whenshe
is
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
I
say
,
Richard
,
'
exclaimed
Ethel
,
'
this
is
hospital-meeting
day
,
so
you
wo
n't
be
wanted
to
drive
papa
.
'
No
,
I
am
at
your
service
;
do
you
want
a
walk
?
'
So
it
was
determined
that
Richard
and
Ethel
should
walk
together
to
Cocksmoor
.
No
two
people
could
be
much
more
unlike
than
Richard
and
Etheldred
May
;
but
they
were
very
fond
of
each
other
.
Richard
was
sometimes
seriously
annoyed
by
Ethel
's
heedlessness
,
and
did
not
always
understand
her
sublimities
,
but
he
had
a
great
deal
of
admiration
for
one
who
partook
so
much
of
his
father
's
nature
;
and
Ethel
had
a
due
respect
for
her
eldest
brother
,
gratitude
and
strong
affection
for
many
kindnesses
,
a
reverence
for
his
sterling
goodness
,
and
his
exemption
from
her
own
besetting
failings
,
only
a
little
damped
by
compassionate
wonder
at
his
deficiency
in
talent
,
and
by
her
vexation
at
not
being
always
comprehended
.
They
went
by
the
road
,
for
the
plantation
gate
was
far
too
serious
an
undertaking
for
anyone
not
in
the
highest
spirits
for
enterprise
.
On
the
way
there
was
a
good
deal
of
that
desultory
talk
,
very
sociable
and
interesting
,
that
is
apt
to
prevail
between
two
people
,
who
would
never
have
chosen
each
other
for
companions
,
if
they
were
not
of
the
same
family
,
but
who
are
nevertheless
very
affectionate
and
companionable
.
Ethel
was
anxious
to
hear
what
her
brother
thought
of
papa
's
spirits
,
and
whether
he
talked
in
their
drives
.
'
Sometimes
,
'
said
Richard
.
'
It
is
just
as
it
happens
.
Now
and
then
he
goes
on
just
like
himself
,
and
then
at
other
times
he
will
not
speak
for
three
or
four
miles
.
'
'
And
he
sighs
?
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Those
sighs
are
so
very
sad
,
and
long
,
and
deep
!
They
seem
to
have
whole
volumes
in
them
,
as
if
there
was
such
a
weight
on
him
.
'
'
Some
people
say
he
is
not
as
much
altered
as
they
expected
,
'
said
Richard
.
'
Oh
!
do
they
?
Well
!
I
ca
n't
fancy
any
one
feeling
it
more
.
He
ca
n't
leave
off
his
old
self
,
of
course
,
but
'
—
Ethel
stopped
short
.
'
Margaret
is
a
great
comfort
to
him
,
'
said
Richard
.
'
That
she
is
.
She
thinks
of
him
all
day
long
,
and
I
do
n't
think
either
of
them
is
ever
so
happy
as
in
the
evening
,
when
he
sits
with
her
.
They
talk
about
mamma
then
'
—
It
was
just
what
Richard
could
not
do
,
and
he
made
some
observation
to
change
the
subject
,
but
Ethel
returned
to
it
,
so
far
as
to
beg
to
know
how
the
arm
was
going
on
,
for
she
did
not
like
to
say
any
thing
about
it
to
papa
.
'
It
will
be
a
long
business
,
I
am
afraid
,
'
said
Richard
.
'
Indeed
,
he
said
the
other
day
,
he
thought
he
should
never
have
the
free
use
of
the
elbow
.
'
'
And
do
you
think
it
is
very
painful
?
I
saw
the
other
day
,
when
Aubrey
was
sitting
on
his
knee
and
fidgetting
,
he
shrank
whenever
he
even
came
towards
it
,
and
yet
it
seemed
as
if
he
could
not
bear
to
put
him
down
.
'
'
Yes
,
it
is
excessively
tender
,
and
sometimes
gets
very
bad
at
night
.
'
'
Ah
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
there
's
a
line
—
here
—
round
his
eyes
,
that
there
never
used
to
be
,
and
when
it
deepens
,
I
am
sure
he
is
in
pain
,
or
has
been
kept
awake
.
'
'
You
are
very
odd
,
Ethel
;
how
do
you
see
things
in
people
's
faces
,
when
you
miss
so
much
at
just
the
same
distance
?
'
I
look
after
what
I
care
about
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
One
sees
more
with
one
's
mind
than
one
's
eyes
.
The
best
sight
is
inside
.
'
'
But
do
you
always
see
the
truth
?
'
said
Richard
gravely
.
'
Quite
enough
.
What
is
less
common
than
the
ordinary
world
?
'
said
Ethel
.
Richard
shook
his
head
,
not
quite
satisfied
,
but
not
sure
enough
that
he
entered
into
her
meaning
to
question
it
.
'
I
wonder
you
do
n't
wear
spectacles
,
'
was
the
result
of
his
meditation
,
and
it
made
her
laugh
by
being
so
inapposite
to
her
own
reflections
;
but
the
laugh
ended
in
a
melancholy
look
.
'
Dear
mamma
did
not
like
me
to
use
them
,
'
she
said
,
in
a
low
voice
.
Thus
they
talked
till
they
arrived
at
Cocksmoor
,
where
poor
Mrs.
Taylor
,
inspirited
by
better
reports
of
her
husband
and
the
hopes
for
her
daughter
,
was
like
another
woman
.
Richard
was
very
careful
not
to
raise
false
expectations
,
saying
it
all
depended
on
Miss
May
and
nurse
,
and
what
they
thought
of
her
strength
and
steadiness
,
but
these
cautions
did
not
seem
capable
of
damping
the
hopes
of
the
smooth-haired
Lucy
,
who
stood
smiling
and
curtseying
.
The
twins
were
grown
and
improved
,
and
Ethel
supposed
they
would
be
brought
to
Church
on
the
next
Christening
Sunday
,
but
their
mother
looked
helpless
and
hopeless
about
getting
them
so
far
,
and
how
was
she
to
get
gossips
?
Ethel
began
to
grow
very
indignant
,
but
she
was
always
shy
of
finding
fault
with
poor
people
to
their
faces
when
she
would
not
have
done
so
to
persons
in
her
own
station
,
and
so
she
was
silent
,
while
Richard
hoped
they
would
be
able
to
manage
,
and
said
it
would
be
better
not
to
wait
another
month
for
still
worse
weather
and
shorter
days
.
As
they
were
coming
out
of
the
house
,
a
big
,
rough-looking
,
uncivilized
boy
came
up
before
them
,
and
called
out
,
'
I
say
—
be
n't
you
the
young
Doctor
up
at
Stoneborough
?
'
'
I
am
Dr.
May
's
son
,
'
said
Richard
;
while
Ethel
,
startled
,
clung
to
his
arm
,
in
dread
of
some
rudeness
.
'
Granny
's
bad
,
'
said
the
boy
;
proceeding
without
further
explanation
to
lead
the
way
to
another
hovel
,
though
Richard
tried
to
explain
that
the
knowledge
of
medicine
was
not
in
his
case
hereditary
.
A
poor
old
woman
sat
groaning
over
the
fire
,
and
two
children
crouched
,
half-clothed
on
the
bare
floor
.
Richard
's
gentle
voice
and
kind
manner
drew
forth
some
wonderful
descriptions
—
'
her
head
was
all
of
a
goggle
,
her
legs
all
of
a
fur
,
she
felt
as
if
some
one
was
cutting
right
through
her
.
'
'
Well
,
'
said
Richard
,
kindly
,
'
I
am
no
Doctor
myself
,
but
I
'll
ask
my
father
about
you
,
and
perhaps
he
can
give
you
an
order
for
the
hospital
.
'
'
No
,
no
,
thank
ye
,
Sir
;
I
ca
n't
go
to
the
hospital
,
I
ca
n't
leave
these
poor
children
;
they
've
no
father
nor
mother
,
Sir
,
and
no
one
to
do
for
them
but
me
.
'
'
What
do
you
all
live
on
,
then
?
'
said
Richard
,
looking
round
the
desolate
hut
.
'
On
Sam
's
wages
,
Sir
;
that
's
that
boy
.
He
is
a
good
boy
to
me
,
Sir
,
and
his
little
sisters
;
he
brings
it
,
all
he
gets
,
home
to
me
,
rig'lar
,
but
'
tis
but
six
shillings
a
week
,
and
they
makes
'
em
take
half
of
it
out
in
goods
and
beer
,
which
is
a
bad
thing
for
a
boy
like
him
,
Sir
.
'
'
How
old
are
you
,
Sam
?
'
Sam
scratched
his
head
,
and
answered
nothing
.
His
grandmother
knew
he
was
the
age
of
her
black
bonnet
,
and
as
he
looked
about
fifteen
,
Ethel
honoured
him
and
the
bonnet
accordingly
,
while
Richard
said
he
must
be
very
glad
to
be
able
to
maintain
them
all
,
at
his
age
,
and
,
promising
to
try
to
bring
his
father
that
way
,
since
prescribing
at
second
hand
for
such
curious
symptoms
was
more
than
could
be
expected
,
he
took
his
leave
.
'
A
wretched
place
,
'
said
Richard
,
looking
round
.
'
I
do
n't
know
what
help
there
is
for
the
people
.
There
's
no
one
to
do
any
thing
for
them
,
and
it
is
of
no
use
to
tell
them
to
come
to
Church
when
it
is
so
far
off
,
and
there
is
so
little
room
for
them
.
'
'
It
is
miserable
,
'
said
Ethel
;
and
all
her
thoughts
during
her
last
walk
thither
began
to
rush
over
her
again
,
not
effaced
,
but
rather
burnt
in
,
by
all
that
had
subsequently
happened
.
She
had
said
it
should
be
her
aim
and
effort
to
make
Cocksmoor
a
Christian
place
.
Such
a
resolve
must
not
pass
away
lightly
;
she
knew
it
must
be
acted
on
,
but
how
?
What
would
her
present
means
—
one
sovereign
—
effect
?
Her
fancies
,
rich
and
rare
,
had
nearly
been
forgotten
of
late
,
but
she
might
make
them
of
use
in
time
—
in
time
,
and
here
were
hives
of
children
growing
up
in
heathenism
.
Suddenly
an
idea
struck
her
—
Richard
,
when
at
home
,
was
a
very
diligent
teacher
in
the
Sunday-school
at
Stoneborough
,
though
it
was
a
thankless
task
,
and
he
was
the
only
gentleman
so
engaged
,
except
the
two
Clergymen
—
the
other
male
teachers
being
a
formal
,
grave
,
little
baker
,
and
one
or
two
monitors
.
'
Richard
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
I
'll
tell
you
what
.
Suppose
we
were
to
set
up
a
Sunday-school
at
Cocksmoor
.
We
could
get
a
room
,
and
walk
there
every
Sunday
afternoon
,
and
go
to
Church
in
the
evening
instead
.
'
He
was
so
confounded
by
the
suddenness
of
the
project
,
that
he
did
not
answer
,
till
she
had
time
for
several
exclamations
and
'
Well
,
Richards
!
'
'
I
cannot
tell
,
'
he
said
.
'
Going
to
Church
in
the
evening
would
interfere
with
tea-time
—
put
out
all
the
house
—
make
the
evening
uncomfortable
.
'
'
The
evenings
are
horrid
now
,
especially
Sundays
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
But
missing
two
more
would
make
them
worse
for
the
others
.
'
'
Papa
is
always
with
Margaret
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
We
are
of
no
use
to
him
.
Besides
those
poor
children
—
are
not
they
of
more
importance
?
'
'
And
,
then
,
what
is
to
become
of
Stoneborough
school
?
'
'
I
hate
it
,
'
exclaimed
Ethel
;
then
seeing
Richard
shocked
,
and
finding
she
had
spoken
more
vehemently
than
she
intended
—
'
It
is
not
as
bad
for
you
among
the
boys
,
but
while
that
committee
goes
on
,
it
is
not
the
least
use
to
try
to
teach
the
girls
right
.
Oh
!
the
fusses
about
the
books
,
and
one
's
way
of
teaching
!
And
fancy
how
Mrs.
Ledwich
used
us
.
You
know
I
went
again
last
Sunday
,
for
the
first
time
,
and
there
I
found
that
class
of
Margaret
's
,
that
she
had
just
managed
to
get
into
some
degree
of
nice
order
,
taken
so
much
pains
with
,
taught
so
well
.
She
had
been
telling
me
what
to
hear
them
—
there
it
is
given
away
to
Fanny
Anderson
,
who
is
no
more
fit
to
teach
than
that
stick
,
and
all
Margaret
's
work
will
be
undone
.
No
notice
to
us
—
not
even
the
civility
to
wait
and
see
when
she
gets
better
.
'
'
If
we
left
them
now
for
Cocksmoor
,
would
it
not
look
as
if
we
were
affronted
?
'
Ethel
was
slightly
taken
aback
,
but
only
said
,
'
Papa
would
be
very
angry
if
he
knew
it
.
'
'
I
am
glad
you
did
not
tell
him
,
'
said
Richard
.
'
I
thought
it
would
only
tease
him
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
and
that
he
might
call
it
a
petty
female
squabble
;
and
when
Margaret
is
well
,
it
will
come
right
,
if
Fanny
Anderson
has
not
spoilt
the
girls
in
the
meantime
.
It
is
all
Mrs.
Ledwich
's
doing
.
How
I
did
hate
it
when
every
one
came
up
and
shook
hands
with
me
,
and
asked
after
Margaret
and
papa
,
only
just
out
of
curiosity
!
'
'
Hush
,
hush
,
Ethel
,
what
's
the
use
of
thinking
such
things
?
'
A
silence
,
—
then
she
exclaimed
,
'
But
,
indeed
,
Richard
,
you
do
n't
fancy
that
I
want
to
teach
at
Cocksmoor
,
because
it
is
disagreeable
at
Stoneborough
?
'
'
No
,
indeed
.
'
The
rendering
of
full
justice
conveyed
in
his
tone
,
so
opened
Ethel
's
heart
,
that
she
went
on
eagerly
:
—
'
The
history
of
it
is
this
.
Last
time
we
walked
here
,
that
day
,
I
said
,
and
I
meant
it
,
that
I
would
never
put
it
out
of
my
head
;
I
would
go
on
doing
and
striving
,
and
trying
,
till
this
place
was
properly
cared
for
,
and
has
a
Church
and
a
Clergyman
.
I
believe
it
was
a
vow
,
Richard
,
I
do
believe
it
was
,
—
and
if
one
makes
one
,
one
must
keep
it
.
There
it
is
.
So
,
I
ca
n't
give
money
,
I
have
but
one
pound
in
the
world
,
but
I
have
time
,
and
I
would
make
that
useful
,
if
you
would
help
me
.
'
'
I
do
n't
see
how
,
'
was
the
answer
,
and
there
was
a
fragment
of
a
smile
on
Richard
's
face
,
as
if
it
struck
him
as
a
wild
scheme
,
that
Ethel
should
undertake
,
single
handed
,
to
evangelize
Cocksmoor
.
It
was
such
a
damper
as
to
be
most
mortifying
to
an
enthusiastic
girl
,
and
she
drew
into
herself
in
a
moment
.
They
walked
home
in
silence
,
and
when
Richard
warned
her
that
she
was
not
keeping
her
dress
out
of
the
dirt
,
it
sounded
like
a
sarcasm
on
her
projects
,
and
,
with
a
slightly
pettish
manner
,
she
raised
the
unfortunate
skirt
,
its
crape
trimmings
greatly
bespattered
with
ruddy
mud
.
Then
recollecting
how
mamma
would
have
shaken
her
head
at
that
very
thing
,
she
regretted
the
temper
she
had
betrayed
,
and
in
a
'
larmoyante
'
voice
,
sighed
,
'
I
wish
I
could
pick
my
way
better
.
Some
people
have
the
gift
,
you
have
hardly
a
splash
,
and
I
'm
up
to
the
ancles
in
mud
.
'
'
It
is
only
taking
care
,
'
said
Richard
;
'
besides
your
frock
is
so
long
,
and
full
.
Ca
n't
you
tuck
it
up
,
and
pin
it
?
'
'
My
pins
always
come
out
,
'
said
Ethel
,
disconsolately
,
crumpling
the
black
folds
into
one
hand
,
while
she
hunted
for
a
pin
with
the
other
.
'
No
wonder
,
if
you
stick
them
in
that
way
,
'
said
Richard
.
'
Oh
!
you
'll
tear
that
crape
.
Here
,
let
me
help
you
.
Do
n't
you
see
,
make
it
go
in
and
out
,
that
way
;
give
it
something
to
pull
against
.
'
Ethel
laughed
.
'
That
's
the
third
thing
you
have
taught
me
—
to
thread
a
needle
,
tie
a
bow
,
and
stick
in
a
pin
!
I
never
could
learn
those
things
of
anyone
else
;
they
show
,
but
do
n't
explain
the
theory
.
'
They
met
Dr.
May
at
the
entrance
of
the
town
,
very
tired
,
and
saying
he
had
been
a
long
tramp
,
all
over
the
place
,
and
Mrs.
Hoxton
had
been
boring
him
with
her
fancies
.
As
he
took
Richard
's
arm
he
gave
the
long
heavy
sigh
that
always
fell
so
painfully
on
Ethel
's
ear
.
'
Dear
,
dear
,
dear
papa
!
thought
she
,
'
my
work
must
also
be
to
do
all
I
can
to
comfort
him
.
'
Her
reflections
were
broken
off
.
Dr.
May
exclaimed
,
'
Ethel
,
do
n't
make
such
a
figure
of
yourself
.
Those
muddy
ancles
and
petticoats
are
not
fit
to
be
seen
—
there
,
now
you
are
sweeping
the
pavement
.
Have
you
no
medium
?
One
would
think
you
had
never
worn
a
gown
in
your
life
before
!
'
Poor
Ethel
step
on
before
with
mud-encrusted
heels
,
and
her
father
speaking
sharply
in
the
weariness
and
soreness
of
his
heart
;
her
draggle-tailed
petticoats
weighing
down
at
once
her
missionary
projects
at
Cocksmoor
,
and
her
tender
visions
of
comforting
her
widowed
father
;
her
heart
was
full
to
overflowing
,
and
where
was
the
mother
to
hear
her
troubles
?
She
opened
the
hall
door
,
and
would
have
rushed
up
stairs
,
but
nurse
happened
to
be
crossing
the
hall
.
'
Miss
Ethel
!
Miss
Ethel
,
you
ar
n't
going
up
with
them
boots
on
!
I
do
declare
you
are
just
like
one
of
the
boys
.
And
your
frock
!
'
Ethel
sat
submissively
down
on
the
lowest
step
,
and
pulled
off
her
boots
.
As
she
did
so
,
her
father
and
brother
came
in
—
the
former
desiring
Richard
to
come
with
him
to
the
study
,
and
write
a
note
for
him
.
She
hoped
that
thus
she
might
have
Margaret
to
herself
,
and
hurried
into
her
room
.
Margaret
was
alone
,
maids
and
children
at
tea
,
and
Flora
dressing
.
The
room
was
in
twilight
,
with
the
red
gleam
of
the
fire
playing
cheerfully
over
it
.
'
Well
,
Ethel
,
have
you
had
a
pleasant
walk
?
'
'
Yes
—
no
—
Oh
Margaret
!
'
and
throwing
herself
across
the
bottom
of
the
bed
,
she
burst
into
tears
.
'
Ethel
,
dear
,
what
is
the
matter
?
Papa
—
'
'
No
—
no
—
only
I
draggled
my
frock
,
and
Richard
threw
cold
water
.
And
I
am
good
for
nothing
!
Oh
!
if
mamma
was
but
here
!
'
'
Darling
Ethel
,
dear
Ethel
,
I
wish
I
could
comfort
you
.
Come
a
little
nearer
to
me
,
I
ca
n't
reach
you
!
Dear
Ethel
,
what
has
gone
wrong
?
'
'
Every
thing
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
No
—
I
'm
too
dirty
to
come
on
your
white
bed
;
I
forgot
,
you
wo
n't
like
it
,
'
added
she
,
in
an
injured
tone
.
'
You
are
wet
,
you
are
cold
,
you
are
tired
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
Stay
here
and
dress
,
do
n't
go
up
in
the
cold
.
There
,
sit
by
the
fire
,
pull
off
your
frock
and
stockings
,
and
we
will
send
for
the
others
.
Let
me
see
you
look
comfortable
—
there
.
Now
tell
me
who
threw
cold
water
.
'
'
It
was
figurative
cold
water
,
'
said
Ethel
,
smiling
for
a
moment
.
'
I
was
only
silly
enough
to
tell
Richard
my
plan
,
and
it
's
horrid
to
talk
to
a
person
who
only
thinks
one
high-flying
and
nonsensical
—
and
then
came
the
dirt
.
'
'
But
what
was
the
scheme
,
Ethel
?
'
'
Cocksmoor
,
'
said
Ethel
,
proceeding
to
unfold
it
.
'
I
wish
we
could
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
It
would
be
an
excellent
thing
.
But
how
did
Richard
vex
you
?
'
'
I
do
n't
know
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
only
he
thought
it
would
not
do
.
Perhaps
he
said
right
,
but
it
was
coldly
,
and
he
smiled
.
'
'
He
is
too
sober-minded
for
our
flights
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
I
know
the
feeling
of
it
,
Ethel
dear
;
but
you
know
if
he
did
see
that
some
of
your
plans
might
not
answer
,
it
is
no
reason
you
should
not
try
to
do
something
at
once
.
You
have
not
told
me
about
the
girl
.
'
Ethel
proceeded
to
tell
the
history
.
'
There
!
'
said
Margaret
,
cheerfully
,
'
there
are
two
ways
of
helping
Cocksmoor
already
.
Could
you
not
make
some
clothes
for
the
two
grand-children
?
I
could
help
you
a
little
,
and
then
,
if
they
were
well
clothed
,
you
might
get
them
to
come
to
the
Sunday-school
.
And
as
to
the
twins
,
I
wonder
what
the
hire
of
a
cart
would
be
to
bring
the
Christening
party
?
It
is
just
what
Richard
could
manage
.
'
'
Yes
,
'
said
Ethel
;
'
but
those
are
only
little
isolated
individual
things
!
'
'
But
one
must
make
a
beginning
.
'
'
Then
,
Margaret
,
you
think
it
was
a
real
vow
?
You
do
n't
think
it
silly
of
me
?
'
said
Ethel
,
wistfully
.
'
Ethel
,
dear
,
I
do
n't
think
dear
mamma
would
say
we
ought
to
make
vows
,
except
what
the
Church
decrees
for
us
.
I
do
n't
think
she
would
like
the
motion
of
your
considering
yourself
pledged
;
but
I
do
think
,
that
,
after
all
you
have
said
and
felt
about
Cocksmoor
,
and
being
led
there
on
that
day
,
it
does
seem
as
if
we
might
be
intended
to
make
it
our
especial
charge
.
'
'
O
Margaret
,
I
am
glad
you
say
so
.
You
always
understand
.
'
'
But
you
know
we
are
so
young
,
that
now
we
have
not
her
to
judge
for
us
,
we
must
only
do
little
things
that
we
are
quite
sure
of
,
or
we
shall
get
wrong
.
'
'
That
's
not
the
way
great
things
were
done
.
'
'
I
do
n't
know
,
Ethel
;
I
think
great
things
ca
n't
be
good
unless
they
stand
on
a
sure
foundation
of
little
ones
.
'
'
Well
,
I
believe
Richard
was
right
,
and
it
would
not
do
to
begin
on
Sunday
,
but
he
was
so
tame
;
and
then
my
frock
,
and
the
horrid
deficiency
in
those
little
neatnesses
.
'
'
Perhaps
that
is
good
for
you
in
one
way
;
you
might
get
very
high-flying
if
you
had
not
the
discipline
of
those
little
tiresome
things
;
correcting
them
will
help
you
,
and
keep
your
high
things
from
being
all
romance
.
I
know
dear
mamma
used
to
say
so
;
that
the
trying
to
conquer
them
was
a
help
to
you
.
O
,
here
's
Mary
!
Mary
,
will
you
get
Ethel
's
dressing
things
?
She
has
come
home
wet-footed
and
cold
,
and
has
been
warming
herself
by
my
fire
.
'
Mary
was
happy
to
help
,
and
Ethel
was
dressed
and
cheered
by
the
time
.
Dr.
May
came
in
,
for
a
hurried
visit
and
report
of
his
doings
;
Flora
followed
on
her
way
from
her
room
.
Then
all
went
to
tea
,
leaving
Margaret
to
have
a
visit
from
the
little
ones
under
charge
of
nurse
.
Two
hours
'
stay
with
her
,
that
precious
time
when
she
knew
that
sad
as
the
talk
often
was
,
it
was
truly
a
comfort
to
him
.
It
ended
when
ten
o'clock
struck
,
and
he
went
down
—
Margaret
hearing
the
bell
,
the
sounds
of
the
assembling
servants
,
the
shutting
of
the
door
,
the
stillness
of
prayer
time
,
the
opening
again
,
the
feet
moving
off
in
different
directions
,
then
brothers
and
sisters
coming
in
to
kiss
her
and
bid
her
good-night
,
nurse
and
Flora
arranging
her
for
the
night
,
Flora
coming
to
sleep
in
her
little
bed
in
the
corner
of
the
room
,
and
,
lastly
,
her
father
's
tender
good-night
,
and
melancholy
look
at
her
,
and
all
was
quiet
,
except
the
low
voices
and
movements
as
Richard
attended
him
in
his
own
room
.
Margaret
could
think
:
'
Dear
,
dear
Ethel
,
how
noble
and
high
she
is
!
But
I
am
afraid
!
It
is
what
people
call
a
difficult
,
dangerous
age
,
and
the
grander
she
is
,
the
greater
danger
of
not
managing
her
rightly
.
If
those
high
purposes
should
run
only
into
romance
like
mine
,
or
grow
out
into
eccentricities
and
unfemininesses
,
what
a
grievous
pity
it
would
be
!
And
I
,
so
little
older
,
so
much
less
clever
,
with
just
sympathy
enough
not
to
be
a
wise
restraint
—
I
am
the
person
who
has
the
responsibility
,
and
oh
,
what
shall
I
do
?
Mamma
trusted
to
me
to
be
a
mother
to
them
,
papa
looks
to
me
,
and
I
so
unfit
,
besides
this
helplessness
.
But
God
sent
it
,
and
put
me
in
my
place
.
He
made
me
lie
here
,
and
will
raise
me
up
if
it
is
good
,
so
I
trust
He
will
help
me
with
my
sisters
.
'
'
Grant
me
to
have
a
right
judgment
in
all
things
,
and
evermore
to
rejoice
in
Thy
holy
comfort
.
'
CHAPTER
VII
.
'
Something
between
a
hindrance
and
a
help
.
'
Wordsworth
.
Etheldred
awoke
long
before
time
for
getting
up
,
and
lay
pondering
over
her
visions
.
Margaret
had
sympathized
,
and
therefore
they
did
not
seem
entirely
aërial
.
To
earn
money
by
writing
was
her
favourite
plan
,
and
she
called
her
various
romances
in
turn
before
her
memory
,
to
judge
which
might
be
brought
down
to
sober
pen
and
ink
.
She
considered
till
it
became
not
too
unreasonably
early
to
get
up
.
It
was
dark
,
but
there
was
a
little
light
close
to
the
window
:
she
had
no
writing-paper
,
but
she
would
interline
her
old
exercisebook
.
Down
she
ran
,
and
crouching
in
the
school-room
window-seat
,
she
wrote
on
in
a
trance
of
eager
composition
,
till
Norman
called
her
,
as
he
went
to
school
,
to
help
him
to
find
a
book
.
This
done
,
she
went
up
to
visit
Margaret
,
to
tell
her
the
story
,
and
consult
her
.
But
this
was
not
so
easy
.
She
found
Margaret
with
little
Daisy
lying
by
her
,
and
Tom
sitting
by
the
fire
over
his
Latin
.
'
O
,
Ethel
,
good
morning
,
dear
!
you
are
come
just
in
time
.
'
'
To
take
baby
?
'
said
Ethel
,
as
the
child
was
fretting
a
little
.
'
Yes
,
thank
you
,
she
has
been
very
good
,
but
she
was
tired
of
lying
here
,
and
I
ca
n't
move
her
about
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
O
Margaret
,
I
have
such
a
plan
,
'
said
Ethel
,
as
she
walked
about
with
little
Gertrude
;
but
Tom
interrupted
.
'
Margaret
,
will
you
see
if
I
can
say
my
lesson
?
'
and
the
thumbed
Latin
grammar
came
across
her
just
as
Dr.
May
's
door
opened
,
and
he
came
in
exclaiming
,
'
Latin
grammar
!
Margaret
,
this
is
really
too
much
for
you
.
Good
morning
,
my
dears
.
Ha
!
Tommy
,
take
your
book
away
,
my
boy
.
You
must
not
inflict
that
on
sister
now
.
There
's
your
regular
master
,
Richard
,
in
my
room
,
if
it
is
fit
for
his
ears
yet
.
What
,
the
little
one
here
too
?
'
'
How
is
your
arm
,
papa
?
'
said
Margaret
.
'
Did
it
keep
you
awake
?
'
'
Not
long
—
it
set
me
dreaming
though
,
and
a
very
romantic
dream
it
was
,
worthy
of
Ethel
herself
.
'
'
What
was
it
,
papa
?
'
'
O
,
it
was
an
odd
thing
,
joining
on
strangely
enough
with
one
I
had
three
or
four-and-twenty
years
ago
,
when
I
was
a
young
man
,
hearing
lectures
at
Edinburgh
,
and
courting
'
—
he
stopped
,
and
felt
Margaret
's
pulse
,
asked
her
a
few
questions
,
and
talked
to
the
baby
.
Ethel
longed
to
hear
his
dream
,
but
thought
he
would
not
like
to
go
on
;
however
,
he
did
presently
.
'
The
old
dream
was
the
night
after
a
pic-nic
on
Arthur
's
Seat
with
the
Mackenzies
;
Mamma
and
Aunt
Flora
were
there
.
'
Twas
a
regular
boy
's
dream
,
a
tournament
,
or
something
of
that
nature
,
where
I
was
victor
,
the
queen
—
you
know
who
she
was
—
giving
me
her
token
—
a
Daisy
Chain
.
'
'
That
is
why
you
like
to
call
us
your
Daisy
Chain
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Did
you
write
it
in
verse
?
'
said
Margaret
.
'
I
think
I
once
saw
some
verses
like
it
in
her
desk
.
'
'
I
was
in
love
,
and
three-and-twenty
,
'
said
the
Doctor
,
looking
drolly
guilty
in
the
midst
of
his
sadness
.
'
Aye
,
those
fixed
it
in
my
memory
,
perhaps
my
fancy
made
it
more
distinct
than
it
really
was
.
An
evening
or
two
ago
,
I
met
with
them
,
and
that
stirred
it
up
,
I
suppose
.
Last
night
came
the
tournament
again
,
but
it
was
the
melée
,
a
sense
of
being
crushed
down
,
suffocated
by
the
throng
of
armed
knights
and
horses
—
pain
and
wounds
—
and
I
looked
in
vain
through
the
opposing
overwhelming
host
for
my
—
my
Maggie
.
Well
,
I
got
the
worst
of
it
,
my
sword
arm
was
broken
—
I
fell
,
was
stifled
—
crushed
—
in
misery
—
all
I
could
do
was
to
grasp
my
token
—
my
Daisy
Chain
,
'
and
he
pressed
Margaret
's
hand
as
he
said
so
.
'
And
,
behold
,
the
tumult
and
despair
were
passed
.
I
lay
on
the
grass
in
the
cloisters
,
and
the
Daisy
Chain
hung
from
the
sky
,
and
was
drawing
me
upwards
.
There
—
it
is
a
queer
dream
for
a
sober
old
country
Doctor
.
I
do
n't
know
why
I
told
you
,
do
n't
tell
any
one
again
.
'
And
he
walked
away
,
muttering
.
'
For
he
told
me
his
dreams
,
talked
of
eating
and
drinking
,
'
leaving
Margaret
with
her
eyes
full
of
tears
,
and
Ethel
vehemently
caressing
the
baby
.
'
How
beautiful
!
'
said
Ethel
.
'
It
has
been
a
comfort
to
him
,
I
am
sure
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
You
do
n't
think
it
ominous
,
'
said
Ethel
,
with
a
slight
tremulous
voice
.
'
More
soothing
than
any
thing
else
.
It
is
what
we
all
feel
,
is
it
not
?
that
this
little
daisy
bud
is
the
link
between
us
and
heaven
?
'
'
But
about
him
.
He
was
victor
at
first
—
vanquished
the
next
time
?
'
'
I
think
—
if
it
is
to
have
an
interpretation
,
though
I
am
not
sure
we
ought
to
take
it
so
seriously
,
it
would
only
mean
that
in
younger
days
,
people
care
for
victory
and
distinction
in
this
world
,
like
Norman
,
or
as
papa
most
likely
did
then
;
but
,
as
they
grow
older
,
they
care
less
,
and
others
pass
them
,
and
they
know
it
does
not
signify
,
for
in
our
race
all
may
win
.
'
'
But
he
has
a
great
name
.
How
many
people
come
from
a
distance
to
consult
him
!
he
is
looked
upon
,
too
,
in
other
ways
!
he
can
do
anything
with
the
corporation
.
'
Margaret
smiled
.
'
All
this
does
not
sound
grand
—
it
is
not
as
if
he
had
set
up
in
London
.
'
'
Oh
dear
,
I
am
so
glad
he
did
not
.
'
'
Shall
I
tell
you
what
mamma
told
me
he
said
about
it
,
when
uncle
Mackenzie
said
he
ought
?
He
answered
,
that
he
thought
health
and
happy
home
attachments
,
were
a
better
provision
for
us
to
set
out
in
life
with
than
thousands
.
'
'
I
am
sure
he
was
right
!
'
said
Ethel
,
earnestly
.
'
Then
you
do
n't
think
the
dream
meant
being
beaten
,
only
that
our
best
things
are
not
gained
by
successes
in
this
world
?
'
'
Do
n't
go
and
let
it
dwell
on
your
mind
as
a
vision
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
I
think
dear
mamma
would
call
that
silly
.
'
An
interruption
occurred
,
and
Ethel
had
to
go
down
to
breakfast
with
a
mind
floating
between
romance
,
sorrow
,
and
high
aspirations
,
very
unlike
the
actual
world
she
had
to
live
in
.
First
,
there
was
a
sick
man
walking
into
the
study
,
and
her
father
,
laying
down
his
letters
,
saying
,
'
I
must
despatch
him
before
prayers
,
I
suppose
.
I
've
a
great
mind
to
say
I
never
will
see
any
one
who
wont
keep
to
my
days
.
'
'
I
ca
n't
imagine
why
they
do
n't
,
'
said
Flora
,
as
he
went
.
'
He
is
always
saying
so
,
but
never
acting
on
it
.
If
he
would
once
turn
one
away
,
the
rest
would
mind
.
'
Richard
went
on
in
silence
,
cutting
bread
and
butter
.
'
There
's
another
ring
,
'
said
Mary
.
'
Yes
,
he
is
caught
now
,
they
'll
go
on
in
a
stream
.
I
shall
not
keep
Margaret
waiting
for
her
breakfast
,
I
shall
take
it
up
.
'
The
morning
was
tiresome
;
though
Dr.
May
had
two
regular
days
for
seeing
poor
people
at
his
house
,
he
was
too
good-natured
to
keep
strictly
to
them
,
and
this
day
,
as
Flora
had
predicted
,
there
was
a
procession
of
them
not
soon
got
rid
of
,
even
by
his
rapid
queries
and
the
talismanic
figures
made
by
his
left
hand
on
scraps
of
paper
,
with
which
he
sent
them
off
to
the
infirmary
.
Ethel
tried
to
read
;
the
children
lingered
about
;
it
was
a
trial
of
temper
to
all
but
Tom
,
who
obtained
Richard
's
attention
to
his
lessons
.
He
liked
to
say
them
to
his
brother
,
and
this
was
an
incentive
to
learn
them
quickly
,
that
none
might
remain
for
Miss
Winter
when
Richard
went
out
with
his
father
.
If
mamma
had
been
there
,
she
would
have
had
prayers
;
but
now
no
one
had
authority
enough
,
though
they
did
at
last
even
finish
breakfast
.
Just
as
the
gig
came
to
the
door
,
Dr.
May
dismissed
his
last
patient
,
rang
the
bell
in
haste
,
and
as
soon
as
prayers
were
over
,
declared
he
had
an
appointment
,
and
had
no
time
to
eat
.
There
was
a
general
outcry
,
that
it
was
bad
enough
when
he
was
well
,
and
now
he
must
not
take
liberties
;
Flora
made
him
drink
some
tea
;
and
Richard
placed
morsels
in
his
way
,
while
he
read
his
letters
.
He
ran
up
for
a
final
look
at
Margaret
,
almost
upset
the
staid
Miss
Winter
as
he
ran
down
again
,
called
Richard
to
take
the
reins
,
and
was
off
.
It
was
French
day
,
always
a
trial
to
Ethel
.
M
.
Ballompré
,
the
master
,
knew
what
was
good
and
bad
French
,
but
could
not
render
a
reason
,
and
Ethel
,
being
versed
in
the
principles
of
grammar
,
from
her
Latin
studies
,
chose
to
know
the
why
and
wherefore
of
his
corrections
—
she
did
not
like
to
see
her
pages
defaced
,
and
have
no
security
against
future
errors
;
while
he
thought
her
a
troublesome
pupil
,
and
was
put
out
by
her
questions
.
They
wrangled
,
Miss
Winter
was
displeased
,
and
Ethel
felt
injured
.
Mary
's
inability
to
catch
the
pronunciation
,
and
her
hopeless
dull
look
when
she
found
that
coeur
must
not
be
pronounced
cour
,
nor
cur
,
but
something
between
,
to
which
her
rosy
English
lips
could
never
come
—
all
this
did
not
tease
M
.
Ballompré
,
for
he
was
used
to
it
.
His
mark
for
Ethel
's
lesson
was
'
de
l
'
humeur
.
'
'
I
am
sorry
,
'
said
Miss
Winter
,
when
he
was
gone
.
'
I
thought
you
had
outgrown
that
habit
of
disputing
over
every
phrase
.
'
'
I
ca
n't
tell
how
a
language
is
to
be
learnt
without
knowing
the
reasons
of
one
's
mistakes
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
That
is
what
you
always
say
,
my
dear
.
It
is
of
no
use
to
renew
it
all
,
but
I
wish
you
would
control
yourself
.
Now
,
Mary
,
call
Blanche
,
and
you
and
Ethel
take
your
arithmetic
.
'
So
Flora
went
to
read
to
Margaret
,
while
Blanche
went
lightly
and
playfully
through
her
easy
lessons
,
and
Mary
floundered
piteously
over
the
difficulties
of
Compound
Long
Division
.
Ethel
's
mind
was
in
too
irritated
and
tumultuous
a
state
for
her
to
derive
her
usual
solace
from
Cube
Root
.
Her
sum
was
wrong
,
and
she
wanted
to
work
it
right
,
but
Miss
Winter
,
who
had
little
liking
for
the
higher
branches
of
arithmetic
,
said
she
had
spent
time
enough
over
it
,
and
summoned
her
to
an
examination
such
as
the
governess
was
very
fond
of
and
often
practised
.
Ethel
thought
it
useless
,
and
was
teased
by
it
;
and
though
her
answers
were
chiefly
correct
,
they
were
given
in
an
irritated
tone
.
It
was
of
this
kind
:
—
What
is
the
date
of
the
invention
of
paper
?
What
is
the
latitude
and
longitude
of
Otaheite
?
What
are
the
component
parts
of
brass
?
Whence
is
cochineal
imported
?
When
this
was
over
,
Ethel
had
to
fetch
her
mending-basket
,
and
Mary
her
book
of
selections
;
the
piece
for
to-day
's
lessons
was
the
quarrel
of
Brutus
and
Cassius
;
and
Mary
's
dull
droning
tone
was
a
trial
to
her
ears
;
she
presently
exclaimed
,
'
O
Mary
,
do
n't
murder
it
!
'
'
Murder
what
?
'
said
Mary
,
opening
wide
her
light
blue
eyes
.
'
That
use
of
exaggerated
language
,
'
—
began
Miss
Winter
.
'
I
've
heard
Papa
say
it
,
'
said
Ethel
,
only
wanting
to
silence
Miss
Winter
.
In
a
cooler
moment
,
she
would
not
have
used
the
argument
.
'
All
that
a
gentleman
may
say
,
may
not
be
a
precedent
for
a
young
lady
;
but
you
are
interrupting
Mary
.
'
'
Only
let
me
show
her
.
I
ca
n't
bear
to
hear
her
,
listen
,
Mary
.
'
That
is
declaiming
,
'
said
Miss
Winter
.
'
It
is
not
what
we
wish
for
in
a
lady
.
You
are
neglecting
your
work
and
interfering
.
'
Ethel
made
a
fretful
contortion
,
and
obeyed
.
So
it
went
on
all
the
morning
,
Ethel
's
eagerness
checked
by
Miss
Winter
's
dry
manner
,
producing
pettishness
,
till
Ethel
,
in
a
state
between
self-reproach
and
a
sense
of
injustice
,
went
up
to
prepare
for
dinner
,
and
to
visit
Margaret
on
the
way
.
She
found
her
sister
picking
a
merino
frock
to
pieces
.
'
See
here
,
'
she
said
eagerly
,
'
I
thought
you
would
like
to
make
up
this
old
frock
for
one
of
the
Cocksmoor
children
;
but
what
is
the
matter
?
'
as
Ethel
did
not
show
the
lively
interest
that
she
expected
.
'
O
nothing
,
only
Miss
Winter
is
so
tiresome
.
'
'
What
was
it
?
'
'
Every
thing
,
it
was
all
horrid
.
I
was
cross
I
know
,
but
she
and
M
.
Ballompré
made
me
so
;
'
and
Ethel
was
in
the
midst
of
the
narration
of
her
grievances
,
when
Norman
came
in
.
The
school
was
half
a
mile
off
,
but
he
had
not
once
failed
to
come
home
,
in
the
interval
allowed
for
play
after
dinner
,
to
inquire
for
his
sister
.
'
Well
,
Norman
,
you
are
out
of
breath
,
sit
down
and
rest
.
What
is
doing
at
school
?
are
you
dux
of
your
class
?
'
'
Yes
,
said
the
boy
,
wearily
.
'
What
mark
for
the
verses
?
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Quam
benè
.
'
'
Not
optime
?
'
'
No
,
they
were
tame
,
'
Dr.
Hoxton
said
.
'
What
is
Harry
doing
?
'
said
Margaret
.
'
He
is
fourth
in
his
form
.
I
left
him
at
football
.
'
'
Dinner
!
'
said
Flora
at
the
door
.
'
what
will
you
have
,
Margaret
?
'
'
I
'll
fetch
it
,
'
said
Norman
,
who
considered
it
his
privilege
to
wait
on
Margaret
at
dinner
.
When
he
had
brought
the
tray
,
he
stood
leaning
against
the
bed-post
,
musing
.
Suddenly
,
there
was
a
considerable
clatter
of
fire-irons
,
and
his
violent
start
surprised
Margaret
.
'
Ethel
has
been
poking
the
fire
,
'
she
said
,
as
if
no
more
was
needed
to
account
for
their
insecurity
.
Norman
put
them
up
again
,
but
a
ringing
sound
betrayed
that
it
was
not
with
a
firm
touch
,
and
when
,
a
minute
after
,
he
came
to
take
her
plate
,
she
saw
that
he
was
trying
with
effort
to
steady
his
hand
.
'
Norman
,
dear
,
are
you
sure
you
are
well
?
'
'
Yes
,
very
well
,
'
said
he
,
as
if
vexed
that
she
had
taken
any
notice
.
'
You
had
better
not
come
racing
home
.
I
'm
not
worth
inquiries
now
,
I
am
so
much
better
,
'
said
she
,
smiling
.
He
made
no
reply
,
but
this
was
not
consenting
silence
.
'
I
do
n't
like
you
to
lose
your
foot-ball
,
'
she
proceeded
.
'
I
could
not
—
'
and
he
stopped
short
.
'
It
would
be
much
better
for
you
,
'
said
she
,
looking
up
in
his
face
with
anxious
affectionate
eyes
,
but
he
shunned
her
glance
and
walked
away
with
her
plate
.
Flora
had
been
in
such
close
attendance
upon
Margaret
,
that
she
needed
some
cheerful
walks
,
and
though
she
had
some
doubts
how
affairs
at
home
would
go
on
without
her
,
she
was
overruled
,
and
sent
on
a
long
expedition
with
Miss
Winter
and
Mary
,
while
Ethel
remained
with
Margaret
.
The
only
delay
before
setting
out
,
was
that
nurse
came
in
,
saying
,
'
If
you
please
,
Miss
Margaret
,
there
is
a
girl
come
to
see
about
the
place
.
'
The
sisters
looked
at
each
other
and
smiled
,
while
Margaret
asked
whence
she
came
,
and
who
she
was
.
'
Her
name
is
Taylor
,
and
she
comes
from
Cocksmoor
,
but
she
is
a
nice
tidy
,
strong-looking
girl
,
and
she
says
she
has
been
used
to
children
.
'
Nurse
had
fallen
into
the
trap
most
comfortably
,
and
seemed
bent
upon
taking
this
girl
as
a
choice
of
her
own
.
She
wished
to
know
if
Miss
Margaret
would
like
to
see
her
.
'
If
you
please
,
nurse
,
but
if
you
think
she
will
do
,
that
is
enough
.
'
'
Yes
,
Miss
,
but
you
should
look
to
them
things
yourself
.
If
you
please
,
I
'll
bring
her
up
.
'
So
nurse
departed
.
'
Charming
!
'
cried
Ethel
,
'
that
's
your
capital
management
,
Flora
Nurse
thinks
she
has
done
it
all
herself
.
'
She
is
your
charge
though
,
'
said
Flora
,
'
coming
from
your
own
beloved
Cocksmoor
.
'
Lucy
Taylor
came
in
,
looking
very
nice
,
and
very
shy
,
curtseying
low
,
in
extreme
awe
of
the
pale
lady
in
bed
.
Margaret
was
much
pleased
with
her
,
and
there
was
no
more
to
be
done
but
to
settle
that
she
should
come
on
Saturday
,
and
to
let
nurse
take
her
into
the
town
to
invest
her
with
the
universal
blackness
of
the
household
,
where
the
two
Margarets
were
the
only
white
things
.
This
arranged
,
and
the
walking
party
set
forth
,
Ethel
sat
down
by
her
sister
's
bed
,
and
began
to
assist
in
unpicking
the
merino
,
telling
Margaret
how
much
obliged
she
was
to
her
for
thinking
of
it
,
and
how
grieved
at
having
been
so
ungrateful
in
the
morning
.
She
was
very
happy
over
her
contrivances
,
cutting
out
under
her
sister
's
superintendence
.
She
had
forgotten
the
morning
's
annoyance
,
till
Margaret
said
,
'
I
have
been
thinking
of
what
you
said
about
Miss
Winter
,
and
really
I
do
n't
know
what
is
to
be
done
.
'
'
O
Margaret
,
I
did
not
mean
to
worry
you
,
'
said
Ethel
,
sorry
to
see
her
look
uneasy
.
'
I
like
you
to
tell
me
every
thing
,
dear
Ethel
;
but
I
do
n't
see
clearly
the
best
course
.
We
must
go
on
with
Miss
Winter
.
'
'
Of
course
,
'
said
Ethel
,
shocked
at
her
murmurs
having
even
suggested
the
possibility
of
a
change
,
and
having
,
as
well
as
all
the
others
,
a
great
respect
and
affection
for
her
governess
.
'
We
could
not
get
on
without
her
,
even
if
I
were
well
,
'
continued
Margaret
;
'
and
dear
mamma
had
such
perfect
trust
in
her
,
and
we
all
know
and
love
her
so
well
—
it
would
make
us
put
up
with
a
great
deal
.
'
'
It
is
all
my
own
fault
,
'
said
Ethel
,
only
anxious
to
make
amends
to
Miss
Winter
.
'
I
wish
you
would
not
say
any
thing
about
it
.
'
'
Yes
,
it
does
seem
wrong
even
to
think
of
it
,
'
said
Margaret
,
'
when
she
has
been
so
very
kind
.
It
is
a
blessing
to
have
any
one
to
whom
Mary
and
Blanche
may
so
entirely
be
trusted
.
But
for
you
—
'
'
It
is
my
own
fault
,
'
repeated
Ethel
.
'
I
do
n't
think
it
is
quite
all
your
own
fault
,
'
said
Margaret
,
'
and
that
is
the
difficulty
.
I
know
dear
mamma
thought
Miss
Winter
an
excellent
governess
for
the
little
ones
,
but
hardly
up
to
you
,
and
she
saw
that
you
worried
and
fidgetted
each
other
,
so
,
you
know
,
she
used
to
keep
the
teaching
of
you
a
good
deal
in
her
own
hands
.
'
'
I
did
not
know
that
was
the
reason
,
'
said
Ethel
,
overpowered
by
the
recollection
of
the
happy
morning
's
work
she
had
often
done
in
that
very
room
,
when
her
mother
had
not
been
equal
to
the
bustle
of
the
whole
school-room
.
That
watchful
,
protecting
,
guarding
,
mother
's
love
,
a
shadow
of
Providence
,
had
been
round
them
so
constantly
on
every
side
,
that
they
had
been
hardly
conscious
of
it
till
it
was
lost
to
them
.
'
Was
it
not
like
her
?
'
said
Margaret
,
'
but
now
,
my
poor
Ethel
,
I
do
n't
think
it
would
be
right
by
you
or
by
Miss
Winter
,
to
take
you
out
of
the
school-room
.
I
think
it
would
grieve
her
.
'
'
I
would
not
do
that
for
the
world
.
'
'
Especially
after
all
her
kind
nursing
of
me
,
and
even
,
with
more
reason
,
it
would
not
be
becoming
in
us
to
make
changes
.
Besides
,
King
Etheldred
,
'
said
Margaret
,
smiling
,
'
we
all
know
you
are
a
little
bit
of
a
sloven
,
and
,
as
nurse
says
,
some
one
must
be
always
after
you
,
and
do
you
know
?
even
if
I
were
well
,
I
had
rather
it
was
Miss
Winter
than
me
.
'
'
O
no
,
you
would
not
be
formal
and
precise
—
you
would
not
make
me
cross
.
'
'
Perhaps
you
might
make
me
so
,
'
said
Margaret
,
'
or
I
should
let
you
alone
,
and
leave
you
a
slattern
.
We
should
both
hate
it
so
!
No
,
do
n't
make
me
your
mistress
,
Ethel
dear
—
let
me
be
your
sister
and
play-fellow
still
,
as
well
as
I
can
.
'
'
You
are
,
you
are
.
I
do
n't
care
half
so
much
when
I
have
got
you
.
'
'
And
will
you
try
to
bear
with
her
,
and
remember
it
is
right
in
the
main
,
though
it
is
troublesome
?
'
'
That
I
will
.
I
wont
plague
you
again
.
I
know
it
is
bad
for
you
,
you
look
tired
.
'
'
Pray
do
n't
leave
off
telling
me
,
'
said
Margaret
—
'
it
is
just
what
I
wish
on
my
own
account
,
and
I
know
it
is
comfortable
to
have
a
good
grumble
.
'
'
If
it
does
not
hurt
you
,
but
I
am
sure
you
are
not
easy
now
—
are
you
?
'
'
Only
my
back
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
I
have
been
sitting
up
longer
than
usual
,
and
it
is
tired
.
Will
you
call
nurse
to
lay
me
flat
again
?
'
The
nursery
was
deserted
—
all
were
out
,
and
Ethel
came
back
in
trepidation
at
the
notion
of
having
to
do
it
herself
,
though
she
knew
it
was
only
to
put
one
arm
to
support
her
sister
,
while
,
with
the
other
,
she
removed
the
pillows
;
but
Ethel
was
conscious
of
her
own
awkwardness
and
want
of
observation
,
nor
had
Margaret
entire
trust
in
her
.
Still
she
was
too
much
fatigued
to
wait
,
so
Ethel
was
obliged
to
do
her
best
.
She
was
careful
and
frightened
,
and
therefore
slow
and
unsteady
.
She
trusted
that
all
was
right
,
and
Margaret
tried
to
believe
so
,
though
still
uneasy
.
Ethel
began
to
read
to
her
,
and
Dr.
May
came
home
.
She
looked
up
smiling
,
and
asked
where
he
had
been
,
but
it
was
vain
to
try
to
keep
him
from
reading
her
face
.
He
saw
in
an
instant
that
something
was
amiss
,
and
drew
from
her
a
confession
that
her
back
was
aching
a
little
.
He
knew
she
might
have
said
a
great
deal
—
she
was
not
in
a
comfortable
position
—
she
must
be
moved
.
She
shook
her
head
—
she
had
rather
wait
—
there
was
a
dread
of
being
again
lifted
by
Ethel
,
that
she
could
not
entirely
hide
.
Ethel
was
distressed
,
Dr.
May
was
angry
,
and
,
no
wonder
,
when
he
saw
Margaret
suffer
,
felt
his
own
inability
to
help
,
missed
her
who
had
been
wont
to
take
all
care
from
his
hands
,
and
was
vexed
to
see
a
tall
strong
girl
of
fifteen
,
with
the
full
use
of
both
arms
,
and
plenty
of
sense
,
incapable
of
giving
any
assistance
,
and
only
doing
harm
by
trying
.
'
It
is
of
no
use
,
'
said
he
.
'
Ethel
will
give
no
attention
to
anything
but
her
books
!
I
've
a
great
mind
to
put
an
end
to
all
the
Latin
and
Greek
!
She
cares
for
nothing
else
.
'
Ethel
could
little
brook
injustice
,
and
much
as
she
was
grieving
,
she
exclaimed
,
'
Papa
,
papa
,
I
do
care
—
now
do
n't
I
,
Margaret
?
I
did
my
best
!
'
'
Do
n't
talk
nonsense
.
Your
best
,
indeed
!
If
you
had
taken
the
most
moderate
care
—
'
'
I
believe
Ethel
took
rather
too
much
care
,
'
said
Margaret
,
much
more
harrassed
by
the
scolding
than
by
the
pain
.
'
It
will
be
all
right
presently
.
Never
mind
,
dear
Papa
.
'
But
he
was
not
only
grieved
for
the
present
,
but
anxious
for
the
future
;
and
,
though
he
knew
it
was
bad
for
Margaret
to
manifest
his
displeasure
,
he
could
not
restrain
it
,
and
continued
to
blame
Ethel
with
enough
of
injustice
to
set
her
on
vindication
,
whereupon
he
silenced
her
,
by
telling
her
she
was
making
it
worse
by
self-justification
when
Margaret
ought
to
be
quiet
.
Margaret
tried
to
talk
of
other
things
,
but
was
in
too
much
discomfort
to
exert
herself
enough
to
divert
his
attention
.
At
last
Flora
returned
,
and
saw
in
an
instant
what
was
wanted
.
Margaret
was
settled
in
the
right
posture
,
but
the
pain
would
not
immediately
depart
,
and
Dr.
May
soon
found
out
that
she
had
a
head-ache
,
of
which
he
knew
he
was
at
least
as
guilty
as
Etheldred
could
be
.
Nothing
could
be
done
but
keep
her
quiet
,
and
Ethel
went
away
to
be
miserable
;
Flora
tried
to
comfort
her
by
saying
it
was
unfortunate
,
but
no
doubt
there
was
a
knack
,
and
every
one
could
not
manage
those
things
;
Margaret
was
easier
now
,
and
as
to
Papa
's
anger
,
he
did
not
always
mean
all
he
said
.
But
consolation
came
at
bed-time
;
Margaret
received
her
with
open
arms
when
she
went
to
wish
her
good-night
.
'
My
poor
Ethel
,
'
she
said
,
holding
her
close
,
'
I
am
sorry
I
have
made
such
a
fuss
.
'
'
Oh
,
you
did
not
,
it
was
too
bad
of
me
—
I
am
grieved
;
are
you
quite
comfortable
now
?
'
'
Yes
,
quite
,
only
a
little
head-ache
,
which
I
shall
sleep
off
.
It
has
been
so
nice
and
quiet
.
Papa
took
up
George
Herbert
,
and
has
been
reading
me
choice
bits
.
I
do
n't
think
I
have
enjoyed
any
thing
so
much
since
I
have
been
ill
.
'
'
I
am
glad
of
that
,
but
I
have
been
unhappy
all
the
evening
.
I
wish
I
knew
what
to
do
.
I
am
out
of
heart
about
every
thing
!
'
'
Only
try
to
mind
and
heed
,
and
you
will
learn
.
It
will
be
a
step
if
you
will
only
put
your
shoes
side
by
side
when
you
take
them
off
.
'
Ethel
smiled
and
sighed
,
and
Margaret
whispered
,
'
Do
n't
grieve
about
me
,
but
put
your
clever
head
to
rule
your
hands
,
and
you
will
do
for
home
and
Cocksmoor
too
.
Good-night
,
dearest
.
'
'
I
've
vexed
papa
,
'
sighed
Ethel
—
and
just
then
he
came
into
the
room
.
'
Papa
,
'
said
Margaret
,
'
here
's
poor
Ethel
,
not
half
recovered
from
her
troubles
.
'
He
was
now
at
ease
about
Margaret
,
and
knew
he
had
been
harsh
to
another
of
his
motherless
girls
.
'
Ah
!
we
must
send
her
to
the
infant-school
,
to
learn
"
this
is
my
right-hand
,
and
this
is
my
left
,
"
'
said
he
,
in
his
half-gay
,
half-sad
manner
.
'
I
was
very
stupid
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Poor
child
!
'
said
her
papa
,
'
she
is
worse
off
than
I
am
.
If
I
have
but
one
hand
left
,
she
has
two
left-hands
.
'
'
I
do
mean
to
try
,
papa
.
'
'
Yes
,
you
must
,
Ethel
.
I
believe
I
was
hasty
with
you
,
my
poor
girl
.
I
was
vexed
,
and
we
have
no
one
to
smooth
us
down
.
I
am
sorry
,
my
dear
,
but
you
must
bear
with
me
,
for
I
never
learnt
her
ways
with
you
when
I
might
.
We
will
try
to
have
more
patience
with
each
other
.
'
What
could
Ethel
do
but
hang
round
his
neck
and
cry
,
till
he
said
,
but
tenderly
,
that
they
had
given
Margaret
quite
disturbance
enough
to-day
,
and
sent
her
to
bed
,
vowing
to
watch
each
little
action
,
lest
she
should
again
