> +"It would be nithe to take off shoes and stockings, and go through it +like the children Miss Falkner told us of." +</p> +<p> +"Oh yes, we will," cried Jack. "We'll play at going to the Golden City." +</p> +<p> +Jill looked grave. +</p> +<p> +"I meant to start really to-day," she said, "but it's no good now, +because we're doing a wicked thing to play truant, and you have to be +good when you're walking to the Golden City. I mean to be double good +to-morrow to make up." +</p> +<p> +Jack was already pulling off his shoes and stockings; his sisters quickly +followed his example, and for half-an-hour or so they had a delightful +time in paddling about. It is true that Bumps fell with a splash once, +grazing her hands and knees against the stones and soaking her dress +and pinafore, but Bumps' tumbles + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page42" name="page42"></a>[42]</span> + + were so frequent that they passed +unnoticed. When they were tired of this pastime they crossed two or +three more fields and then climbed up into some steep woods. They were +very hot and tired when they reached the top, and sat down to rest. +</p> +<p> +"We've done nothing exciting yet," complained Jill. "I thought truants +always met with lovely adventures." +</p> +<p> +"Let's have our dinner," suggested Jack, "I'm sure it's time." So again +Jack's hoard was brought out, and more bits of cake and biscuits and +miscellaneous scraps were divided round. +</p> +<p> +"I wonder what Miss Falkner is doing," said Jack, "do you think she's +hunting for us?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, don't think of her. Come on, we must make some adventures. This is +very dull." +</p> +<p> +"We'll all climb a tree," said Jack, "and pretend we're Charles II. hiding +in an oak." +</p> +<p> +Bumps looked a little anxious, but Jill eagerly assented. A suitable tree +was found, and up went nimble Jack, followed by Jill, who was quite as +good a climber as he was. +</p> +<p> +Bumps tried her best, but failed entirely, so she sat down on the grass +and cried. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page43" name="page43"></a>[43]</span></p> + +<p> +Jill took pity on her, and came down to assist her. With the greatest +difficulty she was hoisted up, but when she was comfortably settled on +a big branch, her little face shone with pride and contentment. +</p> +<p> +"It's my legs again," she said, looking down upon them with pity; +"they is so short, and—and inconven'ent!" +</p> +<p> +"Hush!" cried Jack, "here's a wild beast coming, look out! Oh, look, +look, it's a deer!" +</p> +<p> +It was indeed a stag, that had wandered out of a private park near. The +children had never seen one so close before. +</p> +<p> +Their movements startled the timid animal, he threw his head up, +scented and then saw them, and in a moment he had dashed away through +the bushes. In another moment Jack and Jill were down on the ground and +racing after him. +</p> +<p> +Bumps again was left behind, and she lifted up her voice and wept a +second time. +</p> +<p> +"I can't get down! Oh, Jill, come back! Take me down! I'm frightened!" +</p> +<p> +But no Jill came back, and poor Bumps sobbed away, clinging hold of the +branch with + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page44" name="page44"></a>[44]</span> + + her hot little hands and regarding the distance down to the +ground with terrified eyes. +</p> +<p> +It seemed hours to her before any one passed her way, and then suddenly +a young man with a gun across his shoulder, and a couple of dogs, came +into sight. +</p> +<p> +"Man! man!" cried Bumps frantically. "I'm left behind. Come and take me +down, oh, pleath take me down!" +</p> +<p> +He started and looked up at her in astonishment, then a smile crossed +his lips. +</p> +<p> +"A baby in a tree! How on earth did a small mite like you perch yourself +up there?" +</p> +<p> +"I've been lefted!" sobbed Bumps. "They've run away, and I'm lotht!" +</p> +<p> +The young man laughed, then sprang up the tree, and in another minute +Bumps stood on firm ground once again. +</p> +<p> +"Thank you," she said prettily, her face wreathed in smiles. "Now pleathe +help me find Jack and Jill." +</p> +<p> +"Oh no!" ejaculated the young man; "that I refuse to do. I'm in a +hurry. If you come along with me I will put you in the road again, +and then you will soon find your way home." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page45" name="page45"></a>[45]</span></p> + +<p> +Bumps trotted after him quite reassured, talking fast all the time. +</p> +<p> +"We're having a truant-day, and I've got to stay out till tea-time—Jill +thaid so. It is such a long day, and I'd like to go back to Miss +Falkner—she's our governess. She takes me in her lap, and I like +her. Does your gun go off? Are you killing any one? Jack likes guns. I +don't! Jill and him have runned after a deer with horns. I'm thorry +I couldn't run after it too. But I think I'll go home by myself, I'm +tired of being a truant." +</p> +<p> +She talked on to her new acquaintance till they reached the road, then +he came to a standstill. +</p> +<p> +"Now where do you live? Can you find your way home?" +</p> +<p> +Bumps looked about her, then put one finger in her mouth and considered. +</p> +<p> +"I don't know this road, I'm afraid," she said slowly. +</p> +<p> +"Where do you live, child?" the young man asked impatiently. +</p> +<p> +"I live at home," said Bumps with dignity. +</p> +<p> +"What is your name? Your mother's or father's name?" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page46" name="page46"></a>[46]</span></p> + +<p> +"Oh, they went to heaven <i>years</i> ago, we never talks about them. My name +is Winnie, but I'm called Bumps." +</p> +<p> +"And your other name?" +</p> +<p> +"Winnie Baron." +</p> +<p> +The young man whistled slowly. +</p> +<p> +"I see light at last. I know your sister, Miss Baron. You have just come +down from London. I'll see you home." +</p> +<p> +He seemed as anxious now to accompany Bumps back as he had been before +to get rid of her. +</p> +<p> +She was perfectly content to follow him. +</p> +<p> +"You're a keeper, I expect," she said presently. "We've got two, and +I'm dreadfully frightened of Andrew, he is tho croth, he won't let us +go into his wood at all. But Barker is very nithe. He has a little boy +who tumbled on the fender and had to have his forehead thewn up with +needle and cotton! Fanthy that! And he has the cotton in him now!" +</p> +<p> +Half-an-hour afterwards Bumps and her friend were at the hall door, +and Mona came hastily forward to meet him. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Bumps, how naughty! We have been + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page47" name="page47"></a>[47]</span> + + looking for you everywhere! Where +are the others?" +</p> +<p> +Then as the young man raised his hat and stepped forward, Mona held out +her hand. +</p> +<p> +"Sir Henry Talbot, is it not? I met you, I think, at Mrs. Archer's +the other day. How very kind of you to take pity on my small sister. +Do come in. We are just going to have lunch." +</p> +<p> +"I thought he was a keeper," said Bumps, staring at her sister gravely. +"Do you know him, Mona?" +</p> +<p> +"Run along up-stairs to Miss Falkner. She has been out all the morning +looking for you. I hope she will punish you all. You deserve it." +</p> +<p> +Mona turned sharply away into the drawing-room, and Sir Henry followed +her willingly. +</p> +<p> +Bumps toiled up-stairs, feeling sore-footed and heavy-hearted. What +would Jack and Jill say if their day was spoilt because of her? And +what would Miss Falkner say? Great tears filled her blue eyes, but she +opened the school-room door and walked in bravely. +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner met her with a smile of relief. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Bumps, where have you been?" +</p> +<p> +Bumps ran to her and buried her head in her lap. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page48" name="page48"></a>[48]</span></p> + +<p> +"I'm thorry," she sobbed. "We were truants, but I've come back, and the +others are lotht!" +</p> +<p> +"Where did you leave them? It was very naughty to go away as you did. Now +tell me all about it." +</p> +<p> +Bumps tried to check her tears. +</p> +<p> +"I'll never do it again," she said. "They left me up a tree, and I +oughtn't to have come back at all. Jill thaid we motht thtay out till +tea-time. She'll be angry, and Jack too." +</p> +<p> +"Where are Jack and Jill?" +</p> +<p> +"I don't know. They ran away after a deer and never came back; and I +waited till a man came by, and he broughted me home." +</p> +<p> +No more could be got out of Bumps, who began crying again. Miss Falkner +saw she was tired and hungry, so she wisely said no more, but gave her +some dinner, and then made her lie down on her bed, where she soon fell +fast asleep. +</p> +<p> +Meanwhile Jack and Jill were hunting high and low for Bumps. They pursued +the deer with such zeal that they missed their path in the wood, and +could not find their tree again. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, let us leave off looking," said Jack, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page49" name="page49"></a>[49]</span> + + impatiently, "we shall lose +all our day, Bumps is sure to find her way home." +</p> +<p> +"We can't leave her," said Jill. "She's always a bother when we bring +her out. I wish we had left her behind." +</p> +<p> +But they continued their search. And at last they found the object of it, +but no Bumps. Jack climbed up the tree and they shouted till they made +the wood ring again, but no answer came. +</p> +<p> +"She's gone home," said Jack decisively. "We'll just enjoy ourselves +without her." +</p> +<p> +"I think being truants is very dull," admitted Jill. +</p> +<p> +"I'm not enjoying myself a bit as I thought I should. We have no +adventures, and nothing has happened." +</p> +<p> +"We've lost Bumps." +</p> +<p> +"Yes, so we have. But that isn't fun to us. It's only fun to the one +lost. She may be having heaps and heaps of adventures!" +</p> +<p> +"What shall we do now?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, there's nothing to do but just walk on and see what comes." +</p> +<p> +Nothing did come. They walked right through the wood, which was a small +one, and + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page50" name="page50"></a>[50]</span> + + then got over a hedge into a field. Here they met a small boy +carrying a milk-can. +</p> +<p> +Jill stopped him. "I'm dreadfully thirsty," she said. "Could you give +me a drink?" +</p> +<p> +"Go to your mammy!" the small boy said rudely. +</p> +<p> +Jill was hot tempered. The scornful tone enraged her. She flew at the boy +like a small whirlwind and knocked him down. Over went the can of milk, +and the boy stood up at once to fight. Jack pushed Jill aside. +</p> +<p> +"I'll settle him! I'll teach him manners!" he cried. +</p> +<p> +Jill climbed a gate-post to watch results. It was not Jack's first fight, +and she felt confident that he would come off victorious. She cheered +him on lustily, and longed to be in the fray herself. But the small +boy proved to be a better pugilist than Jack, and Jill was filled with +dismay when she saw Jack thrown violently to the ground, his opponent +sitting on his chest triumphantly. +</p> +<p> +"Will 'ee have some more?" +</p> +<p> +"Get up," said Jack sullenly. +</p> +<p> +"Not till 'ee pays me thruppence for that there milk." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page51" name="page51"></a>[51]</span></p> + +<p> +Jill dived into her pocket and threw three coppers at the boy. +</p> +<p> +"I shall tell Mona, and she'll have you punished for fighting us, you +wicked boy!" +</p> +<p> +The victor laughed, slung his can over his shoulder, and ran off. Jack +raised himself from the ground with difficulty. +</p> +<p> +"He's given my head such a bump on the ground," he said, "that I feel +quite queer." +</p> +<p> +"Your nose is bleeding, and oh! you'll have such a black eye! And your +shirt is torn, and your collar bursted away!" +</p> +<p> +"Shut up," growled Jack; "he was like a bullet to hit. I believe he must +have a wooden body. Let's find a stream of water, and then I can wash +my face!" +</p> +<p> +They went into another field and found a stream. When Jack had put +himself tidy he said slowly— +</p> +<p> +"Do you know I think we'd better go home. It isn't going to be much fun +to-day, I can see. We ought to have had heaps of adventures, and we +haven't had one." +</p> +<p> +"All right! It must be nearly tea-time. I do hope Bumps is all right!" +</p> +<p> +They trudged home. Jill would not acknowledge + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page52" name="page52"></a>[52]</span> + + that the day had been a +failure, but then she had not been vanquished in a fight. Jack had, and +his spirit as well as his body was sore in consequence. +</p> +<p> +It was four o'clock when they reached home. They stole softly up-stairs, +but were met by Miss Falkner on the top landing. +</p> +<p> +She looked at them in silence, then she said— +</p> +<p> +"I hope you have both enjoyed your day." +</p> +<p> +Jack shuffled into his room and shut his door without a word. +</p> +<p> +"Is Bumps home?" Jill asked in a shamefaced way. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, quite tired out, poor mite. If you put yourself tidy, Jill, I will +have tea earlier. You look as if you want it." +</p> +<p> +Not a word of blame or reproach! +</p> +<p> +Jill went into her bedroom with a little lump in her throat. +</p> +<p> +"I haven't really enjoyed myself," she said, as she gazed at her untidy +little self in the glass. "I think it would have been much better if I +had started for the Golden City this morning, instead of playing truant." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page53" name="page53"></a>[53]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_4_0007" id="h2H_4_0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + V +</h2> +<p class="center"> + "A VERY SOLEMN VOW!" +</p> + +<p> +It was Miss Falkner's custom to read the Bible every morning before she +began lessons with the children. +</p> +<p> +She did not choose long chapters, but with a few words at the end tried +to make them interesting to her little pupils. +</p> +<p> +One morning the subject was Jacob's flight from home. Jill was keenly +interested in it. +</p> +<p> +"What did Jacob mean by giving a tenth to God?" she asked after reading +in her turn the last verse of the chapter. +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner explained it. +</p> +<p> +"You see," she said, after telling them of the Jewish custom, "all the +money that we have really comes from God. And those of us who are trying +to be His servants feel we are given it to use for Him. But even so it +is nice to put apart a tenth to use especially for His work down here. A +tenth means a penny out of every ten, or a shilling out of every ten, or a + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page54" name="page54"></a>[54]</span> + + pound out of every ten, just as we have it given to us." +</p> +<p> +Jill's mouth and eyes were open wide. +</p> +<p> +"And if you have only nine pennies?" she asked. +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner smiled. +</p> +<p> +"Wait till you have ten," she said. +</p> +<p> +"And what must you do with the tenth?" asked Jack; "put it into the +plate at the church?" +</p> +<p> +"Not always. I think it is nice to keep a little bag or box. A great many +people keep a missionary-box and put their tenth in that. Sometimes you +can buy something for very poor people. There are such lots of ways of +spending money for God. Now we must begin lessons." +</p> +<p> +The Bibles were shut up, but the seed was sown. That afternoon, when +lessons were over, the children ran out into the garden to play. +</p> +<p> +Jill's face was full of earnest resolve. +</p> +<p> +"Let's come into the plantation," she said, "I've a lovely plan in my +head; only first we must look about for some big stones." +</p> +<p> +The plantation was a fir-tree one, and edged one side of the garden. +Fortune seemed in + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page55" name="page55"></a>[55]</span> + + Jill's favour, for near the plantation was an old stone +wall which had been partially removed. +</p> +<p> +"Now," said the little leader, "we must carry some of these right into the +middle of the plantation. Into a dark corner where no one will see us." +</p> +<p> +"What for?" asked Jack. +</p> +<p> +He never obeyed unquestioningly. +</p> +<p> +"I'll tell you in a minute. I think perhaps we ought to have three heaps +of stones, only it will take so long. No, one will do, and we must all +three share it." +</p> +<p> +They set to work, found a corner under a tall old pine, and soon had a +very respectable heap of stones collected together. +</p> +<p> +Then Jill volunteered her explanation. +</p> +<p> +"Of course, Jack, if you don't want to, you needn't, and Bumps needn't +either, but I'm going to do it. This is going to be a kind of Jacob's +pillar. I've been thinking of it a lot, and I'm going to do what Jacob +did." +</p> +<p> +"Run away from home?" asked Jack, his eyes lighting up with eagerness. +</p> +<p> +"No, of course not. I'm going to give a tenth of my money to God, and +I must have a proper place to do it in." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page56" name="page56"></a>[56]</span></p> + +<p> +"Oh," said Jack, his face falling a little; "and you want me to do +it too." +</p> +<p> +"You ought to," Jill said severely. +</p> +<p> +"I will if Jack does," said Bumps in her breathless way, "I have five +pennies!" +</p> +<p> +"You see me do it first," said Jill; "and then you can make up your +mind. It's a very solemn vow, so I must have the stones properly put." +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Jack suddenly, "and there was the oil, you know. Jacob had +some oil, it's no good without it." +</p> +<p> +"Bumps must go and ask cook for some; she'll always give her anything." +</p> +<p> +Away ran Bumps. Jack began to take a keener interest in it. +</p> +<p> +"Are you going to get very good, Jill?" he asked, looking at his sister +critically. +</p> +<p> +"No," said Jill, "I'm quite sure, however much I want to be good, I +shall always be very wicked. But, Jack, I've quite made up my mind to +walk to the Golden City; I began the day before yesterday." +</p> +<p> +"Have you been through the river?" asked Jack in an awed whisper. +</p> +<p> +"I'm not going to talk about it," said Jill. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page57" name="page57"></a>[57]</span> + + "Miss Falkner helped me +when I was in bed to start right. I'm not <i>quite</i> sure about the +road, but I think I'm on it. And anyhow I'm quite determined to give a +tenth. Now here comes Bumps. Hooray! She's got the oil!" Jill capered +with delight, then checked herself. "I'm going to be properly solemn," +she said, "for it isn't a game at all, it's a—a—vow!" +</p> +<p> +She arranged the stones a little more carefully. +</p> +<p> +"This will have to stay just as it is for years and years and years, +in fact for ever," Jill announced. "When I'm an old woman with a stick +and a cap I shall be led out here by all my great-grandchildren, and I +shall look back and remember this day." +</p> +<p> +"That sounds lovely," said Jack admiringly. "Do begin, here's the oil!" +</p> +<p> +Jill took the bottle, but first she marshalled Jack and Bumps to a +respectful distance from her altar. +</p> +<p> +"You can look on, because it will be your turns next, and there must be no +laughing, because I'm in awful earnest. I've brought my Bible out to say +the words properly. I shall take some of the oil, and leave you the rest." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page58" name="page58"></a>[58]</span></p> + +<p> +Very gravely and deliberately Jill poured the oil on the top stone, +then holding her Bible in both hands for an instant, she looked up into +the blue sky above her, and then in a clear, distinct voice she read— +</p> +<p> +"And this stone which I have set for a pillar shall be God's house; and +of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee." +</p> +<p> +There was a dead silence for a minute, then she turned to her witnesses. +</p> +<p> +"Say 'Amen,'" she commanded. +</p> +<p> +The "Amen" was fervently and loudly uttered. +</p> +<p> +Jill walked away and sat down under a tree. +</p> +<p> +"Don't speak to me," she said; "after a vow you must be quite quiet for +five minutes. Now, Jack, it's your turn; you know what to do." +</p> +<p> +Jack looked a little frightened. +</p> +<p> +"It's like service in church," he confided to Bumps; "are you going to +do it, Bumps?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, yeth, I'll do it," assented Bumps cheerfully, "if you does." +</p> +<p> +"I suppose I'd better." +</p> +<p> +Jack walked up to the stones and took up + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page59" name="page59"></a>[59]</span> + + the bottle. He poured some oil +out, then followed Jill's example and read the verse out as bravely and +loudly as he could. +</p> +<p> +Jill and Bumps uttered an emphatic "Amen," and Jack came back to his +tree and sat down, heaving a great sigh of relief as he did so. +</p> +<p> +"Go on, Bumps," he muttered. +</p> +<p> +Bumps trotted up to the stones then looked helplessly round. +</p> +<p> +"I don't know what next," she said. +</p> +<p> +"Pour out some oil." +</p> +<p> +"It's a fat cork—oh! ah! it's thpilt itthelf down my pinny!" +</p> +<p> +Jill dashed up to her. +</p> +<p> +"You always spoil everything, you little stupid! Here! give the bottle to +me, why, there's hardly any left! Now take it and pour it out properly, +and don't keep talking so; be solemn!" +</p> +<p> +Bumps looked agitated. +</p> +<p> +"The Bible, Jill! Find the place quick! Oh, I shall never be ready! And +Bible words is so hard to read. I'm 'fraid I shall never do it prop'ly. +And you said the verth like thaying your prayers. Hadn't I better kneel +down to make it more proper to God?" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page60" name="page60"></a>[60]</span> +</p> +<p> +Bumps was earnestly trying to do her best. +</p> +<p> +Jill found the verse, and left her. +</p> +<p> +"You can kneel down if you like. It is a Bible prayer, of course, but +you must do it by yourself. It's a vow to God, that's what it is." +</p> + +<div class="figure"> +<a name="image-0006"><!--IMG--></a> +<a href="images/image04.jpg"><img src="images/image04s.jpg" width="300" height="435" +title="'Bumps Knelt Down.'" +alt="'BUMPS KNELT DOWN.'" /></a> +<br /> +'BUMPS KNELT DOWN.' +</div> + +<p> +Bumps knelt down, holding the Bible devoutly in her little fat hands. +She read the verse haltingly, but her whole soul was in it, and she rose +from her feet triumphant. +</p> +<p> +"I've never," she confided to Jack, "thpoken to God out of doors +before. He is sure to have heard me, isn't He? Did I do it quite proper, +do you think?" +</p> +<p> +Jack assured her she had managed it quite satisfactorily. +</p> +<p> +Then the three children stood and looked at each other. +</p> +<p> +"The next thing," announced Jill, "is to divide our money into tens. We +have done the vow, but that's only the beginning. And we mustn't tell +anybody about this place, and the stones mustn't be touched, and we must +call it what Jacob did—Bethel!" +</p> +<p> +"Let's put it up somewhere," said Jack. +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Jill eagerly; "we will get a board like a trespassers' board, +and chalk it + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page61" name="page61"></a>[61]</span> + + with that lovely piece of white chalk you have in your +paint-box." +</p> +<p> +"But where shall we get a board?" +</p> +<p> +"Sam will make us one." +</p> +<p> +Sam was the house-carpenter who was always at work on the premises. The +children loved him, for he made them many a little trifle, and he was +always ready for a chat. +</p> +<p> +They marched off at once to find him, and came across him taking some +planks out of his wood-shed. +</p> +<p> +Their want was soon made known. Jill was always emphatic and clear in +her utterances. +</p> +<p> +"A proper trespassers' board, Sam, like you put up in the pheasant-covers +last week, and I should like you to paint, 'Trespassers will be +prosecuted,' to keep people away, only you must leave room for the name +on the top." +</p> +<p> +"Let him paint the name too," suggested Jack, "it would look better +than chalk." +</p> +<p> +Jill looked doubtfully at Sam. +</p> +<p> +"Could you paint the word 'Bethel,' Sam? I'll tell you how to spell it." +</p> +<p> +Sam grinned. +</p> +<p> +"I reckon I could, missy. You show me where you want it put, and I'll +do the job!" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page62" name="page62"></a>[62]</span></p> + +<p> +"But you promise on your honour you won't tell, because it's a great +secret, and we don't want any one to know where it is." +</p> +<p> +"I'll be as dumb as a dog," said Sam. "Show me the spot, and be sharp, +missy, for I'm extra busy to-day!" +</p> +<p> +The children led him into the plantation. +</p> +<p> +He smiled when he saw the heap of stones. +</p> +<p> +"So this here is a Bethel, is it?" +</p> +<p> +"I don't believe Jacob put up a trespassers' board," said Jack with a +knowing shake of his head; "it will look very funny, Jill." +</p> +<p> +"It's to be done," said Jill. "I won't have people coming, and making fun, +and pulling our stones about, and if they do come, I shall prosecute +them!" +</p> +<p> +Bumps looked at her sister in awe. +</p> +<p> +"Will you thend them to prison?" she asked. +</p> +<p> +"But what is it for?" asked Sam, peering on the stones and seeing the +marks of the oil; "be you going to make a sacrifice?" +</p> +<p> +"No," said Jill solemnly; "you never laugh at us, Sam, so I'll tell you; +and if you like to join us you shall. It's a vow we've made to God. You +can read about it in your Bible if + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page63" name="page63"></a>[63]</span> + + you like. We're going to be like +Jacob, and give God a tenth of our money." +</p> +<p> +Sam scratched his head. +</p> +<p> +"I'll make the board, missy, but I can't promise to jine you." +</p> +<p> +"Well, make it as quick as you can, and if you read about Jacob like +Miss Falkner and us, you'll want to do it too!" +</p> +<p> +Sam did not respond, but he promised to make the board, and the children, +hearing their tea-bell ring, ran off to the house. +</p> +<p> +They did not tell Miss Falkner of their afternoon's performance, though +Bumps was sadly wanting to do so. After tea their governess sat down +to write a letter, and told them to amuse themselves quietly. +</p> +<p> +Jill gathered her forces into a corner of the room. +</p> +<p> +"Now then," she said; "have you got your money?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes," replied Jack, shaking out his pockets; "here is all mine, but it's +precious little! Here's a threepenny bit and a sixpence and two pennies. +How am I to get a tenth out of it? It's as bad as sums." +</p> +<p> +Jill took the money spread it out on the floor, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page64" name="page64"></a>[64]</span> + + and then sat down in front +of it to consider it, with a face as grave as a judge's. +</p> +<p> +"You have eleven pennies," she said; "take one away, and that leaves ten; +take a penny out of that, and that's your tenth." +</p> +<p> +Jack looked completely puzzled. +</p> +<p> +"And what am I do with the first penny that I take away?" he asked. +</p> +<p> +"You must keep that to go on for another ten pennies," said Jill with +a knitted brow. "I'm sure that will be right, and the nine-pence you +can spend any day you like." +</p> +<p> +"I'll spend it to-morrow, I think. I want a kite that I saw in the shop +in the village, and I believe it costs about that. What am I to do with +my tenth?" +</p> +<p> +"Keep it in a box or bag. Miss Falkner told you that. Now, Bumps, what +have you got?" +</p> +<p> +"Five pennies," said Bumps importantly. +</p> +<p> +"You can't give a tenth then," said Jill, "for you haven't got one." +</p> +<p> +Bumps looked ready to cry. +</p> +<p> +"I'm alwayth being left out," she said; "do pleath make it come +right. Can't I give one penny?" +</p> +<p> +A brilliant idea struck Jack. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page65" name="page65"></a>[65]</span></p> + +<p> +"Change it into halfpennies, and she'll have ten!" he said. +</p> +<p> +Jill and Bumps both brightened up. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, Bumps, that will be the thing; you must put a halfpenny by, and +that will be your tenth. I have two halfpennies you can have instead +of your penny." +</p> +<p> +It needed a good deal of explaining to Bumps before she was completely +satisfied. When that was done Jill produced her own purse. She was +the richest of the three, for she owned three shillings and sixpence, +but how to get a tenth out of it was a puzzle. +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner, hearing their eager, excited voices, came to the rescue, +and showed Jill that fourpence was the tenth of forty pence, and the +two over would go towards the next tenth. Then she delighted her small +pupils by producing a pretty scarlet flannel bag which she gave them +as a "Tenth" bag. Their united coins rattled in, and though it was +only fivepence-halfpenny, they felt as proud of it as if it had been +five pounds. +</p> +<p> +"It's a beginning," said Jill to her governess as she was tucking her +up in bed that night. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page66" name="page66"></a>[66]</span> + + "That's two beginnings I've made since you came +here." +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner's eyes glistened as she bent over her. +</p> +<p> +"My little Jill, I shall pray that God may never let you go back from +these beginnings, as you call them. Ask Him to help you, dear. It is +easier sometimes to make a beginning than go steadily on." +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Jill sleepily; "but that's because the Golden City is such +a long way off!" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page67" name="page67"></a>[67]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_4_0008" id="h2H_4_0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + VI +</h2> +<p class="center"> + "GOD'S CABBAGES" +</p> + +<p> +Sam was as good as his word. Before a week was out a minute board was +erected by the children's heap of stones. +</p> +<p> +Big white letters confronted any passerby— +</p> +<p class="center"> + <big>"BETHEL.</big><br /> + TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED." +</p> +<p> +And Jill made a point of visiting the spot at least once a day, to be +sure that it was left unmolested. +</p> +<p> +"I'm coming to tea with you, Sam, soon," she announced one afternoon, +as she sat on a gate swinging herself to and fro and watching the +carpenter repairing a fence. +</p> +<p> +Sam lived alone with his old father, in a rose-covered cottage, at the +corner of the village. +</p> +<p> +Sam was devoted to roses, and his little front garden was given up to +their cultivation. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page68" name="page68"></a>[68]</span></p> + +<p> +The back one was in his father's charge, and he grew cabbages. +</p> +<p> +"Father will be pleased to see you, missy, and so shall I," was Sam's +quiet response. +</p> +<p> +"Then you must invite me properly, and ask me to-morrow, for Mona is +going to take Miss Falkner out for a drive. And then we have tea with +Annie. I hate my tea poured out by a schoolroom-maid!" +</p> +<p> +Jill's little nose was tilted scornfully in the air. +</p> +<p> +"Aye," said Sam smiling; "to-morrow will suit first-rate, missy. Father +and me presents our duty, and will be pleased if you will favour us +with your company to tea to-morrow at five o'clock." +</p> +<p> +This was the usual formula, and Jill clapped her hands in delight; +then she said with becoming gravity— +</p> +<p> +"I shall be very pleased to come, Sam. Tell Mr. Stone I'll favour him." +</p> +<p> +Then she ran into the house, and told Jack and Bumps where she was going. +</p> +<p> +They were inclined to be cross at first, but Jack soon recovered himself. +</p> +<p> +"We'll do quite well without you. I shall + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page69" name="page69"></a>[69]</span> + + play at Sinbad the Sailor, +and Bumps is going to be my Old Man of the Sea. Annie likes to join +sometimes, and we'll have our tea in the garden. She likes that, for +the gardener has a cup of tea with us." +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner heard of the invitation, but raised no objection, +so punctually at five o'clock the next evening Jill walked into Sam +Stone's cottage. +</p> +<p> +He and his father were expecting her. The tiny kitchen was in perfect +order, and looked spotlessly clean. +</p> +<p> +The table was laid for tea; and a boiled egg for Jill, besides some +watercress and currant buns, gave it quite a festive air. +</p> +<p> +Old Mr. Stone looked delighted to see her. He was a tall, active old man, +with a long grey beard, and had always plenty to say for himself. +</p> +<p> +"'Tis a pleasure to see you, missy. Come right in, an' sit comfortable +on my poor wife's rocking-cheer. 'Twas the last thing she sat in afore +she died, an' I see her in it now a gaspin' an' chokin', an' smilin' +up at me so sadly like. 'Jim,' she sez, ''tis the Lord that did give +me to yer, an' 'tis the Lord that do be + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page70" name="page70"></a>[70]</span> + + goin' to take me away from yer. +Thank Him,' she sez, 'for all His mercies!' An' I sez to her, 'Jenny, +my heart can't thank if my lips can, an' I'd rather say nothin' just +now to the Almighty.' Jenny, she were always so properly religious!" +</p> +<p> +"And are you properly religious too, Mr. Stone?" questioned Jill as she +took her seat at the table, and commenced with great pride and solemnity +to pour out tea. She was always given the post of honour, behind the +big flowered tin tea-tray, and much enjoyed the responsibilities of +her position. +</p> +<p> +The old man shook his head. +</p> +<p> +"I fear I be a very improper Christian," he said. +</p> +<p> +"I wonder," said Jill reflectively, "whether your wife gave a tenth to +God. Miss Falkner thinks all proper good people do." +</p> +<p> +"What be that, missy?" +</p> +<p> +"It's what Jacob did, you know, and we're going to try to do it. Don't +you remember his vow? 'Of all that Thou shalt give me, I will surely +give the tenth unto Thee.'" +</p> +<p> +Old Mr. Stone nodded his head. +</p> +<p> +"My fayther did allays give a little to our + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page71" name="page71"></a>[71]</span> + + rector; that be it missy, +that be it. 'Tis the beginning of it you have told of!" +</p> +<p> +"Do tell me," said Jill eagerly. "Do you think we could give our tenth +to our rector?" +</p> +<p> +Sam and his father both tried then to give Jill a dissertation on +tithes. She hardly grasped it, but child-like returned pertinaciously +to her business in hand. +</p> +<p> +"I want Sam to join us. I'm sure he has a lot of money. I hear it jingle +in his pocket. And won't you too, Mr. Stone? If you will, you can come +to our 'Bethel' and do it quite properly." +</p> +<p> +"I tell missy we be hard-workin' people, that be scarcely able to feed +ourselves," said Sam. +</p> +<p> +"But a tenth isn't much," argued Jill. "Out of forty pennies you only +have to give four. How much do you get from Mona, Sam?" +</p> +<p> +"A pound a week," answered Sam stolidly. +</p> +<p> +"Now, how many tens are in that, I wonder," Jill went on with interest; +"you see, Sam, Miss Falkner says God sends us everything, so it does +seem rather mean never to give anything back, doesn't it?" +</p> +<p> +"I reckon," said Mr. Stone looking at his son with a twinkle in his eye, +"that two shillin' + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page72" name="page72"></a>[72]</span> + + be a tenth o' Sam's money, not to speak of his other +odd jobs that he do get in an' out." +</p> +<p> +"We should be on the way to the House, missy, if I did give away such +a bit as that!" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, no, you wouldn't, for God just sends it back, Miss Falkner says in +other kind of ways. Only He is pleased if we think of Him." +</p> +<p> +"If I were a rich man," said old Mr. Stone, "I'd give the Almighty a +tenth. 'Tis a cryin' shame the rich be so grudgin' wi' their wealth; +but we poor humble folk be not expected to do such things!" +</p> +<p> +"Haven't you got anything to give God, Mr. Stone?" +</p> +<p> +"Nothin' at all," responded the old man with a sigh. "Sam do take care of +his old father, an' I sells my cabbages an' helps all I can; but since +Christmas twelvemonth the rheumaty pains in my innerds be so cruel bad, +that I be creepin' on to church-yard slow and sure." +</p> +<p> +A little gloom seemed to have fallen on the tea-party. Then Jill started +another subject. +</p> +<p> +"When are you going to be married, Sam?" +</p> +<p> +Sam threw up his head and laughed aloud. He was a confirmed old bachelor +and did not, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page73" name="page73"></a>[73]</span> + + as he expressed it, "like the ways of women." +</p> +<p> +"Ah, missy, I'll wait till you set the example." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, but I don't mean to marry at all. I shall be like Mona. Cook told +Annie the other day that Mona was going to marry Captain Willoughby and +I told Mona, and she was very angry and then she laughed and said that +cook had already married her to over a dozen people. I don't quite know +what she meant—but I think you ought to marry, Sam, and cook thinks so +too. She says a house isn't a home without a woman!" +</p> +<p> +Sam laughed again. +</p> +<p> +"A woman, missy, is an ork'ard customer to deal with. There is smiles, +'tis true, but then there's tears, an' I can't abide 'em! An' there's +a great chatteration, and there's a spendin', not so much in pots an' +pans an' good wholesome food, but in ribbons an' silks an' finery. An' +many a maid turns her man to drink, from her contrary tempers. Best be +wi'out them, I say, an' so do fayther." +</p> +<p> +They talked away till tea was over, and then Jill accompanied old +Mr. Stone into the back garden. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page74" name="page74"></a>[74]</span></p> + +<p> +He pointed out to her row after row of his fine cabbages. +</p> +<p> +"One hundred and fifty-two, missy, an' all sowed from seed, an' I've +tended 'em like chillen." +</p> +<p> +Jill walked up and down amongst the cabbages with a thoughtful +air. Suddenly she stood still, seized with an inspiration. +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Stone, you've got cabbages! The text says, 'Of all that Thou shalt +give me, I will surely give the tenth unto Thee.' You must give a tenth +of your cabbages to God. Oh, do, won't you? And then you can join us. How +many tens have you got? Let us go through, and mark every tenth cabbage +off for God. That's the way to do it. How shall we mark them? Will Sam +let us have some of that red worsted he ties up his roses with? I'll +ask him. Just wait a minute. I know how to do it!" +</p> +<p> +Jill flew into the house breathless and excited without waiting for the +old man's reply. She returned triumphant with her ball of red wool. "Sam +thinks it will be very nice. I told him. And you know, Mr. Stone, God +did give the cabbages to you. He made them grow, you didn't!" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page75" name="page75"></a>[75]</span></p> + +<p> +The old man looked at her queerly. Then he fetched his pipe out of his +pocket and began to smoke. +</p> +<p> +"Them cabbages fetch three-halfpence each in the market, and cheap at +the price," he said. +</p> +<p> +Jill marched along the first row until she arrived at the tenth cabbage, +then she broke off a piece of her red wool and tied it through one of +the leaves. +</p> +<p> +"There, Mr. Stone, that's God's cabbage. Now, I'll go on to the next, +and then you'll know how many you will have to give." +</p> +<p> +"What am I to do wi' 'em, missy. Take 'em to church?" +</p> +<p> +Jill sat down on an old wheelbarrow to consider. "Why," she said presently +with a beaming smile, "when you take up a cabbage with a piece of red +wool on it, you must sell it for God, and put the money in a little bag, +and then give it to the poor." +</p> +<p> +"P'raps," said the old man with a chuckle, "it will find its way back +into my pocket, for I'm a very poor old body, very poor indeed!" +</p> +<p> +"You're making a joke of it," said Jill, flushing a deep red. "I mean +a real starving person, when I talk of the poor. Would you + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page76" name="page76"></a>[76]</span> + + rather give +it to the collection in church, Mr. Stone?" +</p> +<p> +"Aye p'raps that would be the best way to work it." +</p> +<p> +So taking that as a promise Jill set to work with a will, and before she +left that evening she had marked off fifteen cabbages, the tenth of the +old man's property. +</p> +<p> +"And now if you really like to give them, will you come to-morrow to +'Bethel' and do your vow?" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Stone wavered, but finally Jill won him over, and he promised to be +outside the fir plantation the very next day. +</p> +<p> +Jack and Bumps were full of interest when Jill told them of her evening's +work. It did much towards solacing Bumps, who had a bruised head and a +badly grazed knee, but wounds were generally her lot after an hour or +two alone with Jack. +</p> +<p> +"I wath the old man of the thea," she explained to Jill, "and I couldn't +thtick on. Jack jumped and rolled and kicked me up in the air to get +me off, and I had to try to be on all the time. It wath very differcult!" +</p> +<p> +She was rather doubtful about the cabbages. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page77" name="page77"></a>[77]</span></p> + +<p> +"I thought it wath to be money. God really does make money and give it +to us, but does He make cabbages? I thought they growed of theirselves." +</p> +<p> +"How do you think God makes money?" Jack asked. +</p> +<p> +Bumps thought hard for a minute. +</p> +<p> +"I 'spect He just drops pennies and shillings into the ground when no +one is looking, and then lets us find them. I know they does come from +under the earth, becauth Miss Falkner told me." +</p> +<p> +Jill tried to explain that cabbages brought in money, and it was the money +for them that would be the tenth and after a time Bumps was satisfied. +</p> +<p> +They were all present the next day when old Mr. Stone was initiated +into the mysteries of Bethel. But he shook his head sternly at the heap +of stones. +</p> +<p> +"No no, that there altar is idol'try, that is what it be. The chapel folk +would turn me out if I went for to forget myself in such a heathen-like +way! Pour oil on it? Indeed no, missy. That be like the cannibal +heathen who + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page78" name="page78"></a>[78]</span> + + offer up sacrifices and living bodies, an' such like." +</p> +<p> +"But Jacob did," argued Jill. "We've kept most particular to the Bible." +</p> +<p> +"Ah, well, Jacob had to answer to the Almighty for it, an' I won't be +his judge. But I'm a chapel man myself, though I favours the church on +occasions. I'll say the words, missy, an' then you must let me go. My +poor wife used to give to charity an' such like. I remember her handin' +a penny out of the windy to a tramp one day. I could do with a deal more +religion, I owns, for though I thinks little, I knows I ought to thank +my Maker more for His mercy an' goodness. An' He is kindly welcome to +my cabbages—them that be marked with red wool. So now, missy, where be +the book?" +</p> +<p> +The Bible was put into his hand, and the verse pointed out, but he would +only repeat the last part of it. +</p> +<p> +The children chorused "Amen," and then he was led away, but his words +left an uncomfortable feeling behind. +</p> +<p> +"Is it like the heathens to have a heap of stones, I wonder?" said Jill, +sitting down on + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page79" name="page79"></a>[79]</span> + + the grass and looking at the pile very affectionately. +</p> +<p> +"It's all rubbish!" said Jack. "Jacob wouldn't have done a wicked thing, +when he was making a vow to God." +</p> +<p> +"Arth Miss Falkner," was Bumps' suggestion. But Jill would not agree +to this. +</p> +<p> +"It's a secret," she said; "we mustn't tell everybody. I think I'm rather +sorry I brought Mr. Stone here. Sam didn't think it wicked." +</p> +<p> +"Isn't Sam going to join?" +</p> +<p> +"He won't just yet. He says he wants to think it over." +</p> +<p> +Then she jumped up. "Come along, let us have a game of hide-and-seek." +</p> +<p> +Away they scampered, making the garden ring with their shouts, and +"Bethel" was forgotten for the time. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page80" name="page80"></a>[80]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_4_0009" id="h2H_4_0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + VII +</h2> +<p class="center"> + THE TRESPASSER +</p> + +<p> +A few days afterwards Miss Falkner took Jack and Jill out for a drive +in a low pony-chaise that was their special property. +</p> +<p> +Mona came out on the doorstep to see them start. +</p> +<p> +"I'm so glad you can drive, Miss Falkner," she said, "for I shall have +no fears about the children with you as driver. The grooms can't be +trusted. They give the reins to them, and Jack upset the whole concern +just before you came." +</p> +<p> +"I used to drive as a tiny child," said Miss Falkner with heightened +colour. "I have not done so lately, but one never loses the art." +</p> +<p> +Mona looked at her curiously. She began to feel a great interest in this +young girl, who had so quietly taken the reins in the school-room and +was slowly but surely influencing the young turbulent spirits in it. +</p> +<p> +The children were giving their pony sugar. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page81" name="page81"></a>[81]</span> + + Mona looked at them, then she +laid her hand gently on Miss Falkner's arm. +</p> +<p> +"Some day you will tell me about yourself and your home," she said. +</p> +<p> +The quick tears sprang to the young governess's eyes. She felt as she +stood there that the girl who spoke to her had all that the world could +give her. She had as yet been untouched by the storms of life, and on +her proud young face there were lines of discontent and restlessness +that would never be effaced till she had learnt some of life's lessons, +and perhaps been through the school of suffering. +</p> +<p> +They were very nearly the same age, were two blocks of stone, ordained +for a building above; yet though one was cut and chiselled already, +the other bore no impress of the Master's hand. +</p> +<p> +But the sympathetic touch and words struck a chord in Miss Falkner's +heart. She forgot from that time that Mona Baron was her employer, +she thought of her only as a girl who might need help. +</p> +<p> +"Now where shall we go, children?" she asked, as they drove down the +sweet-smelling lime avenue into the high road. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page82" name="page82"></a>[82]</span></p> + +<p> +"Oh, do drive up to Chilton Common," cried Jack; "there are such a lot +of rabbits there, and we can see the sea from it." +</p> +<p> +So to Chilton Common they went. It was about four miles off, and at +first sight looked a dreary expanse of wild moorland. As they crossed +it, they caught the salt scent of the sea, and soon came to a cluster +of poor-looking cottages, but beyond them in the distance was the +unmistakable blue line of the ocean, and the children seemed delighted. +</p> +<p> +"I wish we lived by the sea," said Jill. "I like to be on the very +outside edge of the earth." +</p> +<p> +"Why?" inquired Jack. +</p> +<p> +Jill seldom gave reasons for her likes and dislikes. +</p> +<p> +"Because I do," she returned sharply. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, look, Miss Falkner, there's our rector, Mr. Errington. He has a +lot of people round him. P'raps he's preaching!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Errington caught sight of them and smiled at the children, who were +great favourites of his. Then he came forward. +</p> +<p> +"My horse has gone very lame," he explained. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page83" name="page83"></a>[83]</span></p> + +<p> +"I am thinking of leaving him here at the blacksmith's and walking home." +</p> +<p> +"Can we give you a lift?" asked Miss Falkner. +</p> +<p> +"That will be very good of you. I shall be grateful for my wife will be +expecting me and will be anxious." +</p> +<p> +"Jill thought you were preaching," said Jack. "Wasn't she silly? As if +you'd preach on a weekday!" +</p> +<p> +"I wish I had been," said Mr. Errington with a smile. +</p> +<p> +Then he turned to Miss Falkner. +</p> +<p> +"These are my parishioners," he said, "and not one of them comes to +church. They're just like heathen. It looks a God-forsaken place, does +it not?" +</p> +<p> +"It seems a strange place to see cottages," said Miss Falkner. "How do +they earn their living?" +</p> +<p> +"By peat-cutting, and working in a quarry a mile off. The blacksmith +is unable to walk far, or I really think I should see him at church +sometimes. The rest are totally indifferent to their soul's welfare. I +am longing to build a little mission-room and come over and have a + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page84" name="page84"></a>[84]</span> + + service +for them, but it would cost money, and I have none to spare at present." +</p> +<p> +"It is a pity," said Miss Falkner gently. "One wonders sometimes if money +drifted into the right channels whether this dense ignorance would be +overcome. At my old home there was a district very like this. My father's +curate was indefatigable in trying to raise money, and he eventually +succeeded. It was a great success, for the people came to the mission +church and sent their children to school. But he—" her voice faltered a +little, "overworked himself, took cold and died, and my father followed +him. The present rector does not care for the mission-room. He thinks +they ought to come to church, and they don't do it." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Errington nodded with perfect comprehension. +</p> +<p> +"Of course not. It would want a good deal of zeal to walk eight miles +after a week's hard work. Our English labourer will not do it." +</p> +<p> +They talked on, and much of the conversation was above the children's +heads, but Jill was a sharp child, and she was already evolving a plan in +her head, which had the effect of taking her to the Rectory the next day. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page85" name="page85"></a>[85]</span></p> + +<p> +Mrs. Errington was a great invalid. When she was told that "Miss Jill +Baron" wanted to see her, she said to her husband, who was overlooking +some accounts with her: +</p> +<p> +"My dear Robert, we ought not to be disturbed. Shall we say we are +engaged?" +</p> +<p> +"No," said Mr. Errington, leaning back in his chair with a laugh; "I am +dazed with figures. Let us be refreshed by one of the fresh things in +this world. There is nothing like a child for relieving one of care." +</p> +<p> +Jill was ushered in, flushed and excited. She could hardly wait to +shake hands. +</p> +<p> +"Jack and Bumps are willing, and so I've come with it," she said. "It's +to help to build that church on the common. Miss Falkner said we might, +and I've brought it in our bag." +</p> +<p> +She put a scarlet flannel bag on the table, and went on— +</p> +<p> +"You see we haven't begun very long, so there's only a little to start +with; but we shall always be putting in, because we often get presents, +and I've spoken to Mr. Stone, and we've counted that his fifteen cabbages +will bring him one shilling and tenpence halfpenny, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page86" name="page86"></a>[86]</span> + + and he says that had +better be given to you too." +</p> +<p> +It seemed incoherent, but Mrs. Errington gently drew the explanation +out of the child, and though Jill did not divulge the spot of their +"Bethel," her account interested the rector and his wife greatly. +</p> +<p> +"It will be money well spent," Mr. Errington said, "for it will be the +means of telling those poor folk of the love of the Saviour." +</p> +<p> +"And you will have the honour, Jill dear, of starting the collection," +said Mrs. Errington. +</p> +<p> +"It's a pity," said Jill with knitted brows, "that you can't get every +one to give you their tenth." +</p> +<p> +"I don't think there are many people who do give their tenth," said +the rector. +</p> +<p> +"Miss Falkner gives all hers to the Church Missionary Society," Jill +went on; "but Jack and Bumps and me thought we'd like to see where our +money went." +</p> +<p> +"Wise little woman!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Errington emptied the bag, and delighted Jill by giving her a formal +receipt for it, and entering the sum in an account book. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page87" name="page87"></a>[87]</span> + + She ran away +quite happy, waving her scarlet bag in the air, and wishing with all +her heart that birthdays and Christmas, and all such occasions for +receiving presents, would come every day. +</p> +<p> +"Mona is going to have a party," announced Jack one day soon after +this. "I went into the drawing-room to give Miss Webb her pencil that +I picked up, and she and Mona were talking about it. It is to be next +Wednesday." +</p> +<p> +The children were just beginning their afternoon lessons; and Jill was +washing her slate preparatory to doing a sum. +</p> +<p> +"How jolly!" she cried. "I hope she'll let us come to it. When is it to +be? Is it a dinner party?" +</p> +<p> +"No, a garden party. It's going to be a very grand one. There's a band +coming, and a tent for fruit and ices, and there will be tennis and +croquet, and bowls and——" +</p> +<p> +"Now, Jack," said Miss Falkner quietly, "that is enough. Lessons now, +and talk after." +</p> +<p> +It was hard to obey, but Jack put a restraint upon himself, and when +lessons were + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page88" name="page88"></a>[88]</span> + + over Jill determined to get no more news second-hand. +</p> +<p> +"Come on, Bumps. I'm going to ask Mona about it." +</p> +<p> +The little girls found their sister in her bedroom, getting ready for +a drive. +</p> +<p> +"We've come to ask about the party," said Jill, who always went straight +to the point. "We can come into it, can't we?" +</p> +<p> +Mona laughed, then she sat down in an easy-chair and took Bumps upon +her lap. +</p> +<p> +"I hardly ever see you now," she said; "Miss Falkner keeps you all in +such order. Why, Bumps, you are growing quite heavy." +</p> +<p> +"Yeth," assented Bumps, "I thmashed Polly's head by stepping on it. She's +my thecond betht wax-doll, Mona!" +</p> +<p> +"You'll let us come to the party?" asked Jill persuasively. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, if you behave nicely. There may be two other children coming. Little +Indian nieces of Mrs. Moxon's." +</p> +<p> +"Heathens?" questioned Jill. +</p> +<p> +Mona laughed merrily. +</p> +<p> +"Good gracious, no! What a ridiculous child you are." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page89" name="page89"></a>[89]</span></p> + +<p> +Jill coloured up at once. +</p> +<p> +"I like boys better than girls," she said in her stubborn tone. "I know +I shan't like them." +</p> +<p> +"You must be civil and kind to them, or else I shall send you back to +the school-room. But perhaps that will be no punishment. I think you +must have altered your mind about governesses, Jill." +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Jill in a different tone. "But Miss Falkner is not like a +governess. She's very fond of us, she says so!" +</p> +<p> +"Extraordinary! You don't say so!" +</p> +<p> +Mona laughed again, then put Bumps off her lap. +</p> +<p> +"Now run away, small people, and remember if you appear in the garden +on Wednesday, you must be in the cleanest frocks and the sweetest +tempers. Otherwise you must make yourselves scarce." +</p> +<p> +"Like the children walking to the Golden City," said Bumps trotting +after Jill. +</p> +<p> +Jill looked down at her with troubled eyes. +</p> +<p> +"Sometimes I wonder where I am," she said, moved by the impulse of the +moment to confide in her little sister. "I don't believe I get + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page90" name="page90"></a>[90]</span> + + on very +fast. I'm always losing my temper, and that means dirtying my frock." +</p> +<p> +"And then you have to wash it," said Bumps cheerfully. +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Jill, with a light in her eyes; "I can do that, at least I + +can ask to have it done, but—" and here she relapsed into gloom again. +"I sometimes wonder if it is ever clean for more than a minute!" +</p> +<p> +Wednesday came, and the three children sadly tried Miss Falkner's patience +at lessons. +</p> +<p> +She closed books at last, and sent them out into the garden to play before +their early dinner. They longed to go into Mona's portion of the grounds, +but the head gardener kept them back. Tents were being erected; servants +bustled about, and Mona herself, with Miss Webb and one or two gentlemen, +seemed to be superintending everything herself. +</p> +<p> +At four o'clock Jill and Bumps, arrayed in their best white frocks, were +down on the front lawn awaiting the arrival of guests. Miss Falkner in +a pretty grey dress and hat stood talking to Miss Webb under the trees, +and Mona, looking radiant in her youth and loveliness, dressed like +her little sisters in pure white, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page91" name="page91"></a>[91]</span> + + with a spray of delicate pink roses in +her breast, was talking and laughing with a few of her house guests. Jack +presently came up to his sister. He was dressed in his white sailor-suit, +and looked stiff and uncomfortable. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Jill, I say, do let's get out of this. It's so dull and proper. You +and Bumps look like the china figures on the school-room mantelpiece." +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Jill; "it is very dull. Where shall we go?" +</p> +<p> +"Let us see how Bethel is getting on." +</p> +<p> +So the three made their way to the fir plantation, but met with several +interruptions on the way. Jack chased a fowl which had escaped from the +poultry-yard. Bumps would insist on stopping to watch the peregrinations +of two frogs in some long grass, and Jill had a talk with Sam, who was +cutting down a young tree. As they trod softly on the brown pine-needles +underfoot Jack startled his sisters by a shrill whisper. +</p> +<p> +"Look! there's a trespasser." +</p> +<p> +Jill pressed eagerly forward. A tall broad-shouldered man in clerical +clothes was standing reading the board. Then instead of turning + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page92" name="page92"></a>[92]</span> + + away, +he went up to the pile of stones, and bending down was in the act of +lifting one of them out of its place to look at it, when Jill's indignant +voice arrested him. +</p> +<p> +"You're a trespasser! We shall prosecute you!" +</p> +<p> +He turned round in astonishment, and his stern, rugged features were +transformed by a smile, when he saw the daintily-dressed children +before him. +</p> +<p> +"Is this your property?" he asked. +</p> +<p> +Jill was like a little bantam-cock. +</p> +<p> +"Every bit of it is ours, of course it is. You must have seen the board; +we ain't going to allow any trespassers here." +</p> +<p> +"You'll have to be prothecuted!" cried Bumps breathlessly. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, Jill said she'd prosecute," said Jack, looking first at the stranger +and then at his sister, as if measuring in his mind's eye their respective +sizes. +</p> +<p> +"What is to be done with me?" asked the stranger with an amused look. +</p> +<p> +Jack and Jill put their heads together, and consulted in hurried whispers +as to the best course to take. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page93" name="page93"></a>[93]</span></p> + +<p> +Then Jill spoke very emphatically. +</p> +<p> +"We shall have to prosecute you, because you didn't care for our +board. You saw it and you were going to move our stones. Jack and I +think if you will walk between us and promise not to escape, we will +go down to the policeman at our gate. Mona is having a grand party and +he's here now, for we saw him. He'll tell us what to do." +</p> +<p> +"I think," said the trespasser, trying to look grave, "that you might +fine me. Magistrates do that to some trespassers." +</p> +<p> +Jill did not understand this, but she was too proud to confess it. +</p> +<p> +"No, you must come to the policeman," she said. So presently skirting +the tennis lawn the little procession passed. Jack and Jill marched on +either side of him, Bumps walked behind. +</p> +<p> +"I can catch hold of his coat if he runs away," she said. +</p> +<p> +It was unfortunate for the children's plan that Mona should intercept them. +</p> +<p> +She moved from a shady tree on the lawn, and accompanied by two gentlemen +confronted them. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page94" name="page94"></a>[94]</span></p> + +<p> +A slight flush rose to her cheek when she saw the prisoner, and her +voice faltered slightly. +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Arnold? I have not seen you for so many years that I hardly +recognised you at first. You must be staying with Lady Crane; though +she mentioned your name to me I never connected it with <i>you</i>. I am very +glad to see you." +</p> +<p> +Her tone was more nervous than cordial. She introduced the other +gentlemen with her to him. "Sir Henry Talbot. Captain Willoughby." +Then she added lightly— +</p> +<p> +"I might have known I would find you in the children's company. I remember +how fond you were of all small people." +</p> +<p> +"He's our prisoner," said Jack importantly, "and we're taking him to +the policeman." +</p> +<p> +"A trethpather," put in Bumps excitedly. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, we're going to prosecute him," said Jill gravely. +</p> +<p> +Mona laughed, but Mr. Arnold looked grave enough as he said: +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I plead guilty, but I appeal to the present company that I should +be let off a term of imprisonment by paying a fine." +</p> +<p> +"What does he mean?" asked Jill confidentially, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page95" name="page95"></a>[95]</span> + + addressing Captain +Willoughby, who was always the children's friend. +</p> +<p> +"He means he'll pay down some money if you make him. What has he been +doing?" +</p> +<p> +"He has been trespassing in our most private place. There's a board up, +so there was no excuse." +</p> +<p> +"I think if he pays us some money we'll let him off," said Jack. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Arnold held out five shillings. +</p> +<p> +"It's a first offence," he said. "I'll never do it again." +</p> +<p> +"What shall we do with it?" asked Jill, taking the money and fingering +it dubiously. +</p> +<p> +Mona had walked on with Sir Henry Talbot. +</p> +<p> +"Why," said Jack "we'll put it in our bag." +</p> +<p> +Jill's whole face brightened. +</p> +<p> +"Thank you," she said. "We'll forgive you then." +</p> +<p> +"You mercenary little wretches," said Captain Willoughby. "Is this a +new game by which you fleece every stranger?" +</p> +<p> +"The money isn't for us!" said Jill indignantly. "It's for a kind +of church." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Arnold looked at her, and gave one of his rare smiles again. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page96" name="page96"></a>[96]</span></p> + +<p> +"I must hear about it," he said. "I should like to know where my fine +will go." +</p> +<p> +He certainly knew how to gain children's confidences. Before very long +on a garden seat Jill was telling him about it all, even about their +cherished "Bethel." +</p> +<p> +She was rapidly making the trespasser into a friend. +</p> +<p> +"I am most interested," he said; "I am going back to a big manufacturing +town soon, and I think I must try and get some of my boys and girls to +put aside a tenth." +</p> +<p> +"Have you any little boys and girls of your own?" asked Jill. +</p> +<p> +"I am not a father," Mr. Arnold replied, "but I have all sorts and kinds +of boys and girls who I consider belong to me. Little crossing-sweepers, +and errand-boys, and miners, and school-boys, and factory-girls. And I +have a few like you who enjoy plenty from their Heavenly Father." +</p> +<p> +"Did you know Mona long ago?" asked Jill. +</p> +<p> +"I knew her," said Mr. Arnold slowly, as his gaze travelled to a +white-gowned figure in the distance, "when she was about as big as + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page97" name="page97"></a>[97]</span> + + you, and we used to spend all our holidays together till we grew up. You +ask your sister to tell you of our prank in the church tower with old +Solomon Disher!" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, do tell me." +</p> +<p> +He shook his head. He saw Mona coming towards them again and he rose to +meet her. +</p> +<p> +A few words that then passed between them puzzled Jill. +</p> +<p> +"Well, Mr. Arnold, tell me your news. I suppose you have never changed +your opinion since we last met." +</p> +<p> +"No, I never have." +</p> +<p> +His eyes and mouth were stern as he spoke. +</p> +<p> +Mona looked at him thoughtfully, then as she met his gaze, she laughed +lightly. +</p> +<p> +"Your spirit is still ruling your body. I can see that. And I suppose +you would say that my body is still ruling my spirit. I think it is. I +always told you I should take the easy path." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Arnold glanced at her, then he looked at the gay company on the +flowered lawns, his ear caught the lively strains of the band, and his +gaze wandered to the beautiful sloping hills and woods that formed a +background to the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page98" name="page98"></a>[98]</span> + + charming old English house that was her property. +</p> +<p> +"A noble patrimony," he said in a low clear voice. "I would it did not +belong to those who lay up treasure for themselves and are not rich +toward God." +</p> +<p> +A crimson flush mounted to Mona's fair cheeks. +</p> +<p> +"Seven years ago," she said "we parted because of your unreasonable +severity. Have we met to do the same this afternoon?" +</p> +<p> +A smile came to his lips. +</p> +<p> +"I hope not. I have lived and learnt to judge less harshly; but my aim +is still the same. I hope my standard has not been lowered." +</p> +<p> +Mona shrugged her shoulders, then deliberately walked away from him. +</p> +<p> +Jill looked after her astonished. +</p> +<p> +"You have made Mona cross, Mr. Arnold." +</p> +<p> +"I am afraid I have," he said humbly. "Shall we come over to the tea tent?" +</p> +<p> +Jill was only too delighted. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page99" name="page99"></a>[99]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_4_0010" id="h2H_4_0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + VIII +</h2> +<p class="center"> + "I MUST LOVE FIRST, BEFORE I CAN GIVE" +</p> + +<p> +But Jill lost her friend in the tent. Several ladies took possession of +him, and Miss Falkner told her to come with her and speak to two little +girls who were standing outside. They were evidently twins. Both had +white delicate faces and long fair hair reaching almost to their waists. +</p> +<p> +Jill was much astonished when she heard they were the "Indian nieces." +</p> +<p> +"Why do they call you Indians?" she asked them abruptly, as Miss Falkner +having left them they walked across the lawn towards the band. +</p> +<p> +"We are not Indians," one of the little girls said indignantly. "We have +been living in India and came to England last month. Mother and father +are still out there." +</p> +<p> +"Oh," said Jill in a relieved tone: "I was afraid you would be half +black. Mona told me you were coming. What do you do in India?" +</p> +<p> +Their tongues were loosened, they poured + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page100" name="page100"></a>[100]</span> + + out such a volley of "ride +through bazaars," "tiffins," "ayahs," "dobies," "punkahs," "rupees," +"gymkanas," and other unknown words and terms that Jill grew quite +bewildered. +</p> +<p> +She questioned them eagerly and was quite impressed with all the strange +things they had seen and heard. +</p> +<p> +"What kind of things do you do?" they asked in their turn. "It seems so +dull to us in England, but that's because we are shut up in a school-room +with a governess." +</p> +<p> +"We're never dull," said Jill warmly. "Never! And we're always doing +new things every day. Do you see Jack and Bumps anywhere?" +</p> +<p> +"Who are they? Is Bumps a dog? What a funny name!" +</p> +<p> +"She's my little sister; we've always called her Bumps because she +tumbles about and hurts herself so. They've gone off together somewhere. +Now if we find them you'll see the sort of things we do. Whenever Jack +and Bumps are missing, they are always up to something!" +</p> +<p> +Jill commenced a rapid and thorough search + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page101" name="page101"></a>[101]</span> + + for her brother and sister. +Miss Falkner was also looking for them, but it was a long time before +their search was successful. At last coming to a small artificial lake +which was tenanted by some wild waterfowl and white swans, they heard +a commotion, and found Jack and Bumps very busy indeed. +</p> +<p> +Bumps was sitting in a wheelbarrow to which were harnessed with yards +of tape and ribbon, two of the swans. It had been a difficult task, to +judge from the children's heated, dirty faces. The birds were screeching +and fluttering their wings, nearly choking themselves in their efforts +to free themselves. +</p> +<p> +Jack was pushing the wheelbarrow behind, trying to follow the lead of +the distressed and angry birds. Bumps, elated by her position, was +brandishing a small whip and trying to manage her reins, which seemed +a difficult matter. +</p> +<p> +How they had got hold of the swans at all was a wonder, but Jack's white +suit was covered with green slime and soaked with water. +</p> +<p> +"I'm Snow White," called out Bumps, "but these thtupid thwans won't +go prop'ly!" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page102" name="page102"></a>[102]</span></p> + +<p> +Miss Falkner said very little, but what she said had the effect of +bringing Jack to his senses. +</p> +<p> +"Well," she said; "you have shortened your happy day by this! What a +pity! You evidently were tired of the party. We will go straight back +to the school-room and stay there for the rest of the day." +</p> +<p> +In two minutes she had liberated the unhappy swans and was marching Jack +and Bumps—one on each side of her—back to the house. The little girls +watched them, half in amusement half in pity. +</p> +<p> +"That's what I say," said Rose, one of the twins, "a governess spoils +every bit of fun!" +</p> +<p> +"Miss Falkner doesn't," said Jill loyally, "but Jack does sometimes go +too far. He nearly hung Bumps the other day. He was pretending to do +it, but he got the rope too tight round her neck. She was a Royalist +and he was Oliver Cromwell. We had had it in our lesson that day. He +said he really felt she was his enemy, and he would have to get rid of +her! Miss Falkner was very angry. She is very quiet when she is angry, +but she's very nice. I love her!" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page103" name="page103"></a>[103]</span></p> + +<p> +Then with a quick change of thought, Jill said— +</p> +<p> +"Do you get a lot of money? Have you pocket-money?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, we have sixpence a week each, but it doesn't seem a great lot." +</p> +<p> +"Wouldn't you like to give your tenth to God? You can easily, if you +like. I'll tell you how it's done." +</p> +<p> +The little girls looked at Jill completely puzzled, but she had a wonderful +way of compelling attention and interest, and before she separated +from them that afternoon they had promised to think over the matter, +and let her know what they could do. +</p> +<p> +"You see," said Norah, the other twin, "we haven't very much money to +spare. We want every penny of it. We're always wanting to buy things." +</p> +<p> +"Yes, but God wants it most," said Jill, "and it's such a very little +He wants; only one penny out of tenpence, that's all it is. And if you +saw the poor people out on Chilton Common, who have no church and who +look so dirty and wicked, you'd like to give some money to help them." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page104" name="page104"></a>[104]</span></p> + +<p> +"Are you good?" asked Rose looking at her curiously. +</p> +<p> +"No, I'm awfully wicked," said Jill with conviction, "but giving your +money away doesn't make you good. I wish it did." +</p> +<p> +There was nothing to say to this. They parted excellent friends, but +Rose said to Norah afterwards, "She's rather a nice girl, but I feel if +I was with her she would make me do a thing whether I liked it or not." +</p> +<p> +"It's the way she talks," said Norah; "she gets so excited over it. I +never heard of a tenth before, did you?" +</p> +<p> +"No, never. I wonder if Aunt Mary gives it, I will ask her." +</p> +<p> +Jill had a word or two again with Mr. Arnold before he left. He came up +to wish her sister good-bye when she was standing by her side. +</p> +<p> +"Good-bye, Miss Baron. I am off to my work again to-morrow, so shall +not see you again for some time." +</p> +<p> +Mona looked up at him a little wistfully, then spoke in her most airy +manner— +</p> +<p> +"Good-bye, it is not likely we shall often + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page105" name="page105"></a>[105]</span> + + meet; my path is not yours, +as you are so fond of inferring." +</p> +<p> +He looked at her in silence, then his hand fell rather heavily on Jill's +shoulder. +</p> +<p> +"I think of you," he said, "as you were at this age. This little sister of +yours has discovered that she is a steward—help her when she grows up, +as you were never helped, to preserve her childish faith and integrity. It +is required in stewards that a man may be found faithful!" +</p> +<p> +Then turning to Jill he said— +</p> +<p> +"Good-bye, little friend. I am not sorry that I trespassed this afternoon, +for I am going away happier than when I came." +</p> +<p> +"And you don't mind us keeping your five shillings?" +</p> +<p> +"I shall like to think of it reposing in that scarlet bag you told +me about!" +</p> +<p> +He went, and Mona turned sharply upon Jill— +</p> +<p> +"Run away, child, to Miss Falkner. It is getting late, you have been +here long enough." +</p> +<p> +Jill obeyed, wondering why her sister spoke so crossly. +</p> +<p> +It was a few days after this that Jill + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page106" name="page106"></a>[106]</span> + + discovered two more trespassers +in the vicinity of Bethel. +</p> +<p> +She was by herself, and did not feel quite so ready to arrest them when +they proved to be Mona and Captain Willoughby. +</p> +<p> +They had been wandering through the plantation, and Captain Willoughby's +voice was very low and earnest when the sudden appearance of Jill +startled and disconcerted him. +</p> +<p> +"You can't come any further, I'm afraid," said Jill barring the way; +"for you'll be trespassing." +</p> +<p> +Mona looked at her in amusement. +</p> +<p> +"Whose wood is this? Yours or mine?" she asked. +</p> +<p> +"This corner is ours," answered Jill firmly, "No one used it before +we did." +</p> +<p> +"But what have you been using it for?" inquired Mona. +</p> +<p> +Jill looked a little rebellious. Captain Willoughby seized hold of her. +</p> +<p> +"You are the little trespasser, not us, I fancy," he said. "Now then I +have got you. Come along, and don't pull away from me unless you want +a sore wrist." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page107" name="page107"></a>[107]</span></p> + +<p> +So Jill was dragged captive before her board and pile of stones. +</p> +<p> +Mona looked at it curiously. +</p> +<p> +"Now what on earth does it mean, Jill? Explain." +</p> +<p> +"You're trespassers both of you," said Jill stubbornly. "It's got to do +with <i>us</i>, and we are the ones that know about it." +</p> +<p> +"The mighty <i>US</i>!" said Captain Willoughby, who loved to tease her +sometimes. +</p> +<p> +But Mona stopped him, and drew Jill's hand out of his very gently. +</p> +<p> +"Never mind, Jill dear. We will own ourselves trespassers if you will +explain this. What does 'Bethel' mean? It is a Bible word, is it not?" +</p> +<p> +Jill was quickly appeased. When Mona spoke to her kindly she was ready +to tell her anything. +</p> +<p> +"It is a secret place, and a religious one," she said. +</p> +<p> +"Of course it comes out of the Bible, and it's not idolatry, though +Sam's father says it is." +</p> +<p> +"I know!" said Captain Willoughby. "It's an altar, and you offer +sacrifices on it." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page108" name="page108"></a>[108]</span></p> + +<p> +"No, we don't," said Jill indignantly, "we wouldn't be so wicked!" +</p> +<p> +"But the good people in the Bible always offered sacrifices," argued the +young Captain. +</p> +<p> +Jill looked at him thoughtfully. +</p> +<p> +"Well, we don't," she said. +</p> +<p> +"What do you do?" asked her sister. "This is a kind of altar, isn't it?" +</p> +<p> +"It is a kind of one," admitted Jill, "though Jacob did not call it an +altar. He made a heap of stones and called it Bethel, and so we've done +it too." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I see," said Captain Willoughby. "This is Jacob's heap of +stones. Isn't one of them in the King's coronation chair, by the bye?" +</p> +<p> +"But what use is this to you?" asked Mona, wanting to get to the bottom +of it. +</p> +<p> +"It has to do with our vow," said Jill, speaking fast and earnestly. "We +have done what Jacob did, we've told God we'll give Him our tenth. 'Of +all that Thou shalt give me, I will surely give a tenth unto Thee.' That's +the vow. And if anybody wants to make it I shall let them come here +and make it, and they won't be trespassers any longer." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page109" name="page109"></a>[109]</span></p> + +<p> +"That's a grand inducement," murmured the Captain, "but what does +your tenth consist of, Jill? Sweets and currant-buns, and dolls, and +picture-books? I should like the system explained." +</p> +<p> +"It's the tenth of our money, of course," said Jill, "I thought everybody +knew that." +</p> +<p> +Mona was silent. She was looking a little troubled. Then she turned +suddenly to Jill— +</p> +<p> +"Is this where you brought Mr. Arnold the other day?" +</p> +<p> +"I found him here," said Jill. "He was a trespasser. That's why he gave +me five shillings." +</p> +<p> +"What have you done with it?" +</p> +<p> +"I've put it into our bag. Miss Falkner made us a red bag and all our +tenth goes into it, and then I take it to Mr. Errington, and he's going +to build a mission church on Chilton Common with it!" +</p> +<p> +Mona gasped, then she began to laugh. +</p> +<p> +"Hopeful Mr. Errington! I admire his ambition, but I fancy many years +will roll by before that church is built!" +</p> +<p> +"I knew you would laugh," said Jill reproachfully. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page110" name="page110"></a>[110]</span></p> + +<p> +"Well," said Mona, looking first at Jill and then at her pile of stones, +"I always did say you children had the bump of invention. But I, with +Mr. Arnold, will plead guilty of the charge of trespassing; and you +must do the same, Captain Willoughby. What will you fine us, Jill? Five +shillings? I think we cannot escape with less than that." +</p> +<p> +"Be merciful," pleaded Captain Willoughby. "If I had known this visit +of ours would have entailed such a loss to my pocket, I would have kept +a long way off from it!" +</p> +<p> +Jill looked perplexed. +</p> +<p> +"I don't want to get money out of people," she said, "but you really +are trespassers, and it will be lovely for our bag!" +</p> +<p> +Mona took her purse out of her pocket, and put half a sovereign into +her little sister's hand. +</p> +<p> +"There!" she said. "Run away and put that into your bag. It is for a +good object. Now, Captain Willoughby, we must go back to the house. I +promised to drive with Miss Webb at four o'clock, and it is that already." +</p> +<p> +Jill turned over the gold coin in amazement and delight. She thanked +her sister effusively. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page111" name="page111"></a>[111]</span></p> + +<p> +"I knew our bag would get on, I was sure it would," she said; and then +she scampered back to the school-room, where Miss Falkner was teaching +Jack how to arrange his stamps geographically in his stamp album, and +Bumps was looking admiringly on. +</p> +<p> +"Look!" she cried. "Mona has given this to me for our bag! Isn't it +perfectly lovely." +</p> +<p> +She got plenty of sympathy from the school-room party. Miss Falkner had +heard at last about "Bethel," but she had respected Jill's wish about +it, and had never been there. +</p> +<p> +That evening when the children were in bed she sat by the open school-room +window. Her thoughts were not sad ones, though she had had much in her +life to make her sad. And when a slender figure in a black lace gown +came across the dusky lawn and spoke to her, it was the young heiress's +face that looked weary and troubled, not the governess's. +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner looked up brightly. +</p> +<p> +"Isn't it a delicious evening?" +</p> +<p> +"Is it? Yes, I suppose so. I wish I enjoyed things as you do, Miss +Falkner." +</p> +<p> +There was a little silence. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page112" name="page112"></a>[112]</span></p> + +<p> +Then Mona sat on the low window-ledge and put her light shawl over +her shoulders. +</p> +<p> +"I must have some one to talk to to-night, or I feel I shall go crazy, +and I have come out of doors to get away from Miss Webb, because she +is so cross with me." +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner looked her sympathy but said nothing. +</p> +<p> +"Jill has altered a chapter in my life to-day, and I don't know whether +I am glad or sorry." +</p> +<p> +"I hope she has done good, not harm," said Miss Falkner. +</p> +<p> +"From your standpoint—yes. From mine—I'm not so sure. I was about to +yield to persuasion, when she interrupted us, but after her interruption, +I—well I altered my mind. What a lot of bother one's memory gives one!" +</p> +<p> +"Sometimes it does." +</p> +<p> +Mona moved in her seat restlessly. +</p> +<p> +"Seven years ago, Miss Falkner, I quarrelled with some one that I liked +very much. It was about a certain subject. It is strange that this week +the same person and the identical subject have both cropped up again." +</p> +<p> +"I should say," said Miss Falkner, "that the coincident has occurred +for a purpose." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page113" name="page113"></a>[113]</span></p> + +<p> +"Yes, I knew you would say that." Then after a pause she said— +</p> +<p> +"Do you believe that prosperity is good or bad for one?" +</p> +<p> +"I think if we regard our wealth as a trust it will be good for us," +said Miss Falkner. +</p> +<p> +Mona laughed a little bitterly. +</p> +<p> +"Of course. It is the same old story. People can't give because it's +right to give. I hate being forced." +</p> +<p> +"No," said Miss Falkner gently. "It is only when we love the One to whom +our wealth belongs that we love to give it back to Him." +</p> +<p> +"Then," said Mona, "I must love first, before I can give." +</p> +<p> +She rose, then looked a little wistfully at the young governess. +</p> +<p> +"Sometimes I wish I could change places with you," she said, and before +Miss Falkner could make any reply she slipped away. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page114" name="page114"></a>[114]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_4_0011" id="h2H_4_0011"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + IX +</h2> +<p class="center"> + TRYING TO BE "DOUBLE GOOD" +</p> + +<p> +"Are you going away?" +</p> +<p> +It was Jack who spoke, and who stood at the door of Captain Willoughby's +room, looking at the half-filled portmanteaus, and the general chaos of +a man's quarters when he is on the point of departure. It was before +breakfast, and being a rainy morning, Jack was wandering about the +passages seeking for some occupation. +</p> +<p> +Captain Willoughby looked up from his employment. He was vainly trying to +strap a Gladstone bag, and was muttering imprecations under his breath. +</p> +<p> +"Now then, young shaver, what do you want? You children are always turning +up when you aren't desired. I have to thank your small sister yesterday +for an interruption which proved disastrous!" +</p> +<p> +Jack edged himself in, and climbed up to the iron foot-rail of the bed, +where he sat swinging his legs. +</p> +<p> +"Why are you going?" +</p> +<p> +"You didn't really think I had taken up + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page115" name="page115"></a>[115]</span> + + my quarters here for good and all, +did you?" +</p> +<p> +Captain Willoughby's tone was distinctly irritable. +</p> +<p> +"You needn't be waxy," said Jack cheekily. "There's one thing! I know +you'll be back again before long!" +</p> +<p> +"Shall I?" said the Captain, giving a vicious tug to his straps. "I shall +volunteer to go out to India with the next draft; I'm sick of England." +</p> +<p> +"Do tell me why you're so cross," said Jack earnestly, clasping his +hands round his knees. +</p> +<p> +Captain Willoughby had finished his task. He sat down upon his bag with +a sigh of relief. +</p> +<p> +"There! I shall leave my man to do the rest. The world is an utter +failure, Jack, that's what it is!" +</p> +<p> +"Is it?" said Jack innocently. +</p> +<p> +"Yes," went on Captain Willoughby. "And it's the women who are at the +bottom of it. They're all the same—unstable, uncertain, fickle, false, +their moods change from day to day; they make you believe in them, and +take you in all round, and then are quite surprised to see that you are +taken aback by their complete change of tone and mind. It's a bad thing, +my boy, to spend too much time with + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page116" name="page116"></a>[116]</span> + + women. Remember that when you grow up. +You will rue the day you made their acquaintance." +</p> +<p> +This dissertation was perfectly incomprehensible to Jack. He stared at the +Captain with open eyes and mouth. Then he slipped down from his perch. +</p> +<p> +"I'm sorry you're so put out," he said. "I suppose you're cross because +you have to go away." +</p> +<p> +Then he slipped out of the room, and confided to Jill that Captain +Willoughby was awfully cross with everybody in the world, and that she +had better keep out of his way. +</p> +<p> +The children with their governess occasionally lunched in the dining-room, +when there were no visitors. +</p> +<p> +Jack looked around on this particular day before he commenced to eat. +</p> +<p> +"There are five women," he announced; "and I'm the only man. It's a bad +lookout for me!" +</p> +<p> +"Why?" asked Mona, who had been sitting at the head of the table rather +<i>distrait</i> and silent. +</p> +<p> +"Because," said Jack slowly, "Captain Willoughby told me this morning +that it is a bad thing to spend too much time with women." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page117" name="page117"></a>[117]</span></p> + +<p> +Mona's cheeks flushed a deep crimson. Miss Webb glared at Jack through +her pince-nez, and then Mona laughed outright. +</p> +<p> +"I'm afraid your lot is cast amongst women for the present, Jack. When +you are Captain Willoughby's age, I advise you to be careful how you +cultivate their society." +</p> +<p> +"Mona!" said Miss Webb warningly. +</p> +<p> +"Oh yes," said Mona; "I mean it. And if a woman, Jack, gets tired of your +company, and doesn't like the idea of spending all her life with you, +take yourself off like a man, and don't be talking over your grievances +with everybody you come across!" +</p> +<p> +Jack said no more. His sister's words were like Captain Willoughby's, +beyond his comprehension. +</p> +<p> +Jill's walk to the Golden City was a very halting one. When she was +put to bed at night she generally reviewed her path through the day, +and sometimes Bumps was favoured with her confidences. +</p> +<p> +"I've had an <i>awful</i> day," she admitted one night after a series of +misdemeanours and punishments. "I meant to go as straight as—as a +ruler, and I've gone all crooked. I always mean to behave, but things +happen to make me forget!" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page118" name="page118"></a>[118]</span></p> + +<p> +"Yeth," said Bumps a little virtuously. "You forgot when you dressed up +the black cat in Annie's cap and apron that she alwayth goes in the coal +cellar when she's frightened. And when Annie is croth, she's horrid! When +you locked her up here becauth she said she'd tell Miss Falkner, I knew +she'd bang at the door till she brought everybody up-stairs. I tolded +you tho." +</p> +<p> +"Well," said Jill, sighing; "when Miss Falkner gave me a column of +spelling to learn as a punishment, I did mean to do it; but when I +saw Sam pass through the garden, I just forgot all about it, and all I +thought was that this was the day he got his money, and I must ask him +again about his tenth—of course that was another crooked turn I took; +and when Miss Falkner said she couldn't trust me I think Satan came +up behind and pushed me down as hard as he could. For I don't remember +what I called her! I only know I was in a passion." +</p> +<p> +"You called her a beatht!" said Bumps in a shocked tone; "and Jack and +I heard you, and Jack said he wouldn't never have called her that!" +</p> +<p> +"And then I threw the spelling-book in the fire, and then I was sent to +bed," pursued Jill + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page119" name="page119"></a>[119]</span> + + mournfully. "I wonder, Bumps, if you can make up for +one bad day in the next. You see, if I was sent to walk two miles along a +road, and I only did a little bit of a mile, and the rest of the time I +went into crooked lanes and got myself into scrapes, I think the next day +if I ran hard all day, and never stopped to sit down one minute, perhaps I +could do the two miles I didn't do the day before, and two more besides." +</p> +<p> +"Two and two make four," said Bumps complacently. "Will you try to-morrow, +Jill?" +</p> +<p> +"I think I will," said Jill. "I don't want to lose a day if I can help it." +</p> +<p> +The next morning she remembered her resolve, and she added a silent +petition to her morning prayer— +</p> +<p> +"Oh God, please help me to run hard and very straight to-day. Keep me +from tumbling, and let me make up for yesterday, for Jesus Christ's +sake. Amen." +</p> +<p> +"Jill is going to be very, <i>very</i> good to-day," said Bumps confidentially +to Jack. +</p> +<p> +"Is she?" said Jack with interest. "Then I'll ask her to give me those +stamps Captain Willoughby gave her the other day." +</p> +<p> +Jill was taken aback by this request. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page120" name="page120"></a>[120]</span></p> + +<p> +"They are mine, Jack. You know I'm beginning to collect them." +</p> +<p> +"Yes, but it will be unkind if you don't give them to me, because I want +them. You should try to please others before yourself, that's what Miss +Falkner says." +</p> +<p> +Jill did not see this. +</p> +<p> +"I thought you were going to be double good to-day," said crafty Jack. +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Jill slowly; "but if you take them it will be unkind and +selfish of you." +</p> +<p> +"But I'm not trying to be good to-day like you," argued Jack, quite +unabashed. +</p> +<p> +"But I shall be making it easy for you to be wicked; I shall be helping +you to do an unkind thing." +</p> +<p> +They were in the thick of their argument when Miss Falkner came into +the room, so they dropped it. Lessons were started, and progressed very +smoothly. At twelve o'clock, when they were dismissed, Jill came to Jack, +and put the stamps into his hand. +</p> +<p> +"There they are," she said; "but I wouldn't be you for <i>anything</i>!" +</p> +<p> +"I've helped you to be good," said Jack with the greatest satisfaction +as he sat down at the school-room table and began to stick the stamps +into his album at once. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page121" name="page121"></a>[121]</span></p> + +<p> +Jill ran out into the garden. +</p> +<p> +"Come and thwing me!" cried Bumps. +</p> +<p> +"I can't, Bumps, I must try to do something wonderfully good." +</p> +<p> +"What will you do?" asked Bumps curiously. +</p> +<p> +"I don't know; I think I will get the Bible and find out." +</p> +<p> +As quick in action as in thought, Jill darted into the house and soon +returned with her Bible in her hand. For some minutes she turned over +the leaves of it unsuccessfully, then an under-gardener passed her. +</p> +<p> +Now this young man was a local chapel preacher, and Jill had heard +some of the servants call him "a shining light." She looked up at +him inquiringly. +</p> +<p> +"Tom," she said, "what is the very goodest thing to do when you want to +be really good?" +</p> +<p> +Tom scratched his head. +</p> +<p> +"'Tis God's Word will tell 'ee, Miss Jill. There be that sayin' of +Apostle James—'Pure religion an' undefiled is to visit the widows and +fatherless in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the +world.' 'Tisn't many that get beyond that!" +</p> +<p> +"Thank you," said Jill in delight. "Please + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page122" name="page122"></a>[122]</span> + + show me the verse in case I may +forget it." +</p> +<p> +So Tom took her Bible in his hand and found it for her, then went on +his way; and Jill began to formulate her plans with great rapidity. +</p> +<p> +"'Unspotted from the world' means, of course, not to tumble down and +dirty my frock on the way to the Golden City. That I'm trying to do hard, +but I haven't visited any widows, and I know there are two or three in +the village. That will be a lovely way of doing good. I will go at once." +</p> +<p> +But alas for Jill! Mona was calling her to come and pick some flowers +for her. +</p> +<p> +For a minute she thought of running away, then her conscience told her— +</p> +<p> +"That will not be running in a straight road," and she reluctantly +obeyed her sister's call, and picked flowers till the bell rang for the +school-room dinner. +</p> +<p> +She was not free from lessons till four o'clock. Then, without saying a +word to any one, she put on her hat and ran out of the house and down +the long drive as fast as her legs could carry her. She knew one old +widow by sight, but she had never been inside her cottage. She was +rather shunned by her neighbours, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page123" name="page123"></a>[123]</span> + + as she was a very dirty, thriftless +woman, and earned her living by collecting rags and bones. +</p> +<p> +Jill knocked at her door eagerly and breathlessly. +</p> +<p> +The old woman poked her head out and looked at her crossly. +</p> +<p> +"What do 'ee want?" +</p> +<p> +"I've come to visit you." +</p> +<p> +"Don't want no visits from plaguey children!" +</p> +<p> +The door was banged in her face. +</p> +<p> +Poor Jill retired discomfited. Then she thought of another widow who +had lately lost her husband, a very respectable farmer. She lived at +a farm some distance off, but distance was no detriment to Jill's purpose. +</p> +<p> +Away she went; across fields and down lanes; getting more tired and +heated every step she took. +</p> +<p> +She found the young woman at her wash-tub. +</p> +<p> +"May I come in and visit you?" asked Jill meekly. +</p> +<p> +"Come in and welcome, miss. I think you be one of the little ladies +belongin' to Miss Baron?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I am," said Jill, seating herself on + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page124" name="page124"></a>[124]</span> + + a low stool with a sigh of +relief. "I'm glad you will let me come in. Old Mrs. Jonas wouldn't!" +</p> +<p> +"That old cat! Why, miss! you be never tryin' to visit her?" +</p> +<p> +"I'm visiting all the widows I can find to-day," said Jill solemnly. "The +Bible tells me to." +</p> +<p> +Young Mrs. Drake put her apron to her eyes. +</p> +<p> +"Aye, dearie me! My poor, dear husban'! To think that I be called +a widder along wi' that old good-for-nothin' Mrs. Jonas! Oh, 'tis a +cruel, wicked world, and hard on me that has allays done me duty an' +attended church reg'lar!" +</p> +<p> +"Don't cry, please," said Jill, only dimly understanding the drift of +her words. "You can't help being a widow, you know. That's why I've come +to see you. And I've come to see your children too, because it says the +'fatherless!'——" +</p> +<p> +But at this Mrs. Drake began to sob afresh, and so violently that Jill +felt quite alarmed. +</p> +<p> +"So they be! 'Fatherless.' An' only last Wednesday three weeks he were a +dandlin' of 'em on his knee. Oh, 'tis hard, 'tis cruel hard on a poor, +single woman!" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page125" name="page125"></a>[125]</span></p> + +<p> +A hard-featured woman put her head in at the door. +</p> +<p> +"Why, Polly, what be 'ee makin' such a moan over?" +</p> +<p> +Then seeing Jill, she stepped forward. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Drake sobbed the louder. +</p> +<p> +"Little miss have been mindin' me that I'm a lone widder, and my chillen +fatherless. So they be, the poor critturs, but 'tis hard to have it +thrown up agen me! Ah, my poor dear husban'! Oh, Jim, Jim! why did 'ee +leave me?" +</p> +<p> +She began to beat her hands to and fro, and seemed to be hysterically +inclined. +</p> +<p> +"Run away," said the hard-featured woman. "You won't do no good here, +missy. Poor soul! she has been well-nigh distracted, and I were hopin' +she were gettin' over the worst of it, and now she be so bad as ever!" +</p> +<p> +Jill crept out of the house feeling her visit had been a failure. +</p> +<p> +As she gained the high-road again, she met Sir Henry Talbot, whom Bumps +still called the "keeper." +</p> +<p> +He was very good to the children, and stopped directly he saw her. +</p> +<p> +"Hulloo!" he said. "Are you having another truant day? Are you all alone?" +</p> +<p> +"I'm not truanting," said Jill. "I've been + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page126" name="page126"></a>[126]</span> + + looking for widows. Do you +know any, Sir Henry?" +</p> +<p> +He laughed. +</p> +<p> +"I do. Now, what the dickens do you want widows for? Tell me, and I'll +help you." +</p> +<p> +Jill hesitated. +</p> +<p> +"You won't laugh at me?" +</p> +<p> +"On my honour, no." +</p> +<p> +"I'm trying to be double-good to-day, so I'm visiting them, like the +Bible says we must." +</p> +<p> +Sir Henry did not laugh. He only stood and looked at her. +</p> +<p> +"And what do you say to them when you see them?" +</p> +<p> +"That's the difficult part," said Jill. "I don't quite know what to +say. I've been to one widow, and she wouldn't let me in, and I've been +to another, and made her cry." +</p> +<p> +"And now you're looking for a third. Well, I will help you. Do you see +that big house behind the trees over there? A widow lives there, and +her name is Mrs. Beresford. Go and see her, and make her cry if you can." +</p> +<p> +"But I don't want to make them cry," said Jill. "Will she like to see me?" +</p> +<p> +"I should think she would. I should, if I were a widow." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page127" name="page127"></a>[127]</span></p> + +<p> +"Has she any children? I want to visit some fatherless." +</p> +<p> +"Happy thought! Come home and have some tea with me. I'm a fatherless +creature. My father died when I was an infant." +</p> +<p> +"I think," said Jill slowly, "the Bible means poor widows and +fatherless. You aren't in affliction, are you?" +</p> +<p> +"No," said Sir Henry. "I can hardly say I am." +</p> +<p> +"Then thank you very much, but I shall have to look for some really +poor people." +</p> +<p> +And nothing that he could say would induce her to accompany him home. +</p> +<p> +She plodded back to the village, but before she reached it, she came +upon a little party of tramps who had drawn up their pony and cart by +the roadside, and were eating their evening meal. +</p> +<p> +They were not prepossessing in appearance. Two women, both of whom +seemed careworn and down-trodden, four children, ragged and dirty, +and a sullen, bad-tempered looking man. Jill looked at them with +interest. One of the women had a rusty piece of crape on her bonnet. +It was that which prompted Jill to speak. +</p> +<p> +"Are you a widow?" she asked. +</p> +<p> +The woman stared at her, but the elder one + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page128" name="page128"></a>[128]</span> + + of the two gave her a nudge, +then answered for her. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, little lady, she be, indeed; lost her por husban' a few weeks ago, +an' leaves 'er with three chillen under four year. 'Ave you a copper, +miss, to give 'er? for she be on her way to the 'ouse." +</p> +<p> +"I'm afraid I haven't any money," said Jill, "but I'll sit down and talk +to her. It's what I came out to do—to visit widows." +</p> +<p> +The man eyed Jill up and down in a way that she did not much like, but +she was a fearless child, and was so full of the part she meant to play +that she did not think of anything else. +</p> +<p> +"I suppose you are in affliction," she said, gazing sympathetically +into the woman's face. "I'm so sorry for you. Do tell me which are your +little children." +</p> +<p> +The woman looked at Jill with dull, curious eyes. She indicated her +little ones by a backward movement of her thumb. +</p> +<p> +"And what house are you going to?" asked Jill. +</p> +<p> +"There be only one 'ouse for the likes o' me," the woman responded +bitterly; then she turned her head to watch the approach of a carriage. +</p> +<p> +Jill enticed one of the small children to come + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page129" name="page129"></a>[129]</span> + + to her. She heard a +carriage pass, but did not look up, then she was startled by her name +being called, and sprang to her feet. +</p> +<p> +Mona was calling her, for it was she and Miss Webb who were driving by. +</p> +<p> +Mona's disgust was great at seeing a party of the lowest class of tramps +sitting by the roadside, and her little sister in the midst of them. She +spoke very sharply— +</p> +<p> +"Come here at once, Jill! What do you mean by disgracing yourself and +us so?" +</p> +<p> +Jill turned to the woman politely. +</p> +<p> +"I'm sorry I have to go," she said. "Good-bye." +</p> +<p> +She insisted on shaking hands, then came up to the carriage-door, +looking a little defiant. +</p> +<p> +"Get in at once, and we will drive home. How is it, Miss Webb, that even +with this immaculate Miss Falkner these children are for ever getting +into scrapes?" +</p> +<p> +Jill climbed into the carriage, feeling very uncomfortable under her +sister's scrutiny. She was conscious that she was very heated and untidy; +Mona's fresh daintiness made her feel her own deficiency in neatness. +</p> +<p> +"Give me an explanation of this at once, you naughty child," said Mona +peremptorily. +</p> +<p> +Jill's eyes flashed. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page130" name="page130"></a>[130]</span></p> + +<p> +"I'm not naughty," she said indignantly; "I've—I've been visiting +widows." +</p> +<p> +Miss Webb scented amusement. She sat up straight, and tapped Jill's knee +with her pince-nez. +</p> +<p> +"That's very interesting," she said. "Of course, visiting widows is not +a sin. But who told you to do it? And why did you pick out a family of +tramps to work off your energy upon?" +</p> +<p> +Jill shut her mouth firmly. She keenly resented Miss Webb's tone of +ridicule, and determined to say no more. +</p> +<p> +Mona gave her a long lecture upon the dangers to which she had exposed +herself in making friends with tramps, and when they reached home she was +delivered over to her governess with a sharp injunction to punish her for +running away, and keep her in the school-room for the rest of the evening. +</p> +<p> +"So that's what I get for trying to be double good!" said poor Jill when +she was in bed that night. "I never will try it again!" +</p> +<p> +"Perhaps," said Bumps with wisdom beyond her years, "it wasn't quite +the right way to be it!" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page131" name="page131"></a>[131]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_4_0012" id="h2H_4_0012"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + X +</h2> +<p class="center"> + A PAPER CHASE +</p> + +<p> +Sam Stone did not hold out very long. Jill pursued him everywhere, +and was never tired of dilating on his selfishness and greediness, +in refusing to give up a tenth of his weekly wage. +</p> +<p> +She was beside herself with delight one day, when he came to her with +a two-shilling piece. +</p> +<p> +"That be my portion for that there scarlet bag, missy," he said. "I'll +stick to it for a bit an' give it reg'lar every week, but if-so-be +that I be wantin' of it, well I must have it. That's all I can say, an' +I hope fayther won't miss his comforts through it!" +</p> +<p> +"You must <i>never</i> go back from it," said Jill looking up at him +solemnly. "It's a vow! You can't break a vow, it's a much more solemn +thing than a promise!" +</p> +<p> +"But I don't mean to make no vow!" said Sam. +</p> +<p> +That would not suit Jill at all. She talked away to him, and finally +threatened that she + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page132" name="page132"></a>[132]</span> + + would get Miss Falkner to come and see him and explain +it to him. +</p> +<p> +"She'll make you see you ought to do it." +</p> +<p> +"I'll do my best, missy, but 'tis the prayer you say I must make, stumps +me. I've been a-looking through the chapter, an' Jacob he spoke up +very certain-like about the Lord being his God. I don't set up to be +a religious man myself, and I don't want to make no promises that I +bain't a-goin' to keep!" +</p> +<p> +Jill insisted upon getting her Bible and reading the verses through +to him. +</p> +<p> +"Jacob doesn't promise anything wonderful, Sam. He only says if God +will be good to him and take care of him, he will make Him his God, +and give his tenth to Him. Why the Lord is your God, Sam, isn't He?" +</p> +<p> +"I don't know what the words mean rightly," said Sam dubiously. +</p> +<p> +"They just mean that you must belong to God, and He will belong to +you. You do belong to Him already, Sam, you know you do!" +</p> +<p> +"I bain't so sure." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Sam! God made you, and keeps you alive every day, and Miss Falkner +says it isn't only what God does for us, but Jesus died for us, so that +ought to make us belong to Him doubly sure!" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page133" name="page133"></a>[133]</span></p> + +<p> +"Well," said Sam after long thought, "I'll come to 'Bethel' to-morrow." +</p> +<p> +So the next day saw him go through the little ceremony with great feeling +and earnestness of purpose, though the effort cost him a good deal. +</p> +<p> +"I've done it fayther," he said when he went home, "I've tooken the vow +for good and all. I thought it were a kind o' game when Miss Jill first +brought it up, but I've been readin' the Bible, an' it do seem very plain, +an'—an'—well—we do be ungrateful creatures to the good God!" +</p> +<p> +The scarlet bag grew heavy with coppers as time went on. Norah and +Rose Beecher came over to tea one day, and were persuaded to join "Our +Tenth Society!" +</p> +<p> +Jill got to calling it grandly the "O.T.S." and soon had the satisfaction +of enrolling Annie the school-room maid as one of its members. +</p> +<p> +Then came talk of summer holidays. Mona came into the school-room one +evening to consult with Miss Falkner about it. +</p> +<p> +"I suppose you must go home?" she asked. "You would not be able to take +the children to the seaside?" +</p> +<p> +"I am afraid not," said Miss Falkner. "I + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page134" name="page134"></a>[134]</span> + + have a mother who lives quite +alone, and who looks for me to come to her whenever I can." +</p> +<p> +"Ah," said Mona with a little sigh. "You have something that I have not." +</p> +<p> +Then she added in a different tone— +</p> +<p> +"I don't know what to do with the children. They play such pranks, +and they're too old for nurses. Jack and Jill are quite beyond them." +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner could offer no suggestion. Mona went on— +</p> +<p> +"Miss Webb has offered to look after them, but I want her to come abroad +with me, and she cannot do both." +</p> +<p> +"I suppose you will have to leave them here for their holidays?" +</p> +<p> +"I see the look in your eyes, Miss Falkner! You think me a selfish wretch +for letting my claims on Miss Webb come first. Perhaps you are like +Mrs. Errington, who at once saw a solution out of the difficulty. 'Take +them to some comfortable farmhouse and look after them yourself!' I +told her I should be worn out in twenty-four hours. I often wonder how +you can stand it!" +</p> +<p> +"It is my life-work," said Miss Falkner quietly. "But I am so fond of +children that they do not tire me." +</p> +<p> +"Well," said Mona giving an impatient sigh, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page135" name="page135"></a>[135]</span> + + "my life-work at present is +to amuse myself. I find it hard work sometimes. But as you won't make +it easy for me to carry off Miss Webb I suppose I must leave her behind." +</p> +<p> +And so it was settled. Miss Webb resigned herself to her fate. Mona went +to some of her numerous friends, and Miss Falkner took her departure. +</p> +<p> +The children hovered about her as she packed the day before she went, +and hindered rather than helped her. +</p> +<p> +"Just tell me what your mother and your home is like," said Jill. "I'm +going to shut my eyes and pretend I see you. Make yourself saying +'How do you do,' to her." +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner smiled. +</p> +<p> +"Shut your eyes then. A narrow street, and a terrace of small houses with +little balconies above. A cab stops at the door, and a young woman—shall +I call her?—hurries up the narrow steps. Some one has been watching at +the door. A gentle, sweet-faced woman with a bright smile and tired body, +comes forward to greet her. Then she takes her to a little upstairs +drawing-room, which is full of sweet-smelling flowers, and a canary +bird and a big tabby cat—both the best of friends—are also waiting +to greet the home-comer. Tea is waiting. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page136" name="page136"></a>[136]</span> + + A little rosy-cheeked maid brings +the kettle in. The windows are open, but the small balcony is full of +flowers, and the scent and sight of them makes one forget the narrow, +dingy street outside. Can you see my home, Jill? Can you see me sitting +down by my mother's side, and saying, 'No more lessons, and no more +children for six weeks'?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Jill with tightly closed eyes, "I can see you; but, oh, +Miss Falkner," and here she flung her arms round her governess's neck +as she was stooping to put some things in her travelling trunk, "promise +on your word and honour that you'll come back to us!" +</p> +<p> +"Indeed I hope to do so, dear." +</p> +<p> +"And don't, <i>don't</i> like your mother better than us!" +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner could not help laughing. When the very thought of her +mother brought a light to her eye and a lump in her throat; when the +anticipation of her mother's kiss and greeting was now the first waking +thought, how could she explain to a motherless child the strong tie +between an only daughter and her mother! +</p> +<p> +"You must be a good child, Jill, whilst I am away. Let me find you when +I come back steadily going forward towards the Golden City. God will +help you, darling." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page137" name="page137"></a>[137]</span></p> + +<p> +Jill nodded soberly. +</p> +<p> +"And we'll go on filling our bag. And perhaps the mission church will +be built by the time you come back." +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner did not damp her hopes. She parted with her little pupils +with sincere regret. Bumps sobbed audibly when she wished her good-bye, +and Jill crept up to her room to have her weep out in secret. Jack +appeared stolidly unconcerned, but when the carriage had taken Miss +Falkner away, he went straight to the stables, a forbidden resort. +</p> +<p> +"Here, Stokes," he called out to one of the grooms, "I've come out +here because it's so beastly dull, and I don't care who finds me here; +for there isn't a person left in the house that I care about at all!" +</p> +<p> +For the first few days the children missed their governess very much, +then the delights of the holidays took full possession of them. Miss +Webb was valiantly trying to do her duty. She took them for drives and +for picnics in the woods. She went into the nearest town and bought +them outdoor games and story-books; and if she saw them safely to bed +at the end of the day without any serious mishap having taken place, +she heaved a sigh of relief and said— +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page138" name="page138"></a>[138]</span></p> + +<p> +"One more day got through safely!" +</p> +<p> +Jack was her greatest trial. Jill was really trying to be good, but Jack's +spirits were hard to restrain, and whatever he did, and wherever he went, +Bumps was sure to follow. +</p> +<p> +One afternoon after their early dinner, Miss Webb retired to her room +with a headache. It was a hot, sultry day in August. She left her charges +playing a game of cricket on their lawn, and hoped they would stay there +till tea-time. +</p> +<p> +Jill was the first one to give up cricket. +</p> +<p> +"I'm going to write a letter to Miss Falkner," she said. "You go on +playing without me." +</p> +<p> +"Bumps can't bowl," complained Jack; "she throws the ball up into the +sky as if she's aiming at the sun." +</p> +<p> +"I'll bat," suggested Bumps cheerfully. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, and I'll put you out, first bowl. There you are, you little stupid!" +</p> +<p> +Bumps stared blankly at her wicket, then at Jack. +</p> +<p> +"What shall we do next?" she inquired. +</p> +<p> +"We'll have a paper chase," suggested Jack, who was never at a loss. +</p> +<p> +"And where shall we get the paper?" asked Bumps in great glee at the +prospect. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page139" name="page139"></a>[139]</span></p> + +<p> +"Oh, come on into the house. We'll find it somewhere." +</p> +<p> +Jack was not particular where he got his paper. Miss Webb's waste-paper +basket was first seized, then <i>The Times</i> of the day before and sundry +magazines in the drawing-room, then the library was invaded and various +papers and circulars abstracted from the writing-table. +</p> +<p> +"I shall be hare, of course," said Jack as he sat down on the floor +with Bumps, and rapidly began to tear his various papers to pieces. +"You must give me ten minutes' start, Bumps, by the clock, and then you +must follow the paper, and never stop till you catch me up." +</p> +<p> +"You won't go twenty miles away?" said Bumps very anxiously. +</p> +<p> +"Of course I won't! And get Jill to come with you. It will be much +greater fun if she comes." +</p> +<p> +Tearing the papers up kept them quiet for a good half-hour, and then +Jack started, first taking off his jacket, and making Bumps promise on +her honour not to look which way he went. +</p> +<p> +She waited her ten minutes and then went to Jill. +</p> +<p> +"Jill, do come and be the other hound. Jack + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page140" name="page140"></a>[140]</span> + + has gone, and oh! he has gone +through the thtable, I thee the paper!" +</p> +<p> +Bumps was too excited to wait. Jill was lying flat on the grass and +hardly turned her head. She murmured, "It's too hot," and went on with +her writing. +</p> +<p> +The afternoon wore on. Miss Webb was roused by the tea-bell and went +down-stairs congratulating herself upon the quiet behaviour of the +children. She found Jill deep in a storybook. +</p> +<p> +"Where are the others?" she asked. +</p> +<p> +"Paper-chasing," said Jill. "Aren't they stupid, this hot afternoon?" +</p> +<p> +"But I hope they have not gone far?" +</p> +<p> +"I don't know. The last time I did it, I was the hare, and I climbed a +wall, and fell through a greenhouse the other side, and I was ill for +three weeks; the gardener said I might have killed myself." +</p> +<p> +This was hardly comforting. Miss Webb looked anxiously out of the window. +</p> +<p> +"If they do not come soon, we must go and look for them. I hope they +have not gone outside the grounds!" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, they mayn't be back till bed-time," said Jill. +</p> +<p> +"You ought not to have let Bumps go," + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page141" name="page141"></a>[141]</span> + + said Miss Webb sharply. "She is far +too small. You ought to have looked after her better!" +</p> +<p> +Jill did not appear moved in the slightest. She ate her tea and wondered +at Miss Webb's concern; but as time went on, and there was no sign of +the hare or hound, she began to share Miss Webb's anxiety. +</p> +<p> +"I'll go and look for them." +</p> +<p> +Out she ran, and Annie was made to accompany her. They followed the +paper down the drive out into the road and across two fields, then it +went through a farm-yard up into a loft, down again, and out at a small +back gate. The farmer's wife came out and said she had seen both the +children, for Bumps had tumbled down in the yard and grazed her knees. +</p> +<p> +"An' I took her in, an' gave her a piece of plaster, but she were dead +set on following the young gentleman." +</p> +<p> +After going up the lane and going through another field, Annie said she +could go no further. +</p> +<p> +"'Tis getting dark, and they'll most like be home by this time. Come +back, Miss Jill. Master Jack ought to be ashamed of himself leading us +this chase!" +</p> +<p> +So they turned back, but when they came + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page142" name="page142"></a>[142]</span> + + in they found that Miss Webb had +ordered the gardeners and grooms all out, for they had not returned. +</p> +<p> +Jill's bed-time came. It grew quite dark, and then at last voices were +heard in the hall and Miss Webb rushed out. It was Bumps in the arms +of a big farmer. +</p> +<p> +"I found her in a ditch," he said; "my mare shied as I were-a-drivin' +home, and I seed somethin' white by the roadside, and then I seed it +were a child. She have hurt her foot, poor little 'un. She must have +failed a-tryin' to get over a fence above!" +</p> +<p> +"Is she dead?" cried Jill, pressing forward, for Bumps hung a limp and +apparently lifeless bundle over the farmer's arm. +</p> +<p> +"Bless 'ee, no! Her be faint an' exhausted, but put her to bed an' +she'll be all right in the mornin'. Leastwise if her foot be not injured!" +</p> +<p> +So poor Bumps was put to bed, and her little swollen foot bathed and +bandaged, and after a good deal of petting and feeding, she was able +to look up and speak. +</p> +<p> +"It wath my short legs," she said sadly, and somehow or other this old +excuse of hers, which was always brought forward when she had failed +to do what the others did, brought + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page143" name="page143"></a>[143]</span> + + the tears as well as a smile to Miss +Webb's face. Not a word of blame or reproach was uttered. But when she +had dropped into a sound sleep, Miss Webb left her, and her thoughts +were now centred on the missing Jack. +</p> +<p> +The gardeners and grooms failed to trace him, and returned to the house +between ten and eleven that night without having found any sign of +him. Miss Webb passed a sleepless night, and early in the morning the +search was continued. +</p> +<p> +But Jill was the first in the field. She got up at six o'clock, and +with determination in her small face, she trotted off following the +paper track. +</p> +<p> +Over the same ground as the day before she went, but now in the sunshine +it was a different matter, and though in some places the paper had +disappeared, her sharp eyes tracked it out again, and she went on with +renewed vigour. +</p> +<p> +At last she came to a standstill. The paper was to be seen close to a +private plantation. And then it went no further. Jill climbed a low +fence in spite of a board with "Trespassers will be prosecuted," and +looked in every direction for signs of more paper. But none did she find. +</p> +<p> +"I'll go through the plantation," she said to + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page144" name="page144"></a>[144]</span> + + herself, "and see where it +leads, for I believe that Jack must have come to an end of his paper." +</p> +<p> +She followed a little beaten track; and presently with joy saw lying +in a bush a white cotton pillow-case. It had been missing from Jack's +bed the night before and was the bag he carried his paper in. Jill took +it up and found it—as she expected—empty. Then she pressed forward, +and at last came to the other end of the plantation. A deep and rather +wide stream ran between it and a green field, in which there were several +horses grazing. She looked down at the stream, then taking off her shoes +and stockings she boldly splashed across. She was in the act of putting +her stockings on again, when a gruff voice startled her. +</p> +<p> +"Now here's another of 'em!" +</p> +<p> +Looking up she encountered the gaze of a stout, red-faced old gentleman. +</p> +<p> +"Have you seen Jack?" she asked eagerly. +</p> +<p> +He shook his fist at her. +</p> +<p> +"Didn't you see my board?" he shouted. "How dare you come on in the +face of it, and disturb my birds! If it isn't poachers, it's children +now-a-days. I hate 'em both!" +</p> +<p> +"I'm very sorry," said Jill; "but please + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page145" name="page145"></a>[145]</span> + + where is Jack. He has been away +all night, and we can't find him." +</p> +<p> +"If that impudent boy I caught and thrashed yesterday was Jack, you +had better follow him, and if you aren't quick about it you'll get what +he got!" +</p> +<p> +He brandished his stick so fiercely, that Jill fled in terror across the +field. Out of a white gate and down a lane she ran, and never stopped +till she reached a small cottage. Here she pulled up and breathlessly +asked a woman if she had seen her brother. +</p> +<p> +"Were he a small boy with flannel shirt and trousers, and a straw +hat? Then yestere'en 'bout seven o'clock, he came runnin' down the road +an' Mike the tinker were in front with his old cart. I seed the boy speak +to 'im, and then up he climbed, and away they drove, and I'm afeered +that Mike was the worse for drink." +</p> +<p> +"Where does Mike live?" asked Jill with a sinking heart. +</p> +<p> +"About four mile from here, but he were a-goin' on his rounds, and his +next stopping-place was at Thornton." +</p> +<p> +Thornton was the nearest town. Jill knew it well, but it was beyond her +walking powers. +</p> +<p> +"I can't think why he hasn't come home," + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page146" name="page146"></a>[146]</span> + + she said half crying. "I don't +know what to do." +</p> +<p> +"Here's some un comin'," said the woman shading her eyes with her +hand. "'Tis a man on a hoss." +</p> +<p> +Jill looked down the road, and when the rider drew near, she saw to her +intense delight that it was Sir Henry Talbot. +</p> +<p> +He stopped his horse directly he saw her. +</p> +<p> +"What!" he said; "another of you straying. Are you still looking for +widows?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh no," Jill cried; "I'm looking for Jack. He is lost, and I've come +out to find him, and a drunk tinker has driven him away!" +</p> +<p> +Sir Henry nodded gravely. +</p> +<p> +"I know all about it," he said; "I've sent Jack home in my carriage." +</p> +<p> +Jill's face brightened at once. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I am so glad; why didn't he come home?" +</p> +<p> +"He couldn't very well. I was driving home last night from a dinner party +between twelve and one, and I came upon the tinker and Jack under the +cart and horse by the old bridge. It's a wonder they hadn't fallen into +the river. The tinker had his ribs broken, and Jack a nasty cut on +the head, but my housekeeper plastered him up, and he's quite himself +this morning. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page147" name="page147"></a>[147]</span> + + What scamps you are! How are you going to get home? I think +you had better come up on my horse. He'll carry us both." +</p> +<p> +So in a very short time Jill returned triumphantly to the house riding +in front of Sir Henry. +</p> +<p> +Miss Webb saw them from a window and hurried out. +</p> +<p> +"How can I thank you, Sir Henry? He has arrived safe and sound. I feel +I shall be a white-haired old lady by the time Mona comes back. And +now you've brought Jill home. I do feel so grateful." +</p> +<p> +"But I haven't been lost," said Jill in an aggrieved tone. +</p> +<p> +And then she ran indoors to find Jack. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page148" name="page148"></a>[148]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_4_0013" id="h2H_4_0013"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + XI +</h2> +<p class="center"> + A DONKEY RIDE +</p> + +<p> +Both Jack and Bumps were on the sick-list for the next few days. Bumps +had sprained her foot, and Jack's cut on his head was a deep and painful +one. +</p> +<p> +When he recovered, he told his adventures to his sisters with much relish; +but for once Jill took Bumps' part, and told Jack he had treated her +very badly. +</p> +<p> +"You ought to have stopped when your paper came to an end, and come +back to her. How could she follow you, especially when you drove in a +cart? It wasn't fair." +</p> +<p> +"It was that old brute's fault. He nearly broke his stick over my +shoulders. I'll pay him back when I get a chance. I've got the marks +now. I can feel them. I couldn't walk home, I was so hurt. So I told +Mike to drive me into Thornton, and then I was going to our butcher, +I knew he would take me home." +</p> +<p> +"That was rather clever of you," admitted Jill, "but did you forget all +about Bumps?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I knew she would never come on so + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page149" name="page149"></a>[149]</span> + + far. If you'd been with her it +would have been all right. And I thought you were. I told her to bring +you; so it was really all your fault." +</p> +<p> +This was turning the tables upon Jill. +</p> +<p> +"I suppose," she said slowly, "I ought to have looked after her." +</p> +<p> +But Bumps breathlessly protested: +</p> +<p> +"I wath all right. I runned ever so fatht. And I thaw the paper, and +never wath frightened of the cowth, and I would have catched him, Jill, +I really would, only I couldn't get over the palings, and my legs thtuck +where they oughtn't to, and then I tumbled on my head and—and——" +</p> +<p> +Bumps came to a stop; then she added piteously, "I'll do better next time, +Jack. I really will." +</p> +<p> +And Jack replied with a patronising air. "Oh yes, you'll do, when you +grow bigger." +</p> +<p> +"Mona is coming back, children," said Miss Webb one morning as she opened +her letters at the breakfast-table. "She does not say why she is coming +home so much sooner than she intended, but I suppose she will tell us. +She will be here this afternoon." +</p> +<p> +The children were delighted. Mona was a constant source of interest and +admiration to + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page150" name="page150"></a>[150]</span> + + them. When she was in the house, there was a stir and +bustle; the very servants seemed to go asleep in her absence. +</p> +<p> +Miss Webb had tea out upon the lawn that afternoon, and when Mona arrived, +she seemed struck with the children's orderly dress and behaviour, and +the quiet peacefulness of the old garden. +</p> +<p> +"There is no place like home after all," she said as she sat in a low +wicker-chair with Bumps on her lap. +</p> +<p> +Miss Webb looked at her with keen eyes. +</p> +<p> +"You are tired and worried about something," she said. "Didn't you enjoy +your visit?" +</p> +<p> +"Very much till yesterday," and Mona gave a little shiver. Then she bent +her lips, and touched Bumps' golden head with them caressingly. +</p> +<p> +"I had a full programme," she said with a little laugh. "The Tambourne +Races to-day, the Regatta to-morrow, and Lady Donald's ball next Monday, +followed by her village theatricals and concert. There was an awfully +nice girl staying with us. Maud Crichton was her name. She used to come +into my room every night to have a chat, and I was going to bring her +back here to stay with me. She was + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page151" name="page151"></a>[151]</span> + + rather seedy a few days ago, and we +thought it a heavy cold. Only last night she was sitting up with me, +and though her head was very bad, we were making wonderful plans. This +morning she was covered with a thick rash. I heard she had almost been +light-headed in the night. The doctor came and pronounced it scarlet +fever. Of course there was a general stampede. I'm terrified lest she +should have infected me. What do you think, Miss Webb?" +</p> +<p> +Miss Webb looked grave, then quietly took Bumps off Mona's lap and sent +her indoors, telling the others to follow. +</p> +<p> +"You don't think of the children," she said a little reproachfully. +</p> +<p> +"The children? Good gracious! You're taking it for granted I am going +to get it! Why, Miss Webb, it drives me frantic to think I may! What +can I do? Shall I send for a doctor for some preventive?" +</p> +<p> +Miss Webb saw the girl was thoroughly frightened and unstrung, so she +spoke very quietly. +</p> +<p> +"You are not a weak, hysterical girl, Mona. Do for pity's sake control +yourself. It is not very likely you will take it; but if you did, there +are many things worse than scarlet fever. What makes you so frightened?" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page152" name="page152"></a>[152]</span></p> + +<p> +"Oh," said Mona, covering her face with her hands, "I might die. It +is so awful to think about it. And wasn't it strange, Miss Webb, we +had a sermon last Sunday with the gruesome text: 'Prepare to meet thy +God.' Now don't let us talk any more about it. Give me another cup of +tea. I call it ridiculous to send the children away." +</p> +<p> +Mona pulled herself together with an effort. After that one revelation +of her frightened soul, she did not touch upon the subject again, but +Miss Webb watched her anxiously, and would not let the children be much +with her. A week afterwards, Mona was taken ill with the disease she +so much dreaded. Her extreme nervousness about herself did not help +her. Miss Webb promptly telegraphed to Miss Falkner—"Scarlet fever in +house. Can you take children to seaside?" +</p> +<p> +And though Miss Falkner had only had a month's holiday, instead of six +weeks, she replied at once— +</p> +<p> +"Certainly, will return to-morrow." +</p> +<p> +"It's rather exciting!" said Jack to Jill as they stood at the school-room +window watching for the arrival of their governess. "I don't want Mona +to be ill, but I'm jolly glad we're going to the seaside." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page153" name="page153"></a>[153]</span></p> + +<p> +"I'm glad Miss Falkner is coming with us, but I rather think I'd like to +have scarlet fever. It must be so nice to have the doctor and a nurse, +and jellies and beef-tea, and everybody fussing over you." +</p> +<p> +The arrival of the carriage stopped further discussion, and in another +moment all three children were flinging themselves upon their governess, +nearly choking her with their eager embraces. +</p> +<p> +They went the next day to a small seaside place about three miles from +Chilton Common. There was a nice sandy beach, a row of lodging-houses, +a stone pier and fishing-wharf; and the children were perfectly content +with their lot. Annie came with them, and their landlady knew them well, +for it was not the first time they had been there. +</p> +<p> +"Miss Falkner, can't we go and see Chilton Common one day?" asked Jill, +soon after they had arrived. +</p> +<p> +"Why, you funny child!" said Miss Falkner, smiling. "The only reason +you liked to go to Chilton Common was because you could see the sea +in the distance; and now you are actually at the sea, you want to go to +the Common." +</p> +<p> +"Ah!" said Jill, "but I want to find the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page154" name="page154"></a>[154]</span> + + place where our mission-room is +going to be." +</p> +<p> +"I forgot that," admitted Miss Falkner. "But it is too far for you to +walk, Jill. We must wait till we get home, I think, and then we can +drive there." +</p> +<p> +So Jill tried to be patient, and she was very fond of mounting a small +hill close to the town where she could get a fine view of the Common, +and one day Miss Falkner found her there, shaking her red bag wildly in +the air at it. +</p> +<p> +"There!" she was saying, "do you see the place you are going to build +upon! The fatter you get, the better for Chilton Common!" +</p> +<p> +They heard from Miss Webb, but her letters always smelt of carbolic, and +Miss Falkner burnt them directly she had read them. Mona was very ill, +and one morning Miss Falkner got a letter that rather startled her. It +was as usual from Miss Webb. +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "<span class="sc">Dear Miss Falkner</span>, +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "I remember you told me that you were not afraid of scarlet fever, + having had it a few years ago. Would you be afraid of coming + to Mona? She is crying out for you incessantly day and night, + and I do not think it is mere + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page155" name="page155"></a>[155]</span> + + delirium. She says you would help her + to get well, and the poor girl seems in terror lest she should + not do so. Dr. Forbes says if her mind could be eased there + would be more chance of her recovery. Leave the children with + Annie. I am sure they will be good, when they know that Mona needs + you. And nothing seems to matter in comparison with Mona's life. + If you feel you can come, come at once." +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner went straight to her room, and put up a few things in a +portmanteau. She called Jill to her, and told her about the letter. +</p> +<p> +"I am going to trust you, Jill, to keep the others out of mischief, +and ask God, dear, to make your sister better, if it is His will." +</p> +<p> +Jill looked rather blank at the news. +</p> +<p> +"You are always leaving us now," she said; "and Jack won't do what I tell +him. He never would. Mona has got Miss Webb, she doesn't want you too!" +</p> +<p> +This was very much Annie's opinion. +</p> +<p> +"Miss Baron doesn't ever think of anybody but herself," she confided +to Mrs. Pratt, the landlady. "If she took a fancy to see one of the +children, she'd never think of the risk to them, but she'd insist upon +them coming to her. She's + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page156" name="page156"></a>[156]</span> + + a nice young lady to speak to, but she's always +had her own way, and poor Miss Falkner must go to help nurse her now!" +</p> +<p> +When Miss Falkner came softly into the sick-room, she was shocked at +the change in Mona. +</p> +<p> +She lay with crimson cheeks and parched, dry lips upon her pillows, +restlessly turning her head to and fro; her beautiful hair had all been +cut off; her eyes were dull and vacant; her voice husky and indistinct. +</p> +<p> +A gleam of recognition lit up her face as Miss Falkner stooped over her +and spoke to her. +</p> +<p> +"Is it Miss Falkner? You are good, you know how to pray. I am not ready +to die. Pray for me. It is cruel to take my life so soon, and he will +keep preaching, 'Prepare to meet thy God.' Do stop him. Of course it +is Cecil Arnold; I laughed at him, but I knew I was wrong, and he was +right. I can't prepare. I don't know how to. And why should I give up a +tenth of my money?—even little Jill is laughing at me—she and Cecil +Arnold putting their heads together, and he won't look at me, he doesn't +care for me any more. Oh, if only you will help me!" +</p> +<p> +This and much more in the same strain she poured forth. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page157" name="page157"></a>[157]</span></p> + +<p> +Miss Falkner soothed her for the time, and the next day when she was +lying weak and exhausted, but fully conscious, she spoke again. +</p> +<p> +"Do you think I shall get over this, Miss Falkner!" +</p> +<p> +"I think—I hope you will," said Miss Falkner brightly. "I am praying +that you may." +</p> +<p> +"I know I have lived only for pleasure, but if, oh, if God spares my +life, I will give Him some of my money. It has worried me so. Even the +children are giving now more than I do." +</p> +<p> +"There is something God wants more than your money," said Miss Falkner +gently. "It is of more value to Him than that." +</p> +<p> +"What is it? Oh, if I get well I will give it. Life is everything to me." +</p> +<p> +"It is your soul." +</p> +<p> +The words were spoken in a soft whisper, and there was silence in the +room for some time after that. +</p> +<p> +At last Mona put her wasted hand out. +</p> +<p> +"I will give it to Him, if He spares my life." +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +"Jack, Mona is going to get well. Miss Webb has written to tell us so. Oh, +do let us do something jolly to-day." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page158" name="page158"></a>[158]</span></p> + +<p> +"We'll have a donkey ride. There's a man just come along the road with +four of them. Come on!" +</p> +<p> +But, alas! When purses were produced, only eightpence could be collected, +and the donkey man shook his head. +</p> +<p> +"I wish," said Jack discontentedly, "that we needn't always be giving +to the Bag." +</p> +<p> +Jill got hot and indignant at once. +</p> +<p> +"You greedy, wicked boy, after your vow too. Remember Ananias and +Sapphira!" +</p> +<p> +"But they took the money; I haven't." +</p> +<p> +"No, but you're almost wishing to!" +</p> +<p> +"I'm not," said Jack sullenly. +</p> +<p> +"What's the matter, my boy?" asked an old lady, who was sitting on +a sheltered seat on the beach, and who had overheard a part of this +conversation. +</p> +<p> +"We want a donkey ride," said Jack bluntly; "and we haven't got enough +money." +</p> +<p> +The old lady quietly drew out a rusty black bag from her pocket. +</p> +<p> +"I used to like donkey rides when I was a little girl," she said, +"so I'll treat you to one. Where would you like to go?" +</p> +<p> +The children could hardly believe their ears. But Jill's one thought +came uppermost at once. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page159" name="page159"></a>[159]</span></p> + +<p> +"To Chilton Common," she said. "Oh! we should love to go there." +</p> +<p> +The old lady spoke to the man. +</p> +<p> +"Where is your nurse?" she said. "Will she like you to go so far?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Annie won't mind. We always play out here till dinner-time." +</p> +<p> +So in a few minutes, four donkeys were going at a steady trot towards +Chilton Common; the man himself riding on one of them. It seemed a long +way to the children, but Jill enlivened the way by telling the man about +their tenth bag, and the room that they hoped to build on the Common. +</p> +<p> +"You might help if you like," she suggested. "You could give a tenth out +of what the lady is going to give you this morning. It's going to be +a tenth room or church, because it's going to be built out of our tenths." +</p> +<p> +"Don't believe in parsons or churches," said the man emphatically. +</p> +<p> +"Do you mean you don't like them?" questioned Jill. "Don't you go to +church yourself?" +</p> +<p> +"Never been inside a church since I were a Sunday-school brat." +</p> +<p> +"Oh! that sounds dreadful!" said Jill, eyeing him with severity. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page160" name="page160"></a>[160]</span></p> + +<p> +"Fact!" said the donkey man, giving Jill's donkey a vicious whack with +his stick, and making her start off at a gallop. But Jill could stick +to her donkey and to her point at the same time. +</p> +<p> +"Well, if you don't want to go to church, other people do; and they +can't do it on Chilton Common. You wait till we get there, and then +you will see what it is like! And I'm sure you would like to give God +some of your money, wouldn't you? You must get a lot of money by your +donkeys. <i>Everybody</i> likes to ride on donkeys!" +</p> +<p> +"I'm a poor man, an' has a hard job to get my vittles," was the +response. "Let rich folk build churches and such like. Let 'em throw +away their money on such foolery, but a hard-workin' man has better to +do with his'n." +</p> +<p> +"But," argued Jill, who from her long discussion with Sam was quite +prepared for these sentiments, "you aren't as poor as we are. If no +one gives me a present I get threepence a week, but it doesn't matter +how little you have, the first ten pennies you get, you put one aside +for God. Now do, won't you? You really ought to, for God gives you your +donkeys and your money. Supposing if your donkeys broke their legs, +or you broke yours! Then you + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page161" name="page161"></a>[161]</span> + + wouldn't be able to get any money. And if +God takes care of you and your donkeys every day, I expect He's very +disappointed that you don't give Him a little money!" +</p> +<p> +This and much more Jill eagerly poured forth, and at last her driver +took refuge in silent chuckles and shakes of his head. He would not +be drawn out any more. They arrived in due time on the Common. It was +a lovely day, and a few women came out on their doorsteps to watch the +little cavalcade. +</p> +<p> +The children dismounted, and began earnestly disputing about the best +site for the mission-room. Jill took into her confidence one of the +women who seemed greatly interested. +</p> +<p> +"You see," she said, "Mr. Errington and us are going to build a church +here when we can get enough money. Where would you like it put?" +</p> +<p> +"We bain't church-goers," said the woman laughing. +</p> +<p> +"No, but you will be when you get a church." +</p> +<p> +"Now," said the donkey man, getting bolder when he saw he would be +supported by a majority; "will 'ee tell us, little miss, what good a +church does 'ee?" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page162" name="page162"></a>[162]</span></p> + +<p> +He raised his voice, and several lads and women drew near to listen. +</p> +<p> +Jill climbed back on her donkey. She did not like the look of the rough +boys, but she bravely held her ground. +</p> +<p> +"It's a place where you can hear about Jesus," she said reverently, +"and where you can ask Him what you want. Miss Falkner says He is always +there to meet you." +</p> +<p> +"And what good do He do?" asked a lad with a mocking laugh. +</p> +<p> +"He helps you to set out, and keep on going to the Golden City," +said Jill, looking at him with shocked disapproval. "You wait till +you get your church, and Mr. Errington comes out to tell you all about +it. You'll wish when you hear about it, that you'd been told <i>hundreds</i> +of years ago!" +</p> +<p> +There was loud laughter, but one of the women came forward and looked +at Jill somewhat wistfully. +</p> +<p> +"Your Golden City reminds me of a hymn I used to sing in Sunday school," +she said. "It began, 'Jeroos'lem the golden'!" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I know it," said Jill, nodding; "and when you get your church I'll +ask Mr. Errington to let you have that hymn every Sunday if you like." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page163" name="page163"></a>[163]</span></p> + +<p> +"Shall we have hymn singin'?" questioned a boy, with a white face and +dark shock of hair. "Who'll do the moosic?" +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Errington will do it <i>all</i>," said Jill with proud emphasis. "And when +the church is open, I shall come over, and Jack, and Bumps, and Miss +Falkner. And we'll be in our Sunday clothes, and you will be in yours, +and the church will be <i>crammed</i>! And there'll be lots of music and +singing, and we shall all enjoy it awfully! And after it's over"—here +her imagination ran away with her—"we'll all shake hands, and say how +glad we are, and then we'll have flags waving and bells ringing, and a +lovely tea which we'll sit down to all together, with cakes and buns, +and tea in urns, like a schoolfeast!" +</p> +<p> +Jack, who had been listening in silence, broke in now with enthusiasm. +</p> +<p> +"And then we'll have three cheers for the King, and three cheers for +Mr. Errington, and three cheers for our red bag that got the money, +and we'll finish up with a bonfire and fireworks!" +</p> +<p> +Jill pulled out her red bag which she had stuffed into her pocket, +and wildly waved it in the air. +</p> +<p> +"Hurray for Chilton Common Church!" + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page164" name="page164"></a>[164]</span> + + she cried, and the children and rough +lads round joined in her cheer with a hearty good-will. +</p> +<p> +"Now," she said, relapsing from enthusiasm to business, "where would +you like us to build it?" +</p> +<p> +There was a little silence. Some of the women went indoors. The group +thinned. Jack looked round wisely. +</p> +<p> +"I think we'll let Mr. Errington choose the place," he said. "I'm sure +it's time to go back." +</p> +<p> +"Well," said Jill, turning to the blacksmith, who had left his forge and +had come out to know what the cheers were about, "I've told you what +is going to happen, and if you like to give a tenth of your money and +give it to God, I will take it and put it in my red bag and give it to +Mr. Errington." +</p> +<p> +The blacksmith put his hand in his pocket and brought out sixpence. +</p> +<p> +"There be my mite towards it," he said. "I always did say a parson up +here would be the thing!" +</p> +<p> +Jill thanked him profusely, dropped the sixpence in her bag, and the +children rode away, followed for a short distance by a screaming crowd +of small boys and girls. +</p> + +<div class="figure"> +<a name="image-0007"><!--IMG--></a> +<a href="images/image05.jpg"><img src="images/image05s.jpg" width="300" height="445" +title="'There's My Mite Towards It.'" +alt="'THERE'S MY MITE TOWARDS IT.'" /></a> +<br /> +'THERE'S MY MITE TOWARDS IT.' +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page165" name="page165"></a>[165]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_4_0014" id="h2H_4_0014"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + XII +</h2> +<p class="center"> + THE BISHOP AND THE GEESE +</p> + +<p> +When they reached the beach again the old lady was just in the act of +departing for her lunch. She cheerfully paid the donkey man, but Jill +was watching the transaction anxiously, and pursued the man to the end +of the beach, where she held an earnest conversation with him. +</p> +<p> +"Jill is trying to make him give up his tenth," said Jack confidentially +to the old lady. "I don't think she'll do it." +</p> +<p> +"What do you mean, child?" +</p> +<p> +Explanation followed, and with Bumps' eager and breathless interruptions, +the old lady got quite mystified. +</p> +<p> +"Why do you keep talking about a tenth?" she said. +</p> +<p> +"Because it's a tenth that God expects from everybody," said Jack. "I +suppose you give yours to somebody to look after, don't you?" +</p> +<p> +"I don't give a tenth of my money away at all," said the lady snappishly. +"That is an old Jewish law. Thank goodness, we are not Jews, but +Christians." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page166" name="page166"></a>[166]</span></p> + +<p> +"But Miss Falkner told us it wasn't only meant for Jews," argued Jack. +"She says everybody who gets money from God ought to give back some to +Him." +</p> +<p> +"Yeth," nodded Bumps; "and becauth we can't send it up to heaven, Miss +Falkner thaid we could thpend it on good things for God down on the +earth, and we would be very happy if you gave us your money for our bag, +wouldn't we, Jack?" +</p> +<p> +Jack was not a good beggar. He got hot and red. +</p> +<p> +"We don't ask people for money," he said; "but if they like to give us +their tenth we should be pleased." +</p> +<p> +"Jill asks," said Bumps. "She asks everybody!" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, dear!" said the old lady, "here she comes running back! I must +go. There, my boy, there's a coin for your bag!" +</p> +<p> +She put a sovereign into Jack's hand. +</p> +<p> +"Is it your tenth?" he asked wonderingly; "what a lot of money you must +have! Thank you very much!" +</p> +<p> +But the old lady was gone, and strangely enough the children never saw +her again. +</p> +<p> +"Have you got any money from the donkey man?" asked Jack. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page167" name="page167"></a>[167]</span></p> + +<p> +"Yes," said Jill in quiet triumph. "He gave me sixpence. I don't know +whether it was quite a tenth, but he seemed very pleased to do it—at +least he got pleased. He said he had never done such a good thing in his +life, and he hoped that it would be remembered. I told him God wouldn't +forget it, for He can't forget anything. And he told me he only lives +a mile from Chilton Common, and when the church is built I'm to let him +know, and he will come and see it. He's a nice man!" +</p> +<p> +Then Jack opened his hand, and let her see what he had got. Jill screamed +in ecstacy; the red bag was produced, and when both coins were safely +deposited, they ran indoors to their dinner, feeling they had had an +eventful morning. +</p> +<p> +The days passed slowly. There were days when everything went wrong, +when Jill, as well as Jack and Bumps, was seized with the spirit of +mischief and naughtiness. She was very repentant when the day was over, +but Annie did not understand her moods, and was not so long-suffering +as Miss Falkner. +</p> +<p> +"It's no good leading me such a life all day, and then thinking you +make it all right by saying you're sorry," she said with great severity. +"You're all talk, Miss Jill! pretending to be + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page168" name="page168"></a>[168]</span> + + so good with your bag of +money, and making Miss Bumps as wicked as yourself when you choose! I've +no belief in them that talks good, and acts wicked!" +</p> +<p> +Jill's passionate temper was aroused at once. +</p> +<p> +"I don't pretend, and I don't talk good! And I hate you, Annie! It's +you that make us wicked! Miss Falkner never does! I'll run away, and +go straight home, and catch the scarlet fever! I won't stay with you!" +</p> +<p> +Annie laughed scornfully. +</p> +<p> +"Words again! You want a piece clipped out of your saucy tongue, Miss +Jill!" +</p> +<p> +Jill was sitting up in bed. With all her strength she flung her pillow +in Annie's face. +</p> +<p> +Annie caught it, and marched out of the room with it. +</p> +<p> +"You naughty, impudent child! I shall take it right away to punish +you. You can sleep without it to-night!" +</p> +<p> +Jill buried her burning cheeks in her bolster, and began to cry. +</p> +<p> +Bumps sat up and ruefully regarded her. +</p> +<p> +"Never mind, Jill. Annie is horrid. Oh, pleath don't cry!" +</p> +<p> +"It's no good," sobbed poor Jill. "Annie doesn't mean me to finish off +being wicked. She tries to make me go on for ever. Nobody + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page169" name="page169"></a>[169]</span> + + understands but +Miss Falkner. It's no use to try to be good again. I shall have to go +on being in disgrace. I've gone miles away from my path to the Golden +City to-day, and just when I'm trying to find my way back again, Annie +pushes me away. I shall give it up altogether. I shall throw my red bag +in the sea to-morrow, and shall give no more tenths to God. I shall be +as wicked as I possibly can. I'm meant to be wicked!" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, dear!" sighed Bumps, in despair. "You do want Miss Falkner, Jill." +</p> +<p> +"Of course I do," said Jill, angrily. "How can I be good without her?" +</p> +<p> +"I wonder," said Bumps, "if God would do instead!" +</p> +<p> +There was silence. Bumps sometimes—baby though she was—had the rare +faculty of hitting the nail straight on the head. +</p> +<p> +Jill stopped her weeping and began to think. +</p> +<p> +"I think," she said, after a few minutes' silence, "I'll just tell God +all about it. I'd like to tell Him how nasty Annie is!" +</p> +<p> +Better thoughts soon stole into her angry little heart. +</p> +<p> +"There's one thing," she said presently, startling Bumps out of her +first sleep; "God knows the proper truth about me. He knows + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page170" name="page170"></a>[170]</span> + + I am sorry +that I was tiresome to-day! Annie doesn't believe me, but He will. And +He knows I don't pretend to be good!" +</p> +<p> +"Yeth," assented Bumps, drowsily; "He knowth it!" +</p> +<p> +Jill dropped asleep comforted. +</p> +<p> +The long time was over at last. Mona recovered and went away for change +of air; the house was cleaned and re-papered, and one day Miss Falkner +arrived to take them home. +</p> +<p> +"We almost like lessons now," said Jack. "We've had such long holidays." +</p> +<p> +But when lessons began the children found them irksome. They had become +thoroughly unsettled, and accustomed to careless, unpunctual ways. Miss +Falkner's regular routine fretted and chafed them. She found she needed +all her patience to bring them and keep them under her control. +</p> +<p> +"I think," Jill said to Jack, one day, and her face was thoughtful as +she spoke, "that no one can be properly good till they are twenty. I +wonder how old Miss Falkner is." +</p> +<p> +"She's just as old as Mona," said Jack. "I heard Mona tell Miss Webb so." +</p> +<p> +"How funny! But she's not a bit like Mona." +</p> +<p> +"No. Miss Webb said to Mona when she + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page171" name="page171"></a>[171]</span> + + told her, 'You are a child beside +her, Mona.' Now, what did she mean by that?" +</p> +<p> +Jill pondered. +</p> +<p> +"Miss Falkner looks older. And I expect being good makes you old. Miss +Falkner is <i>very</i> good. I'm sure when I try to be very good, and make +you and Bumps good too, I feel—I feel a hundred years old!" +</p> +<p> +"I don't think children are meant to be <i>very</i> good," said Jack. "People +always talk of us as if we're wicked. P'raps we ought to be good on +Sundays." +</p> +<p> +"If we're walking to the Golden City, we ought to be good every day," +said Jill decidedly. +</p> +<p> +Jack shook his curly head. +</p> +<p> +"I've thought of a lovely game I'm going to make Bumps play at." +</p> +<p> +"What?" asked Jill in an eager tone. +</p> +<p> +"Why you know the story that comes in our reading-books about the geese +who saved Rome by cackling when the enemy was creeping up. I'm going +to be the enemy, and Bumps and you must be asleep." +</p> +<p> +"But where?" asked Jill. "It was on the top of a high hill." +</p> +<p> +"Yes," nodded Jack; "but I've thought it out. There's the church tower. +We'll do it + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page172" name="page172"></a>[172]</span> + + to-morrow afternoon, and we'll take the geese up first." +</p> +<p> +"That will be splendid," said Jill; "only how will you do it? Remember +the swans! I think if we can get hold of their food, and hold it out +to them, they'll follow us, but how will you climb up to the tower?" +</p> +<p> +"Tom Sanders has done it. He told me he did, and I'm longing to +try. You climb the yew tree first, and then get on to the ivy. Then +you get in at the belfry window. He got out again and went up by the +lightning-conductor, but I thought the geese would see me climbing in +at the window and then they'll cackle—and of course I shan't be able +to come on any further." +</p> +<p> +"But supposing they don't cackle?" +</p> +<p> +"Well, that's the game—to see if they do! If they don't, I shall know +Roman history tells lies. Because, of course, these geese are just the +same as those were." +</p> +<p> +"These are English geese!" Jill said doubtfully. +</p> +<p> +Jack was undaunted. He was a true little Briton. +</p> +<p> +"Then they must be better than Roman geese, and they'll cackle twice as +loud, and be double as fierce!" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page173" name="page173"></a>[173]</span></p> + +<p> +So the next afternoon when lessons were over, instead of playing in the +garden, the three children stole quietly off to the farmyard. +</p> +<p> +The prospect was so exciting that even Jill had no qualms of +conscience. Jack had persuaded one of the farm lads who looked after +the geese to save him a dish of their food. Armed with a big dish he +boldly went up to the biggest gander, who greedily put his head into it +at once. It was the signal for all the others to follow suit. Then Jack, +holding the dish, ran out of the farmyard; and to the children's delight, +away strode the flock of geese after him, stretching out their necks and +shrieking in protest. Jill and Bumps followed behind with switches to +drive them along. Unfortunately, the fowls joined the chase, and two +small black pigs escaped out of the yard and with squeals of delight +raced into the flower-garden. Out into the lane the little procession +went, and the geese behaved very well. Occasionally one or two would +dive into a ditch after frogs, which delayed progress, but with Jill +and Bumps chasing them behind, and Jack enticing them in front, they at +last reached the church-yard, which was not very far away. The door of +the tower was found open, and the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page174" name="page174"></a>[174]</span> + + geese were with a little difficulty +driven in. But when Jill turned and shut the door a pandemonium +ensued. The frightened birds screamed, and beat their wings against +each other. As to making them mount the spiral stone steps, it seemed +an impossibility. When Jack caught hold of the gander and tried to +hoist him up, he turned and pecked at his hand so viciously that it +began to bleed. Bumps got frightened, and crept into an empty oak chest. +Jill coaxed and beat the birds by turns, and geese and children shrieked +at the top of their voices, till the old tower echoed and re-echoed +with the noise. +</p> +<p> +But Jack and Jill never gave up any cherished plan very easily. +</p> +<p> +By perseverance, and with much toil and persuasion, they got two young +geese to the top. Their wings were strong and they flew most of the +way. With these two birds they were forced to be content. Poor Bumps +was forgotten, and the gander and his tribe were so furious at being +entrapped in such a manner, that they shrieked and fought like furies. +Bumps felt if she showed herself amongst them she would literally be +torn to pieces, so she lay still in her chest, her little heart panting +and throbbing with fright. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page175" name="page175"></a>[175]</span></p> + +<p> +Presently she heard voices in the church, and in a few minutes the belfry +door was flung open. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Errington had been entertaining his bishop that day, and had brought +him and a party of ladies to look at a beautiful old screen in the +church. Their consternation and amazement was considerable when the +flock of angry geese confronted them. The ladies beat a hasty retreat +behind the yew tree, and the bishop spoke sternly to the vicar, though +there was a twinkle in his eye. +</p> +<p> +"Is this usual, Errington? Is the belfry your poultry-yard?" +</p> +<p> +And poor Mr. Errington was so utterly astonished that he could not utter +a sound. +</p> +<p> +Away waddled the geese down the church-yard path, and then Bumps lifted +up her voice, and her little body too, thereby causing a second alarm. +</p> +<p> +"Pleath it's only me," she explained, climbing out of her retreat. "The +geeth were so angry, I wath quite frightened!" +</p> +<p> +"Are you a little goose girl?" asked the bishop, bending over her, +and putting his hand under her chin. +</p> +<p> +"No," said Bumps, feeling distinctly aggrieved; "I'm not a gooth at all. +It's a + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page176" name="page176"></a>[176]</span> + + game, only the thtupid geeth won't play properly!" +</p> +<p> +"I am afraid my lord," said Mr. Errington, recovering his presence of +mind, "that some young people have been making free of this belfry +without my knowledge." +</p> +<p> +Then turning to Bumps he said, "Where are your brother and sister? I +fancy they are the culprits." +</p> +<p> +"They're upstairs," said Bumps, tears filling her blue eyes, which she +vainly struggled to keep back. "They're playing the game without me. They +always does when I get left behind. The geeth wouldn't go up-stairs, +but Jack and Jill made two of them go." +</p> +<p> +"And what game are you playing?" asked the bishop gently. +</p> +<p> +"It's something about Rome and geeth that have to cackle, and an +enemy. Jack is the enemy; he is climbing up outthide, and the top is +Rome, and the geeth have to wake Jill and me up. But I've never been +athleep, and it's all no good!" +</p> +<p> +Tears dropped on her white pinafore. +</p> +<p> +The bishop looked more amused than angry. He turned to Mr. Errington— +</p> +<p> +"They say that some of our churches lead to Rome, Errington, but these +youngsters have + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page177" name="page177"></a>[177]</span> + + been early in discovering it. I should like to go up to +Rome, I think. Will you lead the way?" +</p> +<p> +So Mr. Errington obeyed, and the ladies rustled after them, taking Bumps +with them. When they came out on top, two geese were being held down +forcibly by a very hot and dirty little boy and girl. +</p> +<p> +"Stop your cackling, you brutes!" Jack was screaming. "I want you to +stop till I come up! They're no good, Jill, if they go on like this, +and they'll be flying over the tower next. What shall we do? Let us tie +their legs!" +</p> +<p> +"Jack!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Errington's tone was so sternly indignant that the boy started and +let go of his goose, which flew frantically between the bishop's legs, +knocked Bumps down, and finally took a header down the the belfry stairs. +</p> +<p> +"What do you mean by this? How dare you use this church for such +a purpose? Isn't your garden large enough for your games?" +</p> +<p> +"We haven't got a tower," mumbled Jack. +</p> +<p> +Jill broke in eagerly. "Please Mr. Errington don't be angry. We haven't +been into the church. We wouldn't think of playing games + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page178" name="page178"></a>[178]</span> + + in there. We +didn't think you'd mind up here, and it is a history game." +</p> +<p> +"It seems to me," said the bishop, looking at Mr. Errington with a twinkle +in his eye, "that you have some scamps amongst your parishioners as +well as examples. I have been hearing"—here the bishop turned to Jack +and Jill—"of some good little children that I think you would do well +to imitate. You might expend some of your superfluous zeal on following +their example. These children are steadily putting by a tenth of all +their money, and persuading many of their friends to do the same, with +the object of building a mission-room in a neglected neighbourhood!" +</p> +<p> +Jack and Jill looked at the bishop with open eyes and mouth. +</p> +<p> +"But that's <i>us</i>!" gasped Jill. +</p> +<p> +There was a moment's silence. Then the bishop's sense of humour +overcame him and he laughed loud, the ladies joining him, only Mr. +Errington preserving his gravity. +</p> +<p> +As he descended the stairs again, he said to the vicar, "One lives and +learns, Errington. I had forgotten the complex natures of children." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page179" name="page179"></a>[179]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_4_0015" id="h2H_4_0015"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + XIII +</h2> +<p class="center"> + MONA'S TENTH +</p> + +<p> +It seemed a long time to the children before Mona returned, and their +first sight of her was a distinct shock to them. +</p> +<p> +She came back with a closely-cropped head, and a white face, looking +so fragile that Bumps confided to Jack that she thought "Mona must be +nearly dying." +</p> +<p> +But her voice and laugh reassured them. +</p> +<p> +They wondered when they saw her kiss Miss Falkner. +</p> +<p> +"Do you like her very much?" asked Jack. +</p> +<p> +"<i>Very</i> much," said Mona promptly. "She came to me when I wanted her, +and it was through her that I got well again!" +</p> +<p> +"But hadn't you any doctors?" +</p> +<p> +"Miss Falkner was my doctor." +</p> +<p> +This sounded puzzling, but Mona astonished them still more by things +she said and did. She came into the school-room while the Bible-reading +was going on and asked Miss Falkner questions about it, as if she were +one of her pupils. She started having family prayers; + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page180" name="page180"></a>[180]</span> + + and then one +afternoon Jill found her trespassing again in the vicinity of "Bethel." +</p> +<p> +"I think I must join your Tenth Society, Jill. Tell me what you do." +</p> +<p> +Jill's face flushed crimson with delight. +</p> +<p> +"Will you? Do you mean it really? And will you put your tenth into the +red bag?" +</p> +<p> +Mona appeared to be considering. +</p> +<p> +"My tenth will be a big affair by the side of yours, Jill. What does +the red bag do with your money?" +</p> +<p> +"I take it to Mr. Errington every fortnight. He keeps the money. It's +for Chilton Common, you know. They do want a church there dreadfully." +</p> +<p> +"I think I must have a little talk with Mr. Errington about it." +</p> +<p> +"But you will help us to fill our bag, won't you?" +</p> +<p> +"I dare say I shall." +</p> +<p> +Mona was looking away through the pines rather dreamily as she spoke. Jill +brought her back to the subject in hand. +</p> +<p> +"And will you join us now? Properly? You will, won't you? And say the vow +by our stones like Jacob? Let me just go and tell Jack and Bumps. They +would love to hear you." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page181" name="page181"></a>[181]</span></p> + +<p> +But Mona caught hold of her as she was flying off. +</p> +<p> +"No, Jill. Grown-up people have different ways to children. It isn't +a game to me, and it means a great deal more than you could imagine. +But I like your quaint idea of raising a little Bethel under the pines +here, and if you leave me quite alone, I will take the vow in the same +place that you did. More you cannot expect from me." +</p> +<p> +"But somebody ought to hear you," objected Jill. "I am sure it's more +proper to have people looking on." +</p> +<p> +"God will hear me. Did Jacob have people near him?" +</p> +<p> +Jill was speechless. Then obediently she walked away, and waited for +her sister at the entrance to the wood. When Mona joined her there was +a soft radiancy about her face that made her look very beautiful. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Jill," she said, "a tenth seems such a miserable portion to offer +back. How shall I ever pay the debt of all the past wasted years?" +</p> +<p> +"And when will you divide your money?" asked Jill. "Do let me see you do +it. And if it's too difficult, Miss Falkner is very good at sums. She'll +do it for you." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page182" name="page182"></a>[182]</span></p> + +<p> +"I shall go and see Mr. Errington this afternoon. You must be patient, +Jill. All in good time." +</p> +<p> +The next day the children were walking out in the village with Miss +Falkner when they met the vicar. +</p> +<p> +He beamed when he saw them. +</p> +<p> +"Have you heard the good news?" he said. "Miss Baron did not bind me to +secrecy. Perhaps she has told you herself?" +</p> +<p> +"I think I know," said Jill, nodding wisely. +</p> +<p> +"I have written to a builder, an old friend of mine, and asked him to +come over at once and talk it out with me. Now the money is forthcoming +we shall soon have the mission-room." +</p> +<p> +"What!" cried Jill. "Have you got enough money to build it?" +</p> +<p> +"Indeed I have. And we'll have it up in no time." +</p> +<p> +"I wonder how the people will like it," said Miss Falkner meditatively. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Errington looked quickly at her. +</p> +<p> +"A month ago I should have had heart-sinkings on that point. But I assure +you it is their chief topic at present when I go over to them. I fancy +sometimes they expect it to bring to them more temporal than spiritual + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page183" name="page183"></a>[183]</span> + + food; but it is owing to a visit from these small people that their +antagonism has vanished." +</p> +<p> +"But who—how have you got the money, Mr. Errington?" inquired Jack. +</p> +<p> +"Ask your sister. She may enlighten you." +</p> +<p> +"It is Mona's tenth!" exclaimed Jill, capering up and down in delight. +"How soon will it be built, Mr. Errington, next week?" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Errington laughed as he went his way. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, you young people! So hot and impatient, so quick to resolve and +carry out. I wish I could instill some of your spirits into the sluggish +natures that I have to deal with!" +</p> +<p> +The children could do little else but talk of Chilton Common all that day. +</p> +<p> +"And now," said Jack, "if all the money is got for the church, where is +our tenth money to go to?" +</p> +<p> +"I think it will be some time before everything will be bought," said +Miss Falkner. "You must remember there will be lots of things wanted +inside the mission-room; seats—hassocks, perhaps—lamps, and all kinds +of other articles. Mr. Errington will like to get your money for some +time to come, I am sure." +</p> +<p> +"And there are always the heathen to send it to," said Jill. "They never +come to an end, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page184" name="page184"></a>[184]</span> + + do they, Miss Falkner? You send your money to them always, +don't you?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes," Miss Falkner replied. "I feel more drawn towards them. At home here +in England there are so many to teach and help the ignorant ones. Out +abroad there are millions still out of reach of help and Christianity." +</p> +<p> +Jill looked grave. +</p> +<p> +"And how much money does it take exactly to make a heathen a Christian, +Miss Falkner?" +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner smiled. +</p> +<p> +"I can't tell you, Jill. There is the cost of a missionary going out; +he or she are the means, with God's help, of converting a heathen. But +every little helps." +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Errington says the Chilton Common people are heathen!" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, dear, he means they are living without any thought of God." +</p> +<p> +"But we did that before you came to us. Really and truly, Miss Falkner, +we never thought about God at all. And I'm afraid I didn't want to. You +see no one had told us about the Golden City. And I didn't know that +Jesus loved us so, and would help us, and keep on forgiving us." +</p> +<p> +Jill's face was earnest and sweet. Her governess stooped and kissed her. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page185" name="page185"></a>[185]</span></p> + +<p> +"But you know about it now, dear, and you must try to help others who +are still ignorant." +</p> +<p> +Jill nodded, then ran away to play. +</p> +<p> +Autumn came, and then winter. Mr. Errington's energy never flagged; +and it was a happy day for the children when the foundation-stone was +laid for the mission-room on Chilton Common. +</p> +<p> +Mona was asked to lay it, but for some time she hesitated, and suggested +that Jill should do it instead. Jill flatly refused, and Miss Falkner +encouraged her in her refusal. +</p> +<p> +"I do not hold with children being placed in prominent positions," she +said to Mona when they were talking the matter over. "Jill is a clever +child, and wants to be repressed rather than pushed forward. I am glad +to see she has the good sense to be shy of such a ceremony." +</p> +<p> +"But I am such a beginner," said Mona humbly. "I have never gone in +for good works, and lots of my friends—even Miss Webb—think that my +illness has left my brain a little weak and queer." +</p> +<p> +"Your friends could not think laying a foundation-stone queer conduct. And +if they do, what does it matter?" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page186" name="page186"></a>[186]</span></p> + +<p> +The children were having their talk about it round the school-room fire. +</p> +<p> +"I shouldn't like to lay a foundation-stone," said Jack. "Fancy, if you +put it a little crooked, then the whole place would tumble down! Sam +told me so." +</p> +<p> +"I should love to build it all," said Jill. "Sticking bricks and stones +into clay or wet stuff is lovely! But I couldn't do it with a lot of +people and clergymen looking on. I hate people staring!" +</p> +<p> +"Is it the very bottomest thtone of all?" questioned Bumps with big eyes. +</p> +<p> +"Of course, stupid!" said Jack. "Do you think it would be the top one?" +</p> +<p> +"I asked Mr. Errington what it was going to be called," said Jill. "He +says he doesn't want exactly a church there, because he wants to give +them tea and magic lanterns in the winter, so it's a mission-room, +and do you know what he says we can call it? The Bethel Mission-room." +</p> +<p> +Jack and Bumps set up a cheer at once. +</p> +<p> +"It's called after our stones," went on Jill proudly. "Mr. Errington +said it had been built by tenths. And he told me the meaning of Bethel, +which I didn't know before." +</p> +<p> +"What does it mean?" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page187" name="page187"></a>[187]</span></p> + +<p> +"The house of God." +</p> +<p> +There was silence for a minute, then Jack said slowly— +</p> +<p> +"But our place under the pines isn't that." +</p> +<p> +"I like to think it is sometimes," said Jill quietly. +</p> +<p> +The day came at last for the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone. Even +Miss Webb, who viewed most of Mona's proceedings now with raised eyebrows, +entered into the spirit of it with real heartiness. +</p> +<p> +When they drove out to the desolate spot all the inhabitants of the +Common were there, and Jack and Jill walked amongst them, greeting them +as old friends. +</p> +<p> +Mona performed her part very gracefully. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Errington had a good many friends present, but none enjoyed it all +so much as the children. +</p> +<p> +"This is only the very beginning of it," Jill confided to a rough specimen +of girlhood, who had been making depreciatory remarks, after the service +was over. "You wait till your room is built, then you'll see." +</p> +<p> +"What shall us see? A parson in a pulpit?" +</p> +<p> +"You'll see the way to the Golden City," Jill said enthusiastically. "And +Mr. Errington + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page188" name="page188"></a>[188]</span> + + will be always telling you about it till you all set out +and go. And he'll give you teas and magic lanterns. I wish I lived here +to see the workmen build it. I should come and watch them every day, and +make them hurry." +</p> +<p> +As they drove home in the carriage with Mona they heard a startling bit +of news. +</p> +<p> +It was Miss Webb who began talking of the room. +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Errington is quite down at leaving. He told me it is only his wife's +health that takes him. He hopes to hurry on the building—but I doubt +if it will be finished before the New Year. It is strange that as soon +as he gets his desire about this wild bit of his parish that he should +have to leave it." +</p> +<p> +"Is Mr. Errington going away?" asked Jill breathlessly. +</p> +<p> +Mona looked at her gravely as she answered— +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I suppose you can all know it now. You can't be as sorry as I +am. I was just getting to like him so." +</p> +<p> +Miss Webb gave a little laugh. +</p> +<p> +"It wasn't so long ago that you used to vote him a bore, my dear. There +are plenty of clergy. We must hope for one as good." +</p> +<p> +"But," cried Jill, "he can't go away. Who + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page189" name="page189"></a>[189]</span> + + is to take our bag every +Saturday? And the room is for him to preach in. Oh, how dreadful of him +to go!" +</p> +<p> +"Lady Crane has the gift of the living, has she not?" said Miss Webb, +addressing Mona. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I believe so," said Mona listlessly. +</p> +<p> +"Perhaps she may give it to Cecil Arnold. He is her nephew!" +</p> +<p> +A rich colour came into Mona's cheeks. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, no," she said confusedly. "Why should she? Besides, he would never +leave his work in the north." +</p> +<p> +Miss Webb nodded her head knowingly. +</p> +<p> +"Wait and see, my dear; wait and see!" +</p> +<p> +It was a great blow to the children, and as soon as lessons were over +the next morning Jack and Jill ran off to the Vicarage as hard as they +could go. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Errington received them; her husband was out. +</p> +<p> +"We don't know what to do," Jill said breathlessly. "If Mr. Errington +goes away, we can't get on at all. Do beg him not to. Why does he go?" +</p> +<p> +"My dear child, we are both very loth to leave, but circumstances are +against us. I have been told by the doctors that I shall never be better +here. If we take this other living + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page190" name="page190"></a>[190]</span> + + offered to us, I may be able to help +Mr. Errington instead of being a constant source of anxiety to him." +</p> +<p> +"It's the bag," Jill said; "it's the bag I am thinking of. I can't bring +it to a strange clergyman. I hate strangers! It's too bad of you!" +</p> +<p> +Jill actually began to cry. +</p> +<p> +"You see," explained Jack, "some people laugh at us. Now Mr. Errington +never did. He understood from the very beginning. Mona used to laugh, +but she doesn't now. Miss Webb always does. She told Jill she was a +Mrs. Judas, for she kept the bag. Mona scolded her. And Sir Henry Talbot +always teases us. He asks if we have taken up any more trespassers. They +think themselves very funny, but we don't think them funny, we hate +them when they talk so." +</p> +<p> +"I am sure no clergyman would laugh at you," said Mrs. Errington +gently. "We will tell our successor all about you, and he will be only +too glad to help you in every way he can." +</p> +<p> +"But what will you tell him about us?" asked Jill, drying her eyes. "You +won't tell him of our scrapes, will you? Say that we always mean to be +good, it's just accidents happening when we aren't. And tell him he has + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page191" name="page191"></a>[191]</span> + + just to take the money and use it for God, and ask no questions. Because, +when the room is built our money will still be going on. We shall never +stop, you know. We're not like Sam's father. He says his cabbages are +done, and he can't grow any more in the winter. But I know he has got +some turnips, and I'm going to talk to him about them. Oh, I do wish +you weren't going away!" +</p> +<p> +It was the general wish in the village, and there was great concern +amongst all Mr. Errington's parishioners. His church was never so full +as during the two months before his departure, and as Bumps pathetically +remarked— +</p> +<p> +"There'll be no one like him in church ever again. There never are twos +of anybody, except twins, and Mr. Errington isn't a twin." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page192" name="page192"></a>[192]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_4_0016" id="h2H_4_0016"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + XIV +</h2> +<p class="center"> + "YOU AND YOUR RED BAG ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF IT ALL!" +</p> + +<p> +Mona was looking out of the drawing-room window one fine bright frosty +afternoon, when she saw Jill tearing out of the stable-yard with the +large carriage-whip in her hand. +</p> +<p> +Her face was almost as red as her Tam o' Shanter, and Mona exclaimed to +Miss Webb— +</p> +<p> +"I wonder what is the matter! Jill is in one of her tempers. I hope she +is not going to wreak vengeance on any human being." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, let her alone," said Miss Webb. "She must have an explosion now +and then, for the way she bottles up her spirits now is marvellous. +Miss Falkner seems to have no complaint to find with any of them. It is +not natural." +</p> +<p> +Mona laughed lightly, but putting on a wrap she slipped out of the +house and crossed the lawn. Angry voices led her to the pine wood. +There before the trespassers' board she found + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page193" name="page193"></a>[193]</span> + + Jill brandishing her whip +with fury in her face. Jack was by her side, armed with a stout stick; +and Bumps, well in the rear, was picking up fir cones, and throwing them +wildly at everybody. +</p> +<p> +Two workmen were the aggressors; the pile of stones was scattered on +the ground, and they seemed to be enjoying the children's wrath. +</p> +<p> +"Who put those stones up?" Jill was screaming. "<i>I</i> did, and you're +thieves to touch them!" +</p> +<p> +"But they comed from that there wall," argued the younger of the men; "and +us have orders to build it up. 'Twasn't business of yours to take them +stones from the wall. Back they shall go, or my name isn't Jim Hall!" +</p> +<p> +"You dare to touch one!" shouted Jack. "Come on and try, we're ready +for you!" +</p> +<p> +"You're trespassers and thieves!" cried Jill. "Come on! I have my +whip ready!" +</p> + +<div class="figure"> +<a name="image-0008"><!--IMG--></a> +<a href="images/image06.jpg"><img src="images/image06s.jpg" width="300" height="440" +title="'You're Trespassers and Thieves.'" +alt="'YOU'RE TRESPASSERS AND THIEVES.'" /></a> +<br /> +'YOU'RE TRESPASSERS AND THIEVES.' +</div> + +<p> +It was at this juncture Mona stepped up. Directly she appeared, Jill +dashed forward. +</p> +<p> +"Look at these men, they've pulled down our stones! They did it on +purpose! They saw the board and they laughed at it. They are cheeking +us now." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page194" name="page194"></a>[194]</span></p> + +<p> +"Hush!" said Mona. Then turning to the men she asked very quietly, +"Are you working for me?" +</p> +<p> +The elder touched his cap. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, ma'am—leastways for Mr. Courtney." +</p> +<p> +"What did Mr. Courtney tell you to do?" +</p> +<p> +"To make good that there stone wall, ma'am." +</p> +<p> +"Then why are you here?" +</p> +<p> +"We thought best to take what stones we could from here?" +</p> +<p> +"That was quite unnecessary. You had better put together that pile that +you have destroyed. I will wait here till you have done it." +</p> +<p> +But Jill objected. +</p> +<p> +"They shan't touch one of them with their dirty hands! I will do it +myself. Oh, Mona, it's a shame of them! They deserve a good thrashing. +If I were a man I would give it to them!" +</p> +<p> +Mona put her hand on Jill's shoulder. +</p> +<p> +"Gently, dear! I am sorry about it, but they did not understand. If you +don't want them here they can return to their work!" +</p> +<p> +"I never wish to see them again," was the vehement retort. "I—I—feel +like Elijah. I + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page195" name="page195"></a>[195]</span> + + should like to call down fire from heaven to burn them up!" +</p> +<p> +Jill's passion was great. Mona wisely said nothing till the workmen had +disappeared, then she remarked— +</p> +<p> +"When you have put your pile of stones straight, Jill, you can run and +find Sam for me. I will tell him to make a little fence round this, +and then you will have no more trespassers." +</p> +<p> +She walked away, for she judged rightly that work would soon subdue +Jill's excitement. The idea of the fence delighted the children, and +they set to work with a will. +</p> +<p> +"Nobody dared to touch Jacob's stones, I know," said Jill; who could +not quite get over the act of sacrilege, as she considered it. +</p> +<p> +"Well," observed Jack, "the Bible mightn't tell about it, you see. He +had no fence." +</p> +<p> +"I know it was always there," persisted Jill, "because Miss Falkner told +me that Jacob went back there after, and made a proper altar." +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Jack triumphantly; "because the other one had been knocked +down. Of course he did." +</p> +<p> +Jill pondered, as she tried to build up the stones in a tidy form. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page196" name="page196"></a>[196]</span></p> + +<p> +"Then," she said, "we must have a proper altar, and I'll get some of the +mortar that those horrid men are using for their wall. We'll wait till +they have gone to their tea, and then we'll do it." +</p> +<p> +A resolve once taken by Jill was generally carried out. The three children +came in to their school-room tea triumphant. +</p> +<p> +"We've been building," announced Bumps, "and the thtones are all thtucked +together!" +</p> +<p> +"And Sam is going to make a fence round, and no one will be let in!" added +Jack: +</p> +<p> +"And if the clergyman that's coming isn't nice, I've thought of a lovely +plan for our bag; but it's a secret, and I'll tell you, Miss Falkner, +to-night when I'm in bed!" +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner asked for an explanation of these fragmentary sentences, +and her little pupils gradually enlightened her. +</p> +<p> +When Jill was in bed, she made her governess stoop down, and putting +her arms round her neck, whispered— +</p> +<p> +"I've left a hole amongst the stones at the back, and I can cover it up by +fixing in a loose stone. So I thought my red bag would go in beautifully, +and then it would really be taken care of by God Himself. It couldn't be +in a nicer place, could it? It would be like the ark + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page197" name="page197"></a>[197]</span> + + in the tabernacle—in +a holy place. And I'm not going to tell Bumps or Jack. Jack tells Bumps +everything, and Bumps tells everybody else!" +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner looked rather doubtful over the wisdom of this, but Jill +seemed in such delight over the idea that she had not the heart to damp +her spirits. +</p> +<p> +But before leaving her, she said very gently— +</p> +<p> +"How has your walk been to-day, Jill? A few stumbles, I am afraid." +</p> +<p> +"Yes," whispered Jill. "I've told God I was sorry, only I was what the +Bible calls 'righteously angry.' I would like to have called down fire +from heaven upon those men. I told Mona so." +</p> +<p> +"But Jill, that was not 'righteous' at all. The men made a mistake. You +should have spoken gently to them." +</p> +<p> +"No," said Jill, "they meant to do it, and they laughed at it, and I +believe Sam's father is as bad. Since his cabbages are gone, he won't +pay up his tenth, and he says we have a heathen altar!" +</p> +<p> +Jill's cheeks began to get hot and red. Miss Falkner stooped down and +kissed her. +</p> +<p> +"If your Bethel is going to make you get + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page198" name="page198"></a>[198]</span> + + angry—if it makes you trip and +stumble on your way to the Golden City, it had better be destroyed at +once." +</p> +<p> +Jill looked up with big eyes. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Miss Falkner! How can you?" +</p> +<p> +"You mustn't make an idol of it, Jill, or you will be the heathen. You +grieve Jesus Christ by your hot temper. Perhaps you think more of your +'Bethel' than you do of Him!" +</p> +<p> +"I'm afraid I did to-day," acknowledged Jill with shame. +</p> +<p> +Then when her governess had left her, she put down her hot cheek upon the +pillow, and murmured, "I'm afraid it wasn't 'righteous' anger after all." +</p> +<p> +The Christmas holidays came and went. Mona was much more with her little +brother and sisters in Miss Falkner's absence. Every morning she came +into the school-room, and had the Bible-reading with them. They got +into many scrapes in their leisure moments, but on the whole were far +better behaved than formerly. In the beginning of the New Year the +"Bethel Mission-room" was opened. Perhaps to the inhabitants of Chilton +Common it lacked a little of the excitement and gaiety with which it had +been painted by Jack and Jill; but it was a very enjoyable day to all, +and a sit-down + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page199" name="page199"></a>[199]</span> + + tea was given to young and old, at which, of course, Jill +was very much to the fore. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Errington left very soon afterwards, and for two months his successor +was not known. +</p> +<p> +Then one afternoon, when the children were roasting chestnuts over the +school-room fire, and Miss Falkner was writing a letter to her mother, +Mona appeared at the door. +</p> +<p> +"I want to introduce our new vicar," she said very quietly. +</p> +<p> +The children jumped up from the hearth-rug in the greatest state of +excitement. +</p> +<p> +"Why!" exclaimed Jill, as a tall broad-shouldered figure followed their +sister into the room, "it's the trespasser!" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I am afraid it is," said Mr. Arnold in his deep and hearty +voice. "But we parted friends, did we not?" +</p> +<p> +"I should think we did just! Why we would rather have you as our clergyman +than any one else in the whole world!" +</p> +<p> +"Come! That's satisfactory. I did not think I would have so warm +a welcome!" +</p> +<p> +"Do you like chestnuts?" asked Jack, holding out a charred one between +two grubby fingers. +</p> +<p> +"Don't I?" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page200" name="page200"></a>[200]</span></p> + +<p> +In a moment Mr. Arnold was down on the rug like a school-boy, and the +children's tongues went fast. Mona looked on smiling; then she said to +Miss Falkner— +</p> +<p> +"What is the fascination of roasting chestnuts, I wonder. Why do all +children love it so? You burn your fingers and the chestnuts, eat more +ashes than anything else, and scorch your face to pieces!" +</p> +<p> +"I think it is the love of cooking them," said Miss Falkner. +</p> +<p> +"It is the danger and difficulty surrounding the undertaking," said +Mr. Arnold, rescuing two chestnuts that had rolled over into the +fire. "Difficulties stimulate children, they do not deter them." +</p> +<p> +"I wish," said Mona thoughtfully, "they always stimulated me." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Arnold looked at her, but Jill broke in impetuously. +</p> +<p> +"Do you know about the Bethel Mission-room, Mr. Arnold? Will you go +there on Sunday and preach to the people?" +</p> +<p> +He nodded. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I have heard all about it from Mr. Errington, also about a certain +red bag." +</p> +<p> +"Ah!" exclaimed Jack; "Jill has hidden that bag away somewhere since +Mr. Errington + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page201" name="page201"></a>[201]</span> + + went. I say it isn't fair, and Bumps and I aren't going to +give her any more money till she tells us where it is." +</p> +<p> +"Yeth," echoed Bumps, "and we've looked everywhere, and Jill says, +she won't give it to another clergyman unleth he is nith!" +</p> +<p> +"Am I nice?" asked Mr. Arnold, with one of his sudden smiles. +</p> +<p> +Jill looked at him gravely. +</p> +<p> +"I will bring it to you every Saturday," she said, "even if there's only +a few half-pennies. But Sam gives us two shillings, and Annie threepence, +and Norah and Rose give us some when we see them, so sometimes we have +quite a lot. Only you'll tell us what you're going to do with it, +won't you?" +</p> +<p> +"Indeed, I will. We will have a long talk about it." +</p> +<p> +"And how are all your boys and girls?" asked Jill. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Arnold's face shadowed instantly. He was looking ill and careworn; +it was only in talking to the children that his face lightened up. +</p> +<p> +"Ah," he said; "my poor people! Don't remind me of them. Nothing but +the doctor's orders would have made me leave them." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page202" name="page202"></a>[202]</span></p> + +<p> +Then speaking to Miss Falkner, he said— +</p> +<p> +"I have been ill, otherwise you would not have seen me here. As it is, +I fear I shall not find sufficient scope for my energies!" +</p> +<p> +"You have over a thousand in your parish," said Mona, "and Chilton Common +and other outlying districts in addition. I should think there was scope +enough for one man's energies, especially as that man has already had +a serious breakdown. Now come and have some tea. Miss Webb will wonder +what we are doing." +</p> +<p> +Mona carried him off, and the children did not see him again for some +time. +</p> +<p> +"Miss Falkner," asked Jill one day, "why doesn't Miss Webb like +Mr. Arnold? She doesn't, you know." +</p> +<p> +"Nonsense, Jill, you mustn't have such fancies." +</p> +<p> +"But it isn't fancy. I was looking at <i>Punch</i> in the drawing-room window +seat yesterday, and Miss Webb said to Mona, 'Well, all I can say is, that +I wish Cecil Arnold had rather gone to Timbuctoo than come here.' And +Mona said, 'Nonsense!' like you said just now, and Miss Webb said, +'I see the end. I shouldn't have been afraid a year ago.' And then she + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page203" name="page203"></a>[203]</span> + + said she was sorry for poor Sir Henry Talbot. Now what did she mean, +Miss Falkner? What is the end going to be?" +</p> +<p> +"You shouldn't listen to grown-up people's talk, Jill." +</p> +<p> +"But I couldn't help hearing." +</p> +<p> +"Then you should never repeat what you hear." +</p> +<p> +Jill subsided. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Arnold delighted Jill's heart a few Sundays after his arrival by +taking for his text the words: "Then the people rejoiced, for that they +offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to +the Lord. +</p> +<p> +"But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer +so willingly after this sort, for all things come of Thee and of Thine +own have we given Thee." +</p> +<p> +He spoke of the different things people received from God, and how very +few of them they offered back, and then in plain and simple words he +touched upon the system of tenth-giving. +</p> +<p> +"There is not a little boy or girl in this church, however poor; there +is not a landed proprietor, however rich, who cannot side by side give +this small portion of what they receive to the service of God. The +poorest labourer + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page204" name="page204"></a>[204]</span> + + can spare a tenth; he will be blessed in giving it, +and joy will be his portion." +</p> +<p> +And then he astonished his congregation by saying he would be in his +vestry every Saturday evening from six to eight, to accept the tenths +of any of his parishioners who liked to bring them to him. +</p> +<p> +There was great discussion amongst his congregation afterwards. +</p> +<p> +"I have no patience with these new-fangled notions," said Miss Webb. +"Cecil always did ride a hobby, and this money question is utterly +ridiculous. We are not Jews, thank goodness!" +</p> +<p> +"I think he is right," said Mona quietly. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, of course you do, my dear. He will be able to twist you round his +little finger now." +</p> +<p> +Mona was silent. Jill burst in opportunely— +</p> +<p> +"I shall take my red bag every Saturday to him, Mona. I wonder if anybody +else will be there." +</p> +<p> +"You and your red bag are at the bottom of it all I do believe, +Jill!" said Miss Webb laughing. "This wonderful Bethel of yours is +turning every one crazy!" +</p> +<p> +Jill did not like to be laughed at. She walked on with dignity, and did +not mention the subject again. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page205" name="page205"></a>[205]</span></p> + +<div><a name="h2H_4_0017" id="h2H_4_0017"><!-- H2 anchor --></a></div> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + XV +</h2> +<p class="center"> + "WORN OUT IN A GOOD SERVICE" +</p> + +<p> +Lessons and play were the daily routine now. The children kept out of +scrapes wonderfully. Perhaps it was Miss Falkner's quick interference +before real harm was done, or perhaps it was as she liked to hope, +her pupils were getting more considerate of other people's feelings. +</p> +<p> +"It is their lively imagination, and their passion for acting out what +they hear or read, that works such mischief," Miss Falkner said to Mona +one day when they were talking over the children. "They are reckless +of consequences. Future results are never taken into consideration." +</p> +<p> +She said this when she had just stopped Jack from lighting a fire in +the loft. +</p> +<p> +He was a prisoner in hiding, he informed her, and he was going to cook +himself a meal. Bumps had been foraging for him, and had brought him +a raw piece of bacon. +</p> +<p> +"I was going to be most careful," he informed her. "Of course I wouldn't +light the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page206" name="page206"></a>[206]</span> + + hay. I pushed it all away, and had got quite an empty corner!" +</p> +<p> +But one day the children's energies were turned in another direction. They +were all devoted to Mr. Arnold, and as he lived alone with an old +housekeeper who was really fond of children, they very often found their +way over to the vicarage. Sometimes he invited them to tea with him, +and it was when they returned one evening from this dissipation that +they announced in the drawing-room— +</p> +<p> +"We are going to get Mr. Arnold a wife!" +</p> +<p> +Miss Webb exploded with laughter. She was reading the newspaper over +the fire. Mona was consulting with Miss Falkner at a table near about +a certain girls' club in the village that she wished to start. She +turned with a look of horror at the speaker, who of course was Jill; +Miss Falkner was too accustomed to her pupils' speeches to be surprised. +</p> +<p> +"Yes," put in Jack. "There ought to be a Mrs. Arnold, like Mrs. Errington; +we told him so!" +</p> +<p> +"To make his tea," said Bumps breathlessly, "and knit his thocks!" +</p> +<p> +"And have a pretty drawing-room and flowers," said Jill. "He doesn't +sit in the drawing-room like Mr. Errington did. He sits in his + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page207" name="page207"></a>[207]</span> + + study, and +there ought to be a Mrs. Arnold to help him in the village." +</p> +<p> +"And what are your vicar's opinions on this important subject?" asked +Miss Webb. +</p> +<p> +"We've told him we'll get him one. We know more people than he does, and +we know just the sort he wants. She must be just like Mrs. Errington, +only not an invalid." +</p> +<p> +"And we aren't going to tell," said Jack wisely, "but we've picked +out somebody." +</p> +<p> +"Yeth, and we're going to thend her to Mr. Arnold to-morrow!" burst +forth Bumps excitedly. +</p> +<p> +Miss Webb threw up her hands in mock astonishment. +</p> +<p> +"Really! You don't mean it! And when is the wedding going to be?" +</p> +<p> +Mona here interposed. +</p> +<p> +"Jill, you are old enough to know better. You must not go to the vicarage +at all, if you talk such nonsense." +</p> +<p> +"It isn't nonsense!" Jill said indignantly. "Mr. Arnold wants a wife, +he said he did; and we're going to find one for him." +</p> +<p> +She rushed out of the room like a small whirlwind. +</p> +<p> +"Who is the happy lady, Jack?" asked Miss Webb inquisitively. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page208" name="page208"></a>[208]</span></p> + +<p> +Jack was silent. +</p> +<p> +"Miss Falkner, you will have to assert your authority and stop this," +said Mona, half laughing, yet half vexed. +</p> +<p> +"Let's tell, Jack," said Bumps, who loved giving information. +</p> +<p> +But Jack shook his head. +</p> +<p> +"We didn't even tell Mr. Arnold; we said we would send him some one +to-morrow." +</p> +<p> +"And have you told her her fate?" asked Miss Webb. +</p> +<p> +"Jill is going to see Miss Grant in the morning," said Jack with dignity, +and not perceiving he had let the cat out of the bag. +</p> +<p> +Miss Webb began to laugh afresh, and even Mona smiled. Miss Grant was a +lady between fifty and sixty who was an indefatigable parish worker, +but whose strong will and love of interference had always been a sore +trial to her vicar. +</p> +<p> +"You think she'll make him a good wife?" Miss Webb said, trying to draw +the children out. +</p> +<p> +"She's just the sort to make tea," said Jack, "and she'll be much more +help to him than Mrs. Errington would be, or any one else." +</p> +<p> +"I think you will have to keep certain small + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page209" name="page209"></a>[209]</span> + + people hard at lessons +to-morrow, Miss Falkner. This proposed visit must be nipped in the bud." +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner took her charges off to the school-room and presently +Jill appeared. +</p> +<p> +She seemed to have forgotten the subject under discussion, for she was +full of a plan she had talked over with Mr. Arnold of supporting a +children's cot in the local hospital. +</p> +<p> +"And my bag will begin it, like it did the Bethel Room. Don't you think +it lovely?" +</p> +<p> +Just before the children went to bed, Miss Falkner picked up an old +copy-book an the floor of Jill's bedroom. She did not often look at +her scribblings, but the first words startled her: +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "<span class="sc">Dear Miss Grant</span>,"— +</p> +<p> +She read on, with an anxious face, yet with a keen sense of humour— +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "We've been having tea with Mr. Arnold. We think you had better + be his wife. He has not anybody to do things like Mrs. Errington + did, and we told him we would find a wife for him. We said + we would send her to-morrow. He wants a wife, and so he will + expect you. Please tell him you came from us. And have + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page210" name="page210"></a>[210]</span> + + your + wedding-day very soon, because we shall all come and see you + married. Mr. Arnold told us we could do this, so it is not wrong. +</p> +<p class="quote" style="text-align:right;"> + "Your affectionate friend, +<br /> + "<span class="sc">Jill Baron</span>. +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "P.S.—Jack and Bumps and I chose you, and we know Mr. Arnold + will be pleased." +</p> +<p> +"Jill," said Miss Falkner sharply, "what is this?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh," said Jill unconcernedly, "it's a copy of a letter I sent Miss +Grant. I wanted to do it neatly, so I wrote it in there first." +</p> +<p> +"But you have never sent it?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I did. Annie was going out, and she took it to the post." +</p> +<p> +"But Jill, that was very naughty." +</p> +<p> +"Why?" +</p> +<p> +"You know why. Your sister was very vexed at your talking about such +things. I don't know what she will say now. You must come and tell her +what you have done." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I can't; please don't make me—Miss Webb will laugh. It isn't +naughty. We simply <i>love</i> Mr. Arnold. And why shouldn't he have a wife +as well as Mr. Errington? He didn't mind us doing it." +</p> +<p> +"He never told you to write to Miss Grant." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page211" name="page211"></a>[211]</span></p> + +<p> +"No, because it was only afterwards that we thought of her." +</p> +<p> +Miss Falkner, in spite of her entreaties, took her straight to Mona, +who was in her bedroom dressing for dinner. +</p> +<p> +"I have brought Jill to tell you what she has done, as I think you ought +to know." +</p> +<p> +And then Miss Falkner left the little delinquent, who stood copy-book +in hand with hanging head before her eldest sister. +</p> +<p> +"It's—it's a letter I've sent to Miss Grant," said Jill. +</p> +<p> +Mona took the copy-book from her. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Jill!" she exclaimed in real distress. "This is really very naughty +of you. You may make a great deal of mischief, and annoy Miss Grant +extremely. I don't know how we can put it straight." +</p> +<p> +"I don't see what I've done wrong," said Jill stubbornly. +</p> +<p> +"Little girls have no business to interfere with grown-up people. I don't +know what Miss Grant will think; I must see Miss Falkner. Ask her to +come here, and you had better go straight to bed." +</p> +<p> +"It's always the way," Jill confided to Bumps when they were both in +bed that evening; "everything I do turns out wrong. Children + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page212" name="page212"></a>[212]</span> + + can't be kind +to grown-up people. It's no good to try. They won't let them. And Mr. +Arnold will never have a wife, if he doesn't have Miss Grant. There's +no one else like her." +</p> +<p> +"But you sent her a letter," said Bumps comfortingly. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, but Mona is going to do something dreadful to-morrow. I know +she is." +</p> +<p> +As a matter of fact Mona did nothing. She felt powerless to act. Miss +Webb counselled silence. She seemed to be enjoying the whole thing; +Miss Falkner spent nearly an hour in bringing Jill to reason, but she +repented of some of her words when they happened to meet Mr. Arnold in +their morning walk. Jill flew to him at once. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I'm so sorry. I really did it for the best. I told Miss Grant to go +to you, but Miss Falkner says I oughtn't to have anything to do with +husbands and wives. She says Miss Grant will be made uncomfortable and +so will you; and I wouldn't make you uncomfortable for <i>worlds</i>!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Arnold looked at first as if he did not know what she was talking +about; then he began to laugh, and his laugh was so infectious that +Miss Falkner could not help joining him. +</p> +<p> +Jill eagerly continued to explain— +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page213" name="page213"></a>[213]</span></p> + +<p> +"Hasn't she been to you? Then perhaps it is all right. I'll never try to +find a wife for you again. Miss Falkner says wives can't be found like +we thought, and she says God is the only one that can find one for you." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Arnold looked perfectly coolly into Miss +Falkner's face. +</p> +<p> +"Thank you," he said. "I believe in that too. My little friends were too +anxious on my behalf. And as to Miss Grant, I wish her a more suitable +partner than myself, Jill. Is your sister in? I want to ask her about +a parish matter." +</p> +<p> +He left them, and crossed the pine wood to reach the house, but he never +got there, for he saw Mona leaning against the new wooden fence looking +with dreamy, wistful eyes at the children's "Bethel," and he went straight +to her. +</p> +<p> +The scent of the pines, the pale blue sky behind them, and the quiet +sacredness of the spot rested and soothed Mona's soul. She turned at +the sound of his footsteps, but never changed her position; when he +looked into her face he found her eyes were full of tears. +</p> +<p> +"I come here when life is difficult," she said, trying to speak lightly. +"I have been thinking over Christ's words, 'How hardly shall they + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page214" name="page214"></a>[214]</span> + + that +have riches enter into the kingdom of God.' I long sometimes to ease +myself of the burden and responsibility of my money, by casting it to +the winds. Can you advise me? I want to be a faithful steward. What +shall I do?" +</p> +<p> +Cecil Arnold's opportunity had come. +</p> +<p> +It was some days before the children knew the result of that +interview. They were all three tidying up their "Bethel," which Miss +Webb said now reminded her of a small church-yard, when they saw their +sister and Mr. Arnold slowly approach them. +</p> +<p> +They were close to the fence before they noticed the children, then Mona +started, a rich colour came into her cheeks and she tried to withdraw +her hand from Mr. Arnold's arm. He held it fast, and said to her with +a twinkle in his eye— +</p> +<p> +"Allow me to receive my congratulations. I must enlighten them." +</p> +<p> +"Two trespassers again, Jill!" he called out. "May we come inside +your gate?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Jill, stopping in her feat of brushing dead leaves away; +"you and Mona aren't trespassers, for you belong to our Tenth Society, +and you don't laugh at our 'Bethel.'" +</p> +<p> +"Laugh at it?" said Mona tremulously. "I shall bless it all my days!" +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page215" name="page215"></a>[215]</span></p> + +<p> +Then Mr. Arnold spoke, and his voice was hushed and reverent, though +there was a glad light in his eye. +</p> +<p> +"I thought you children would like to know whom God has graciously given +to me as a wife." +</p> +<p> +"Why it's Mona!" +</p> +<p> +Surprise and delight were in the children's faces. +</p> +<p> +Jill exclaimed—"I never should have thought of Mona. She doesn't seem +like a clergyman's wife, but it's awfully nice." +</p> +<p> +"Why don't I please you?" Mona asked. "Not good enough, I know." +</p> +<p> +"Well, I think you're too smiling and—and too young." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Arnold laughed. +</p> +<p> +"And I am too old and grave. But, Jill, as a boy and girl we promised +to marry each other, so we are only keeping our promise." +</p> +<p> +"Why have you been so long before you did it?" asked Jill with interest. +</p> +<p> +That question remained unanswered. +</p> +<p> +Jack and Jill were full of excitement and curiosity. Bumps was the only +one who seemed disappointed. +</p> +<p> +"We can't never find a wife for him now, he hath found hithelf one!" she +lamented. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page216" name="page216"></a>[216]</span></p> + +<p> +She and Jill were standing by their lodge gate next day when they saw +Miss Grant coming along. For one moment Jill thought of flight, then +she bravely stood her ground. They had been bowling their hoops along, +and were a little breathless with their run. Miss Grant looked at them +severely, then came across the road to them. +</p> +<p> +"Jill," she said, "what do you mean by writing me such a letter? Who told +you to do it? I am surprised that a little girl of your age should act +so forwardly!" +</p> +<p> +Jill got crimson at once. +</p> +<p> +"It was all a mistake, please," she said, "and I'm sorry you got it. We +were trying hard to find Mr. Arnold a wife." +</p> +<p> +"Who put you up to it?" demanded Miss Grant. "I consider it a grave +insult, and I was thinking of seeing your sister about the matter. She +and your governess don't know how to keep you in order." +</p> +<p> +"No one put me up to it," replied Jill eagerly. "I made a mistake, +and it's a good thing you didn't go to him. Please forget it." +</p> +<p> +"Yeth," put in Bumps with an emphatic nod of the head, "he didn't want +you after all, becauth he has got Mona." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page217" name="page217"></a>[217]</span></p> + +<p> +Miss Grant beat a hasty retreat. She never mentioned the subject again. +</p> +<p> +On the following Sunday Jill went to the vestry to hand in her bag. She +had not been the only one who had responded to the vicar's invitation, +for several of the villagers had appeared, and though their offerings +were small, they were willing ones. She stood waiting whilst the +village shopkeeper and a farmer's wife were taking their tenth out of +their well-worn purses. Then a voice behind her startled her. It was +Sam's father. +</p> +<p> +"Eh, Miss Jill, here I be after you and your bag agen!" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Mr. Stone, what have you got? I'm so glad you haven't given up!" +</p> +<p> +"I did have a mind to, as 'ee knows, but parson here do seem so set on +it that I've been lookin' through some savin's o' mine." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Arnold said good-night to the two women, and turned to the old man. +</p> +<p> +"Are you bringing your money to me, Stone?" he asked quietly. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, sir, that I be—'ee do talk so convinceable that I be quite worried +till I have done it." +</p> +<p> +"You must take it back again. I am only here to take my Master's money." +</p> +<p> +Old Mr. Stone rubbed his head. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page218" name="page218"></a>[218]</span></p> + +<p> +"I see yer meanin'. In course I bring it to the A'mighty. 'Twas a mere +mistake in speech." +</p> +<p> +The old man counted out of a canvas bag, to the astonishment of Jill +and his vicar, five pounds in silver. +</p> +<p> +He moved a step nearer and spoke in a low, mysterious tone— +</p> +<p> +"Fifty pun have I laid by for death and burial, and the rest to Sam, +but never a penny have I laid by for the God that brought me into the +world, and that be soon going to take me out. The little lass hammered +away till I gave her my cabbages, then I said 'No more,' for I kep' +thinkin' o' these savin's, that no mortal body do know on. But, parson, +your words be hot and uncomfortable, and las' night I lay thinkin' o' +this here vestry an' Miss Jill's red bag. 'Twasn't the sermon, nor yet +the bag, nor you and Miss Jill put together, but 'twas God that spoked +to me in the night. +</p> +<p> +"'I have loved 'ee,' He kep' sayin', 'I have loved 'ee, Tummas, I have +loved 'ee.' An' then came that there tex' 'ee preached on last Sunday, +'Lovest thou Me?' and I were fair broken down. I knowed what the Lord +did want. The tenth o' my savin's! And bless + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page219" name="page219"></a>[219]</span> + + God, I knows He loves me, +and 'tis that has brought me!" +</p> +<p> +"Thank God," breathed Mr. Arnold, stretching out his hand and taking +Thomas Stone's hard, horny one in his. "I take this gladly, and thank +you in my Master's name." +</p> +<p> +When the old man had gone Jill drew near. She held out her bag a little +sorrowfully— +</p> +<p> +"It has only three shillings and a half-penny in it," she said; "and +two shillings are from Sam, and threepence from Annie. I'm afraid our +money is very, very little." +</p> +<p> +"Never mind," said Mr. Arnold cheerfully, seeing her downcast face, +"God does not expect more from you at present." +</p> +<p> +Jill sighed. +</p> +<p> +"And my bag is wearing out," she said mournfully, "and Miss Falkner +has no more red flannel; she thinks a bag can be made of anything, +but I like my old one. It has great holes, and as fast as I mend them +they tear out again." +</p> +<p> +"Poor little bag!" said Mr. Arnold, taking it in his hand. "It is worn +out in a good service. Will you let me have it, Jill? I should like to +hang it up in the vestry here, so that I can look at it sometimes. What +is this tape on it? Something written on it." +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page220" name="page220"></a>[220]</span></p> + +<p> +"I did that," said Jill, her face in a glow of delight at Mr. Arnold's +words. +</p> +<p> +He read out slowly— +</p> +<p> +"Of Thine own have we given Thee." +</p> +<p> +The letters were crooked and uneven. He smiled at Jill, then hung the +little bag up on a nail. +</p> +<p> +She looked at it proudly. All sorrow for its uselessness had gone. +</p> +<p> +"It looks lovely up there!" she said. "And I don't mind now having a +new one." +</p> +<p> +"But don't have a new motto, Jill. Keep that to the end of your life—'Of +Thine own have we given Thee.'" +</p> +<p> +Jill nodded, and then she ran away home. +</p> + +<div style="height: 6em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Jill's Red Bag, by Amy Le Feuvre + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JILL'S RED BAG *** + +***** This file should be named 37043-h.htm or 37043-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/0/4/37043/ + +Produced by Betty Haertling, Joel Erickson, Michael +Ciesielski, David Garcia 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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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: Jill's Red Bag + +Author: Amy Le Feuvre + +Illustrator: Alfred Pease + +Release Date: August 11, 2011 [EBook #37043] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JILL'S RED BAG *** + + + + +Produced by Betty Haertling, Joel Erickson, Michael +Ciesielski, David Garcia and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +[Illustration: "THE BIRDS WERE SCREECHING AND FLUTTERING THEIR WINGS."] + + + + + + +JILL'S RED BAG + +By AMY LE FEUVRE + +_Author of "Probable Sons," "The Odd One," etc._ + +[Illustration] + + New York Chicago Toronto + FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY + London and Edinburgh + + + Copyright, 1903, by + FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY + (_April_) + + + New York: 158 Fifth Avenue + Chicago: 63 Washington Street + Toronto: 27 Richmond Street W + London: 21 Paternoster Square + Edinburgh: 30 St. Mary Street + + + + +CONTENTS + + + I. "What Can Be Done with Them?" 1 + II. "We're to Have a Governess" 12 + III. "The Golden City" 24 + IV. "Let's Be Truants!" 37 + V. "A Very Solemn Vow!" 53 + VI. "God's Cabbages" 67 + VII. The Trespasser 80 + VIII. "I Must Love First, before I Can Give" 99 + IX. Trying to Be "Double Good" 114 + X. A Paper Chase 131 + XI. A Donkey Ride 148 + XII. The Bishop and the Geese 165 + XIII. Mona's Tenth 179 + XIV. "You and Your Red Bag Are at the Bottom of It All!" 192 + XV. "Worn Out in a Good Service" 205 + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + _Facing page_ + + "The birds were screeching and fluttering their wings" title + "Good gracious!" he ejaculated "what a scene" 2 + "Are these my little pupils"? 22 + "Bumps knelt down" 60 + "There's my mite towards it" 164 + "You're trespassers and thieves" 192 + + + + +Jill's Red Bag + + + + +I + +"WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THEM?" + + +"Oh, Jack! do let her go! I'll make you if you don't!" + +"Get away! She's an early Christian, and I'm seeing if she's a real one." + +"It's Sunday, and if she screams much louder, they'll hear in the +drawing-room." + +"It's a proper Sunday game, and I don't care for anybody in the +drawing-room!" + +When Jack was defiant, Jill knew it was a hopeless case. + +She sat on the back of a cane chair, her feet beating a tattoo on its +seat; and a twinkle of amusement succeeded the marked disapproval in +her big blue eyes when Jack proceeded to stuff his victim's head into +a pillow-case. + +Six-year-old Winnie, or Bumps, as she was called, was always a ready +subject for her brother's ingenious mischief. She worshipped the +ground he trod upon, and would promise to be all that he desired, +until the experience of it proved too much for her endurance. She +was at present gagged and bound with bedroom towels, antimacassars, +and pocket-handkerchiefs combined. She had been rolled over and over +on the floor, with Jack on the top of her, and now he announced in an +offhand tone-- + +"She's going to be put into a sack and thrown into the river, and that +will be the end of an early Christian." + +"Where's the river?" asked Jill with interest. + +"The bath-room, of course. Go and fill the bath." + +Jill laughed, and started up to obey. The fun of such a prospect before +her overcame her scruples. But in her haste she overbalanced herself, +and came with a crash to the floor. Her screams united with Winnie's +brought two people to the nursery, and the first one to open the door +was a young man. + +"Good gracious!" he ejaculated, "what a scene!" + +[Illustration: "GOOD GRACIOUS!" HE EJACULATED, "WHAT A SCENE."] + +He might well say so. The nursery floor was covered with a medley of +furniture, toys, and miscellaneous articles that clearly had no business +there. In her fall Jill had caught hold of a tablecloth, and swept to the +ground the remains of the nursery tea. Broken plates, a stream of milk, +and bread and butter were mingled with the entangled bodies of the three +children. Bumps had escaped from the pillowcase, but was rolling about +screaming lustily; Jack was trying to extricate Jill out of the meshes +of the broken chair, and a small terrier puppy was dancing to and fro, +and worrying at everything in turn. + +"Oh it's you, Captain Willoughby," said Jack, getting upon his feet. +"It's a pretty mess, I'm afraid." + +"You young scamp! I bet you are the originator of it! Your sister is +wondering if the ceiling will withstand your onslaughts. Ah, here she +is to speak for herself." + +A pretty delicate-looking girl with dark hair and eyes and impulsive +manner stood at the door. + +"Oh, you children!" she exclaimed. "Where is nurse? And what are you +doing? Don't you know you ought not to romp like this on Sunday?" + +"Nurse is at her tea. She gave us ours too early." + +Jill had struggled to her feet by this time, and was rubbing the back +of her head ruefully. + +Captain Willoughby was busy releasing Bumps from her bonds. + +"It strikes me there has been a bit of bullying going on here," he said, +eyeing Jack severely. "Is this the way you generally treat your small +sister?" + +"She likes it," asserted Jack eagerly. "On my honour she does--don't +you, Bumps?" + +"Yeth, I does!" sobbed his victim. + +"Nurse has no business to leave you," said Mona Baron decisively, as +she gave a sharp pull to the nursery bell. "Now, Jill, pick up some of +these things at once. Why can't you keep Jack quiet? I don't know which +is the worse of you. It is six of one and half-a-dozen of the other!" + +She did not speak angrily, for these three pickles always afforded +her considerable amusement. But she felt that a limit must be drawn +somewhere, and when the nurse appeared, considerably ruffled by her +sudden recall from the servants' hall, she was spoken to so sharply by +her young mistress that she gave notice on the spot. + +Mona went back to the drawing-room with Captain Willoughby. + +"That makes the fifth nurse we have had in ten months," she said. "What +can be done with them? They are too small to go to school." + +"Can't you get a governess?" + +"I suppose I must try. But I was made so miserable myself as a small +child by one, that I resolved never to give them the chance of such an +experience. I must talk it over with Miss Webb." + +The nursery party up-stairs soon calmed down. Nurse restored order, and +set the three delinquents in separate corners of the room. Her tongue +was a powerful one, and she did not spare them. + +"I shall be thankful to get out of the house, for never in my life have +I seen such bold, owdacious children, and no respectable woman would +stand it. Your sister ought to look after you herself, and then she'd +know what you were like. She dances out to all her gaieties with that +lazy Miss Webb, who's in a field of clover if any one is, and expects +me to grind on in this four-walled room without a friend to keep me +company. I would as soon be in prison, and I'm not going to stand it. +And as for you, with your monkey tricks and your wicked ways, you want +to be well whipped and placed in a reformatory. That's the place for +the likes of you!" + +No one dared speak. She talked on in the same strain for a good quarter +of an hour, then dared them at the peril of their lives to move from +their seats, and walked down to the servants' hall again. + +"Sunday is a _dreadful_ day," observed Jill plaintively. "I wonder what +it was made for!" + +"I s'pose God thought it would make people good," said Jack; "it may do +grown-up people good, but it makes children dreadfully wicked!" + +"Yes," assented Jill; "because there's nothing to do after church, and +we're always shut up in this old nursery. When I grow up I shall live +in a house without any doors, so that I can never be shut up anywhere!" + +Jack looked across at his sister meditatively. + +"Then what would you do when robbers came?" + +"I'd run away, of course, stupid!" + +"They'd soon catch you. We'll try it to-morrow. I'll be the robber, and +you can leave all the doors open to give yourself a chance, and I'll +give you five minutes' start." + +"Me too!" exclaimed Bumps, removing her thumb from her mouth, which she +had been contentedly sucking. + +"Oh, you!" said her brother scornfully. "You can't even be an early +Christian without screaming the house down! But you've done one good +thing! Nurse is going, and a jolly good job too! Nurses are all rot!" + +Jill shook her head doubtfully. + +"We shall only have another worse than this one! I wish we could do +without them, like the Clarkes. Their mother looks after them." + +"That's because they're poor--George told me so." + +"What's poor?" asked Bumps. + +"It's having no money," explained Jill. + +"But we haven't no money," argued Bumps. + +"No, you little stupid, but Mona has. I heard nurse say she was an +heiress, and that's an awfully grand thing to be, it's next to being +a princess in a fairy-book." + +"Now we've sat still long enough," announced Jack with a yawn. "We'll +have a kind of 'Puss in the Corner.' Our chairs will be the corners. We +can easily get back to them before nurse comes." + +"It's Sunday," objected Jill again. + +"Here's Miss Webb!" shouted Jack. + +A stout, pleasant-faced lady came into the room as he spoke, and saved +the situation, for restless Jack could never stay quiet for long. + +The little Barons could remember neither father nor mother. Their mother +had died at Bumps' birth, their father a year after. He had married +twice, and Mona was the daughter of his first wife. Miss Webb, a cousin +of Mr. Baron's, had taken charge of the household after his death; +but when Mona had finished her education she came home, and when she +came of age and inherited a good bit of money, Miss Webb still stayed +on as her chaperon. + +The children were fond of Miss Webb, though they did not see much of her, +and their faces brightened at her appearance. + +"Your sister asked me to come and see if order had been restored," she +said, smiling. "Why, you are as quiet as mice! Now, why can't you always +sit still like this?" + +"We were just going to finish it," said Jill. "We've been here ages. Do +you like Sunday, Miss Webb? We don't." + +"I think I used to when I was a little girl," said Miss Webb, taking a +seat by the nursery fire, and placing Bumps upon her lap. + +Jack and Jill came to her side at once. + +"Do tell us about it. What did you do?" + +"My mother used to have me down-stairs in the drawing-room in the +afternoon, and show me lovely pictures out of some books she had, and +talk to me about them. I had no brothers and sisters, and I used to be +allowed to dine with her and my father, and sometimes she sang to me. She +had a beautiful voice, and she would play hymns for me to sing with her." + +"Ah," said Jill, with a long-drawn breath and a wistful look in her eyes; +"but then, you see, we haven't got a mother." + +"But you have a nice kind sister," said Miss Webb, pity filling her +heart for the children who had never realised a mother's love. + +"Yes," said Jack; "Mona is very good, but she's always out, and she +doesn't make Sunday nice to us." + +"May we thing hymns in the drawing-room?" asked Bumps eagerly. + +"Yes," said Miss Webb on the impulse of the moment, "you shall. Nurse +has made you tidy, so come along, just as you are." + +Down two flights of stairs they scampered, delighted at the prospect +of leaving the nursery. They found Mona leaning back in an easy-chair +by the fire. A butler was removing the tea, and Captain Willoughby was +standing, hat in hand, saying good-bye. Mona's other Sunday visitors had +taken their leave. She looked up astonished when she saw the children. + +"Now, what are you doing, Miss Webb?" she said, laughing. "Bringing them +in their right minds to express contrition for their Sabbath-breaking?" + +"No," said Miss Webb quietly. "They are going to sing some hymns. I +thought you would like to play for them." + +Mona elevated her eyebrows. + +"Wish I could stay to join you," said Captain Willoughby, "but I've +promised my mother to take her to evening church. Au revoir!" + +He departed. Mona got up from her seat and went to the piano. Then she +twirled round on the music-stool and confronted Miss Webb. + +"What new freak is this?" she asked, laughing. + +Miss Webb looked at her gravely. + +"We were wondering why Sundays should be such a trial," she said, "and +Jill solved the problem. She said it was because they have no mother. I +reminded them that they had you, and we finally bethought ourselves of +hymn-singing down here." + +Mona's laughing dimples faded away. She turned to the piano, her little +sisters and brother clustered round her, and soon the sweet, childish +voices were uplifted in song. + +When bedtime came Bumps said ecstatically, "Thinging hymns in the +drawn-room is nearly as nithe as thinging them in heaven!" + +"When did you sing them there?" demanded Jack. + +And Bumps replied promptly, "Before I wath a baby." + + + + +II + +"WE'RE TO HAVE A GOVERNESS" + + +"Miss Jill, your sister wants to speak to you." + +Jill was curled up on the nursery hearthrug, reading a story-book, and +sucking peppermints. She had a slight cold, and had not accompanied Jack +and Bumps in their daily walk with nurse. She jumped up with alacrity. + +"Where is she, Annie? Not in the drawing-room?" + +"No, in the library," answered the nursery-maid. + +Jill dashed down-stairs, and burst open the library door very noisily. She +drew back when she saw a strange young lady in earnest conversation with +her sister; and she was conscious of a rough head of hair, a buttonless +shoe that was being trodden under heel, and some very sticky fingers. + +Mona turned round. + +"This is one of them, Miss Falkner. Shake hands with this lady, Jill." + +Jill kept her hands behind her back. + +"They're sticky," she said, staring at Miss Falkner in wonder. + +"Never mind," said Miss Falkner with a smile. "You are fond of +peppermints, are you?" + +Jill stared the harder, then she said-- + +"How did you know? Cook gave them to me. She said they were good for +a cold." + +"You do look a little object," said Mona, drawing Jill to her, and +smoothing her hair as she spoke. "She is the eldest, Miss Falkner, +then comes Jack, then Winnie. They are very backward for their ages, +I am afraid, but you will remedy that." + +Jill's blue eyes scanned Miss Falkner up and down. "Who was she?" she +wondered. + +"Can you read, dear?" asked Miss Falkner. + +Jill nodded. + +"And write?" + +Another nod. + +Mona gave her a little shake. + +"Speak properly, Jill. Where are your manners? You are like a little +savage this afternoon. I am sure it is high time you had a governess +to keep you in order." + +Mona did not often speak so crossly. + +Jill darted away from her with scarlet cheeks and flashing eyes. "Who +is she? and what does she want?" she demanded passionately. "Is _she_ +a governess? Because, if she is, I hate her!" + +Then flying out of the room she banged the door violently behind her, +and raced up-stairs, never drawing breath till she reached the nursery. +Here she flung herself down face foremost on the hearthrug, and when +a little time later Jack and Bumps rushed in, they found her still +muttering angrily to herself. + +Jack at once flung himself on the top of her. + +"You're in a tantrum! What have you been doing?" + +Jill would not answer till she had extricated herself from his +clutches. Then she sat up and tossed her long hair back from her flushed +little face. + +"We're to have a governess!" + +"Hurray!" shouted Jack. "Good-bye to nurses, who are rotten rot!" + +"And I've seen her," pursued Jill, shaking her head mournfully; "and I was +rude to her, I told her I hated her, and she'll never forgive me. Mona +was so cross, and then I was, and of course the governess will hate me +back, and we'll fight from the very beginning!" + +"What was she like?" demanded Jack. + +"Like any other person," said Jill crossly. + +"Is she coming to tea?" asked Bumps with round eyes. + +Jill looked at her small sister scornfully. + +"She's coming to breakfast, and dinner, and tea, for ever and ever; she's +just like a nurse, only it will be lessons all day long, and punishments." + +This depressing view had no effect on Jack. + +"We can play truant," he suggested eagerly. "Boys do that when they go to +school--at least in books they do. To be sure," he added thoughtfully, +"they always come to a bad end and wish they hadn't, but before the end +comes, it's jolly." + +"Is truant a nice game?" asked Bumps. + +Jill's brown eyes began to dance with mirth. + +"So we will," she exclaimed. "We'll settle what to do at once. We must +save up bits of cake and biscuits, and anything else we can stuff in our +pockets, for we must have food." + +"But," objected Jack, looking thoughtful, "it's winter, and I think you +can only be truants in summer. You always spend a day in the woods +and have a kind of picnic, and you must be in the country to do it, +and we're in a town." + +"What does that matter?" said Jill impatiently. "We'll show how we can +truant. I'll think of the most splendid things when I'm in bed to-night." + +All her ill temper vanished. Jill's thoughts in bed were the admiration +of her brother. His brain was a quick and busy one, but nothing to be +compared to Jill's. He laid the foundation for many a mischievous scheme, +but it was Jill who took it up and worked it out. + +Bumps was at present a nonentity, but she was a sturdy little follower, +and would as cheerfully have tried to walk a tight-rope as to eat her +dinner, had she seen the others attempt it. + +"When shall we start?" pursued Jack--"to-morrow?" + +"I don't know when she's coming," Jill replied. + +"I think we shall have to do lessons with her one day first," said Jack, +"because we shan't be proper truants unless we do." + +"Oh yes, and if it's a very wet day we won't go." + +It was a great disappointment to them when Mona came into the nursery +that evening and called them to her. + +"A very nice lady named Miss Falkner is coming to live with us," +she began. + +"I know!" exclaimed Jack. "She's a governess. Is she coming to-night?" + +"Oh dear, no, not for another month, when we go down to Willowlands." + +The children's faces fell. Willowlands was their country home, and it +was only shut up for three months in the winter. They liked London best, +and were always sorry when their time came to leave it. + +Mona watched their expressive faces. + +"You must try to be very good till she comes," she said cheerfully. "The +time will soon pass. Jill, what made you so naughty this afternoon? I +was quite ashamed of you." + +Jill got very red, and twisted her hands together, as was her habit +when embarrassed. Then she looked straight at her sister with a defiant +sparkle in her eyes. + +"Of course we don't like her," she said. "You've told us how you used +to hate your governess, and we shall do it too." + +"Oh dear!" said Mona with a smile and a groan. "I'm always so stupid when +I talk to you. My governess was very different from Miss Falkner--she +was a tall, grim, strict old thing, who never smiled. I've found you a +very different kind of governess, and you will all love her, I feel sure." + +"I wish she was coming now," said Jill gloomily. + +"Why? What a queer child you are." + +"It's only," explained Jack hastily, "we've settled to do something when +she comes, and we don't like waiting." + +"What is it?" asked Mona unsuspiciously. + +"Oh, it's a secret," exclaimed Jill; "we aren't going to tell any one." + +"I hope it isn't anything naughty. I wish you would try to be good. I +can't think why you are always in mischief!" + +She left them. Jill was up on the window-seat drumming her fingers on +the pane. + +"I wish," she said at length, "that the king would pass a law that for one +day every child could do exactly what they liked, that they could be just +as naughty as ever they wished to be. Why, there are crowds and crowds +of things that I'm _longing_ to do, only Mona would think it wicked!" + +"And God would too," put in Jack, who in spite of his mischievous +rollicking ways had occasional qualms of conscience. + +Jill looked at him meditatively. + +"I try and think God looks the other way sometimes when we're doing +things. That's what I shall do when I have any children. I shall only +look at them when they want me to! It's a pity this governess isn't +coming soon; but we'll have plenty of time to save heaps of food for +our truant day, and I'll think out some lovely things to do on it." + +"I think," said Jack, "I'll keep the food in my play-box that locks +up. Lumps of sugar will be a very good thing to save up." + +"And treacle pudding," put in Bumps anxiously. She was only too eager +to bring contributions to Jack's secret store. He kept his box in a +corner of the nursery, and more than once had to interfere when Bumps +was eagerly putting all kinds of her favourite puddings into screws of +paper and attempting to stuff them in with drier and more suitable food. + +This hope of "playing truant" did much to comfort them in the dread of +possible lessons and punishments. Jill's programme for "truant day" +grew more glorious as time went on, and when her imagination sometimes +failed before Bumps' eager and original questions, Jack came to her +rescue and threw himself gallantly into the breach. + +"What shall we do if there are no blackberries or nuts in the woods to +eat, and a mad bull has eaten all our food, and the sun has dried up +all the ponds and rivers so that we can get no water? Why, you stupid, +of course we'll go up to a cottage like beggars, and they'll give us +some food." + +Bumps nodded contentedly. + +"We'll be proper beggarth, with no shoeth and stockingth, and we'll have +no hat, and I'll tear a 'normouth hole in my frock!" + +The time seemed to pass very slowly, but the month wore away, and then +came the move into the country. + +For the first few days after their arrival the children ran wild. Nurse +was too busy unpacking and arranging things to heed them, and their +adventurous spirits led them into every kind of mischief. + +Then Mona was appealed to, and she made short work of nurse's complaints. + +"I don't care what they do as long as they don't hurt themselves. Miss +Falkner is coming the end of the week, and then she will be entirely +responsible for them." + +And so, after a long and tiring journey, when Miss Falkner arrived at +the house, this is what she saw in the hall-- + +Bumps seated in a large copper coal-scuttle, which was suspended by a +rope from the stair-railings above. Her face, pinafore and hands were +covered with black coal-dust, for the contents of the coal-scuttle had +been hastily emptied into the hall fire-place, and Bumps had taken her +place without a thought of consequences. + +Jack, with red and hot cheeks, was sitting astride of the balustrade and +trying vainly to haul up his heavy load, being in danger of over-balancing +himself with his exertions, and Jill, arrayed in all the coats and wraps +that she could find, was ambling about on all fours making sudden +rushes at the coal-scuttle, which was just high enough to swing over +her head. All three children were screaming at the top of their voices, +and when William the butler came forward to open the door, nothing that +he could do or say seemed to have any result. + +It was not till a very bright clear voice spoke that there was a sudden +hush. + +[Illustration: "ARE THESE MY LITTLE PUPILS?"] + +"Are these my little pupils?" + +Jill threw off her disguise and stood upon her feet. Jack scrambled +down from his post, and Bumps was the only one that continued her +occupation. She swung helplessly to and fro, and puckered up her face +as if she were meditating a weep. + +"Take me down, Jack," she whined; "I'm thy!" + +Miss Falkner lifted her down. + +"Now, what game is this, I wonder?" she said. "It looks most interesting; +do tell me." + +"It's a princess being rescued from a dragon," said Jack eagerly. "And +I'm the one who saves her; I'm the prince!" + +Miss Falkner smiled, and her smile emboldened Jack still further. + +"Everybody is out," he informed her; "Mona and Miss Webb have gone +to a party. We've had our tea, and nurse has gone down-stairs to have +hers. She's going to-morrow, because you've come, and I'm jolly glad too! +And if you make haste and have your tea, you can come back and be the +old queen who has lost the princess. It's a jolly game. Jill and I made +it up ourselves." + +"I think I should like some tea very much," said Miss Falkner, following +William up-stairs. "Won't you all come and talk to me while I have it?" + +When Mona returned home just before dinner, she found the children +clustering round their new governess in the school-room, whilst she +related to them some childish reminiscence of her own. Their rapt +attention proved she could interest them, and Mona said to Miss Webb +triumphantly-- + +"I have succeeded at last in finding some one who will manage them." + +Miss Webb shook her head doubtfully. + +"Time will show," she said wisely. + + + + +III + +THE GOLDEN CITY + + +Another Sunday. The children had been to the little village church in +the morning, and now after their early dinner were discussing plans +for the afternoon in the school-room. It was a lovely day. The French +windows were open, and the green lawn, with its fringe of young larches +and birches at the bottom of it, looked very inviting to the little ones. + +This lawn was their special property. It was not so smoothly rolled and +cared for as were the two on which Mona had her croquet and tennis, +but then, when cricket and rounders were as often the order of the day +as anything else, it was not to be expected that its turf would be as +well preserved. It belonged to the children, and their little feet used +it well. + +"Shall we be naughty or good?" questioned Bumps anxiously. + +Jill screwed up her mouth and nose impatiently. + +"Shut up, Bumps; you shouldn't ask such silly questions. Jack and I are +going to be what we like. I don't think we shall want you at all." + +"Oh, she can come if she likes," said Jack, "we may want her. We're +going to play a proper Sunday game--one out of the Bible." + +Jill looked at her little sister meditatively. + +"She would make a good Joseph!" + +"Yes," cried Jack, cutting a caper; "and there's the rubbish-pit in the +backyard, she could never climb up without a rope." + +"But there's the coat of many colours," said Jill slowly; "we must +have that." + +There was silence. Bumps looked slightly uneasy. + +"The rubbith-pit is very dirty, and I've got my bestest frock on," +she ventured. + +Jill turned upon her severely. + +"You ought to be _thankful_ to be Joseph, Bumps. He was an awfully good +little boy, you can't do wrong if you play at being him. S'posing if +we told you to be Cain, how would you like that?" + +"There's my striped red-and-blue jersey," broke in Jack, "we'll dress +her up in that." + +"Yes, go and get it quick, and I've got some yellow ribbon that Mona +gave me; we'll twist it round and round, and it will look splendid!" + +It was unfortunate, from the children's point of view, that Miss Falkner +should take it into her head to come into the room just when Bumps was +being arrayed in her many-coloured garment. They had taken it for granted +that she would retire to her room for a long afternoon nap, after the +custom of their nurse. + +Bumps was quite happy now. She stood on a chair with beaming pride, +whilst Jill wound her yellow ribbon round and round the coloured jersey, +till she looked like some fat wasp. + +Jack with his hands in his pockets was watching the proceeding +impatiently. + +"Hurry up, Jill--and, I say! we haven't half talked it out. How shall +we manage to dip it in blood, and who's to be old Jacob?" + +Jill was never at a loss. + +"I'll be Jacob. I can easily be him, and we'll get a can of water, and +one of Mona's red paints--the oil ones in the tubes--I'll soon make +some blood." + +Then Miss Falkner spoke. + +"I did not mean to leave you so long, chicks, but I was looking in my +box to see if I could find a story-book to read to you. I haven't been +successful, but I thought we would all go out on the lawn and sit under +the trees, and then I would tell you a story!" + +The children's faces looked rather blank. + +"We're having a game, thank you," said Jill slowly, striving to be polite. + +"Why are you making Winnie such a guy? I think we must leave such games +for week-days." + +"Oh, but," said Jack eagerly, "this is a Sunday game; we're most +partic'lar to play only Sunday games on Sunday. Mona likes us to." + +But Miss Falkner showed a bold front. + +"I cannot have it," she said decidedly; "take that jersey off, Winnie, +and come out into the garden with me." + +It was Miss Falkner's first Sunday. Her little pupils were still in awe +of her, but their disappointment was great, and they followed her out +into the garden with sullen, angry faces. + +Yet when they were settled under a lime-tree with chairs and cushions, +the sweet spring air and sunshine, and the singing of the birds, charmed +their discontent away. + +Miss Falkner could tell a story well, and they knew it. Bumps sat +on a cushion at her feet, Jack lay on his back on the grass with +another cushion tucked under his head, and Jill was curled up in a +big wicker-chair sitting on her feet in true tailor fashion, as was +her custom. + +"Once upon a time," began Miss Falkner, "there lived two children who +were orphans. They were a boy and a girl named Rufus and Cicely. They +had no one to care for them and love them, for an old uncle with whom +they lived could not bear children, and told them to keep out of his +sight and way as much as possible. They used to spend most of their +time out of doors, and would wander over the country day after day, +taking their dinners in their pockets, and only coming home at bedtime. +One day they went out feeling very unhappy. Their uncle had been very +angry with them, and told them to be gone, and never come back again, +for he was sick and tired of keeping them in his house. They walked on +and on through a wood, and at last came out on the other side to the +banks of a river which they had never seen before. Cicely was tired, +so she sat down on the grass, and Rufus did the same. It was very quiet, +and they soon fell asleep, but after a time they awoke with a start. An +old man with a kind face and a grey beard was speaking to them. He held +a letter in his hand. + +"'This is a letter for you, dear children, from a King who loves you, +and wants you to come to Him in His Golden City.' + +"'For us?' said Rufus; 'it must be a mistake. No one loves us, no one +wants us.' + +"'My Master does. Read His message.' + +"Rufus took the letter. His name and Cicely's were written upon it. He +opened it. In golden letters which shone like the sun was written-- + +"'Come unto Me. Those that seek Me early shall find Me. This is the way, +walk ye in it.'" + +Jill sharp eyes were lifted at once to her governess's face. + +"That sounds like a text," she said. + +Miss Falkner made no remark, but went on-- + +"Rufus read the letter through again and again. + +"'What does it mean?' he asked. 'Where does this King live? Where is +the way to Him? We would like to go to Him if He wants us, would we not, +Cicely?' + +"'Oh, yes,' Cicely cried. 'Let us go at once. Show us the way.' + +"The old man smiled. + +"'Are you in earnest?' he asked. 'Do you really want to go to my Master? +Then follow me. He has sent me to show you the way.' + +"Then he led the children to the bank of the river, and told them to look +across it. They saw on the other side a green hill with people walking +up, and at the very top some glittering golden gates. + +"'That is the Golden City,' he said gently. 'If you want real happiness +it is to be found inside those gates; no pain, no unkindness, no +disappointment ever finds its way there, and no sin.' + +"He said these last words very solemnly. + +"Rufus and Cicely began to feel uncomfortable. + +"'We aren't altogether good,' they said. + +"Then they looked about them with interest. They saw other children +trying to cross the river; one boy was rowing himself across in a boat, +another was building a bridge, some were standing on the bank hesitating. +One little girl and boy bravely jumped in and began wading through it. + +"'They will be drowned,' exclaimed Cicely. 'How shall we get across? In +a boat?' + +"The old man shook his head. + +"'It is the King's wish that all travellers shall arrive at His gates +with spotlessly clean clothes. Look through this telescope and you will +see what is written above the gates.' + +"The children looked through eagerly, and Cicely spelled out: '"There +shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth."' + +"'What does that mean?' she asked. + +"'It means that no dust or dirt of any kind is allowed inside.' + +"Rufus looked down at his boots and clothes, then at his sister's. + +"'We are very muddy,' he said; 'how can we make ourselves clean?' + +"'By plunging into this river and being washed,' the old man said. 'The +King's Son made this river. It cost Him His life, but it was the only +way travellers could be cleansed. Look up at that sign-post and read +what it says.' + +"Rufus read: '"Wash and be clean." "If I wash thee not, thou hast no +part with Me."' + +"'The river is the only true way to the Golden City,' the old man +said. 'You will only be turned away at the gates if you arrive there +without washing in the river. That boy you see building a bridge is very +eager and earnest, but his clothes will be too travel-stained and dusty +to allow him to enter the gates when he gets there. He has made a wrong +start, and is trying to reach the Golden City in the wrong way.' + +"'And the boy in the boat?' asked Rufus. + +"'He is wrong too, he too has overlooked the first start of all. The +King would never have placed the river there if He did not mean every +one to go through it.' + +"Then Rufus led Cicely down to the river. + +"'We will go through,' he said. 'We want to be washed clean.' + +"Cicely was rather frightened at first, but the river was not deep, and +when they clambered up the other side, they found to their delight that +their clothes were new and fresh and clean. Then they started walking +up the hill. + +"It was steep and stony, but they kept their eyes fixed on the golden +gates, and presently they found their old friend by their side again. + +"Other people were climbing the hill, but many had never been through +the river, and they were so dusty and shabby that their chance of +entering the city was small indeed. Suddenly Cicely, who had been walking +carelessly, stumbled and fell. She picked herself up, but her clean +frock was soiled. She began to cry. + +"'I can't keep myself clean,' she said; 'what shall I do?' + +"The old man took hold of her hand and showed her a little stream running +along by the side of the path. + +"'It comes from the river,' he said, 'and is always close to you. You +can wash in it whenever you get yourself dirty.' + +"So Cicely dried her tears and quickly washed away her stain, and she +went on happily with her brother. They walked with other children a part +of the way; sometimes they found themselves alone; sometimes the path +was rough, sometimes easy, and after a long, long time they reached +the Golden City. It was a happy day for them then. They were tired, +but they forgot their troubles when they saw the lovely gates. Two shining +angels stood by the entrance, and they only let those in who had +been washed in the river. They were the only ones who arrived in clean +clothes. The others sadly turned away. Then Rufus and Cicely saw the +King Himself. He came to meet them, and His look and smile was wonderful. +I cannot tell you what He said, but He put His hands upon their heads +and blessed them, and they followed Him up the golden street." + +Miss Falkner paused. There was a short silence, then Bumps remarked +reflectively-- + +"That was Jesus; no one puts their hands on children's heads and blesses +them except Him!" + +"It's a sort of parable, isn't it?" asked Jack. "I don't like parables, +they make me feel so muddled. I love the _Pilgrim's Progress_ if nobody +tries to explain it. But it gets so mixed up when they do, that it's +quite spoilt!" + +"Would you like me to explain my story?" asked Miss Falkner gently. + +"No," said Jack promptly. + +"Yes," said Jill, in the same tone. + +"We ought to be all journeying to the Golden City every day," said Miss +Falkner. "I have only told you about the start, because I wanted you +to make the right beginning. Perhaps some of you have started, have you?" + +The children made no answer. Jill uncurled her feet, and her big +questioning eyes were fixed intently upon her governess. + +"I haven't started," she said abruptly. + +"The King wants you quite as much as He wanted Rufus and Cicely," Miss +Falkner said softly; "He wants all three of you." + +"But where's the river?" asked Jack. + +"Jesus Christ is the Water of Life, His blood that He shed will wash +you whiter than snow. You must go to Him and ask Him to cleanse you, +and then you will be able to start on your journey." + +"I like journeys," announced Bumps, only dimly understanding the allegory, +"partic'ly when we have thandwiches." + +Jack rolled over on the grass. + +"It will be a first-rate game," he said, rising to his feet; "I think +better than Joseph!" + +Then he caught sight of an early butterfly, and in a moment was off +across the lawn in pursuit of it. + +The little party broke up. Bumps trotted after Jack, but Jill betook +herself to their hammock. Here she swung herself to and fro wrapped in +deep meditation. The Golden City had entranced her. For the first time +in her little life she began to long to be good, and later on that +day, after she had been put to bed, Miss Falkner heard her murmur in +her sleep-- + +"I'll start to-morrow!" + + + + +IV + +"LET'S BE TRUANTS!" + + +But to-morrow found her with different intentions. She awoke at six +o'clock, the birds were singing, and the sun was streaming through the +yellow blinds, bathing the room in golden light. + +Jill and Bumps slept in a room leading out of Miss Falkner's, Jack +had a small room across the passage. Softly Jill stole out of bed and +peeped out of the window. It was a morning that would tempt any one out +of doors. She saw a bright blue sky and sunny meadows. The fresh green +trees, the spring flowers, the sweet scents of early morning all seemed +to say, "Come out and enjoy us!" + +Jill's cheeks grew rosy at a thought that flashed through her brain. + +She opened the door softly and crossed the passage. Turning the handle +of Jack's door she whispered, "Jack! Are you awake?" + +Jack sprang up at once. + +"Of course I am. What do you want?" + +"Let's be truants to-day." + +"Oh, jolly! When? How?" + +Jill came in and sat on the bottom of the bed. + +"We must go before breakfast, or we shan't be able to get away without +being seen. Miss Falkner sends Bumps and me down at half-past seven, +and breakfast isn't ready till eight, so we shan't be missed. You get +the food ready and dress as quick as you can." + +"And where shall we go?" + +"Anywhere. What does it matter? I'll go back and wake up Bumps and +tell her." + +Jill crept back to her room, and Bumps, a sleepy fat bundle, was shaken +into consciousness. + +When she understood she was delighted, and was full of fuss and importance +at once. + +"I'll take my best china mug on the mantelpiece to get some water from +a thtream; and do you think I might take a umblella, because it might +come on a thunderstorm; and thall I take my thpade and bucket I took to +the thea?" + +"Hush," whispered Jill; "you'll wake Miss Falkner. You needn't take +anything, you little stupid! Keep quiet, and do what I tell you." + +Bumps was not crushed. She kept up an incessant stream of shrill whispers +till Jill refused to respond, and then she confided the whole plan of +action to a beloved rag doll that she always took to bed with her. + +It was hard to keep the secret from Miss Falkner, who always helped +them to dress, but at last they were dismissed, and scampered +down-stairs. Jill had quietly conveyed their hats and boots into the +passage before-hand, so they had no difficulty in getting themselves +ready for their day out. + +Jack joined them in the hall below. One of the maids noticed them but +thought they were going into the garden, which indeed they did, though +they did not stay there. + +"We will walk along the road till we come to a nice field," said Jill, +who was taking the head. + +"And now we've really begun to truant!" said Bumps importantly; "but +please don't go so fatht!" + +"Hurrah!" shouted Jack, throwing his cap into the air and catching it; +"we're going to do no horrid lessons to-day!" + +They tramped along, Bumps getting hot and breathless with her eager +resolve to keep pace with the others. + +"My legs is so short!" she panted ruefully; "pleath let me hold your +hand, Jill." + +Jill seized hold of her impatiently. + +"You must be quick, Bumps, or else they'll find out we've gone, and run +after us. Now, Jack, let us go across this field, it leads down to the +river, and no one will find us there because the trees are so thick." + +The grass was wet, but that was a trifle. Buttercups were already +springing up in the meadow; larks were rising in the air singing their +morning hymn of praise, and the children broke into a run. Not a shadow +fell on their spirits, they felt exhilarated by the fresh morning breeze. + +They reached the river and then began to think of breakfast. Jack with +great pride produced his store. It was rather a fragmentary one. Two +or three figs, some bits of cake and one orange were divided into three +equal portions. The novelty of such a breakfast compensated for the +quantity and quality. But when Bumps announced she was thirsty they +looked rather dismayed. + +"You must drink from the river," said Jill. + +"But I might thwallow some fishes," objected Bumps, "and I've no cup." + +"Then you must wait till we go home. You can't be thirsty early in the +morning." + +Bumps heaved a sigh, and looked at the river meditatively. + +"It would be nithe to take off shoes and stockings, and go through it +like the children Miss Falkner told us of." + +"Oh yes, we will," cried Jack. "We'll play at going to the Golden City." + +Jill looked grave. + +"I meant to start really to-day," she said, "but it's no good now, +because we're doing a wicked thing to play truant, and you have to be +good when you're walking to the Golden City. I mean to be double good +to-morrow to make up." + +Jack was already pulling off his shoes and stockings; his sisters quickly +followed his example, and for half-an-hour or so they had a delightful +time in paddling about. It is true that Bumps fell with a splash once, +grazing her hands and knees against the stones and soaking her dress +and pinafore, but Bumps' tumbles were so frequent that they passed +unnoticed. When they were tired of this pastime they crossed two or +three more fields and then climbed up into some steep woods. They were +very hot and tired when they reached the top, and sat down to rest. + +"We've done nothing exciting yet," complained Jill. "I thought truants +always met with lovely adventures." + +"Let's have our dinner," suggested Jack, "I'm sure it's time." So again +Jack's hoard was brought out, and more bits of cake and biscuits and +miscellaneous scraps were divided round. + +"I wonder what Miss Falkner is doing," said Jack, "do you think she's +hunting for us?" + +"Oh, don't think of her. Come on, we must make some adventures. This is +very dull." + +"We'll all climb a tree," said Jack, "and pretend we're Charles II. hiding +in an oak." + +Bumps looked a little anxious, but Jill eagerly assented. A suitable tree +was found, and up went nimble Jack, followed by Jill, who was quite as +good a climber as he was. + +Bumps tried her best, but failed entirely, so she sat down on the grass +and cried. + +Jill took pity on her, and came down to assist her. With the greatest +difficulty she was hoisted up, but when she was comfortably settled on +a big branch, her little face shone with pride and contentment. + +"It's my legs again," she said, looking down upon them with pity; +"they is so short, and--and inconven'ent!" + +"Hush!" cried Jack, "here's a wild beast coming, look out! Oh, look, +look, it's a deer!" + +It was indeed a stag, that had wandered out of a private park near. The +children had never seen one so close before. + +Their movements startled the timid animal, he threw his head up, +scented and then saw them, and in a moment he had dashed away through +the bushes. In another moment Jack and Jill were down on the ground and +racing after him. + +Bumps again was left behind, and she lifted up her voice and wept a +second time. + +"I can't get down! Oh, Jill, come back! Take me down! I'm frightened!" + +But no Jill came back, and poor Bumps sobbed away, clinging hold of the +branch with her hot little hands and regarding the distance down to the +ground with terrified eyes. + +It seemed hours to her before any one passed her way, and then suddenly +a young man with a gun across his shoulder, and a couple of dogs, came +into sight. + +"Man! man!" cried Bumps frantically. "I'm left behind. Come and take me +down, oh, pleath take me down!" + +He started and looked up at her in astonishment, then a smile crossed +his lips. + +"A baby in a tree! How on earth did a small mite like you perch yourself +up there?" + +"I've been lefted!" sobbed Bumps. "They've run away, and I'm lotht!" + +The young man laughed, then sprang up the tree, and in another minute +Bumps stood on firm ground once again. + +"Thank you," she said prettily, her face wreathed in smiles. "Now pleathe +help me find Jack and Jill." + +"Oh no!" ejaculated the young man; "that I refuse to do. I'm in a +hurry. If you come along with me I will put you in the road again, +and then you will soon find your way home." + +Bumps trotted after him quite reassured, talking fast all the time. + +"We're having a truant-day, and I've got to stay out till tea-time--Jill +thaid so. It is such a long day, and I'd like to go back to Miss +Falkner--she's our governess. She takes me in her lap, and I like +her. Does your gun go off? Are you killing any one? Jack likes guns. I +don't! Jill and him have runned after a deer with horns. I'm thorry +I couldn't run after it too. But I think I'll go home by myself, I'm +tired of being a truant." + +She talked on to her new acquaintance till they reached the road, then +he came to a standstill. + +"Now where do you live? Can you find your way home?" + +Bumps looked about her, then put one finger in her mouth and considered. + +"I don't know this road, I'm afraid," she said slowly. + +"Where do you live, child?" the young man asked impatiently. + +"I live at home," said Bumps with dignity. + +"What is your name? Your mother's or father's name?" + +"Oh, they went to heaven _years_ ago, we never talks about them. My name +is Winnie, but I'm called Bumps." + +"And your other name?" + +"Winnie Baron." + +The young man whistled slowly. + +"I see light at last. I know your sister, Miss Baron. You have just come +down from London. I'll see you home." + +He seemed as anxious now to accompany Bumps back as he had been before +to get rid of her. + +She was perfectly content to follow him. + +"You're a keeper, I expect," she said presently. "We've got two, and +I'm dreadfully frightened of Andrew, he is tho croth, he won't let us +go into his wood at all. But Barker is very nithe. He has a little boy +who tumbled on the fender and had to have his forehead thewn up with +needle and cotton! Fanthy that! And he has the cotton in him now!" + +Half-an-hour afterwards Bumps and her friend were at the hall door, +and Mona came hastily forward to meet him. + +"Oh, Bumps, how naughty! We have been looking for you everywhere! Where +are the others?" + +Then as the young man raised his hat and stepped forward, Mona held out +her hand. + +"Sir Henry Talbot, is it not? I met you, I think, at Mrs. Archer's +the other day. How very kind of you to take pity on my small sister. +Do come in. We are just going to have lunch." + +"I thought he was a keeper," said Bumps, staring at her sister gravely. +"Do you know him, Mona?" + +"Run along up-stairs to Miss Falkner. She has been out all the morning +looking for you. I hope she will punish you all. You deserve it." + +Mona turned sharply away into the drawing-room, and Sir Henry followed +her willingly. + +Bumps toiled up-stairs, feeling sore-footed and heavy-hearted. What +would Jack and Jill say if their day was spoilt because of her? And +what would Miss Falkner say? Great tears filled her blue eyes, but she +opened the school-room door and walked in bravely. + +Miss Falkner met her with a smile of relief. + +"Oh, Bumps, where have you been?" + +Bumps ran to her and buried her head in her lap. + +"I'm thorry," she sobbed. "We were truants, but I've come back, and the +others are lotht!" + +"Where did you leave them? It was very naughty to go away as you did. Now +tell me all about it." + +Bumps tried to check her tears. + +"I'll never do it again," she said. "They left me up a tree, and I +oughtn't to have come back at all. Jill thaid we motht thtay out till +tea-time. She'll be angry, and Jack too." + +"Where are Jack and Jill?" + +"I don't know. They ran away after a deer and never came back; and I +waited till a man came by, and he broughted me home." + +No more could be got out of Bumps, who began crying again. Miss Falkner +saw she was tired and hungry, so she wisely said no more, but gave her +some dinner, and then made her lie down on her bed, where she soon fell +fast asleep. + +Meanwhile Jack and Jill were hunting high and low for Bumps. They pursued +the deer with such zeal that they missed their path in the wood, and +could not find their tree again. + +"Oh, let us leave off looking," said Jack, impatiently, "we shall lose +all our day, Bumps is sure to find her way home." + +"We can't leave her," said Jill. "She's always a bother when we bring +her out. I wish we had left her behind." + +But they continued their search. And at last they found the object of it, +but no Bumps. Jack climbed up the tree and they shouted till they made +the wood ring again, but no answer came. + +"She's gone home," said Jack decisively. "We'll just enjoy ourselves +without her." + +"I think being truants is very dull," admitted Jill. + +"I'm not enjoying myself a bit as I thought I should. We have no +adventures, and nothing has happened." + +"We've lost Bumps." + +"Yes, so we have. But that isn't fun to us. It's only fun to the one +lost. She may be having heaps and heaps of adventures!" + +"What shall we do now?" + +"Oh, there's nothing to do but just walk on and see what comes." + +Nothing did come. They walked right through the wood, which was a small +one, and then got over a hedge into a field. Here they met a small boy +carrying a milk-can. + +Jill stopped him. "I'm dreadfully thirsty," she said. "Could you give +me a drink?" + +"Go to your mammy!" the small boy said rudely. + +Jill was hot tempered. The scornful tone enraged her. She flew at the boy +like a small whirlwind and knocked him down. Over went the can of milk, +and the boy stood up at once to fight. Jack pushed Jill aside. + +"I'll settle him! I'll teach him manners!" he cried. + +Jill climbed a gate-post to watch results. It was not Jack's first fight, +and she felt confident that he would come off victorious. She cheered +him on lustily, and longed to be in the fray herself. But the small +boy proved to be a better pugilist than Jack, and Jill was filled with +dismay when she saw Jack thrown violently to the ground, his opponent +sitting on his chest triumphantly. + +"Will 'ee have some more?" + +"Get up," said Jack sullenly. + +"Not till 'ee pays me thruppence for that there milk." + +Jill dived into her pocket and threw three coppers at the boy. + +"I shall tell Mona, and she'll have you punished for fighting us, you +wicked boy!" + +The victor laughed, slung his can over his shoulder, and ran off. Jack +raised himself from the ground with difficulty. + +"He's given my head such a bump on the ground," he said, "that I feel +quite queer." + +"Your nose is bleeding, and oh! you'll have such a black eye! And your +shirt is torn, and your collar bursted away!" + +"Shut up," growled Jack; "he was like a bullet to hit. I believe he must +have a wooden body. Let's find a stream of water, and then I can wash +my face!" + +They went into another field and found a stream. When Jack had put +himself tidy he said slowly-- + +"Do you know I think we'd better go home. It isn't going to be much fun +to-day, I can see. We ought to have had heaps of adventures, and we +haven't had one." + +"All right! It must be nearly tea-time. I do hope Bumps is all right!" + +They trudged home. Jill would not acknowledge that the day had been a +failure, but then she had not been vanquished in a fight. Jack had, and +his spirit as well as his body was sore in consequence. + +It was four o'clock when they reached home. They stole softly up-stairs, +but were met by Miss Falkner on the top landing. + +She looked at them in silence, then she said-- + +"I hope you have both enjoyed your day." + +Jack shuffled into his room and shut his door without a word. + +"Is Bumps home?" Jill asked in a shamefaced way. + +"Yes, quite tired out, poor mite. If you put yourself tidy, Jill, I will +have tea earlier. You look as if you want it." + +Not a word of blame or reproach! + +Jill went into her bedroom with a little lump in her throat. + +"I haven't really enjoyed myself," she said, as she gazed at her untidy +little self in the glass. "I think it would have been much better if I +had started for the Golden City this morning, instead of playing truant." + + + + +V + +"A VERY SOLEMN VOW!" + + +It was Miss Falkner's custom to read the Bible every morning before she +began lessons with the children. + +She did not choose long chapters, but with a few words at the end tried +to make them interesting to her little pupils. + +One morning the subject was Jacob's flight from home. Jill was keenly +interested in it. + +"What did Jacob mean by giving a tenth to God?" she asked after reading +in her turn the last verse of the chapter. + +Miss Falkner explained it. + +"You see," she said, after telling them of the Jewish custom, "all the +money that we have really comes from God. And those of us who are trying +to be His servants feel we are given it to use for Him. But even so it +is nice to put apart a tenth to use especially for His work down here. +A tenth means a penny out of every ten, or a shilling out of every ten, +or a pound out of every ten, just as we have it given to us." + +Jill's mouth and eyes were open wide. + +"And if you have only nine pennies?" she asked. + +Miss Falkner smiled. + +"Wait till you have ten," she said. + +"And what must you do with the tenth?" asked Jack; "put it into the +plate at the church?" + +"Not always. I think it is nice to keep a little bag or box. A great many +people keep a missionary-box and put their tenth in that. Sometimes you +can buy something for very poor people. There are such lots of ways of +spending money for God. Now we must begin lessons." + +The Bibles were shut up, but the seed was sown. That afternoon, when +lessons were over, the children ran out into the garden to play. + +Jill's face was full of earnest resolve. + +"Let's come into the plantation," she said, "I've a lovely plan in my +head; only first we must look about for some big stones." + +The plantation was a fir-tree one, and edged one side of the garden. +Fortune seemed in Jill's favour, for near the plantation was an old stone +wall which had been partially removed. + +"Now," said the little leader, "we must carry some of these right into the +middle of the plantation. Into a dark corner where no one will see us." + +"What for?" asked Jack. + +He never obeyed unquestioningly. + +"I'll tell you in a minute. I think perhaps we ought to have three heaps +of stones, only it will take so long. No, one will do, and we must all +three share it." + +They set to work, found a corner under a tall old pine, and soon had a +very respectable heap of stones collected together. + +Then Jill volunteered her explanation. + +"Of course, Jack, if you don't want to, you needn't, and Bumps needn't +either, but I'm going to do it. This is going to be a kind of Jacob's +pillar. I've been thinking of it a lot, and I'm going to do what Jacob +did." + +"Run away from home?" asked Jack, his eyes lighting up with eagerness. + +"No, of course not. I'm going to give a tenth of my money to God, and +I must have a proper place to do it in." + +"Oh," said Jack, his face falling a little; "and you want me to do +it too." + +"You ought to," Jill said severely. + +"I will if Jack does," said Bumps in her breathless way, "I have five +pennies!" + +"You see me do it first," said Jill; "and then you can make up your +mind. It's a very solemn vow, so I must have the stones properly put." + +"Yes," said Jack suddenly, "and there was the oil, you know. Jacob had +some oil, it's no good without it." + +"Bumps must go and ask cook for some; she'll always give her anything." + +Away ran Bumps. Jack began to take a keener interest in it. + +"Are you going to get very good, Jill?" he asked, looking at his sister +critically. + +"No," said Jill, "I'm quite sure, however much I want to be good, I +shall always be very wicked. But, Jack, I've quite made up my mind to +walk to the Golden City; I began the day before yesterday." + +"Have you been through the river?" asked Jack in an awed whisper. + +"I'm not going to talk about it," said Jill. "Miss Falkner helped me +when I was in bed to start right. I'm not _quite_ sure about the +road, but I think I'm on it. And anyhow I'm quite determined to give a +tenth. Now here comes Bumps. Hooray! She's got the oil!" Jill capered +with delight, then checked herself. "I'm going to be properly solemn," +she said, "for it isn't a game at all, it's a--a--vow!" + +She arranged the stones a little more carefully. + +"This will have to stay just as it is for years and years and years, +in fact for ever," Jill announced. "When I'm an old woman with a stick +and a cap I shall be led out here by all my great-grandchildren, and I +shall look back and remember this day." + +"That sounds lovely," said Jack admiringly. "Do begin, here's the oil!" + +Jill took the bottle, but first she marshalled Jack and Bumps to a +respectful distance from her altar. + +"You can look on, because it will be your turns next, and there must be no +laughing, because I'm in awful earnest. I've brought my Bible out to say +the words properly. I shall take some of the oil, and leave you the rest." + +Very gravely and deliberately Jill poured the oil on the top stone, +then holding her Bible in both hands for an instant, she looked up into +the blue sky above her, and then in a clear, distinct voice she read-- + +"And this stone which I have set for a pillar shall be God's house; and +of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee." + +There was a dead silence for a minute, then she turned to her witnesses. + +"Say 'Amen,'" she commanded. + +The "Amen" was fervently and loudly uttered. + +Jill walked away and sat down under a tree. + +"Don't speak to me," she said; "after a vow you must be quite quiet for +five minutes. Now, Jack, it's your turn; you know what to do." + +Jack looked a little frightened. + +"It's like service in church," he confided to Bumps; "are you going to +do it, Bumps?" + +"Oh, yeth, I'll do it," assented Bumps cheerfully, "if you does." + +"I suppose I'd better." + +Jack walked up to the stones and took up the bottle. He poured some oil +out, then followed Jill's example and read the verse out as bravely and +loudly as he could. + +Jill and Bumps uttered an emphatic "Amen," and Jack came back to his +tree and sat down, heaving a great sigh of relief as he did so. + +"Go on, Bumps," he muttered. + +Bumps trotted up to the stones then looked helplessly round. + +"I don't know what next," she said. + +"Pour out some oil." + +"It's a fat cork--oh! ah! it's thpilt itthelf down my pinny!" + +Jill dashed up to her. + +"You always spoil everything, you little stupid! Here! give the bottle to +me, why, there's hardly any left! Now take it and pour it out properly, +and don't keep talking so; be solemn!" + +Bumps looked agitated. + +"The Bible, Jill! Find the place quick! Oh, I shall never be ready! And +Bible words is so hard to read. I'm 'fraid I shall never do it prop'ly. +And you said the verth like thaying your prayers. Hadn't I better kneel +down to make it more proper to God?" + +Bumps was earnestly trying to do her best. + +Jill found the verse, and left her. + +"You can kneel down if you like. It is a Bible prayer, of course, but +you must do it by yourself. It's a vow to God, that's what it is." + +[Illustration: "BUMPS KNELT DOWN."] + +Bumps knelt down, holding the Bible devoutly in her little fat hands. +She read the verse haltingly, but her whole soul was in it, and she rose +from her feet triumphant. + +"I've never," she confided to Jack, "thpoken to God out of doors +before. He is sure to have heard me, isn't He? Did I do it quite proper, +do you think?" + +Jack assured her she had managed it quite satisfactorily. + +Then the three children stood and looked at each other. + +"The next thing," announced Jill, "is to divide our money into tens. We +have done the vow, but that's only the beginning. And we mustn't tell +anybody about this place, and the stones mustn't be touched, and we must +call it what Jacob did--Bethel!" + +"Let's put it up somewhere," said Jack. + +"Yes," said Jill eagerly; "we will get a board like a trespassers' board, +and chalk it with that lovely piece of white chalk you have in your +paint-box." + +"But where shall we get a board?" + +"Sam will make us one." + +Sam was the house-carpenter who was always at work on the premises. The +children loved him, for he made them many a little trifle, and he was +always ready for a chat. + +They marched off at once to find him, and came across him taking some +planks out of his wood-shed. + +Their want was soon made known. Jill was always emphatic and clear in +her utterances. + +"A proper trespassers' board, Sam, like you put up in the pheasant-covers +last week, and I should like you to paint, 'Trespassers will be +prosecuted,' to keep people away, only you must leave room for the name +on the top." + +"Let him paint the name too," suggested Jack, "it would look better +than chalk." + +Jill looked doubtfully at Sam. + +"Could you paint the word 'Bethel,' Sam? I'll tell you how to spell it." + +Sam grinned. + +"I reckon I could, missy. You show me where you want it put, and I'll +do the job!" + +"But you promise on your honour you won't tell, because it's a great +secret, and we don't want any one to know where it is." + +"I'll be as dumb as a dog," said Sam. "Show me the spot, and be sharp, +missy, for I'm extra busy to-day!" + +The children led him into the plantation. + +He smiled when he saw the heap of stones. + +"So this here is a Bethel, is it?" + +"I don't believe Jacob put up a trespassers' board," said Jack with a +knowing shake of his head; "it will look very funny, Jill." + +"It's to be done," said Jill. "I won't have people coming, and making fun, +and pulling our stones about, and if they do come, I shall prosecute +them!" + +Bumps looked at her sister in awe. + +"Will you thend them to prison?" she asked. + +"But what is it for?" asked Sam, peering on the stones and seeing the +marks of the oil; "be you going to make a sacrifice?" + +"No," said Jill solemnly; "you never laugh at us, Sam, so I'll tell you; +and if you like to join us you shall. It's a vow we've made to God. You +can read about it in your Bible if you like. We're going to be like +Jacob, and give God a tenth of our money." + +Sam scratched his head. + +"I'll make the board, missy, but I can't promise to jine you." + +"Well, make it as quick as you can, and if you read about Jacob like +Miss Falkner and us, you'll want to do it too!" + +Sam did not respond, but he promised to make the board, and the children, +hearing their tea-bell ring, ran off to the house. + +They did not tell Miss Falkner of their afternoon's performance, though +Bumps was sadly wanting to do so. After tea their governess sat down +to write a letter, and told them to amuse themselves quietly. + +Jill gathered her forces into a corner of the room. + +"Now then," she said; "have you got your money?" + +"Yes," replied Jack, shaking out his pockets; "here is all mine, but it's +precious little! Here's a threepenny bit and a sixpence and two pennies. +How am I to get a tenth out of it? It's as bad as sums." + +Jill took the money spread it out on the floor, and then sat down in front +of it to consider it, with a face as grave as a judge's. + +"You have eleven pennies," she said; "take one away, and that leaves ten; +take a penny out of that, and that's your tenth." + +Jack looked completely puzzled. + +"And what am I do with the first penny that I take away?" he asked. + +"You must keep that to go on for another ten pennies," said Jill with +a knitted brow. "I'm sure that will be right, and the nine-pence you +can spend any day you like." + +"I'll spend it to-morrow, I think. I want a kite that I saw in the shop +in the village, and I believe it costs about that. What am I to do with +my tenth?" + +"Keep it in a box or bag. Miss Falkner told you that. Now, Bumps, what +have you got?" + +"Five pennies," said Bumps importantly. + +"You can't give a tenth then," said Jill, "for you haven't got one." + +Bumps looked ready to cry. + +"I'm alwayth being left out," she said; "do pleath make it come +right. Can't I give one penny?" + +A brilliant idea struck Jack. + +"Change it into halfpennies, and she'll have ten!" he said. + +Jill and Bumps both brightened up. + +"Yes, Bumps, that will be the thing; you must put a halfpenny by, and +that will be your tenth. I have two halfpennies you can have instead +of your penny." + +It needed a good deal of explaining to Bumps before she was completely +satisfied. When that was done Jill produced her own purse. She was +the richest of the three, for she owned three shillings and sixpence, +but how to get a tenth out of it was a puzzle. + +Miss Falkner, hearing their eager, excited voices, came to the rescue, +and showed Jill that fourpence was the tenth of forty pence, and the +two over would go towards the next tenth. Then she delighted her small +pupils by producing a pretty scarlet flannel bag which she gave them +as a "Tenth" bag. Their united coins rattled in, and though it was +only fivepence-halfpenny, they felt as proud of it as if it had been +five pounds. + +"It's a beginning," said Jill to her governess as she was tucking her +up in bed that night. "That's two beginnings I've made since you came +here." + +Miss Falkner's eyes glistened as she bent over her. + +"My little Jill, I shall pray that God may never let you go back from +these beginnings, as you call them. Ask Him to help you, dear. It is +easier sometimes to make a beginning than go steadily on." + +"Yes," said Jill sleepily; "but that's because the Golden City is such +a long way off!" + + + + +VI + +"GOD'S CABBAGES" + + +Sam was as good as his word. Before a week was out a minute board was +erected by the children's heap of stones. + +Big white letters confronted any passerby-- + + "BETHEL. + TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED." + +And Jill made a point of visiting the spot at least once a day, to be +sure that it was left unmolested. + +"I'm coming to tea with you, Sam, soon," she announced one afternoon, +as she sat on a gate swinging herself to and fro and watching the +carpenter repairing a fence. + +Sam lived alone with his old father, in a rose-covered cottage, at the +corner of the village. + +Sam was devoted to roses, and his little front garden was given up to +their cultivation. + +The back one was in his father's charge, and he grew cabbages. + +"Father will be pleased to see you, missy, and so shall I," was Sam's +quiet response. + +"Then you must invite me properly, and ask me to-morrow, for Mona is +going to take Miss Falkner out for a drive. And then we have tea with +Annie. I hate my tea poured out by a schoolroom-maid!" + +Jill's little nose was tilted scornfully in the air. + +"Aye," said Sam smiling; "to-morrow will suit first-rate, missy. Father +and me presents our duty, and will be pleased if you will favour us +with your company to tea to-morrow at five o'clock." + +This was the usual formula, and Jill clapped her hands in delight; +then she said with becoming gravity-- + +"I shall be very pleased to come, Sam. Tell Mr. Stone I'll favour him." + +Then she ran into the house, and told Jack and Bumps where she was going. + +They were inclined to be cross at first, but Jack soon recovered himself. + +"We'll do quite well without you. I shall play at Sinbad the Sailor, +and Bumps is going to be my Old Man of the Sea. Annie likes to join +sometimes, and we'll have our tea in the garden. She likes that, for +the gardener has a cup of tea with us." + +Miss Falkner heard of the invitation, but raised no objection, +so punctually at five o'clock the next evening Jill walked into Sam +Stone's cottage. + +He and his father were expecting her. The tiny kitchen was in perfect +order, and looked spotlessly clean. + +The table was laid for tea; and a boiled egg for Jill, besides some +watercress and currant buns, gave it quite a festive air. + +Old Mr. Stone looked delighted to see her. He was a tall, active old man, +with a long grey beard, and had always plenty to say for himself. + +"'Tis a pleasure to see you, missy. Come right in, an' sit comfortable +on my poor wife's rocking-cheer. 'Twas the last thing she sat in afore +she died, an' I see her in it now a gaspin' an' chokin', an' smilin' +up at me so sadly like. 'Jim,' she sez, ''tis the Lord that did give +me to yer, an' 'tis the Lord that do be goin' to take me away from yer. +Thank Him,' she sez, 'for all His mercies!' An' I sez to her, 'Jenny, +my heart can't thank if my lips can, an' I'd rather say nothin' just +now to the Almighty.' Jenny, she were always so properly religious!" + +"And are you properly religious too, Mr. Stone?" questioned Jill as she +took her seat at the table, and commenced with great pride and solemnity +to pour out tea. She was always given the post of honour, behind the +big flowered tin tea-tray, and much enjoyed the responsibilities of +her position. + +The old man shook his head. + +"I fear I be a very improper Christian," he said. + +"I wonder," said Jill reflectively, "whether your wife gave a tenth to +God. Miss Falkner thinks all proper good people do." + +"What be that, missy?" + +"It's what Jacob did, you know, and we're going to try to do it. Don't +you remember his vow? 'Of all that Thou shalt give me, I will surely +give the tenth unto Thee.'" + +Old Mr. Stone nodded his head. + +"My fayther did allays give a little to our rector; that be it missy, +that be it. 'Tis the beginning of it you have told of!" + +"Do tell me," said Jill eagerly. "Do you think we could give our tenth +to our rector?" + +Sam and his father both tried then to give Jill a dissertation on +tithes. She hardly grasped it, but child-like returned pertinaciously +to her business in hand. + +"I want Sam to join us. I'm sure he has a lot of money. I hear it jingle +in his pocket. And won't you too, Mr. Stone? If you will, you can come +to our 'Bethel' and do it quite properly." + +"I tell missy we be hard-workin' people, that be scarcely able to feed +ourselves," said Sam. + +"But a tenth isn't much," argued Jill. "Out of forty pennies you only +have to give four. How much do you get from Mona, Sam?" + +"A pound a week," answered Sam stolidly. + +"Now, how many tens are in that, I wonder," Jill went on with interest; +"you see, Sam, Miss Falkner says God sends us everything, so it does +seem rather mean never to give anything back, doesn't it?" + +"I reckon," said Mr. Stone looking at his son with a twinkle in his eye, +"that two shillin' be a tenth o' Sam's money, not to speak of his other +odd jobs that he do get in an' out." + +"We should be on the way to the House, missy, if I did give away such +a bit as that!" + +"Oh, no, you wouldn't, for God just sends it back, Miss Falkner says in +other kind of ways. Only He is pleased if we think of Him." + +"If I were a rich man," said old Mr. Stone, "I'd give the Almighty a +tenth. 'Tis a cryin' shame the rich be so grudgin' wi' their wealth; +but we poor humble folk be not expected to do such things!" + +"Haven't you got anything to give God, Mr. Stone?" + +"Nothin' at all," responded the old man with a sigh. "Sam do take care of +his old father, an' I sells my cabbages an' helps all I can; but since +Christmas twelvemonth the rheumaty pains in my innerds be so cruel bad, +that I be creepin' on to church-yard slow and sure." + +A little gloom seemed to have fallen on the tea-party. Then Jill started +another subject. + +"When are you going to be married, Sam?" + +Sam threw up his head and laughed aloud. He was a confirmed old bachelor +and did not, as he expressed it, "like the ways of women." + +"Ah, missy, I'll wait till you set the example." + +"Oh, but I don't mean to marry at all. I shall be like Mona. Cook told +Annie the other day that Mona was going to marry Captain Willoughby and +I told Mona, and she was very angry and then she laughed and said that +cook had already married her to over a dozen people. I don't quite know +what she meant--but I think you ought to marry, Sam, and cook thinks so +too. She says a house isn't a home without a woman!" + +Sam laughed again. + +"A woman, missy, is an ork'ard customer to deal with. There is smiles, +'tis true, but then there's tears, an' I can't abide 'em! An' there's +a great chatteration, and there's a spendin', not so much in pots an' +pans an' good wholesome food, but in ribbons an' silks an' finery. An' +many a maid turns her man to drink, from her contrary tempers. Best be +wi'out them, I say, an' so do fayther." + +They talked away till tea was over, and then Jill accompanied old +Mr. Stone into the back garden. + +He pointed out to her row after row of his fine cabbages. + +"One hundred and fifty-two, missy, an' all sowed from seed, an' I've +tended 'em like chillen." + +Jill walked up and down amongst the cabbages with a thoughtful +air. Suddenly she stood still, seized with an inspiration. + +"Mr. Stone, you've got cabbages! The text says, 'Of all that Thou shalt +give me, I will surely give the tenth unto Thee.' You must give a tenth +of your cabbages to God. Oh, do, won't you? And then you can join us. How +many tens have you got? Let us go through, and mark every tenth cabbage +off for God. That's the way to do it. How shall we mark them? Will Sam +let us have some of that red worsted he ties up his roses with? I'll +ask him. Just wait a minute. I know how to do it!" + +Jill flew into the house breathless and excited without waiting for the +old man's reply. She returned triumphant with her ball of red wool. "Sam +thinks it will be very nice. I told him. And you know, Mr. Stone, God +did give the cabbages to you. He made them grow, you didn't!" + +The old man looked at her queerly. Then he fetched his pipe out of his +pocket and began to smoke. + +"Them cabbages fetch three-halfpence each in the market, and cheap at +the price," he said. + +Jill marched along the first row until she arrived at the tenth cabbage, +then she broke off a piece of her red wool and tied it through one of +the leaves. + +"There, Mr. Stone, that's God's cabbage. Now, I'll go on to the next, +and then you'll know how many you will have to give." + +"What am I to do wi' 'em, missy. Take 'em to church?" + +Jill sat down on an old wheelbarrow to consider. "Why," she said presently +with a beaming smile, "when you take up a cabbage with a piece of red +wool on it, you must sell it for God, and put the money in a little bag, +and then give it to the poor." + +"P'raps," said the old man with a chuckle, "it will find its way back +into my pocket, for I'm a very poor old body, very poor indeed!" + +"You're making a joke of it," said Jill, flushing a deep red. "I mean +a real starving person, when I talk of the poor. Would you rather give +it to the collection in church, Mr. Stone?" + +"Aye p'raps that would be the best way to work it." + +So taking that as a promise Jill set to work with a will, and before she +left that evening she had marked off fifteen cabbages, the tenth of the +old man's property. + +"And now if you really like to give them, will you come to-morrow to +'Bethel' and do your vow?" + +Mr. Stone wavered, but finally Jill won him over, and he promised to be +outside the fir plantation the very next day. + +Jack and Bumps were full of interest when Jill told them of her evening's +work. It did much towards solacing Bumps, who had a bruised head and a +badly grazed knee, but wounds were generally her lot after an hour or +two alone with Jack. + +"I wath the old man of the thea," she explained to Jill, "and I couldn't +thtick on. Jack jumped and rolled and kicked me up in the air to get +me off, and I had to try to be on all the time. It wath very differcult!" + +She was rather doubtful about the cabbages. + +"I thought it wath to be money. God really does make money and give it +to us, but does He make cabbages? I thought they growed of theirselves." + +"How do you think God makes money?" Jack asked. + +Bumps thought hard for a minute. + +"I 'spect He just drops pennies and shillings into the ground when no +one is looking, and then lets us find them. I know they does come from +under the earth, becauth Miss Falkner told me." + +Jill tried to explain that cabbages brought in money, and it was the money +for them that would be the tenth and after a time Bumps was satisfied. + +They were all present the next day when old Mr. Stone was initiated +into the mysteries of Bethel. But he shook his head sternly at the heap +of stones. + +"No no, that there altar is idol'try, that is what it be. The chapel folk +would turn me out if I went for to forget myself in such a heathen-like +way! Pour oil on it? Indeed no, missy. That be like the cannibal +heathen who offer up sacrifices and living bodies, an' such like." + +"But Jacob did," argued Jill. "We've kept most particular to the Bible." + +"Ah, well, Jacob had to answer to the Almighty for it, an' I won't be +his judge. But I'm a chapel man myself, though I favours the church on +occasions. I'll say the words, missy, an' then you must let me go. My +poor wife used to give to charity an' such like. I remember her handin' +a penny out of the windy to a tramp one day. I could do with a deal more +religion, I owns, for though I thinks little, I knows I ought to thank +my Maker more for His mercy an' goodness. An' He is kindly welcome to +my cabbages--them that be marked with red wool. So now, missy, where be +the book?" + +The Bible was put into his hand, and the verse pointed out, but he would +only repeat the last part of it. + +The children chorused "Amen," and then he was led away, but his words +left an uncomfortable feeling behind. + +"Is it like the heathens to have a heap of stones, I wonder?" said Jill, +sitting down on the grass and looking at the pile very affectionately. + +"It's all rubbish!" said Jack. "Jacob wouldn't have done a wicked thing, +when he was making a vow to God." + +"Arth Miss Falkner," was Bumps' suggestion. But Jill would not agree +to this. + +"It's a secret," she said; "we mustn't tell everybody. I think I'm rather +sorry I brought Mr. Stone here. Sam didn't think it wicked." + +"Isn't Sam going to join?" + +"He won't just yet. He says he wants to think it over." + +Then she jumped up. "Come along, let us have a game of hide-and-seek." + +Away they scampered, making the garden ring with their shouts, and +"Bethel" was forgotten for the time. + + + + +VII + +THE TRESPASSER + + +A few days afterwards Miss Falkner took Jack and Jill out for a drive +in a low pony-chaise that was their special property. + +Mona came out on the doorstep to see them start. + +"I'm so glad you can drive, Miss Falkner," she said, "for I shall have +no fears about the children with you as driver. The grooms can't be +trusted. They give the reins to them, and Jack upset the whole concern +just before you came." + +"I used to drive as a tiny child," said Miss Falkner with heightened +colour. "I have not done so lately, but one never loses the art." + +Mona looked at her curiously. She began to feel a great interest in this +young girl, who had so quietly taken the reins in the school-room and +was slowly but surely influencing the young turbulent spirits in it. + +The children were giving their pony sugar. Mona looked at them, then she +laid her hand gently on Miss Falkner's arm. + +"Some day you will tell me about yourself and your home," she said. + +The quick tears sprang to the young governess's eyes. She felt as she +stood there that the girl who spoke to her had all that the world could +give her. She had as yet been untouched by the storms of life, and on +her proud young face there were lines of discontent and restlessness +that would never be effaced till she had learnt some of life's lessons, +and perhaps been through the school of suffering. + +They were very nearly the same age, were two blocks of stone, ordained +for a building above; yet though one was cut and chiselled already, +the other bore no impress of the Master's hand. + +But the sympathetic touch and words struck a chord in Miss Falkner's +heart. She forgot from that time that Mona Baron was her employer, +she thought of her only as a girl who might need help. + +"Now where shall we go, children?" she asked, as they drove down the +sweet-smelling lime avenue into the high road. + +"Oh, do drive up to Chilton Common," cried Jack; "there are such a lot +of rabbits there, and we can see the sea from it." + +So to Chilton Common they went. It was about four miles off, and at +first sight looked a dreary expanse of wild moorland. As they crossed +it, they caught the salt scent of the sea, and soon came to a cluster +of poor-looking cottages, but beyond them in the distance was the +unmistakable blue line of the ocean, and the children seemed delighted. + +"I wish we lived by the sea," said Jill. "I like to be on the very +outside edge of the earth." + +"Why?" inquired Jack. + +Jill seldom gave reasons for her likes and dislikes. + +"Because I do," she returned sharply. + +"Oh, look, Miss Falkner, there's our rector, Mr. Errington. He has a +lot of people round him. P'raps he's preaching!" + +Mr. Errington caught sight of them and smiled at the children, who were +great favourites of his. Then he came forward. + +"My horse has gone very lame," he explained. + +"I am thinking of leaving him here at the blacksmith's and walking home." + +"Can we give you a lift?" asked Miss Falkner. + +"That will be very good of you. I shall be grateful for my wife will be +expecting me and will be anxious." + +"Jill thought you were preaching," said Jack. "Wasn't she silly? As if +you'd preach on a weekday!" + +"I wish I had been," said Mr. Errington with a smile. + +Then he turned to Miss Falkner. + +"These are my parishioners," he said, "and not one of them comes to +church. They're just like heathen. It looks a God-forsaken place, does +it not?" + +"It seems a strange place to see cottages," said Miss Falkner. "How do +they earn their living?" + +"By peat-cutting, and working in a quarry a mile off. The blacksmith +is unable to walk far, or I really think I should see him at church +sometimes. The rest are totally indifferent to their soul's welfare. I +am longing to build a little mission-room and come over and have a service +for them, but it would cost money, and I have none to spare at present." + +"It is a pity," said Miss Falkner gently. "One wonders sometimes if money +drifted into the right channels whether this dense ignorance would be +overcome. At my old home there was a district very like this. My father's +curate was indefatigable in trying to raise money, and he eventually +succeeded. It was a great success, for the people came to the mission +church and sent their children to school. But he--" her voice faltered a +little, "overworked himself, took cold and died, and my father followed +him. The present rector does not care for the mission-room. He thinks +they ought to come to church, and they don't do it." + +Mr. Errington nodded with perfect comprehension. + +"Of course not. It would want a good deal of zeal to walk eight miles +after a week's hard work. Our English labourer will not do it." + +They talked on, and much of the conversation was above the children's +heads, but Jill was a sharp child, and she was already evolving a plan in +her head, which had the effect of taking her to the Rectory the next day. + +Mrs. Errington was a great invalid. When she was told that "Miss Jill +Baron" wanted to see her, she said to her husband, who was overlooking +some accounts with her: + +"My dear Robert, we ought not to be disturbed. Shall we say we are +engaged?" + +"No," said Mr. Errington, leaning back in his chair with a laugh; "I am +dazed with figures. Let us be refreshed by one of the fresh things in +this world. There is nothing like a child for relieving one of care." + +Jill was ushered in, flushed and excited. She could hardly wait to +shake hands. + +"Jack and Bumps are willing, and so I've come with it," she said. "It's +to help to build that church on the common. Miss Falkner said we might, +and I've brought it in our bag." + +She put a scarlet flannel bag on the table, and went on-- + +"You see we haven't begun very long, so there's only a little to start +with; but we shall always be putting in, because we often get presents, +and I've spoken to Mr. Stone, and we've counted that his fifteen cabbages +will bring him one shilling and tenpence halfpenny, and he says that had +better be given to you too." + +It seemed incoherent, but Mrs. Errington gently drew the explanation +out of the child, and though Jill did not divulge the spot of their +"Bethel," her account interested the rector and his wife greatly. + +"It will be money well spent," Mr. Errington said, "for it will be the +means of telling those poor folk of the love of the Saviour." + +"And you will have the honour, Jill dear, of starting the collection," +said Mrs. Errington. + +"It's a pity," said Jill with knitted brows, "that you can't get every +one to give you their tenth." + +"I don't think there are many people who do give their tenth," said +the rector. + +"Miss Falkner gives all hers to the Church Missionary Society," Jill +went on; "but Jack and Bumps and me thought we'd like to see where our +money went." + +"Wise little woman!" + +Mr. Errington emptied the bag, and delighted Jill by giving her a formal +receipt for it, and entering the sum in an account book. She ran away +quite happy, waving her scarlet bag in the air, and wishing with all +her heart that birthdays and Christmas, and all such occasions for +receiving presents, would come every day. + +"Mona is going to have a party," announced Jack one day soon after +this. "I went into the drawing-room to give Miss Webb her pencil that +I picked up, and she and Mona were talking about it. It is to be next +Wednesday." + +The children were just beginning their afternoon lessons; and Jill was +washing her slate preparatory to doing a sum. + +"How jolly!" she cried. "I hope she'll let us come to it. When is it to +be? Is it a dinner party?" + +"No, a garden party. It's going to be a very grand one. There's a band +coming, and a tent for fruit and ices, and there will be tennis and +croquet, and bowls and----" + +"Now, Jack," said Miss Falkner quietly, "that is enough. Lessons now, +and talk after." + +It was hard to obey, but Jack put a restraint upon himself, and when +lessons were over Jill determined to get no more news second-hand. + +"Come on, Bumps. I'm going to ask Mona about it." + +The little girls found their sister in her bedroom, getting ready for +a drive. + +"We've come to ask about the party," said Jill, who always went straight +to the point. "We can come into it, can't we?" + +Mona laughed, then she sat down in an easy-chair and took Bumps upon +her lap. + +"I hardly ever see you now," she said; "Miss Falkner keeps you all in +such order. Why, Bumps, you are growing quite heavy." + +"Yeth," assented Bumps, "I thmashed Polly's head by stepping on it. She's +my thecond betht wax-doll, Mona!" + +"You'll let us come to the party?" asked Jill persuasively. + +"Yes, if you behave nicely. There may be two other children coming. Little +Indian nieces of Mrs. Moxon's." + +"Heathens?" questioned Jill. + +Mona laughed merrily. + +"Good gracious, no! What a ridiculous child you are." + +Jill coloured up at once. + +"I like boys better than girls," she said in her stubborn tone. "I know +I shan't like them." + +"You must be civil and kind to them, or else I shall send you back to +the school-room. But perhaps that will be no punishment. I think you +must have altered your mind about governesses, Jill." + +"Yes," said Jill in a different tone. "But Miss Falkner is not like a +governess. She's very fond of us, she says so!" + +"Extraordinary! You don't say so!" + +Mona laughed again, then put Bumps off her lap. + +"Now run away, small people, and remember if you appear in the garden +on Wednesday, you must be in the cleanest frocks and the sweetest +tempers. Otherwise you must make yourselves scarce." + +"Like the children walking to the Golden City," said Bumps trotting +after Jill. + +Jill looked down at her with troubled eyes. + +"Sometimes I wonder where I am," she said, moved by the impulse of the +moment to confide in her little sister. "I don't believe I get on very +fast. I'm always losing my temper, and that means dirtying my frock." + +"And then you have to wash it," said Bumps cheerfully. + +"Yes," said Jill, with a light in her eyes; "I can do that, at least I +can ask to have it done, but--" and here she relapsed into gloom again. +"I sometimes wonder if it is ever clean for more than a minute!" + +Wednesday came, and the three children sadly tried Miss Falkner's patience +at lessons. + +She closed books at last, and sent them out into the garden to play before +their early dinner. They longed to go into Mona's portion of the grounds, +but the head gardener kept them back. Tents were being erected; servants +bustled about, and Mona herself, with Miss Webb and one or two gentlemen, +seemed to be superintending everything herself. + +At four o'clock Jill and Bumps, arrayed in their best white frocks, were +down on the front lawn awaiting the arrival of guests. Miss Falkner in +a pretty grey dress and hat stood talking to Miss Webb under the trees, +and Mona, looking radiant in her youth and loveliness, dressed like +her little sisters in pure white, with a spray of delicate pink roses in +her breast, was talking and laughing with a few of her house guests. Jack +presently came up to his sister. He was dressed in his white sailor-suit, +and looked stiff and uncomfortable. + +"Oh, Jill, I say, do let's get out of this. It's so dull and proper. You +and Bumps look like the china figures on the school-room mantelpiece." + +"Yes," said Jill; "it is very dull. Where shall we go?" + +"Let us see how Bethel is getting on." + +So the three made their way to the fir plantation, but met with several +interruptions on the way. Jack chased a fowl which had escaped from the +poultry-yard. Bumps would insist on stopping to watch the peregrinations +of two frogs in some long grass, and Jill had a talk with Sam, who was +cutting down a young tree. As they trod softly on the brown pine-needles +underfoot Jack startled his sisters by a shrill whisper. + +"Look! there's a trespasser." + +Jill pressed eagerly forward. A tall broad-shouldered man in clerical +clothes was standing reading the board. Then instead of turning away, +he went up to the pile of stones, and bending down was in the act of +lifting one of them out of its place to look at it, when Jill's indignant +voice arrested him. + +"You're a trespasser! We shall prosecute you!" + +He turned round in astonishment, and his stern, rugged features were +transformed by a smile, when he saw the daintily-dressed children +before him. + +"Is this your property?" he asked. + +Jill was like a little bantam-cock. + +"Every bit of it is ours, of course it is. You must have seen the board; +we ain't going to allow any trespassers here." + +"You'll have to be prothecuted!" cried Bumps breathlessly. + +"Yes, Jill said she'd prosecute," said Jack, looking first at the stranger +and then at his sister, as if measuring in his mind's eye their respective +sizes. + +"What is to be done with me?" asked the stranger with an amused look. + +Jack and Jill put their heads together, and consulted in hurried whispers +as to the best course to take. + +Then Jill spoke very emphatically. + +"We shall have to prosecute you, because you didn't care for our +board. You saw it and you were going to move our stones. Jack and I +think if you will walk between us and promise not to escape, we will +go down to the policeman at our gate. Mona is having a grand party and +he's here now, for we saw him. He'll tell us what to do." + +"I think," said the trespasser, trying to look grave, "that you might +fine me. Magistrates do that to some trespassers." + +Jill did not understand this, but she was too proud to confess it. + +"No, you must come to the policeman," she said. So presently skirting +the tennis lawn the little procession passed. Jack and Jill marched on +either side of him, Bumps walked behind. + +"I can catch hold of his coat if he runs away," she said. + +It was unfortunate for the children's plan that Mona should intercept them. + +She moved from a shady tree on the lawn, and accompanied by two gentlemen +confronted them. + +A slight flush rose to her cheek when she saw the prisoner, and her +voice faltered slightly. + +"Mr. Arnold? I have not seen you for so many years that I hardly +recognised you at first. You must be staying with Lady Crane; though +she mentioned your name to me I never connected it with _you_. I am very +glad to see you." + +Her tone was more nervous than cordial. She introduced the other +gentlemen with her to him. "Sir Henry Talbot. Captain Willoughby." +Then she added lightly-- + +"I might have known I would find you in the children's company. I remember +how fond you were of all small people." + +"He's our prisoner," said Jack importantly, "and we're taking him to +the policeman." + +"A trethpather," put in Bumps excitedly. + +"Yes, we're going to prosecute him," said Jill gravely. + +Mona laughed, but Mr. Arnold looked grave enough as he said: + +"Yes, I plead guilty, but I appeal to the present company that I should +be let off a term of imprisonment by paying a fine." + +"What does he mean?" asked Jill confidentially, addressing Captain +Willoughby, who was always the children's friend. + +"He means he'll pay down some money if you make him. What has he been +doing?" + +"He has been trespassing in our most private place. There's a board up, +so there was no excuse." + +"I think if he pays us some money we'll let him off," said Jack. + +Mr. Arnold held out five shillings. + +"It's a first offence," he said. "I'll never do it again." + +"What shall we do with it?" asked Jill, taking the money and fingering +it dubiously. + +Mona had walked on with Sir Henry Talbot. + +"Why," said Jack "we'll put it in our bag." + +Jill's whole face brightened. + +"Thank you," she said. "We'll forgive you then." + +"You mercenary little wretches," said Captain Willoughby. "Is this a +new game by which you fleece every stranger?" + +"The money isn't for us!" said Jill indignantly. "It's for a kind +of church." + +Mr. Arnold looked at her, and gave one of his rare smiles again. + +"I must hear about it," he said. "I should like to know where my fine +will go." + +He certainly knew how to gain children's confidences. Before very long +on a garden seat Jill was telling him about it all, even about their +cherished "Bethel." + +She was rapidly making the trespasser into a friend. + +"I am most interested," he said; "I am going back to a big manufacturing +town soon, and I think I must try and get some of my boys and girls to +put aside a tenth." + +"Have you any little boys and girls of your own?" asked Jill. + +"I am not a father," Mr. Arnold replied, "but I have all sorts and kinds +of boys and girls who I consider belong to me. Little crossing-sweepers, +and errand-boys, and miners, and school-boys, and factory-girls. And I +have a few like you who enjoy plenty from their Heavenly Father." + +"Did you know Mona long ago?" asked Jill. + +"I knew her," said Mr. Arnold slowly, as his gaze travelled to a +white-gowned figure in the distance, "when she was about as big as you, +and we used to spend all our holidays together till we grew up. You +ask your sister to tell you of our prank in the church tower with old +Solomon Disher!" + +"Oh, do tell me." + +He shook his head. He saw Mona coming towards them again and he rose to +meet her. + +A few words that then passed between them puzzled Jill. + +"Well, Mr. Arnold, tell me your news. I suppose you have never changed +your opinion since we last met." + +"No, I never have." + +His eyes and mouth were stern as he spoke. + +Mona looked at him thoughtfully, then as she met his gaze, she laughed +lightly. + +"Your spirit is still ruling your body. I can see that. And I suppose +you would say that my body is still ruling my spirit. I think it is. I +always told you I should take the easy path." + +Mr. Arnold glanced at her, then he looked at the gay company on the +flowered lawns, his ear caught the lively strains of the band, and his +gaze wandered to the beautiful sloping hills and woods that formed a +background to the charming old English house that was her property. + +"A noble patrimony," he said in a low clear voice. "I would it did not +belong to those who lay up treasure for themselves and are not rich +toward God." + +A crimson flush mounted to Mona's fair cheeks. + +"Seven years ago," she said "we parted because of your unreasonable +severity. Have we met to do the same this afternoon?" + +A smile came to his lips. + +"I hope not. I have lived and learnt to judge less harshly; but my aim +is still the same. I hope my standard has not been lowered." + +Mona shrugged her shoulders, then deliberately walked away from him. + +Jill looked after her astonished. + +"You have made Mona cross, Mr. Arnold." + +"I am afraid I have," he said humbly. "Shall we come over to the tea tent?" + +Jill was only too delighted. + + + + +VIII + +"I MUST LOVE FIRST, BEFORE I CAN GIVE" + + +But Jill lost her friend in the tent. Several ladies took possession of +him, and Miss Falkner told her to come with her and speak to two little +girls who were standing outside. They were evidently twins. Both had +white delicate faces and long fair hair reaching almost to their waists. + +Jill was much astonished when she heard they were the "Indian nieces." + +"Why do they call you Indians?" she asked them abruptly, as Miss Falkner +having left them they walked across the lawn towards the band. + +"We are not Indians," one of the little girls said indignantly. "We have +been living in India and came to England last month. Mother and father +are still out there." + +"Oh," said Jill in a relieved tone: "I was afraid you would be half +black. Mona told me you were coming. What do you do in India?" + +Their tongues were loosened, they poured out such a volley of "ride +through bazaars," "tiffins," "ayahs," "dobies," "punkahs," "rupees," +"gymkanas," and other unknown words and terms that Jill grew quite +bewildered. + +She questioned them eagerly and was quite impressed with all the strange +things they had seen and heard. + +"What kind of things do you do?" they asked in their turn. "It seems so +dull to us in England, but that's because we are shut up in a school-room +with a governess." + +"We're never dull," said Jill warmly. "Never! And we're always doing +new things every day. Do you see Jack and Bumps anywhere?" + +"Who are they? Is Bumps a dog? What a funny name!" + +"She's my little sister; we've always called her Bumps because she +tumbles about and hurts herself so. They've gone off together somewhere. +Now if we find them you'll see the sort of things we do. Whenever Jack +and Bumps are missing, they are always up to something!" + +Jill commenced a rapid and thorough search for her brother and sister. +Miss Falkner was also looking for them, but it was a long time before +their search was successful. At last coming to a small artificial lake +which was tenanted by some wild waterfowl and white swans, they heard +a commotion, and found Jack and Bumps very busy indeed. + +Bumps was sitting in a wheelbarrow to which were harnessed with yards +of tape and ribbon, two of the swans. It had been a difficult task, to +judge from the children's heated, dirty faces. The birds were screeching +and fluttering their wings, nearly choking themselves in their efforts +to free themselves. + +Jack was pushing the wheelbarrow behind, trying to follow the lead of +the distressed and angry birds. Bumps, elated by her position, was +brandishing a small whip and trying to manage her reins, which seemed +a difficult matter. + +How they had got hold of the swans at all was a wonder, but Jack's white +suit was covered with green slime and soaked with water. + +"I'm Snow White," called out Bumps, "but these thtupid thwans won't +go prop'ly!" + +Miss Falkner said very little, but what she said had the effect of +bringing Jack to his senses. + +"Well," she said; "you have shortened your happy day by this! What a +pity! You evidently were tired of the party. We will go straight back +to the school-room and stay there for the rest of the day." + +In two minutes she had liberated the unhappy swans and was marching Jack +and Bumps--one on each side of her--back to the house. The little girls +watched them, half in amusement half in pity. + +"That's what I say," said Rose, one of the twins, "a governess spoils +every bit of fun!" + +"Miss Falkner doesn't," said Jill loyally, "but Jack does sometimes go +too far. He nearly hung Bumps the other day. He was pretending to do +it, but he got the rope too tight round her neck. She was a Royalist +and he was Oliver Cromwell. We had had it in our lesson that day. He +said he really felt she was his enemy, and he would have to get rid of +her! Miss Falkner was very angry. She is very quiet when she is angry, +but she's very nice. I love her!" + +Then with a quick change of thought, Jill said-- + +"Do you get a lot of money? Have you pocket-money?" + +"Yes, we have sixpence a week each, but it doesn't seem a great lot." + +"Wouldn't you like to give your tenth to God? You can easily, if you +like. I'll tell you how it's done." + +The little girls looked at Jill completely puzzled, but she had a wonderful +way of compelling attention and interest, and before she separated +from them that afternoon they had promised to think over the matter, +and let her know what they could do. + +"You see," said Norah, the other twin, "we haven't very much money to +spare. We want every penny of it. We're always wanting to buy things." + +"Yes, but God wants it most," said Jill, "and it's such a very little +He wants; only one penny out of tenpence, that's all it is. And if you +saw the poor people out on Chilton Common, who have no church and who +look so dirty and wicked, you'd like to give some money to help them." + +"Are you good?" asked Rose looking at her curiously. + +"No, I'm awfully wicked," said Jill with conviction, "but giving your +money away doesn't make you good. I wish it did." + +There was nothing to say to this. They parted excellent friends, but +Rose said to Norah afterwards, "She's rather a nice girl, but I feel if +I was with her she would make me do a thing whether I liked it or not." + +"It's the way she talks," said Norah; "she gets so excited over it. I +never heard of a tenth before, did you?" + +"No, never. I wonder if Aunt Mary gives it, I will ask her." + +Jill had a word or two again with Mr. Arnold before he left. He came up +to wish her sister good-bye when she was standing by her side. + +"Good-bye, Miss Baron. I am off to my work again to-morrow, so shall +not see you again for some time." + +Mona looked up at him a little wistfully, then spoke in her most airy +manner-- + +"Good-bye, it is not likely we shall often meet; my path is not yours, +as you are so fond of inferring." + +He looked at her in silence, then his hand fell rather heavily on Jill's +shoulder. + +"I think of you," he said, "as you were at this age. This little sister of +yours has discovered that she is a steward--help her when she grows up, +as you were never helped, to preserve her childish faith and integrity. It +is required in stewards that a man may be found faithful!" + +Then turning to Jill he said-- + +"Good-bye, little friend. I am not sorry that I trespassed this afternoon, +for I am going away happier than when I came." + +"And you don't mind us keeping your five shillings?" + +"I shall like to think of it reposing in that scarlet bag you told +me about!" + +He went, and Mona turned sharply upon Jill-- + +"Run away, child, to Miss Falkner. It is getting late, you have been +here long enough." + +Jill obeyed, wondering why her sister spoke so crossly. + +It was a few days after this that Jill discovered two more trespassers +in the vicinity of Bethel. + +She was by herself, and did not feel quite so ready to arrest them when +they proved to be Mona and Captain Willoughby. + +They had been wandering through the plantation, and Captain Willoughby's +voice was very low and earnest when the sudden appearance of Jill +startled and disconcerted him. + +"You can't come any further, I'm afraid," said Jill barring the way; +"for you'll be trespassing." + +Mona looked at her in amusement. + +"Whose wood is this? Yours or mine?" she asked. + +"This corner is ours," answered Jill firmly, "No one used it before +we did." + +"But what have you been using it for?" inquired Mona. + +Jill looked a little rebellious. Captain Willoughby seized hold of her. + +"You are the little trespasser, not us, I fancy," he said. "Now then I +have got you. Come along, and don't pull away from me unless you want +a sore wrist." + +So Jill was dragged captive before her board and pile of stones. + +Mona looked at it curiously. + +"Now what on earth does it mean, Jill? Explain." + +"You're trespassers both of you," said Jill stubbornly. "It's got to do +with _us_, and we are the ones that know about it." + +"The mighty _US_!" said Captain Willoughby, who loved to tease her +sometimes. + +But Mona stopped him, and drew Jill's hand out of his very gently. + +"Never mind, Jill dear. We will own ourselves trespassers if you will +explain this. What does 'Bethel' mean? It is a Bible word, is it not?" + +Jill was quickly appeased. When Mona spoke to her kindly she was ready +to tell her anything. + +"It is a secret place, and a religious one," she said. + +"Of course it comes out of the Bible, and it's not idolatry, though +Sam's father says it is." + +"I know!" said Captain Willoughby. "It's an altar, and you offer +sacrifices on it." + +"No, we don't," said Jill indignantly, "we wouldn't be so wicked!" + +"But the good people in the Bible always offered sacrifices," argued the +young Captain. + +Jill looked at him thoughtfully. + +"Well, we don't," she said. + +"What do you do?" asked her sister. "This is a kind of altar, isn't it?" + +"It is a kind of one," admitted Jill, "though Jacob did not call it an +altar. He made a heap of stones and called it Bethel, and so we've done +it too." + +"Oh, I see," said Captain Willoughby. "This is Jacob's heap of +stones. Isn't one of them in the King's coronation chair, by the bye?" + +"But what use is this to you?" asked Mona, wanting to get to the bottom +of it. + +"It has to do with our vow," said Jill, speaking fast and earnestly. "We +have done what Jacob did, we've told God we'll give Him our tenth. 'Of +all that Thou shalt give me, I will surely give a tenth unto Thee.' That's +the vow. And if anybody wants to make it I shall let them come here +and make it, and they won't be trespassers any longer." + +"That's a grand inducement," murmured the Captain, "but what does +your tenth consist of, Jill? Sweets and currant-buns, and dolls, and +picture-books? I should like the system explained." + +"It's the tenth of our money, of course," said Jill, "I thought everybody +knew that." + +Mona was silent. She was looking a little troubled. Then she turned +suddenly to Jill-- + +"Is this where you brought Mr. Arnold the other day?" + +"I found him here," said Jill. "He was a trespasser. That's why he gave +me five shillings." + +"What have you done with it?" + +"I've put it into our bag. Miss Falkner made us a red bag and all our +tenth goes into it, and then I take it to Mr. Errington, and he's going +to build a mission church on Chilton Common with it!" + +Mona gasped, then she began to laugh. + +"Hopeful Mr. Errington! I admire his ambition, but I fancy many years +will roll by before that church is built!" + +"I knew you would laugh," said Jill reproachfully. + +"Well," said Mona, looking first at Jill and then at her pile of stones, +"I always did say you children had the bump of invention. But I, with +Mr. Arnold, will plead guilty of the charge of trespassing; and you +must do the same, Captain Willoughby. What will you fine us, Jill? Five +shillings? I think we cannot escape with less than that." + +"Be merciful," pleaded Captain Willoughby. "If I had known this visit +of ours would have entailed such a loss to my pocket, I would have kept +a long way off from it!" + +Jill looked perplexed. + +"I don't want to get money out of people," she said, "but you really +are trespassers, and it will be lovely for our bag!" + +Mona took her purse out of her pocket, and put half a sovereign into +her little sister's hand. + +"There!" she said. "Run away and put that into your bag. It is for a +good object. Now, Captain Willoughby, we must go back to the house. I +promised to drive with Miss Webb at four o'clock, and it is that already." + +Jill turned over the gold coin in amazement and delight. She thanked +her sister effusively. + +"I knew our bag would get on, I was sure it would," she said; and then +she scampered back to the school-room, where Miss Falkner was teaching +Jack how to arrange his stamps geographically in his stamp album, and +Bumps was looking admiringly on. + +"Look!" she cried. "Mona has given this to me for our bag! Isn't it +perfectly lovely." + +She got plenty of sympathy from the school-room party. Miss Falkner had +heard at last about "Bethel," but she had respected Jill's wish about +it, and had never been there. + +That evening when the children were in bed she sat by the open school-room +window. Her thoughts were not sad ones, though she had had much in her +life to make her sad. And when a slender figure in a black lace gown +came across the dusky lawn and spoke to her, it was the young heiress's +face that looked weary and troubled, not the governess's. + +Miss Falkner looked up brightly. + +"Isn't it a delicious evening?" + +"Is it? Yes, I suppose so. I wish I enjoyed things as you do, Miss +Falkner." + +There was a little silence. + +Then Mona sat on the low window-ledge and put her light shawl over +her shoulders. + +"I must have some one to talk to to-night, or I feel I shall go crazy, +and I have come out of doors to get away from Miss Webb, because she +is so cross with me." + +Miss Falkner looked her sympathy but said nothing. + +"Jill has altered a chapter in my life to-day, and I don't know whether +I am glad or sorry." + +"I hope she has done good, not harm," said Miss Falkner. + +"From your standpoint--yes. From mine--I'm not so sure. I was about to +yield to persuasion, when she interrupted us, but after her interruption, +I--well I altered my mind. What a lot of bother one's memory gives one!" + +"Sometimes it does." + +Mona moved in her seat restlessly. + +"Seven years ago, Miss Falkner, I quarrelled with some one that I liked +very much. It was about a certain subject. It is strange that this week +the same person and the identical subject have both cropped up again." + +"I should say," said Miss Falkner, "that the coincident has occurred +for a purpose." + +"Yes, I knew you would say that." Then after a pause she said-- + +"Do you believe that prosperity is good or bad for one?" + +"I think if we regard our wealth as a trust it will be good for us," +said Miss Falkner. + +Mona laughed a little bitterly. + +"Of course. It is the same old story. People can't give because it's +right to give. I hate being forced." + +"No," said Miss Falkner gently. "It is only when we love the One to whom +our wealth belongs that we love to give it back to Him." + +"Then," said Mona, "I must love first, before I can give." + +She rose, then looked a little wistfully at the young governess. + +"Sometimes I wish I could change places with you," she said, and before +Miss Falkner could make any reply she slipped away. + + + + +IX + +TRYING TO BE "DOUBLE GOOD" + + +"Are you going away?" + +It was Jack who spoke, and who stood at the door of Captain Willoughby's +room, looking at the half-filled portmanteaus, and the general chaos of +a man's quarters when he is on the point of departure. It was before +breakfast, and being a rainy morning, Jack was wandering about the +passages seeking for some occupation. + +Captain Willoughby looked up from his employment. He was vainly trying to +strap a Gladstone bag, and was muttering imprecations under his breath. + +"Now then, young shaver, what do you want? You children are always turning +up when you aren't desired. I have to thank your small sister yesterday +for an interruption which proved disastrous!" + +Jack edged himself in, and climbed up to the iron foot-rail of the bed, +where he sat swinging his legs. + +"Why are you going?" + +"You didn't really think I had taken up my quarters here for good and all, +did you?" + +Captain Willoughby's tone was distinctly irritable. + +"You needn't be waxy," said Jack cheekily. "There's one thing! I know +you'll be back again before long!" + +"Shall I?" said the Captain, giving a vicious tug to his straps. "I shall +volunteer to go out to India with the next draft; I'm sick of England." + +"Do tell me why you're so cross," said Jack earnestly, clasping his +hands round his knees. + +Captain Willoughby had finished his task. He sat down upon his bag with +a sigh of relief. + +"There! I shall leave my man to do the rest. The world is an utter +failure, Jack, that's what it is!" + +"Is it?" said Jack innocently. + +"Yes," went on Captain Willoughby. "And it's the women who are at the +bottom of it. They're all the same--unstable, uncertain, fickle, false, +their moods change from day to day; they make you believe in them, and +take you in all round, and then are quite surprised to see that you are +taken aback by their complete change of tone and mind. It's a bad thing, +my boy, to spend too much time with women. Remember that when you grow up. +You will rue the day you made their acquaintance." + +This dissertation was perfectly incomprehensible to Jack. He stared at the +Captain with open eyes and mouth. Then he slipped down from his perch. + +"I'm sorry you're so put out," he said. "I suppose you're cross because +you have to go away." + +Then he slipped out of the room, and confided to Jill that Captain +Willoughby was awfully cross with everybody in the world, and that she +had better keep out of his way. + +The children with their governess occasionally lunched in the dining-room, +when there were no visitors. + +Jack looked around on this particular day before he commenced to eat. + +"There are five women," he announced; "and I'm the only man. It's a bad +lookout for me!" + +"Why?" asked Mona, who had been sitting at the head of the table rather +_distrait_ and silent. + +"Because," said Jack slowly, "Captain Willoughby told me this morning +that it is a bad thing to spend too much time with women." + +Mona's cheeks flushed a deep crimson. Miss Webb glared at Jack through +her pince-nez, and then Mona laughed outright. + +"I'm afraid your lot is cast amongst women for the present, Jack. When +you are Captain Willoughby's age, I advise you to be careful how you +cultivate their society." + +"Mona!" said Miss Webb warningly. + +"Oh yes," said Mona; "I mean it. And if a woman, Jack, gets tired of your +company, and doesn't like the idea of spending all her life with you, +take yourself off like a man, and don't be talking over your grievances +with everybody you come across!" + +Jack said no more. His sister's words were like Captain Willoughby's, +beyond his comprehension. + +Jill's walk to the Golden City was a very halting one. When she was +put to bed at night she generally reviewed her path through the day, +and sometimes Bumps was favoured with her confidences. + +"I've had an _awful_ day," she admitted one night after a series of +misdemeanours and punishments. "I meant to go as straight as--as a +ruler, and I've gone all crooked. I always mean to behave, but things +happen to make me forget!" + +"Yeth," said Bumps a little virtuously. "You forgot when you dressed up +the black cat in Annie's cap and apron that she alwayth goes in the coal +cellar when she's frightened. And when Annie is croth, she's horrid! When +you locked her up here becauth she said she'd tell Miss Falkner, I knew +she'd bang at the door till she brought everybody up-stairs. I tolded +you tho." + +"Well," said Jill, sighing; "when Miss Falkner gave me a column of +spelling to learn as a punishment, I did mean to do it; but when I +saw Sam pass through the garden, I just forgot all about it, and all I +thought was that this was the day he got his money, and I must ask him +again about his tenth--of course that was another crooked turn I took; +and when Miss Falkner said she couldn't trust me I think Satan came +up behind and pushed me down as hard as he could. For I don't remember +what I called her! I only know I was in a passion." + +"You called her a beatht!" said Bumps in a shocked tone; "and Jack and +I heard you, and Jack said he wouldn't never have called her that!" + +"And then I threw the spelling-book in the fire, and then I was sent to +bed," pursued Jill mournfully. "I wonder, Bumps, if you can make up for +one bad day in the next. You see, if I was sent to walk two miles along a +road, and I only did a little bit of a mile, and the rest of the time I +went into crooked lanes and got myself into scrapes, I think the next day +if I ran hard all day, and never stopped to sit down one minute, perhaps I +could do the two miles I didn't do the day before, and two more besides." + +"Two and two make four," said Bumps complacently. "Will you try to-morrow, +Jill?" + +"I think I will," said Jill. "I don't want to lose a day if I can help it." + +The next morning she remembered her resolve, and she added a silent +petition to her morning prayer-- + +"Oh God, please help me to run hard and very straight to-day. Keep me +from tumbling, and let me make up for yesterday, for Jesus Christ's +sake. Amen." + +"Jill is going to be very, _very_ good to-day," said Bumps confidentially +to Jack. + +"Is she?" said Jack with interest. "Then I'll ask her to give me those +stamps Captain Willoughby gave her the other day." + +Jill was taken aback by this request. + +"They are mine, Jack. You know I'm beginning to collect them." + +"Yes, but it will be unkind if you don't give them to me, because I want +them. You should try to please others before yourself, that's what Miss +Falkner says." + +Jill did not see this. + +"I thought you were going to be double good to-day," said crafty Jack. + +"Yes," said Jill slowly; "but if you take them it will be unkind and +selfish of you." + +"But I'm not trying to be good to-day like you," argued Jack, quite +unabashed. + +"But I shall be making it easy for you to be wicked; I shall be helping +you to do an unkind thing." + +They were in the thick of their argument when Miss Falkner came into +the room, so they dropped it. Lessons were started, and progressed very +smoothly. At twelve o'clock, when they were dismissed, Jill came to Jack, +and put the stamps into his hand. + +"There they are," she said; "but I wouldn't be you for _anything_!" + +"I've helped you to be good," said Jack with the greatest satisfaction +as he sat down at the school-room table and began to stick the stamps +into his album at once. + +Jill ran out into the garden. + +"Come and thwing me!" cried Bumps. + +"I can't, Bumps, I must try to do something wonderfully good." + +"What will you do?" asked Bumps curiously. + +"I don't know; I think I will get the Bible and find out." + +As quick in action as in thought, Jill darted into the house and soon +returned with her Bible in her hand. For some minutes she turned over +the leaves of it unsuccessfully, then an under-gardener passed her. + +Now this young man was a local chapel preacher, and Jill had heard +some of the servants call him "a shining light." She looked up at +him inquiringly. + +"Tom," she said, "what is the very goodest thing to do when you want to +be really good?" + +Tom scratched his head. + +"'Tis God's Word will tell 'ee, Miss Jill. There be that sayin' of +Apostle James--'Pure religion an' undefiled is to visit the widows and +fatherless in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the +world.' 'Tisn't many that get beyond that!" + +"Thank you," said Jill in delight. "Please show me the verse in case I may +forget it." + +So Tom took her Bible in his hand and found it for her, then went on +his way; and Jill began to formulate her plans with great rapidity. + +"'Unspotted from the world' means, of course, not to tumble down and +dirty my frock on the way to the Golden City. That I'm trying to do hard, +but I haven't visited any widows, and I know there are two or three in +the village. That will be a lovely way of doing good. I will go at once." + +But alas for Jill! Mona was calling her to come and pick some flowers +for her. + +For a minute she thought of running away, then her conscience told her-- + +"That will not be running in a straight road," and she reluctantly +obeyed her sister's call, and picked flowers till the bell rang for the +school-room dinner. + +She was not free from lessons till four o'clock. Then, without saying a +word to any one, she put on her hat and ran out of the house and down +the long drive as fast as her legs could carry her. She knew one old +widow by sight, but she had never been inside her cottage. She was +rather shunned by her neighbours, as she was a very dirty, thriftless +woman, and earned her living by collecting rags and bones. + +Jill knocked at her door eagerly and breathlessly. + +The old woman poked her head out and looked at her crossly. + +"What do 'ee want?" + +"I've come to visit you." + +"Don't want no visits from plaguey children!" + +The door was banged in her face. + +Poor Jill retired discomfited. Then she thought of another widow who +had lately lost her husband, a very respectable farmer. She lived at +a farm some distance off, but distance was no detriment to Jill's purpose. + +Away she went; across fields and down lanes; getting more tired and +heated every step she took. + +She found the young woman at her wash-tub. + +"May I come in and visit you?" asked Jill meekly. + +"Come in and welcome, miss. I think you be one of the little ladies +belongin' to Miss Baron?" + +"Yes, I am," said Jill, seating herself on a low stool with a sigh of +relief. "I'm glad you will let me come in. Old Mrs. Jonas wouldn't!" + +"That old cat! Why, miss! you be never tryin' to visit her?" + +"I'm visiting all the widows I can find to-day," said Jill solemnly. "The +Bible tells me to." + +Young Mrs. Drake put her apron to her eyes. + +"Aye, dearie me! My poor, dear husban'! To think that I be called +a widder along wi' that old good-for-nothin' Mrs. Jonas! Oh, 'tis a +cruel, wicked world, and hard on me that has allays done me duty an' +attended church reg'lar!" + +"Don't cry, please," said Jill, only dimly understanding the drift of +her words. "You can't help being a widow, you know. That's why I've come +to see you. And I've come to see your children too, because it says the +'fatherless!'----" + +But at this Mrs. Drake began to sob afresh, and so violently that Jill +felt quite alarmed. + +"So they be! 'Fatherless.' An' only last Wednesday three weeks he were a +dandlin' of 'em on his knee. Oh, 'tis hard, 'tis cruel hard on a poor, +single woman!" + +A hard-featured woman put her head in at the door. + +"Why, Polly, what be 'ee makin' such a moan over?" + +Then seeing Jill, she stepped forward. + +Mrs. Drake sobbed the louder. + +"Little miss have been mindin' me that I'm a lone widder, and my chillen +fatherless. So they be, the poor critturs, but 'tis hard to have it +thrown up agen me! Ah, my poor dear husban'! Oh, Jim, Jim! why did 'ee +leave me?" + +She began to beat her hands to and fro, and seemed to be hysterically +inclined. + +"Run away," said the hard-featured woman. "You won't do no good here, +missy. Poor soul! she has been well-nigh distracted, and I were hopin' +she were gettin' over the worst of it, and now she be so bad as ever!" + +Jill crept out of the house feeling her visit had been a failure. + +As she gained the high-road again, she met Sir Henry Talbot, whom Bumps +still called the "keeper." + +He was very good to the children, and stopped directly he saw her. + +"Hulloo!" he said. "Are you having another truant day? Are you all alone?" + +"I'm not truanting," said Jill. "I've been looking for widows. Do you +know any, Sir Henry?" + +He laughed. + +"I do. Now, what the dickens do you want widows for? Tell me, and I'll +help you." + +Jill hesitated. + +"You won't laugh at me?" + +"On my honour, no." + +"I'm trying to be double-good to-day, so I'm visiting them, like the +Bible says we must." + +Sir Henry did not laugh. He only stood and looked at her. + +"And what do you say to them when you see them?" + +"That's the difficult part," said Jill. "I don't quite know what to +say. I've been to one widow, and she wouldn't let me in, and I've been +to another, and made her cry." + +"And now you're looking for a third. Well, I will help you. Do you see +that big house behind the trees over there? A widow lives there, and +her name is Mrs. Beresford. Go and see her, and make her cry if you can." + +"But I don't want to make them cry,' said Jill. 'Will she like to see me?" + +"I should think she would. I should, if I were a widow." + +"Has she any children? I want to visit some fatherless." + +"Happy thought! Come home and have some tea with me. I'm a fatherless +creature. My father died when I was an infant." + +"I think," said Jill slowly, "the Bible means poor widows and fatherless. +You aren't in affliction, are you?" + +"No," said Sir Henry. "I can hardly say I am." + +"Then thank you very much, but I shall have to look for some really +poor people." + +And nothing that he could say would induce her to accompany him home. + +She plodded back to the village, but before she reached it, she came +upon a little party of tramps who had drawn up their pony and cart by +the roadside, and were eating their evening meal. + +They were not prepossessing in appearance. Two women, both of whom +seemed careworn and down-trodden, four children, ragged and dirty, +and a sullen, bad-tempered looking man. Jill looked at them with +interest. One of the women had a rusty piece of crape on her bonnet. +It was that which prompted Jill to speak. + +"Are you a widow?" she asked. + +The woman stared at her, but the elder one of the two gave her a nudge, +then answered for her. + +"Yes, little lady, she be, indeed; lost her por husban' a few weeks ago, +an' leaves 'er with three chillen under four year. 'Ave you a copper, +miss, to give 'er? for she be on her way to the 'ouse." + +"I'm afraid I haven't any money," said Jill, "but I'll sit down and talk +to her. It's what I came out to do--to visit widows." + +The man eyed Jill up and down in a way that she did not much like, but +she was a fearless child, and was so full of the part she meant to play +that she did not think of anything else. + +"I suppose you are in affliction," she said, gazing sympathetically +into the woman's face. "I'm so sorry for you. Do tell me which are your +little children." + +The woman looked at Jill with dull, curious eyes. She indicated her +little ones by a backward movement of her thumb. + +"And what house are you going to?" asked Jill. + +"There be only one 'ouse for the likes o' me," the woman responded +bitterly; then she turned her head to watch the approach of a carriage. + +Jill enticed one of the small children to come to her. She heard a +carriage pass, but did not look up, then she was startled by her name +being called, and sprang to her feet. + +Mona was calling her, for it was she and Miss Webb who were driving by. + +Mona's disgust was great at seeing a party of the lowest class of tramps +sitting by the roadside, and her little sister in the midst of them. She +spoke very sharply-- + +"Come here at once, Jill! What do you mean by disgracing yourself and +us so?" + +Jill turned to the woman politely. + +"I'm sorry I have to go," she said. "Good-bye." + +She insisted on shaking hands, then came up to the carriage-door, +looking a little defiant. + +"Get in at once, and we will drive home. How is it, Miss Webb, that even +with this immaculate Miss Falkner these children are for ever getting +into scrapes?" + +Jill climbed into the carriage, feeling very uncomfortable under her +sister's scrutiny. She was conscious that she was very heated and untidy; +Mona's fresh daintiness made her feel her own deficiency in neatness. + +"Give me an explanation of this at once, you naughty child," said Mona +peremptorily. + +Jill's eyes flashed. + +"I'm not naughty," she said indignantly; "I've--I've been visiting +widows." + +Miss Webb scented amusement. She sat up straight, and tapped Jill's knee +with her pince-nez. + +"That's very interesting," she said. "Of course, visiting widows is not +a sin. But who told you to do it? And why did you pick out a family of +tramps to work off your energy upon?" + +Jill shut her mouth firmly. She keenly resented Miss Webb's tone of +ridicule, and determined to say no more. + +Mona gave her a long lecture upon the dangers to which she had exposed +herself in making friends with tramps, and when they reached home she was +delivered over to her governess with a sharp injunction to punish her for +running away, and keep her in the school-room for the rest of the evening. + +"So that's what I get for trying to be double good!" said poor Jill when +she was in bed that night. "I never will try it again!" + +"Perhaps," said Bumps with wisdom beyond her years, "it wasn't quite +the right way to be it!" + + + + +X + +A PAPER CHASE + + +Sam Stone did not hold out very long. Jill pursued him everywhere, +and was never tired of dilating on his selfishness and greediness, +in refusing to give up a tenth of his weekly wage. + +She was beside herself with delight one day, when he came to her with +a two-shilling piece. + +"That be my portion for that there scarlet bag, missy," he said. "I'll +stick to it for a bit an' give it reg'lar every week, but if-so-be +that I be wantin' of it, well I must have it. That's all I can say, an' +I hope fayther won't miss his comforts through it!" + +"You must _never_ go back from it," said Jill looking up at him +solemnly. "It's a vow! You can't break a vow, it's a much more solemn +thing than a promise!" + +"But I don't mean to make no vow!" said Sam. + +That would not suit Jill at all. She talked away to him, and finally +threatened that she would get Miss Falkner to come and see him and explain +it to him. + +"She'll make you see you ought to do it." + +"I'll do my best, missy, but 'tis the prayer you say I must make, stumps +me. I've been a-looking through the chapter, an' Jacob he spoke up +very certain-like about the Lord being his God. I don't set up to be +a religious man myself, and I don't want to make no promises that I +bain't a-goin' to keep!" + +Jill insisted upon getting her Bible and reading the verses through +to him. + +"Jacob doesn't promise anything wonderful, Sam. He only says if God +will be good to him and take care of him, he will make Him his God, +and give his tenth to Him. Why the Lord is your God, Sam, isn't He?" + +"I don't know what the words mean rightly," said Sam dubiously. + +"They just mean that you must belong to God, and He will belong to +you. You do belong to Him already, Sam, you know you do!" + +"I bain't so sure." + +"Oh, Sam! God made you, and keeps you alive every day, and Miss Falkner +says it isn't only what God does for us, but Jesus died for us, so that +ought to make us belong to Him doubly sure!" + +"Well," said Sam after long thought, "I'll come to 'Bethel' to-morrow." + +So the next day saw him go through the little ceremony with great feeling +and earnestness of purpose, though the effort cost him a good deal. + +"I've done it fayther," he said when he went home, "I've tooken the vow +for good and all. I thought it were a kind o' game when Miss Jill first +brought it up, but I've been readin' the Bible, an' it do seem very plain, +an'--an'--well--we do be ungrateful creatures to the good God!" + +The scarlet bag grew heavy with coppers as time went on. Norah and +Rose Beecher came over to tea one day, and were persuaded to join "Our +Tenth Society!" + +Jill got to calling it grandly the "O.T.S." and soon had the satisfaction +of enrolling Annie the school-room maid as one of its members. + +Then came talk of summer holidays. Mona came into the school-room one +evening to consult with Miss Falkner about it. + +"I suppose you must go home?" she asked. "You would not be able to take +the children to the seaside?" + +"I am afraid not," said Miss Falkner. "I have a mother who lives quite +alone, and who looks for me to come to her whenever I can." + +"Ah," said Mona with a little sigh. "You have something that I have not." + +Then she added in a different tone-- + +"I don't know what to do with the children. They play such pranks, +and they're too old for nurses. Jack and Jill are quite beyond them." + +Miss Falkner could offer no suggestion. Mona went on-- + +"Miss Webb has offered to look after them, but I want her to come abroad +with me, and she cannot do both." + +"I suppose you will have to leave them here for their holidays?" + +"I see the look in your eyes, Miss Falkner! You think me a selfish wretch +for letting my claims on Miss Webb come first. Perhaps you are like +Mrs. Errington, who at once saw a solution out of the difficulty. 'Take +them to some comfortable farmhouse and look after them yourself!' I +told her I should be worn out in twenty-four hours. I often wonder how +you can stand it!" + +"It is my life-work," said Miss Falkner quietly. "But I am so fond of +children that they do not tire me." + +"Well," said Mona giving an impatient sigh, "my life-work at present is +to amuse myself. I find it hard work sometimes. But as you won't make +it easy for me to carry off Miss Webb I suppose I must leave her behind." + +And so it was settled. Miss Webb resigned herself to her fate. Mona went +to some of her numerous friends, and Miss Falkner took her departure. + +The children hovered about her as she packed the day before she went, +and hindered rather than helped her. + +"Just tell me what your mother and your home is like," said Jill. "I'm +going to shut my eyes and pretend I see you. Make yourself saying +'How do you do,' to her." + +Miss Falkner smiled. + +"Shut your eyes then. A narrow street, and a terrace of small houses with +little balconies above. A cab stops at the door, and a young woman--shall +I call her?--hurries up the narrow steps. Some one has been watching at +the door. A gentle, sweet-faced woman with a bright smile and tired body, +comes forward to greet her. Then she takes her to a little upstairs +drawing-room, which is full of sweet-smelling flowers, and a canary +bird and a big tabby cat--both the best of friends--are also waiting +to greet the home-comer. Tea is waiting. A little rosy-cheeked maid brings +the kettle in. The windows are open, but the small balcony is full of +flowers, and the scent and sight of them makes one forget the narrow, +dingy street outside. Can you see my home, Jill? Can you see me sitting +down by my mother's side, and saying, 'No more lessons, and no more +children for six weeks'?" + +"Yes," said Jill with tightly closed eyes, "I can see you; but, oh, +Miss Falkner," and here she flung her arms round her governess's neck +as she was stooping to put some things in her travelling trunk, "promise +on your word and honour that you'll come back to us!" + +"Indeed I hope to do so, dear." + +"And don't, _don't_ like your mother better than us!" + +Miss Falkner could not help laughing. When the very thought of her +mother brought a light to her eye and a lump in her throat; when the +anticipation of her mother's kiss and greeting was now the first waking +thought, how could she explain to a motherless child the strong tie +between an only daughter and her mother! + +"You must be a good child, Jill, whilst I am away. Let me find you when +I come back steadily going forward towards the Golden City. God will +help you, darling." + +Jill nodded soberly. + +"And we'll go on filling our bag. And perhaps the mission church will +be built by the time you come back." + +Miss Falkner did not damp her hopes. She parted with her little pupils +with sincere regret. Bumps sobbed audibly when she wished her good-bye, +and Jill crept up to her room to have her weep out in secret. Jack +appeared stolidly unconcerned, but when the carriage had taken Miss +Falkner away, he went straight to the stables, a forbidden resort. + +"Here, Stokes," he called out to one of the grooms, "I've come out +here because it's so beastly dull, and I don't care who finds me here; +for there isn't a person left in the house that I care about at all!" + +For the first few days the children missed their governess very much, +then the delights of the holidays took full possession of them. Miss +Webb was valiantly trying to do her duty. She took them for drives and +for picnics in the woods. She went into the nearest town and bought +them outdoor games and story-books; and if she saw them safely to bed +at the end of the day without any serious mishap having taken place, +she heaved a sigh of relief and said-- + +"One more day got through safely!" + +Jack was her greatest trial. Jill was really trying to be good, but Jack's +spirits were hard to restrain, and whatever he did, and wherever he went, +Bumps was sure to follow. + +One afternoon after their early dinner, Miss Webb retired to her room +with a headache. It was a hot, sultry day in August. She left her charges +playing a game of cricket on their lawn, and hoped they would stay there +till tea-time. + +Jill was the first one to give up cricket. + +"I'm going to write a letter to Miss Falkner," she said. "You go on +playing without me." + +"Bumps can't bowl," complained Jack; "she throws the ball up into the +sky as if she's aiming at the sun." + +"I'll bat," suggested Bumps cheerfully. + +"Yes, and I'll put you out, first bowl. There you are, you little stupid!" + +Bumps stared blankly at her wicket, then at Jack. + +"What shall we do next?" she inquired. + +"We'll have a paper chase," suggested Jack, who was never at a loss. + +"And where shall we get the paper?" asked Bumps in great glee at the +prospect. + +"Oh, come on into the house. We'll find it somewhere." + +Jack was not particular where he got his paper. Miss Webb's waste-paper +basket was first seized, then _The Times_ of the day before and sundry +magazines in the drawing-room, then the library was invaded and various +papers and circulars abstracted from the writing-table. + +"I shall be hare, of course," said Jack as he sat down on the floor +with Bumps, and rapidly began to tear his various papers to pieces. +"You must give me ten minutes' start, Bumps, by the clock, and then you +must follow the paper, and never stop till you catch me up." + +"You won't go twenty miles away?" said Bumps very anxiously. + +"Of course I won't! And get Jill to come with you. It will be much +greater fun if she comes." + +Tearing the papers up kept them quiet for a good half-hour, and then +Jack started, first taking off his jacket, and making Bumps promise on +her honour not to look which way he went. + +She waited her ten minutes and then went to Jill. + +"Jill, do come and be the other hound. Jack has gone, and oh! he has gone +through the thtable, I thee the paper!" + +Bumps was too excited to wait. Jill was lying flat on the grass and +hardly turned her head. She murmured, "It's too hot," and went on with +her writing. + +The afternoon wore on. Miss Webb was roused by the tea-bell and went +down-stairs congratulating herself upon the quiet behaviour of the +children. She found Jill deep in a storybook. + +"Where are the others?" she asked. + +"Paper-chasing," said Jill. "Aren't they stupid, this hot afternoon?" + +"But I hope they have not gone far?" + +"I don't know. The last time I did it, I was the hare, and I climbed a +wall, and fell through a greenhouse the other side, and I was ill for +three weeks; the gardener said I might have killed myself." + +This was hardly comforting. Miss Webb looked anxiously out of the window. + +"If they do not come soon, we must go and look for them. I hope they +have not gone outside the grounds!" + +"Oh, they mayn't be back till bed-time," said Jill. + +"You ought not to have let Bumps go," said Miss Webb sharply. "She is far +too small. You ought to have looked after her better!" + +Jill did not appear moved in the slightest. She ate her tea and wondered +at Miss Webb's concern; but as time went on, and there was no sign of +the hare or hound, she began to share Miss Webb's anxiety. + +"I'll go and look for them." + +Out she ran, and Annie was made to accompany her. They followed the +paper down the drive out into the road and across two fields, then it +went through a farm-yard up into a loft, down again, and out at a small +back gate. The farmer's wife came out and said she had seen both the +children, for Bumps had tumbled down in the yard and grazed her knees. + +"An' I took her in, an' gave her a piece of plaster, but she were dead +set on following the young gentleman." + +After going up the lane and going through another field, Annie said she +could go no further. + +"'Tis getting dark, and they'll most like be home by this time. Come +back, Miss Jill. Master Jack ought to be ashamed of himself leading us +this chase!" + +So they turned back, but when they came in they found that Miss Webb had +ordered the gardeners and grooms all out, for they had not returned. + +Jill's bed-time came. It grew quite dark, and then at last voices were +heard in the hall and Miss Webb rushed out. It was Bumps in the arms +of a big farmer. + +"I found her in a ditch," he said; "my mare shied as I were-a-drivin' +home, and I seed somethin' white by the roadside, and then I seed it +were a child. She have hurt her foot, poor little 'un. She must have +failed a-tryin' to get over a fence above!" + +"Is she dead?" cried Jill, pressing forward, for Bumps hung a limp and +apparently lifeless bundle over the farmer's arm. + +"Bless 'ee, no! Her be faint an' exhausted, but put her to bed an' +she'll be all right in the mornin'. Leastwise if her foot be not injured!" + +So poor Bumps was put to bed, and her little swollen foot bathed and +bandaged, and after a good deal of petting and feeding, she was able +to look up and speak. + +"It wath my short legs," she said sadly, and somehow or other this old +excuse of hers, which was always brought forward when she had failed +to do what the others did, brought the tears as well as a smile to Miss +Webb's face. Not a word of blame or reproach was uttered. But when she +had dropped into a sound sleep, Miss Webb left her, and her thoughts +were now centred on the missing Jack. + +The gardeners and grooms failed to trace him, and returned to the house +between ten and eleven that night without having found any sign of +him. Miss Webb passed a sleepless night, and early in the morning the +search was continued. + +But Jill was the first in the field. She got up at six o'clock, and +with determination in her small face, she trotted off following the +paper track. + +Over the same ground as the day before she went, but now in the sunshine +it was a different matter, and though in some places the paper had +disappeared, her sharp eyes tracked it out again, and she went on with +renewed vigour. + +At last she came to a standstill. The paper was to be seen close to a +private plantation. And then it went no further. Jill climbed a low +fence in spite of a board with "Trespassers will be prosecuted," and +looked in every direction for signs of more paper. But none did she find. + +"I'll go through the plantation," she said to herself, "and see where it +leads, for I believe that Jack must have come to an end of his paper." + +She followed a little beaten track; and presently with joy saw lying +in a bush a white cotton pillow-case. It had been missing from Jack's +bed the night before and was the bag he carried his paper in. Jill took +it up and found it--as she expected--empty. Then she pressed forward, +and at last came to the other end of the plantation. A deep and rather +wide stream ran between it and a green field, in which there were several +horses grazing. She looked down at the stream, then taking off her shoes +and stockings she boldly splashed across. She was in the act of putting +her stockings on again, when a gruff voice startled her. + +"Now here's another of 'em!" + +Looking up she encountered the gaze of a stout, red-faced old gentleman. + +"Have you seen Jack?" she asked eagerly. + +He shook his fist at her. + +"Didn't you see my board?" he shouted. "How dare you come on in the +face of it, and disturb my birds! If it isn't poachers, it's children +now-a-days. I hate 'em both!" + +"I'm very sorry," said Jill; "but please where is Jack. He has been away +all night, and we can't find him." + +"If that impudent boy I caught and thrashed yesterday was Jack, you +had better follow him, and if you aren't quick about it you'll get what +he got!" + +He brandished his stick so fiercely, that Jill fled in terror across the +field. Out of a white gate and down a lane she ran, and never stopped +till she reached a small cottage. Here she pulled up and breathlessly +asked a woman if she had seen her brother. + +"Were he a small boy with flannel shirt and trousers, and a straw +hat? Then yestere'en 'bout seven o'clock, he came runnin' down the road +an' Mike the tinker were in front with his old cart. I seed the boy speak +to 'im, and then up he climbed, and away they drove, and I'm afeered +that Mike was the worse for drink." + +"Where does Mike live?" asked Jill with a sinking heart. + +"About four mile from here, but he were a-goin' on his rounds, and his +next stopping-place was at Thornton." + +Thornton was the nearest town. Jill knew it well, but it was beyond her +walking powers. + +"I can't think why he hasn't come home," she said half crying. "I don't +know what to do." + +"Here's some un comin'," said the woman shading her eyes with her +hand. "'Tis a man on a hoss." + +Jill looked down the road, and when the rider drew near, she saw to her +intense delight that it was Sir Henry Talbot. + +He stopped his horse directly he saw her. + +"What!" he said; "another of you straying. Are you still looking for +widows?" + +"Oh no," Jill cried; "I'm looking for Jack. He is lost, and I've come +out to find him, and a drunk tinker has driven him away!" + +Sir Henry nodded gravely. + +"I know all about it," he said; "I've sent Jack home in my carriage." + +Jill's face brightened at once. + +"Oh, I am so glad; why didn't he come home?" + +"He couldn't very well. I was driving home last night from a dinner party +between twelve and one, and I came upon the tinker and Jack under the +cart and horse by the old bridge. It's a wonder they hadn't fallen into +the river. The tinker had his ribs broken, and Jack a nasty cut on +the head, but my housekeeper plastered him up, and he's quite himself +this morning. What scamps you are! How are you going to get home? I think +you had better come up on my horse. He'll carry us both." + +So in a very short time Jill returned triumphantly to the house riding +in front of Sir Henry. + +Miss Webb saw them from a window and hurried out. + +"How can I thank you, Sir Henry? He has arrived safe and sound. I feel +I shall be a white-haired old lady by the time Mona comes back. And +now you've brought Jill home. I do feel so grateful." + +"But I haven't been lost," said Jill in an aggrieved tone. + +And then she ran indoors to find Jack. + + + + +XI + +A DONKEY RIDE + + +Both Jack and Bumps were on the sick-list for the next few days. Bumps +had sprained her foot, and Jack's cut on his head was a deep and painful +one. + +When he recovered, he told his adventures to his sisters with much relish; +but for once Jill took Bumps' part, and told Jack he had treated her +very badly. + +"You ought to have stopped when your paper came to an end, and come +back to her. How could she follow you, especially when you drove in a +cart? It wasn't fair." + +"It was that old brute's fault. He nearly broke his stick over my +shoulders. I'll pay him back when I get a chance. I've got the marks +now. I can feel them. I couldn't walk home, I was so hurt. So I told +Mike to drive me into Thornton, and then I was going to our butcher, +I knew he would take me home." + +"That was rather clever of you," admitted Jill, "but did you forget all +about Bumps?" + +"Oh, I knew she would never come on so far. If you'd been with her it +would have been all right. And I thought you were. I told her to bring +you; so it was really all your fault." + +This was turning the tables upon Jill. + +"I suppose," she said slowly, "I ought to have looked after her." + +But Bumps breathlessly protested: + +"I wath all right. I runned ever so fatht. And I thaw the paper, and +never wath frightened of the cowth, and I would have catched him, Jill, +I really would, only I couldn't get over the palings, and my legs thtuck +where they oughtn't to, and then I tumbled on my head and--and----" + +Bumps came to a stop; then she added piteously, "I'll do better next time, +Jack. I really will." + +And Jack replied with a patronising air. "Oh yes, you'll do, when you +grow bigger." + +"Mona is coming back, children," said Miss Webb one morning as she opened +her letters at the breakfast-table. "She does not say why she is coming +home so much sooner than she intended, but I suppose she will tell us. +She will be here this afternoon." + +The children were delighted. Mona was a constant source of interest and +admiration to them. When she was in the house, there was a stir and +bustle; the very servants seemed to go asleep in her absence. + +Miss Webb had tea out upon the lawn that afternoon, and when Mona arrived, +she seemed struck with the children's orderly dress and behaviour, and +the quiet peacefulness of the old garden. + +"There is no place like home after all," she said as she sat in a low +wicker-chair with Bumps on her lap. + +Miss Webb looked at her with keen eyes. + +"You are tired and worried about something," she said. "Didn't you enjoy +your visit?" + +"Very much till yesterday," and Mona gave a little shiver. Then she bent +her lips, and touched Bumps' golden head with them caressingly. + +"I had a full programme," she said with a little laugh. "The Tambourne +Races to-day, the Regatta to-morrow, and Lady Donald's ball next Monday, +followed by her village theatricals and concert. There was an awfully +nice girl staying with us. Maud Crichton was her name. She used to come +into my room every night to have a chat, and I was going to bring her +back here to stay with me. She was rather seedy a few days ago, and we +thought it a heavy cold. Only last night she was sitting up with me, +and though her head was very bad, we were making wonderful plans. This +morning she was covered with a thick rash. I heard she had almost been +light-headed in the night. The doctor came and pronounced it scarlet +fever. Of course there was a general stampede. I'm terrified lest she +should have infected me. What do you think, Miss Webb?" + +Miss Webb looked grave, then quietly took Bumps off Mona's lap and sent +her indoors, telling the others to follow. + +"You don't think of the children," she said a little reproachfully. + +"The children? Good gracious! You're taking it for granted I am going +to get it! Why, Miss Webb, it drives me frantic to think I may! What +can I do? Shall I send for a doctor for some preventive?" + +Miss Webb saw the girl was thoroughly frightened and unstrung, so she +spoke very quietly. + +"You are not a weak, hysterical girl, Mona. Do for pity's sake control +yourself. It is not very likely you will take it; but if you did, there +are many things worse than scarlet fever. What makes you so frightened?" + +"Oh," said Mona, covering her face with her hands, "I might die. It +is so awful to think about it. And wasn't it strange, Miss Webb, we +had a sermon last Sunday with the gruesome text: 'Prepare to meet thy +God.' Now don't let us talk any more about it. Give me another cup of +tea. I call it ridiculous to send the children away." + +Mona pulled herself together with an effort. After that one revelation +of her frightened soul, she did not touch upon the subject again, but +Miss Webb watched her anxiously, and would not let the children be much +with her. A week afterwards, Mona was taken ill with the disease she +so much dreaded. Her extreme nervousness about herself did not help +her. Miss Webb promptly telegraphed to Miss Falkner--"Scarlet fever in +house. Can you take children to seaside?" + +And though Miss Falkner had only had a month's holiday, instead of six +weeks, she replied at once-- + +"Certainly, will return to-morrow." + +"It's rather exciting!" said Jack to Jill as they stood at the school-room +window watching for the arrival of their governess. "I don't want Mona +to be ill, but I'm jolly glad we're going to the seaside." + +"I'm glad Miss Falkner is coming with us, but I rather think I'd like to +have scarlet fever. It must be so nice to have the doctor and a nurse, +and jellies and beef-tea, and everybody fussing over you." + +The arrival of the carriage stopped further discussion, and in another +moment all three children were flinging themselves upon their governess, +nearly choking her with their eager embraces. + +They went the next day to a small seaside place about three miles from +Chilton Common. There was a nice sandy beach, a row of lodging-houses, +a stone pier and fishing-wharf; and the children were perfectly content +with their lot. Annie came with them, and their landlady knew them well, +for it was not the first time they had been there. + +"Miss Falkner, can't we go and see Chilton Common one day?" asked Jill, +soon after they had arrived. + +"Why, you funny child!" said Miss Falkner, smiling. "The only reason +you liked to go to Chilton Common was because you could see the sea +in the distance; and now you are actually at the sea, you want to go to +the Common." + +"Ah!" said Jill, "but I want to find the place where our mission-room is +going to be." + +"I forgot that," admitted Miss Falkner. "But it is too far for you to +walk, Jill. We must wait till we get home, I think, and then we can +drive there." + +So Jill tried to be patient, and she was very fond of mounting a small +hill close to the town where she could get a fine view of the Common, +and one day Miss Falkner found her there, shaking her red bag wildly in +the air at it. + +"There!" she was saying, "do you see the place you are going to build +upon! The fatter you get, the better for Chilton Common!" + +They heard from Miss Webb, but her letters always smelt of carbolic, and +Miss Falkner burnt them directly she had read them. Mona was very ill, +and one morning Miss Falkner got a letter that rather startled her. It +was as usual from Miss Webb. + + "DEAR MISS FALKNER, + + "I remember you told me that you were not afraid of scarlet fever, + having had it a few years ago. Would you be afraid of coming + to Mona? She is crying out for you incessantly day and night, + and I do not think it is mere delirium. She says you would help her + to get well, and the poor girl seems in terror lest she should + not do so. Dr. Forbes says if her mind could be eased there + would be more chance of her recovery. Leave the children with + Annie. I am sure they will be good, when they know that Mona needs + you. And nothing seems to matter in comparison with Mona's life. + If you feel you can come, come at once." + + +Miss Falkner went straight to her room, and put up a few things in a +portmanteau. She called Jill to her, and told her about the letter. + +"I am going to trust you, Jill, to keep the others out of mischief, +and ask God, dear, to make your sister better, if it is His will." + +Jill looked rather blank at the news. + +"You are always leaving us now," she said; "and Jack won't do what I tell +him. He never would. Mona has got Miss Webb, she doesn't want you too!" + +This was very much Annie's opinion. + +"Miss Baron doesn't ever think of anybody but herself," she confided +to Mrs. Pratt, the landlady. "If she took a fancy to see one of the +children, she'd never think of the risk to them, but she'd insist upon +them coming to her. She's a nice young lady to speak to, but she's always +had her own way, and poor Miss Falkner must go to help nurse her now!" + +When Miss Falkner came softly into the sick-room, she was shocked at +the change in Mona. + +She lay with crimson cheeks and parched, dry lips upon her pillows, +restlessly turning her head to and fro; her beautiful hair had all been +cut off; her eyes were dull and vacant; her voice husky and indistinct. + +A gleam of recognition lit up her face as Miss Falkner stooped over her +and spoke to her. + +"Is it Miss Falkner? You are good, you know how to pray. I am not ready +to die. Pray for me. It is cruel to take my life so soon, and he will +keep preaching, 'Prepare to meet thy God.' Do stop him. Of course it +is Cecil Arnold; I laughed at him, but I knew I was wrong, and he was +right. I can't prepare. I don't know how to. And why should I give up a +tenth of my money?--even little Jill is laughing at me--she and Cecil +Arnold putting their heads together, and he won't look at me, he doesn't +care for me any more. Oh, if only you will help me!" + +This and much more in the same strain she poured forth. + +Miss Falkner soothed her for the time, and the next day when she was +lying weak and exhausted, but fully conscious, she spoke again. + +"Do you think I shall get over this, Miss Falkner!" + +"I think--I hope you will," said Miss Falkner brightly. "I am praying +that you may." + +"I know I have lived only for pleasure, but if, oh, if God spares my +life, I will give Him some of my money. It has worried me so. Even the +children are giving now more than I do." + +"There is something God wants more than your money," said Miss Falkner +gently. "It is of more value to Him than that." + +"What is it? Oh, if I get well I will give it. Life is everything to me." + +"It is your soul." + +The words were spoken in a soft whisper, and there was silence in the +room for some time after that. + +At last Mona put her wasted hand out. + +"I will give it to Him, if He spares my life." + + * * * * * + +"Jack, Mona is going to get well. Miss Webb has written to tell us so. Oh, +do let us do something jolly to-day." + +"We'll have a donkey ride. There's a man just come along the road with +four of them. Come on!" + +But, alas! When purses were produced, only eightpence could be collected, +and the donkey man shook his head. + +"I wish," said Jack discontentedly, "that we needn't always be giving +to the Bag." + +Jill got hot and indignant at once. + +"You greedy, wicked boy, after your vow too. Remember Ananias and +Sapphira!" + +"But they took the money; I haven't." + +"No, but you're almost wishing to!" + +"I'm not," said Jack sullenly. + +"What's the matter, my boy?" asked an old lady, who was sitting on +a sheltered seat on the beach, and who had overheard a part of this +conversation. + +"We want a donkey ride," said Jack bluntly; "and we haven't got enough +money." + +The old lady quietly drew out a rusty black bag from her pocket. + +"I used to like donkey rides when I was a little girl," she said, +"so I'll treat you to one. Where would you like to go?" + +The children could hardly believe their ears. But Jill's one thought +came uppermost at once. + +"To Chilton Common," she said. "Oh! we should love to go there." + +The old lady spoke to the man. + +"Where is your nurse?" she said. "Will she like you to go so far?" + +"Oh, Annie won't mind. We always play out here till dinner-time." + +So in a few minutes, four donkeys were going at a steady trot towards +Chilton Common; the man himself riding on one of them. It seemed a long +way to the children, but Jill enlivened the way by telling the man about +their tenth bag, and the room that they hoped to build on the Common. + +"You might help if you like," she suggested. "You could give a tenth out +of what the lady is going to give you this morning. It's going to be +a tenth room or church, because it's going to be built out of our tenths." + +"Don't believe in parsons or churches," said the man emphatically. + +"Do you mean you don't like them?" questioned Jill. "Don't you go to +church yourself?" + +"Never been inside a church since I were a Sunday-school brat." + +"Oh! that sounds dreadful!" said Jill, eyeing him with severity. + +"Fact!" said the donkey man, giving Jill's donkey a vicious whack with +his stick, and making her start off at a gallop. But Jill could stick +to her donkey and to her point at the same time. + +"Well, if you don't want to go to church, other people do; and they +can't do it on Chilton Common. You wait till we get there, and then +you will see what it is like! And I'm sure you would like to give God +some of your money, wouldn't you? You must get a lot of money by your +donkeys. _Everybody_ likes to ride on donkeys!" + +"I'm a poor man, an' has a hard job to get my vittles," was the +response. "Let rich folk build churches and such like. Let 'em throw +away their money on such foolery, but a hard-workin' man has better to +do with his'n." + +"But," argued Jill, who from her long discussion with Sam was quite +prepared for these sentiments, "you aren't as poor as we are. If no +one gives me a present I get threepence a week, but it doesn't matter +how little you have, the first ten pennies you get, you put one aside +for God. Now do, won't you? You really ought to, for God gives you your +donkeys and your money. Supposing if your donkeys broke their legs, +or you broke yours! Then you wouldn't be able to get any money. And if +God takes care of you and your donkeys every day, I expect He's very +disappointed that you don't give Him a little money!" + +This and much more Jill eagerly poured forth, and at last her driver +took refuge in silent chuckles and shakes of his head. He would not +be drawn out any more. They arrived in due time on the Common. It was +a lovely day, and a few women came out on their doorsteps to watch the +little cavalcade. + +The children dismounted, and began earnestly disputing about the best +site for the mission-room. Jill took into her confidence one of the +women who seemed greatly interested. + +"You see," she said, "Mr. Errington and us are going to build a church +here when we can get enough money. Where would you like it put?" + +"We bain't church-goers," said the woman laughing. + +"No, but you will be when you get a church." + +"Now," said the donkey man, getting bolder when he saw he would be +supported by a majority; "will 'ee tell us, little miss, what good a +church does 'ee?" + +He raised his voice, and several lads and women drew near to listen. + +Jill climbed back on her donkey. She did not like the look of the rough +boys, but she bravely held her ground. + +"It's a place where you can hear about Jesus," she said reverently, +"and where you can ask Him what you want. Miss Falkner says He is always +there to meet you." + +"And what good do He do?" asked a lad with a mocking laugh. + +"He helps you to set out, and keep on going to the Golden City," +said Jill, looking at him with shocked disapproval. "You wait till +you get your church, and Mr. Errington comes out to tell you all about +it. You'll wish when you hear about it, that you'd been told _hundreds_ +of years ago!" + +There was loud laughter, but one of the women came forward and looked +at Jill somewhat wistfully. + +"Your Golden City reminds me of a hymn I used to sing in Sunday school," +she said. "It began, 'Jeroos'lem the golden'!" + +"Yes, I know it," said Jill, nodding; "and when you get your church I'll +ask Mr. Errington to let you have that hymn every Sunday if you like." + +"Shall we have hymn singin'?" questioned a boy, with a white face and +dark shock of hair. "Who'll do the moosic?" + +"Mr. Errington will do it _all_," said Jill with proud emphasis. "And when +the church is open, I shall come over, and Jack, and Bumps, and Miss +Falkner. And we'll be in our Sunday clothes, and you will be in yours, +and the church will be _crammed_! And there'll be lots of music and +singing, and we shall all enjoy it awfully! And after it's over"--here +her imagination ran away with her--"we'll all shake hands, and say how +glad we are, and then we'll have flags waving and bells ringing, and a +lovely tea which we'll sit down to all together, with cakes and buns, +and tea in urns, like a schoolfeast!" + +Jack, who had been listening in silence, broke in now with enthusiasm. + +"And then we'll have three cheers for the King, and three cheers for +Mr. Errington, and three cheers for our red bag that got the money, +and we'll finish up with a bonfire and fireworks!" + +Jill pulled out her red bag which she had stuffed into her pocket, +and wildly waved it in the air. + +"Hurray for Chilton Common Church!" she cried, and the children and rough +lads round joined in her cheer with a hearty good-will. + +"Now," she said, relapsing from enthusiasm to business, "where would +you like us to build it?" + +There was a little silence. Some of the women went indoors. The group +thinned. Jack looked round wisely. + +"I think we'll let Mr. Errington choose the place," he said. "I'm sure +it's time to go back." + +"Well," said Jill, turning to the blacksmith, who had left his forge and +had come out to know what the cheers were about, "I've told you what +is going to happen, and if you like to give a tenth of your money and +give it to God, I will take it and put it in my red bag and give it to +Mr. Errington." + +The blacksmith put his hand in his pocket and brought out sixpence. + +"There be my mite towards it," he said. "I always did say a parson up +here would be the thing!" + +Jill thanked him profusely, dropped the sixpence in her bag, and the +children rode away, followed for a short distance by a screaming crowd +of small boys and girls. + +[Illustration: "THERE'S MY MITE TOWARDS IT."] + + + + +XII + +THE BISHOP AND THE GEESE + + +When they reached the beach again the old lady was just in the act of +departing for her lunch. She cheerfully paid the donkey man, but Jill +was watching the transaction anxiously, and pursued the man to the end +of the beach, where she held an earnest conversation with him. + +"Jill is trying to make him give up his tenth," said Jack confidentially +to the old lady. "I don't think she'll do it." + +"What do you mean, child?" + +Explanation followed, and with Bumps' eager and breathless interruptions, +the old lady got quite mystified. + +"Why do you keep talking about a tenth?" she said. + +"Because it's a tenth that God expects from everybody," said Jack. "I +suppose you give yours to somebody to look after, don't you?" + +"I don't give a tenth of my money away at all," said the lady snappishly. +"That is an old Jewish law. Thank goodness, we are not Jews, but +Christians." + +"But Miss Falkner told us it wasn't only meant for Jews," argued Jack. +"She says everybody who gets money from God ought to give back some to +Him." + +"Yeth," nodded Bumps; "and becauth we can't send it up to heaven, Miss +Falkner thaid we could thpend it on good things for God down on the +earth, and we would be very happy if you gave us your money for our bag, +wouldn't we, Jack?" + +Jack was not a good beggar. He got hot and red. + +"We don't ask people for money," he said; "but if they like to give us +their tenth we should be pleased." + +"Jill asks," said Bumps. "She asks everybody!" + +"Oh, dear!" said the old lady, "here she comes running back! I must +go. There, my boy, there's a coin for your bag!" + +She put a sovereign into Jack's hand. + +"Is it your tenth?" he asked wonderingly; "what a lot of money you must +have! Thank you very much!" + +But the old lady was gone, and strangely enough the children never saw +her again. + +"Have you got any money from the donkey man?" asked Jack. + +"Yes," said Jill in quiet triumph. "He gave me sixpence. I don't know +whether it was quite a tenth, but he seemed very pleased to do it--at +least he got pleased. He said he had never done such a good thing in his +life, and he hoped that it would be remembered. I told him God wouldn't +forget it, for He can't forget anything. And he told me he only lives +a mile from Chilton Common, and when the church is built I'm to let him +know, and he will come and see it. He's a nice man!" + +Then Jack opened his hand, and let her see what he had got. Jill screamed +in ecstacy; the red bag was produced, and when both coins were safely +deposited, they ran indoors to their dinner, feeling they had had an +eventful morning. + +The days passed slowly. There were days when everything went wrong, +when Jill, as well as Jack and Bumps, was seized with the spirit of +mischief and naughtiness. She was very repentant when the day was over, +but Annie did not understand her moods, and was not so long-suffering +as Miss Falkner. + +"It's no good leading me such a life all day, and then thinking you +make it all right by saying you're sorry," she said with great severity. +"You're all talk, Miss Jill! pretending to be so good with your bag of +money, and making Miss Bumps as wicked as yourself when you choose! I've +no belief in them that talks good, and acts wicked!" + +Jill's passionate temper was aroused at once. + +"I don't pretend, and I don't talk good! And I hate you, Annie! It's +you that make us wicked! Miss Falkner never does! I'll run away, and +go straight home, and catch the scarlet fever! I won't stay with you!" + +Annie laughed scornfully. + +"Words again! You want a piece clipped out of your saucy tongue, Miss +Jill!" + +Jill was sitting up in bed. With all her strength she flung her pillow +in Annie's face. + +Annie caught it, and marched out of the room with it. + +"You naughty, impudent child! I shall take it right away to punish +you. You can sleep without it to-night!" + +Jill buried her burning cheeks in her bolster, and began to cry. + +Bumps sat up and ruefully regarded her. + +"Never mind, Jill. Annie is horrid. Oh, pleath don't cry!" + +"It's no good," sobbed poor Jill. "Annie doesn't mean me to finish off +being wicked. She tries to make me go on for ever. Nobody understands but +Miss Falkner. It's no use to try to be good again. I shall have to go +on being in disgrace. I've gone miles away from my path to the Golden +City to-day, and just when I'm trying to find my way back again, Annie +pushes me away. I shall give it up altogether. I shall throw my red bag +in the sea to-morrow, and shall give no more tenths to God. I shall be +as wicked as I possibly can. I'm meant to be wicked!" + +"Oh, dear!" sighed Bumps, in despair. "You do want Miss Falkner, Jill." + +"Of course I do," said Jill, angrily. "How can I be good without her?" + +"I wonder," said Bumps, "if God would do instead!" + +There was silence. Bumps sometimes--baby though she was--had the rare +faculty of hitting the nail straight on the head. + +Jill stopped her weeping and began to think. + +"I think," she said, after a few minutes' silence, "I'll just tell God +all about it. I'd like to tell Him how nasty Annie is!" + +Better thoughts soon stole into her angry little heart. + +"There's one thing," she said presently, startling Bumps out of her +first sleep; "God knows the proper truth about me. He knows I am sorry +that I was tiresome to-day! Annie doesn't believe me, but He will. And +He knows I don't pretend to be good!" + +"Yeth," assented Bumps, drowsily; "He knowth it!" + +Jill dropped asleep comforted. + +The long time was over at last. Mona recovered and went away for change +of air; the house was cleaned and re-papered, and one day Miss Falkner +arrived to take them home. + +"We almost like lessons now," said Jack. "We've had such long holidays." + +But when lessons began the children found them irksome. They had become +thoroughly unsettled, and accustomed to careless, unpunctual ways. Miss +Falkner's regular routine fretted and chafed them. She found she needed +all her patience to bring them and keep them under her control. + +"I think," Jill said to Jack, one day, and her face was thoughtful as +she spoke, "that no one can be properly good till they are twenty. I +wonder how old Miss Falkner is." + +"She's just as old as Mona," said Jack. "I heard Mona tell Miss Webb so." + +"How funny! But she's not a bit like Mona." + +"No. Miss Webb said to Mona when she told her, 'You are a child beside +her, Mona.' Now, what did she mean by that?" + +Jill pondered. + +"Miss Falkner looks older. And I expect being good makes you old. Miss +Falkner is _very_ good. I'm sure when I try to be very good, and make +you and Bumps good too, I feel--I feel a hundred years old!" + +"I don't think children are meant to be _very_ good," said Jack. "People +always talk of us as if we're wicked. P'raps we ought to be good on +Sundays." + +"If we're walking to the Golden City, we ought to be good every day," +said Jill decidedly. + +Jack shook his curly head. + +"I've thought of a lovely game I'm going to make Bumps play at." + +"What?" asked Jill in an eager tone. + +"Why you know the story that comes in our reading-books about the geese +who saved Rome by cackling when the enemy was creeping up. I'm going +to be the enemy, and Bumps and you must be asleep." + +"But where?" asked Jill. "It was on the top of a high hill." + +"Yes," nodded Jack; "but I've thought it out. There's the church tower. +We'll do it to-morrow afternoon, and we'll take the geese up first." + +"That will be splendid," said Jill; "only how will you do it? Remember +the swans! I think if we can get hold of their food, and hold it out +to them, they'll follow us, but how will you climb up to the tower?" + +"Tom Sanders has done it. He told me he did, and I'm longing to +try. You climb the yew tree first, and then get on to the ivy. Then +you get in at the belfry window. He got out again and went up by the +lightning-conductor, but I thought the geese would see me climbing in +at the window and then they'll cackle--and of course I shan't be able +to come on any further." + +"But supposing they don't cackle?" + +"Well, that's the game--to see if they do! If they don't, I shall know +Roman history tells lies. Because, of course, these geese are just the +same as those were." + +"These are English geese!" Jill said doubtfully. + +Jack was undaunted. He was a true little Briton. + +"Then they must be better than Roman geese, and they'll cackle twice as +loud, and be double as fierce!" + +So the next afternoon when lessons were over, instead of playing in the +garden, the three children stole quietly off to the farmyard. + +The prospect was so exciting that even Jill had no qualms of +conscience. Jack had persuaded one of the farm lads who looked after +the geese to save him a dish of their food. Armed with a big dish he +boldly went up to the biggest gander, who greedily put his head into it +at once. It was the signal for all the others to follow suit. Then Jack, +holding the dish, ran out of the farmyard; and to the children's delight, +away strode the flock of geese after him, stretching out their necks and +shrieking in protest. Jill and Bumps followed behind with switches to +drive them along. Unfortunately, the fowls joined the chase, and two +small black pigs escaped out of the yard and with squeals of delight +raced into the flower-garden. Out into the lane the little procession +went, and the geese behaved very well. Occasionally one or two would +dive into a ditch after frogs, which delayed progress, but with Jill +and Bumps chasing them behind, and Jack enticing them in front, they at +last reached the church-yard, which was not very far away. The door of +the tower was found open, and the geese were with a little difficulty +driven in. But when Jill turned and shut the door a pandemonium +ensued. The frightened birds screamed, and beat their wings against +each other. As to making them mount the spiral stone steps, it seemed +an impossibility. When Jack caught hold of the gander and tried to +hoist him up, he turned and pecked at his hand so viciously that it +began to bleed. Bumps got frightened, and crept into an empty oak chest. +Jill coaxed and beat the birds by turns, and geese and children shrieked +at the top of their voices, till the old tower echoed and re-echoed +with the noise. + +But Jack and Jill never gave up any cherished plan very easily. + +By perseverance, and with much toil and persuasion, they got two young +geese to the top. Their wings were strong and they flew most of the +way. With these two birds they were forced to be content. Poor Bumps +was forgotten, and the gander and his tribe were so furious at being +entrapped in such a manner, that they shrieked and fought like furies. +Bumps felt if she showed herself amongst them she would literally be +torn to pieces, so she lay still in her chest, her little heart panting +and throbbing with fright. + +Presently she heard voices in the church, and in a few minutes the belfry +door was flung open. + +Mr. Errington had been entertaining his bishop that day, and had brought +him and a party of ladies to look at a beautiful old screen in the +church. Their consternation and amazement was considerable when the +flock of angry geese confronted them. The ladies beat a hasty retreat +behind the yew tree, and the bishop spoke sternly to the vicar, though +there was a twinkle in his eye. + +"Is this usual, Errington? Is the belfry your poultry-yard?" + +And poor Mr. Errington was so utterly astonished that he could not utter +a sound. + +Away waddled the geese down the church-yard path, and then Bumps lifted +up her voice, and her little body too, thereby causing a second alarm. + +"Pleath it's only me," she explained, climbing out of her retreat. "The +geeth were so angry, I wath quite frightened!" + +"Are you a little goose girl?" asked the bishop, bending over her, +and putting his hand under her chin. + +"No," said Bumps, feeling distinctly aggrieved; "I'm not a gooth at all. +It's a game, only the thtupid geeth won't play properly!" + +"I am afraid my lord," said Mr. Errington, recovering his presence of +mind, "that some young people have been making free of this belfry +without my knowledge." + +Then turning to Bumps he said, "Where are your brother and sister? I +fancy they are the culprits." + +"They're upstairs," said Bumps, tears filling her blue eyes, which she +vainly struggled to keep back. "They're playing the game without me. They +always does when I get left behind. The geeth wouldn't go up-stairs, +but Jack and Jill made two of them go." + +"And what game are you playing?" asked the bishop gently. + +"It's something about Rome and geeth that have to cackle, and an +enemy. Jack is the enemy; he is climbing up outthide, and the top is +Rome, and the geeth have to wake Jill and me up. But I've never been +athleep, and it's all no good!" + +Tears dropped on her white pinafore. + +The bishop looked more amused than angry. He turned to Mr. Errington-- + +"They say that some of our churches lead to Rome, Errington, but these +youngsters have been early in discovering it. I should like to go up to +Rome, I think. Will you lead the way?" + +So Mr. Errington obeyed, and the ladies rustled after them, taking Bumps +with them. When they came out on top, two geese were being held down +forcibly by a very hot and dirty little boy and girl. + +"Stop your cackling, you brutes!" Jack was screaming. "I want you to +stop till I come up! They're no good, Jill, if they go on like this, +and they'll be flying over the tower next. What shall we do? Let us tie +their legs!" + +"Jack!" + +Mr. Errington's tone was so sternly indignant that the boy started and +let go of his goose, which flew frantically between the bishop's legs, +knocked Bumps down, and finally took a header down the the belfry stairs. + +"What do you mean by this? How dare you use this church for such +a purpose? Isn't your garden large enough for your games?" + +"We haven't got a tower," mumbled Jack. + +Jill broke in eagerly. "Please Mr. Errington don't be angry. We haven't +been into the church. We wouldn't think of playing games in there. We +didn't think you'd mind up here, and it is a history game." + +"It seems to me," said the bishop, looking at Mr. Errington with a twinkle +in his eye, "that you have some scamps amongst your parishioners as +well as examples. I have been hearing"--here the bishop turned to Jack +and Jill--"of some good little children that I think you would do well +to imitate. You might expend some of your superfluous zeal on following +their example. These children are steadily putting by a tenth of all +their money, and persuading many of their friends to do the same, with +the object of building a mission-room in a neglected neighbourhood!" + +Jack and Jill looked at the bishop with open eyes and mouth. + +"But that's _us_!" gasped Jill. + +There was a moment's silence. Then the bishop's sense of humour +overcame him and he laughed loud, the ladies joining him, only Mr. +Errington preserving his gravity. + +As he descended the stairs again, he said to the vicar, "One lives and +learns, Errington. I had forgotten the complex natures of children." + + + + +XIII + +MONA'S TENTH + + +It seemed a long time to the children before Mona returned, and their +first sight of her was a distinct shock to them. + +She came back with a closely-cropped head, and a white face, looking +so fragile that Bumps confided to Jack that she thought "Mona must be +nearly dying." + +But her voice and laugh reassured them. + +They wondered when they saw her kiss Miss Falkner. + +"Do you like her very much?" asked Jack. + +"_Very_ much," said Mona promptly. "She came to me when I wanted her, +and it was through her that I got well again!" + +"But hadn't you any doctors?" + +"Miss Falkner was my doctor." + +This sounded puzzling, but Mona astonished them still more by things +she said and did. She came into the school-room while the Bible-reading +was going on and asked Miss Falkner questions about it, as if she were +one of her pupils. She started having family prayers; and then one +afternoon Jill found her trespassing again in the vicinity of "Bethel." + +"I think I must join your Tenth Society, Jill. Tell me what you do." + +Jill's face flushed crimson with delight. + +"Will you? Do you mean it really? And will you put your tenth into the +red bag?" + +Mona appeared to be considering. + +"My tenth will be a big affair by the side of yours, Jill. What does +the red bag do with your money?" + +"I take it to Mr. Errington every fortnight. He keeps the money. It's +for Chilton Common, you know. They do want a church there dreadfully." + +"I think I must have a little talk with Mr. Errington about it." + +"But you will help us to fill our bag, won't you?" + +"I dare say I shall." + +Mona was looking away through the pines rather dreamily as she spoke. Jill +brought her back to the subject in hand. + +"And will you join us now? Properly? You will, won't you? And say the vow +by our stones like Jacob? Let me just go and tell Jack and Bumps. They +would love to hear you." + +But Mona caught hold of her as she was flying off. + +"No, Jill. Grown-up people have different ways to children. It isn't +a game to me, and it means a great deal more than you could imagine. +But I like your quaint idea of raising a little Bethel under the pines +here, and if you leave me quite alone, I will take the vow in the same +place that you did. More you cannot expect from me." + +"But somebody ought to hear you," objected Jill. "I am sure it's more +proper to have people looking on." + +"God will hear me. Did Jacob have people near him?" + +Jill was speechless. Then obediently she walked away, and waited for +her sister at the entrance to the wood. When Mona joined her there was +a soft radiancy about her face that made her look very beautiful. + +"Oh, Jill," she said, "a tenth seems such a miserable portion to offer +back. How shall I ever pay the debt of all the past wasted years?" + +"And when will you divide your money?" asked Jill. "Do let me see you do +it. And if it's too difficult, Miss Falkner is very good at sums. She'll +do it for you." + +"I shall go and see Mr. Errington this afternoon. You must be patient, +Jill. All in good time." + +The next day the children were walking out in the village with Miss +Falkner when they met the vicar. + +He beamed when he saw them. + +"Have you heard the good news?" he said. "Miss Baron did not bind me to +secrecy. Perhaps she has told you herself?" + +"I think I know," said Jill, nodding wisely. + +"I have written to a builder, an old friend of mine, and asked him to +come over at once and talk it out with me. Now the money is forthcoming +we shall soon have the mission-room." + +"What!" cried Jill. "Have you got enough money to build it?" + +"Indeed I have. And we'll have it up in no time." + +"I wonder how the people will like it," said Miss Falkner meditatively. + +Mr. Errington looked quickly at her. + +"A month ago I should have had heart-sinkings on that point. But I assure +you it is their chief topic at present when I go over to them. I fancy +sometimes they expect it to bring to them more temporal than spiritual +food; but it is owing to a visit from these small people that their +antagonism has vanished." + +"But who--how have you got the money, Mr. Errington?" inquired Jack. + +"Ask your sister. She may enlighten you." + +"It is Mona's tenth!" exclaimed Jill, capering up and down in delight. +"How soon will it be built, Mr. Errington, next week?" + +Mr. Errington laughed as he went his way. + +"Oh, you young people! So hot and impatient, so quick to resolve and +carry out. I wish I could instill some of your spirits into the sluggish +natures that I have to deal with!" + +The children could do little else but talk of Chilton Common all that day. + +"And now," said Jack, "if all the money is got for the church, where is +our tenth money to go to?" + +"I think it will be some time before everything will be bought," said +Miss Falkner. "You must remember there will be lots of things wanted +inside the mission-room; seats--hassocks, perhaps--lamps, and all kinds +of other articles. Mr. Errington will like to get your money for some +time to come, I am sure." + +"And there are always the heathen to send it to," said Jill. "They never +come to an end, do they, Miss Falkner? You send your money to them always, +don't you?" + +"Yes," Miss Falkner replied. "I feel more drawn towards them. At home here +in England there are so many to teach and help the ignorant ones. Out +abroad there are millions still out of reach of help and Christianity." + +Jill looked grave. + +"And how much money does it take exactly to make a heathen a Christian, +Miss Falkner?" + +Miss Falkner smiled. + +"I can't tell you, Jill. There is the cost of a missionary going out; +he or she are the means, with God's help, of converting a heathen. But +every little helps." + +"Mr. Errington says the Chilton Common people are heathen!" + +"Yes, dear, he means they are living without any thought of God." + +"But we did that before you came to us. Really and truly, Miss Falkner, +we never thought about God at all. And I'm afraid I didn't want to. You +see no one had told us about the Golden City. And I didn't know that +Jesus loved us so, and would help us, and keep on forgiving us." + +Jill's face was earnest and sweet. Her governess stooped and kissed her. + +"But you know about it now, dear, and you must try to help others who +are still ignorant." + +Jill nodded, then ran away to play. + +Autumn came, and then winter. Mr. Errington's energy never flagged; +and it was a happy day for the children when the foundation-stone was +laid for the mission-room on Chilton Common. + +Mona was asked to lay it, but for some time she hesitated, and suggested +that Jill should do it instead. Jill flatly refused, and Miss Falkner +encouraged her in her refusal. + +"I do not hold with children being placed in prominent positions," she +said to Mona when they were talking the matter over. "Jill is a clever +child, and wants to be repressed rather than pushed forward. I am glad +to see she has the good sense to be shy of such a ceremony." + +"But I am such a beginner," said Mona humbly. "I have never gone in +for good works, and lots of my friends--even Miss Webb--think that my +illness has left my brain a little weak and queer." + +"Your friends could not think laying a foundation-stone queer conduct. And +if they do, what does it matter?" + +The children were having their talk about it round the school-room fire. + +"I shouldn't like to lay a foundation-stone," said Jack. "Fancy, if you +put it a little crooked, then the whole place would tumble down! Sam +told me so." + +"I should love to build it all," said Jill. "Sticking bricks and stones +into clay or wet stuff is lovely! But I couldn't do it with a lot of +people and clergymen looking on. I hate people staring!" + +"Is it the very bottomest thtone of all?" questioned Bumps with big eyes. + +"Of course, stupid!" said Jack. "Do you think it would be the top one?" + +"I asked Mr. Errington what it was going to be called," said Jill. "He +says he doesn't want exactly a church there, because he wants to give +them tea and magic lanterns in the winter, so it's a mission-room, +and do you know what he says we can call it? The Bethel Mission-room." + +Jack and Bumps set up a cheer at once. + +"It's called after our stones," went on Jill proudly. "Mr. Errington +said it had been built by tenths. And he told me the meaning of Bethel, +which I didn't know before." + +"What does it mean?" + +"The house of God." + +There was silence for a minute, then Jack said slowly-- + +"But our place under the pines isn't that." + +"I like to think it is sometimes," said Jill quietly. + +The day came at last for the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone. Even +Miss Webb, who viewed most of Mona's proceedings now with raised eyebrows, +entered into the spirit of it with real heartiness. + +When they drove out to the desolate spot all the inhabitants of the +Common were there, and Jack and Jill walked amongst them, greeting them +as old friends. + +Mona performed her part very gracefully. + +Mr. Errington had a good many friends present, but none enjoyed it all +so much as the children. + +"This is only the very beginning of it," Jill confided to a rough specimen +of girlhood, who had been making depreciatory remarks, after the service +was over. "You wait till your room is built, then you'll see." + +"What shall us see? A parson in a pulpit?" + +"You'll see the way to the Golden City," Jill said enthusiastically. "And +Mr. Errington will be always telling you about it till you all set out +and go. And he'll give you teas and magic lanterns. I wish I lived here +to see the workmen build it. I should come and watch them every day, and +make them hurry." + +As they drove home in the carriage with Mona they heard a startling bit +of news. + +It was Miss Webb who began talking of the room. + +"Mr. Errington is quite down at leaving. He told me it is only his wife's +health that takes him. He hopes to hurry on the building--but I doubt +if it will be finished before the New Year. It is strange that as soon +as he gets his desire about this wild bit of his parish that he should +have to leave it." + +"Is Mr. Errington going away?" asked Jill breathlessly. + +Mona looked at her gravely as she answered-- + +"Yes, I suppose you can all know it now. You can't be as sorry as I +am. I was just getting to like him so." + +Miss Webb gave a little laugh. + +"It wasn't so long ago that you used to vote him a bore, my dear. There +are plenty of clergy. We must hope for one as good." + +"But," cried Jill, "he can't go away. Who is to take our bag every +Saturday? And the room is for him to preach in. Oh, how dreadful of him +to go!" + +"Lady Crane has the gift of the living, has she not?" said Miss Webb, +addressing Mona. + +"Yes, I believe so," said Mona listlessly. + +"Perhaps she may give it to Cecil Arnold. He is her nephew!" + +A rich colour came into Mona's cheeks. + +"Oh, no," she said confusedly. "Why should she? Besides, he would never +leave his work in the north." + +Miss Webb nodded her head knowingly. + +"Wait and see, my dear; wait and see!" + +It was a great blow to the children, and as soon as lessons were over +the next morning Jack and Jill ran off to the Vicarage as hard as they +could go. + +Mrs. Errington received them; her husband was out. + +"We don't know what to do," Jill said breathlessly. "If Mr. Errington +goes away, we can't get on at all. Do beg him not to. Why does he go?" + +"My dear child, we are both very loth to leave, but circumstances are +against us. I have been told by the doctors that I shall never be better +here. If we take this other living offered to us, I may be able to help +Mr. Errington instead of being a constant source of anxiety to him." + +"It's the bag," Jill said; "it's the bag I am thinking of. I can't bring +it to a strange clergyman. I hate strangers! It's too bad of you!" + +Jill actually began to cry. + +"You see," explained Jack, "some people laugh at us. Now Mr. Errington +never did. He understood from the very beginning. Mona used to laugh, +but she doesn't now. Miss Webb always does. She told Jill she was a +Mrs. Judas, for she kept the bag. Mona scolded her. And Sir Henry Talbot +always teases us. He asks if we have taken up any more trespassers. They +think themselves very funny, but we don't think them funny, we hate +them when they talk so." + +"I am sure no clergyman would laugh at you," said Mrs. Errington +gently. "We will tell our successor all about you, and he will be only +too glad to help you in every way he can." + +"But what will you tell him about us?" asked Jill, drying her eyes. "You +won't tell him of our scrapes, will you? Say that we always mean to be +good, it's just accidents happening when we aren't. And tell him he has +just to take the money and use it for God, and ask no questions. Because, +when the room is built our money will still be going on. We shall never +stop, you know. We're not like Sam's father. He says his cabbages are +done, and he can't grow any more in the winter. But I know he has got +some turnips, and I'm going to talk to him about them. Oh, I do wish +you weren't going away!" + +It was the general wish in the village, and there was great concern +amongst all Mr. Errington's parishioners. His church was never so full +as during the two months before his departure, and as Bumps pathetically +remarked-- + +"There'll be no one like him in church ever again. There never are twos +of anybody, except twins, and Mr. Errington isn't a twin." + + + + +XIV + +"YOU AND YOUR RED BAG ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF IT ALL!" + + +Mona was looking out of the drawing-room window one fine bright frosty +afternoon, when she saw Jill tearing out of the stable-yard with the +large carriage-whip in her hand. + +Her face was almost as red as her Tam o' Shanter, and Mona exclaimed to +Miss Webb-- + +"I wonder what is the matter! Jill is in one of her tempers. I hope she +is not going to wreak vengeance on any human being." + +"Oh, let her alone," said Miss Webb. "She must have an explosion now +and then, for the way she bottles up her spirits now is marvellous. +Miss Falkner seems to have no complaint to find with any of them. It is +not natural." + +Mona laughed lightly, but putting on a wrap she slipped out of the +house and crossed the lawn. Angry voices led her to the pine wood. +There before the trespassers' board she found Jill brandishing her whip +with fury in her face. Jack was by her side, armed with a stout stick; +and Bumps, well in the rear, was picking up fir cones, and throwing them +wildly at everybody. + +Two workmen were the aggressors; the pile of stones was scattered on +the ground, and they seemed to be enjoying the children's wrath. + +"Who put those stones up?" Jill was screaming. "_I_ did, and you're +thieves to touch them!" + +"But they comed from that there wall," argued the younger of the men; "and +us have orders to build it up. 'Twasn't business of yours to take them +stones from the wall. Back they shall go, or my name isn't Jim Hall!" + +"You dare to touch one!" shouted Jack. "Come on and try, we're ready +for you!" + +"You're trespassers and thieves!" cried Jill. "Come on! I have my +whip ready!" + +[Illustration: "YOU'RE TRESPASSERS AND THIEVES."] + +It was at this juncture Mona stepped up. Directly she appeared, Jill +dashed forward. + +"Look at these men, they've pulled down our stones! They did it on +purpose! They saw the board and they laughed at it. They are cheeking +us now." + +"Hush!" said Mona. Then turning to the men she asked very quietly, +"Are you working for me?" + +The elder touched his cap. + +"Yes, ma'am--leastways for Mr. Courtney." + +"What did Mr. Courtney tell you to do?" + +"To make good that there stone wall, ma'am." + +"Then why are you here?" + +"We thought best to take what stones we could from here?" + +"That was quite unnecessary. You had better put together that pile that +you have destroyed. I will wait here till you have done it." + +But Jill objected. + +"They shan't touch one of them with their dirty hands! I will do it +myself. Oh, Mona, it's a shame of them! They deserve a good thrashing. +If I were a man I would give it to them!" + +Mona put her hand on Jill's shoulder. + +"Gently, dear! I am sorry about it, but they did not understand. If you +don't want them here they can return to their work!" + +"I never wish to see them again," was the vehement retort. "I--I--feel +like Elijah. I should like to call down fire from heaven to burn them up!" + +Jill's passion was great. Mona wisely said nothing till the workmen had +disappeared, then she remarked-- + +"When you have put your pile of stones straight, Jill, you can run and +find Sam for me. I will tell him to make a little fence round this, +and then you will have no more trespassers." + +She walked away, for she judged rightly that work would soon subdue +Jill's excitement. The idea of the fence delighted the children, and +they set to work with a will. + +"Nobody dared to touch Jacob's stones, I know," said Jill; who could +not quite get over the act of sacrilege, as she considered it. + +"Well," observed Jack, "the Bible mightn't tell about it, you see. He +had no fence." + +"I know it was always there," persisted Jill, "because Miss Falkner told +me that Jacob went back there after, and made a proper altar." + +"Yes," said Jack triumphantly; "because the other one had been knocked +down. Of course he did." + +Jill pondered, as she tried to build up the stones in a tidy form. + +"Then," she said, "we must have a proper altar, and I'll get some of the +mortar that those horrid men are using for their wall. We'll wait till +they have gone to their tea, and then we'll do it." + +A resolve once taken by Jill was generally carried out. The three children +came in to their school-room tea triumphant. + +"We've been building," announced Bumps, "and the thtones are all thtucked +together!" + +"And Sam is going to make a fence round, and no one will be let in!" added +Jack: + +"And if the clergyman that's coming isn't nice, I've thought of a lovely +plan for our bag; but it's a secret, and I'll tell you, Miss Falkner, +to-night when I'm in bed!" + +Miss Falkner asked for an explanation of these fragmentary sentences, +and her little pupils gradually enlightened her. + +When Jill was in bed, she made her governess stoop down, and putting +her arms round her neck, whispered-- + +"I've left a hole amongst the stones at the back, and I can cover it up by +fixing in a loose stone. So I thought my red bag would go in beautifully, +and then it would really be taken care of by God Himself. It couldn't be +in a nicer place, could it? It would be like the ark in the tabernacle--in +a holy place. And I'm not going to tell Bumps or Jack. Jack tells Bumps +everything, and Bumps tells everybody else!" + +Miss Falkner looked rather doubtful over the wisdom of this, but Jill +seemed in such delight over the idea that she had not the heart to damp +her spirits. + +But before leaving her, she said very gently-- + +"How has your walk been to-day, Jill? A few stumbles, I am afraid." + +"Yes," whispered Jill. "I've told God I was sorry, only I was what the +Bible calls 'righteously angry.' I would like to have called down fire +from heaven upon those men. I told Mona so." + +"But Jill, that was not 'righteous' at all. The men made a mistake. You +should have spoken gently to them." + +"No," said Jill, "they meant to do it, and they laughed at it, and I +believe Sam's father is as bad. Since his cabbages are gone, he won't +pay up his tenth, and he says we have a heathen altar!" + +Jill's cheeks began to get hot and red. Miss Falkner stooped down and +kissed her. + +"If your Bethel is going to make you get angry--if it makes you trip and +stumble on your way to the Golden City, it had better be destroyed at +once." + +Jill looked up with big eyes. + +"Oh, Miss Falkner! How can you?" + +"You mustn't make an idol of it, Jill, or you will be the heathen. You +grieve Jesus Christ by your hot temper. Perhaps you think more of your +'Bethel' than you do of Him!" + +"I'm afraid I did to-day," acknowledged Jill with shame. + +Then when her governess had left her, she put down her hot cheek upon the +pillow, and murmured, "I'm afraid it wasn't 'righteous' anger after all." + +The Christmas holidays came and went. Mona was much more with her little +brother and sisters in Miss Falkner's absence. Every morning she came +into the school-room, and had the Bible-reading with them. They got +into many scrapes in their leisure moments, but on the whole were far +better behaved than formerly. In the beginning of the New Year the +"Bethel Mission-room" was opened. Perhaps to the inhabitants of Chilton +Common it lacked a little of the excitement and gaiety with which it had +been painted by Jack and Jill; but it was a very enjoyable day to all, +and a sit-down tea was given to young and old, at which, of course, Jill +was very much to the fore. + +Mr. Errington left very soon afterwards, and for two months his successor +was not known. + +Then one afternoon, when the children were roasting chestnuts over the +school-room fire, and Miss Falkner was writing a letter to her mother, +Mona appeared at the door. + +"I want to introduce our new vicar," she said very quietly. + +The children jumped up from the hearth-rug in the greatest state of +excitement. + +"Why!" exclaimed Jill, as a tall broad-shouldered figure followed their +sister into the room, "it's the trespasser!" + +"Yes, I am afraid it is," said Mr. Arnold in his deep and hearty +voice. "But we parted friends, did we not?" + +"I should think we did just! Why we would rather have you as our clergyman +than any one else in the whole world!" + +"Come! That's satisfactory. I did not think I would have so warm +a welcome!" + +"Do you like chestnuts?" asked Jack, holding out a charred one between +two grubby fingers. + +"Don't I?" + +In a moment Mr. Arnold was down on the rug like a school-boy, and the +children's tongues went fast. Mona looked on smiling; then she said to +Miss Falkner-- + +"What is the fascination of roasting chestnuts, I wonder. Why do all +children love it so? You burn your fingers and the chestnuts, eat more +ashes than anything else, and scorch your face to pieces!" + +"I think it is the love of cooking them," said Miss Falkner. + +"It is the danger and difficulty surrounding the undertaking," said +Mr. Arnold, rescuing two chestnuts that had rolled over into the +fire. "Difficulties stimulate children, they do not deter them." + +"I wish," said Mona thoughtfully, "they always stimulated me." + +Mr. Arnold looked at her, but Jill broke in impetuously. + +"Do you know about the Bethel Mission-room, Mr. Arnold? Will you go +there on Sunday and preach to the people?" + +He nodded. + +"Yes, I have heard all about it from Mr. Errington, also about a certain +red bag." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Jack; "Jill has hidden that bag away somewhere since +Mr. Errington went. I say it isn't fair, and Bumps and I aren't going to +give her any more money till she tells us where it is." + +"Yeth," echoed Bumps, "and we've looked everywhere, and Jill says, +she won't give it to another clergyman unleth he is nith!" + +"Am I nice?" asked Mr. Arnold, with one of his sudden smiles. + +Jill looked at him gravely. + +"I will bring it to you every Saturday," she said, "even if there's only +a few half-pennies. But Sam gives us two shillings, and Annie threepence, +and Norah and Rose give us some when we see them, so sometimes we have +quite a lot. Only you'll tell us what you're going to do with it, +won't you?" + +"Indeed, I will. We will have a long talk about it." + +"And how are all your boys and girls?" asked Jill. + +Mr. Arnold's face shadowed instantly. He was looking ill and careworn; +it was only in talking to the children that his face lightened up. + +"Ah," he said; "my poor people! Don't remind me of them. Nothing but +the doctor's orders would have made me leave them." + +Then speaking to Miss Falkner, he said-- + +"I have been ill, otherwise you would not have seen me here. As it is, +I fear I shall not find sufficient scope for my energies!" + +"You have over a thousand in your parish," said Mona, "and Chilton Common +and other outlying districts in addition. I should think there was scope +enough for one man's energies, especially as that man has already had +a serious breakdown. Now come and have some tea. Miss Webb will wonder +what we are doing." + +Mona carried him off, and the children did not see him again for some +time. + +"Miss Falkner," asked Jill one day, "why doesn't Miss Webb like +Mr. Arnold? She doesn't, you know." + +"Nonsense, Jill, you mustn't have such fancies." + +"But it isn't fancy. I was looking at _Punch_ in the drawing-room window +seat yesterday, and Miss Webb said to Mona, 'Well, all I can say is, that +I wish Cecil Arnold had rather gone to Timbuctoo than come here.' And +Mona said, 'Nonsense!' like you said just now, and Miss Webb said, 'I see +the end. I shouldn't have been afraid a year ago.' And then she said she +was sorry for poor Sir Henry Talbot. Now what did she mean, Miss Falkner? +What is the end going to be?" + +"You shouldn't listen to grown-up people's talk, Jill." + +"But I couldn't help hearing." + +"Then you should never repeat what you hear." + +Jill subsided. + +Mr. Arnold delighted Jill's heart a few Sundays after his arrival by +taking for his text the words: "Then the people rejoiced, for that they +offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to +the Lord. + +"But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer +so willingly after this sort, for all things come of Thee and of Thine +own have we given Thee." + +He spoke of the different things people received from God, and how very +few of them they offered back, and then in plain and simple words he +touched upon the system of tenth-giving. + +"There is not a little boy or girl in this church, however poor; there +is not a landed proprietor, however rich, who cannot side by side give +this small portion of what they receive to the service of God. The +poorest labourer can spare a tenth; he will be blessed in giving it, +and joy will be his portion." + +And then he astonished his congregation by saying he would be in his +vestry every Saturday evening from six to eight, to accept the tenths +of any of his parishioners who liked to bring them to him. + +There was great discussion amongst his congregation afterwards. + +"I have no patience with these new-fangled notions," said Miss Webb. +"Cecil always did ride a hobby, and this money question is utterly +ridiculous. We are not Jews, thank goodness!" + +"I think he is right," said Mona quietly. + +"Oh, of course you do, my dear. He will be able to twist you round his +little finger now." + +Mona was silent. Jill burst in opportunely-- + +"I shall take my red bag every Saturday to him, Mona. I wonder if anybody +else will be there." + +"You and your red bag are at the bottom of it all I do believe, +Jill!" said Miss Webb laughing. "This wonderful Bethel of yours is +turning every one crazy!" + +Jill did not like to be laughed at. She walked on with dignity, and did +not mention the subject again. + + + + +XV + +"WORN OUT IN A GOOD SERVICE" + + +Lessons and play were the daily routine now. The children kept out of +scrapes wonderfully. Perhaps it was Miss Falkner's quick interference +before real harm was done, or perhaps it was as she liked to hope, +her pupils were getting more considerate of other people's feelings. + +"It is their lively imagination, and their passion for acting out what +they hear or read, that works such mischief," Miss Falkner said to Mona +one day when they were talking over the children. "They are reckless +of consequences. Future results are never taken into consideration." + +She said this when she had just stopped Jack from lighting a fire in +the loft. + +He was a prisoner in hiding, he informed her, and he was going to cook +himself a meal. Bumps had been foraging for him, and had brought him +a raw piece of bacon. + +"I was going to be most careful," he informed her. "Of course I wouldn't +light the hay. I pushed it all away, and had got quite an empty corner!" + +But one day the children's energies were turned in another direction. They +were all devoted to Mr. Arnold, and as he lived alone with an old +housekeeper who was really fond of children, they very often found their +way over to the vicarage. Sometimes he invited them to tea with him, +and it was when they returned one evening from this dissipation that +they announced in the drawing-room-- + +"We are going to get Mr. Arnold a wife!" + +Miss Webb exploded with laughter. She was reading the newspaper over +the fire. Mona was consulting with Miss Falkner at a table near about +a certain girls' club in the village that she wished to start. She +turned with a look of horror at the speaker, who of course was Jill; +Miss Falkner was too accustomed to her pupils' speeches to be surprised. + +"Yes," put in Jack. "There ought to be a Mrs. Arnold, like Mrs. Errington; +we told him so!" + +"To make his tea," said Bumps breathlessly, "and knit his thocks!" + +"And have a pretty drawing-room and flowers," said Jill. "He doesn't +sit in the drawing-room like Mr. Errington did. He sits in his study, and +there ought to be a Mrs. Arnold to help him in the village." + +"And what are your vicar's opinions on this important subject?" asked +Miss Webb. + +"We've told him we'll get him one. We know more people than he does, and +we know just the sort he wants. She must be just like Mrs. Errington, +only not an invalid." + +"And we aren't going to tell," said Jack wisely, "but we've picked +out somebody." + +"Yeth, and we're going to thend her to Mr. Arnold to-morrow!" burst +forth Bumps excitedly. + +Miss Webb threw up her hands in mock astonishment. + +"Really! You don't mean it! And when is the wedding going to be?" + +Mona here interposed. + +"Jill, you are old enough to know better. You must not go to the vicarage +at all, if you talk such nonsense." + +"It isn't nonsense!" Jill said indignantly. "Mr. Arnold wants a wife, +he said he did; and we're going to find one for him." + +She rushed out of the room like a small whirlwind. + +"Who is the happy lady, Jack?" asked Miss Webb inquisitively. + +Jack was silent. + +"Miss Falkner, you will have to assert your authority and stop this," +said Mona, half laughing, yet half vexed. + +"Let's tell, Jack," said Bumps, who loved giving information. + +But Jack shook his head. + +"We didn't even tell Mr. Arnold; we said we would send him some one +to-morrow." + +"And have you told her her fate?" asked Miss Webb. + +"Jill is going to see Miss Grant in the morning," said Jack with dignity, +and not perceiving he had let the cat out of the bag. + +Miss Webb began to laugh afresh, and even Mona smiled. Miss Grant was a +lady between fifty and sixty who was an indefatigable parish worker, +but whose strong will and love of interference had always been a sore +trial to her vicar. + +"You think she'll make him a good wife?" Miss Webb said, trying to draw +the children out. + +"She's just the sort to make tea," said Jack, "and she'll be much more +help to him than Mrs. Errington would be, or any one else." + +"I think you will have to keep certain small people hard at lessons +to-morrow, Miss Falkner. This proposed visit must be nipped in the bud." + +Miss Falkner took her charges off to the school-room and presently +Jill appeared. + +She seemed to have forgotten the subject under discussion, for she was +full of a plan she had talked over with Mr. Arnold of supporting a +children's cot in the local hospital. + +"And my bag will begin it, like it did the Bethel Room. Don't you think +it lovely?" + +Just before the children went to bed, Miss Falkner picked up an old +copy-book an the floor of Jill's bedroom. She did not often look at +her scribblings, but the first words startled her: + + "DEAR MISS GRANT,"-- + +She read on, with an anxious face, yet with a keen sense of humour-- + + "We've been having tea with Mr. Arnold. We think you had better + be his wife. He has not anybody to do things like Mrs. Errington + did, and we told him we would find a wife for him. We said + we would send her to-morrow. He wants a wife, and so he will + expect you. Please tell him you came from us. And have your + wedding-day very soon, because we shall all come and see you + married. Mr. Arnold told us we could do this, so it is not wrong. + + "Your affectionate friend, + "JILL BARON. + + "P.S.--Jack and Bumps and I chose you, and we know Mr. Arnold + will be pleased." + +"Jill," said Miss Falkner sharply, "what is this?" + +"Oh," said Jill unconcernedly, "it's a copy of a letter I sent Miss +Grant. I wanted to do it neatly, so I wrote it in there first." + +"But you have never sent it?" + +"Yes, I did. Annie was going out, and she took it to the post." + +"But Jill, that was very naughty." + +"Why?" + +"You know why. Your sister was very vexed at your talking about such +things. I don't know what she will say now. You must come and tell her +what you have done." + +"Oh, I can't; please don't make me--Miss Webb will laugh. It isn't +naughty. We simply _love_ Mr. Arnold. And why shouldn't he have a wife +as well as Mr. Errington? He didn't mind us doing it." + +"He never told you to write to Miss Grant." + +"No, because it was only afterwards that we thought of her." + +Miss Falkner, in spite of her entreaties, took her straight to Mona, +who was in her bedroom dressing for dinner. + +"I have brought Jill to tell you what she has done, as I think you ought +to know." + +And then Miss Falkner left the little delinquent, who stood copy-book +in hand with hanging head before her eldest sister. + +"It's--it's a letter I've sent to Miss Grant," said Jill. + +Mona took the copy-book from her. + +"Oh, Jill!" she exclaimed in real distress. "This is really very naughty +of you. You may make a great deal of mischief, and annoy Miss Grant +extremely. I don't know how we can put it straight." + +"I don't see what I've done wrong," said Jill stubbornly. + +"Little girls have no business to interfere with grown-up people. I don't +know what Miss Grant will think; I must see Miss Falkner. Ask her to +come here, and you had better go straight to bed." + +"It's always the way," Jill confided to Bumps when they were both in bed +that evening; "everything I do turns out wrong. Children can't be kind +to grown-up people. It's no good to try. They won't let them. And Mr. +Arnold will never have a wife, if he doesn't have Miss Grant. There's +no one else like her." + +"But you sent her a letter," said Bumps comfortingly. + +"Yes, but Mona is going to do something dreadful to-morrow. I know +she is." + +As a matter of fact Mona did nothing. She felt powerless to act. Miss +Webb counselled silence. She seemed to be enjoying the whole thing; +Miss Falkner spent nearly an hour in bringing Jill to reason, but she +repented of some of her words when they happened to meet Mr. Arnold in +their morning walk. Jill flew to him at once. + +"Oh, I'm so sorry. I really did it for the best. I told Miss Grant to go +to you, but Miss Falkner says I oughtn't to have anything to do with +husbands and wives. She says Miss Grant will be made uncomfortable and +so will you; and I wouldn't make you uncomfortable for _worlds_!" + +Mr. Arnold looked at first as if he did not know what she was talking +about; then he began to laugh, and his laugh was so infectious that +Miss Falkner could not help joining him. + +Jill eagerly continued to explain-- + +"Hasn't she been to you? Then perhaps it is all right. I'll never try to +find a wife for you again. Miss Falkner says wives can't be found like +we thought, and she says God is the only one that can find one for you." + +Mr. Arnold looked perfectly coolly into Miss +Falkner's face. + +"Thank you," he said. "I believe in that too. My little friends were too +anxious on my behalf. And as to Miss Grant, I wish her a more suitable +partner than myself, Jill. Is your sister in? I want to ask her about +a parish matter." + +He left them, and crossed the pine wood to reach the house, but he never +got there, for he saw Mona leaning against the new wooden fence looking +with dreamy, wistful eyes at the children's "Bethel," and he went straight +to her. + +The scent of the pines, the pale blue sky behind them, and the quiet +sacredness of the spot rested and soothed Mona's soul. She turned at +the sound of his footsteps, but never changed her position; when he +looked into her face he found her eyes were full of tears. + +"I come here when life is difficult," she said, trying to speak lightly. +"I have been thinking over Christ's words, 'How hardly shall they that +have riches enter into the kingdom of God.' I long sometimes to ease +myself of the burden and responsibility of my money, by casting it to +the winds. Can you advise me? I want to be a faithful steward. What +shall I do?" + +Cecil Arnold's opportunity had come. + +It was some days before the children knew the result of that +interview. They were all three tidying up their "Bethel," which Miss +Webb said now reminded her of a small church-yard, when they saw their +sister and Mr. Arnold slowly approach them. + +They were close to the fence before they noticed the children, then Mona +started, a rich colour came into her cheeks and she tried to withdraw +her hand from Mr. Arnold's arm. He held it fast, and said to her with +a twinkle in his eye-- + +"Allow me to receive my congratulations. I must enlighten them." + +"Two trespassers again, Jill!" he called out. "May we come inside +your gate?" + +"Yes," said Jill, stopping in her feat of brushing dead leaves away; +"you and Mona aren't trespassers, for you belong to our Tenth Society, +and you don't laugh at our 'Bethel.'" + +"Laugh at it?" said Mona tremulously. "I shall bless it all my days!" + +Then Mr. Arnold spoke, and his voice was hushed and reverent, though +there was a glad light in his eye. + +"I thought you children would like to know whom God has graciously given +to me as a wife." + +"Why it's Mona!" + +Surprise and delight were in the children's faces. + +Jill exclaimed--"I never should have thought of Mona. She doesn't seem +like a clergyman's wife, but it's awfully nice." + +"Why don't I please you?" Mona asked. "Not good enough, I know." + +"Well, I think you're too smiling and--and too young." + +Mr. Arnold laughed. + +"And I am too old and grave. But, Jill, as a boy and girl we promised +to marry each other, so we are only keeping our promise." + +"Why have you been so long before you did it?" asked Jill with interest. + +That question remained unanswered. + +Jack and Jill were full of excitement and curiosity. Bumps was the only +one who seemed disappointed. + +"We can't never find a wife for him now, he hath found hithelf one!" she +lamented. + +She and Jill were standing by their lodge gate next day when they saw +Miss Grant coming along. For one moment Jill thought of flight, then +she bravely stood her ground. They had been bowling their hoops along, +and were a little breathless with their run. Miss Grant looked at them +severely, then came across the road to them. + +"Jill," she said, "what do you mean by writing me such a letter? Who told +you to do it? I am surprised that a little girl of your age should act +so forwardly!" + +Jill got crimson at once. + +"It was all a mistake, please," she said, "and I'm sorry you got it. We +were trying hard to find Mr. Arnold a wife." + +"Who put you up to it?" demanded Miss Grant. "I consider it a grave +insult, and I was thinking of seeing your sister about the matter. She +and your governess don't know how to keep you in order." + +"No one put me up to it," replied Jill eagerly. "I made a mistake, +and it's a good thing you didn't go to him. Please forget it." + +"Yeth," put in Bumps with an emphatic nod of the head, "he didn't want +you after all, becauth he has got Mona." + +Miss Grant beat a hasty retreat. She never mentioned the subject again. + +On the following Sunday Jill went to the vestry to hand in her bag. She +had not been the only one who had responded to the vicar's invitation, +for several of the villagers had appeared, and though their offerings +were small, they were willing ones. She stood waiting whilst the +village shopkeeper and a farmer's wife were taking their tenth out of +their well-worn purses. Then a voice behind her startled her. It was +Sam's father. + +"Eh, Miss Jill, here I be after you and your bag agen!" + +"Oh, Mr. Stone, what have you got? I'm so glad you haven't given up!" + +"I did have a mind to, as 'ee knows, but parson here do seem so set on +it that I've been lookin' through some savin's o' mine." + +Mr. Arnold said good-night to the two women, and turned to the old man. + +"Are you bringing your money to me, Stone?" he asked quietly. + +"Yes, sir, that I be--'ee do talk so convinceable that I be quite worried +till I have done it." + +"You must take it back again. I am only here to take my Master's money." + +Old Mr. Stone rubbed his head. + +"I see yer meanin'. In course I bring it to the A'mighty. 'Twas a mere +mistake in speech." + +The old man counted out of a canvas bag, to the astonishment of Jill +and his vicar, five pounds in silver. + +He moved a step nearer and spoke in a low, mysterious tone-- + +"Fifty pun have I laid by for death and burial, and the rest to Sam, +but never a penny have I laid by for the God that brought me into the +world, and that be soon going to take me out. The little lass hammered +away till I gave her my cabbages, then I said 'No more,' for I kep' +thinkin' o' these savin's, that no mortal body do know on. But, parson, +your words be hot and uncomfortable, and las' night I lay thinkin' o' +this here vestry an' Miss Jill's red bag. 'Twasn't the sermon, nor yet +the bag, nor you and Miss Jill put together, but 'twas God that spoked +to me in the night. + +"'I have loved 'ee,' He kep' sayin', 'I have loved 'ee, Tummas, I have +loved 'ee.' An' then came that there tex' 'ee preached on last Sunday, +'Lovest thou Me?' and I were fair broken down. I knowed what the Lord +did want. The tenth o' my savin's! And bless God, I knows He loves me, +and 'tis that has brought me!" + +"Thank God," breathed Mr. Arnold, stretching out his hand and taking +Thomas Stone's hard, horny one in his. "I take this gladly, and thank +you in my Master's name." + +When the old man had gone Jill drew near. She held out her bag a little +sorrowfully-- + +"It has only three shillings and a half-penny in it," she said; "and +two shillings are from Sam, and threepence from Annie. I'm afraid our +money is very, very little." + +"Never mind," said Mr. Arnold cheerfully, seeing her downcast face, +"God does not expect more from you at present." + +Jill sighed. + +"And my bag is wearing out," she said mournfully, "and Miss Falkner +has no more red flannel; she thinks a bag can be made of anything, +but I like my old one. It has great holes, and as fast as I mend them +they tear out again." + +"Poor little bag!" said Mr. Arnold, taking it in his hand. "It is worn +out in a good service. Will you let me have it, Jill? I should like to +hang it up in the vestry here, so that I can look at it sometimes. What +is this tape on it? Something written on it." + +"I did that," said Jill, her face in a glow of delight at Mr. Arnold's +words. + +He read out slowly-- + +"Of Thine own have we given Thee." + +The letters were crooked and uneven. He smiled at Jill, then hung the +little bag up on a nail. + +She looked at it proudly. All sorrow for its uselessness had gone. + +"It looks lovely up there!" she said. "And I don't mind now having a +new one." + +"But don't have a new motto, Jill. Keep that to the end of your life--'Of +Thine own have we given Thee.'" + +Jill nodded, and then she ran away home. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Jill's Red Bag, by Amy Le Feuvre + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JILL'S RED BAG *** + +***** This file should be named 37043.txt or 37043.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/0/4/37043/ + +Produced by Betty Haertling, Joel Erickson, Michael +Ciesielski, David Garcia 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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