excitementand
despondency
which
the
poor
Doctor
's
present
mood
had
been
aggravating
.
At
the
door
,
Dr.
May
asked
for
Flora
,
and
Ethel
explained
.
If
Flora
had
obtruded
herself
,
he
would
have
been
irritated
,
but
,
as
it
was
,
he
had
no
time
to
observe
the
disobedience
,
and
saying
that
he
hoped
she
was
with
Margaret
,
sent
Ethel
into
the
drawing-room
.
Flora
was
not
there
,
only
Margaret
lay
on
her
sofa
,
and
Ethel
hesitated
,
shy
,
curious
,
and
alarmed
;
but
,
as
she
approached
,
she
was
relieved
to
see
the
blue
eyes
more
serene
even
than
usual
,
while
a
glow
of
colour
spread
over
her
face
,
making
her
like
the
blooming
Margaret
of
old
times
;
her
expression
was
full
of
peace
,
but
became
somewhat
amused
at
Ethel
's
timid
,
awkward
pauses
,
as
she
held
out
her
hands
,
and
said
,
'
Come
,
dear
Ethel
.
'
'
O
,
Margaret
,
Margaret
!
'
And
Ethel
was
drawn
into
her
sister
's
bosom
.
Presently
she
drew
back
,
gazed
at
her
sister
inquiringly
,
and
said
in
an
odd
,
doubtful
voice
,
'
Then
you
are
glad
?
'
Margaret
nearly
laughed
at
the
strange
manner
,
but
spoke
with
a
sorrowful
tone
,
'
Glad
in
one
way
,
dearest
,
almost
too
glad
,
and
grateful
.
'
'
O
,
I
am
so
glad
!
'
again
said
Ethel
;
'
I
thought
it
was
making
everybody
unhappy
.
'
'
I
do
n't
believe
I
could
be
that
,
now
he
has
come
,
now
I
know
;
'
and
her
voice
trembled
.
'
There
must
be
doubt
and
uncertainty
,
'
she
added
,
'
but
I
cannot
dwell
on
them
just
yet
.
They
will
settle
what
is
right
,
I
know
,
and
,
happen
what
may
,
I
have
always
this
to
remember
.
'
'
Oh
!
that
is
right
!
Papa
will
be
so
relieved
!
He
was
afraid
it
had
only
been
distress
.
'
'
Poor
papa
!
Yes
,
I
did
not
command
myself
at
first
;
I
was
not
sure
whether
it
was
right
to
see
him
at
all
.
'
'
Oh
!
Margaret
,
that
was
too
bad
!
'
'
it
did
not
seem
right
to
encourage
any
such
—
such
,
'
the
word
was
lost
,
'
to
such
a
poor
helpless
thing
as
I
am
.
I
did
not
know
what
to
do
,
and
I
am
afraid
I
behaved
like
a
silly
child
,
and
did
not
think
of
dear
papa
's
feelings
.
But
I
will
try
to
be
good
,
and
leave
it
all
to
them
.
'
'
And
you
are
going
to
be
happy
?
'
said
Ethel
,
wistfully
.
'
For
the
present
,
at
least
.
I
cannot
help
it
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
Oh
!
he
is
so
kind
,
and
so
unselfish
,
and
so
beautifully
gentle
—
and
to
think
of
his
still
caring
—
but
there
,
dear
Ethel
,
I
am
not
going
to
cry
—
do
call
papa
,
or
he
will
think
me
foolish
again
.
I
want
him
to
be
quite
at
ease
about
me
before
he
comes
.
'
'
Then
he
is
coming
?
'
'
Yes
,
at
tea-time
—
so
run
,
dear
Ethel
,
and
tell
Jane
to
get
his
room
ready
.
'
This
message
quickened
Ethel
,
and
after
giving
it
,
and
reporting
consolingly
to
her
father
,
she
went
up
to
Flora
,
who
had
been
a
voluntary
prisoner
up-stairs
all
this
time
,
and
was
not
peculiarly
gratified
at
such
tidings
coming
only
through
the
medium
of
Ethel
.
She
had
before
been
sensible
that
,
superior
in
discretion
and
effectiveness
as
she
was
acknowledged
to
be
,
she
did
not
share
so
much
of
the
confidence
and
sympathy
as
some
of
the
others
,
and
she
felt
mortified
and
injured
,
though
in
this
case
it
was
entirely
her
own
fault
.
The
sense
of
alienation
grew
upon
her
.
She
dressed
quickly
,
and
hurried
down
,
that
she
might
see
Margaret
alone
,
but
the
room
was
already
prepared
for
tea
,
and
the
children
were
fast
assembling
.
Ethel
came
down
a
few
minutes
after
,
and
found
Blanche
claiming
Alan
Ernescliffe
as
her
lawful
property
,
dancing
round
him
,
chattering
,
and
looking
injured
if
he
addressed
a
word
to
anyone
else
.
'
How
did
lovers
look
?
was
a
speculation
which
had
,
more
than
once
,
occupied
Ethel
,
and
when
she
had
satisfied
herself
that
her
father
was
at
ease
,
she
began
to
study
it
,
as
soon
as
a
shamefaced
consciousness
would
allow
her
,
after
Alan
's
warm
shake
of
the
hand
.
Margaret
looked
much
as
usual
,
only
with
more
glow
and
brightness
—
Mr.
Ernescliffe
,
not
far
otherwise
;
he
was
as
pale
and
slight
as
on
his
last
visit
,
with
the
same
soft
blue
eyes
,
capable
,
however
,
of
a
peculiar
keen
,
steady
glance
when
he
was
listening
,
and
which
now
seemed
to
be
attending
to
Margaret
's
every
word
or
look
,
through
all
the
delighted
uproar
which
Aubrey
,
Blanche
,
and
Mary
kept
up
round
him
,
or
while
taking
his
share
in
the
general
conversation
,
telling
of
Harry
's
popularity
and
good
conduct
on
board
the
Alcestis
,
or
listening
to
the
history
of
Norman
's
school
adventures
,
which
he
had
heard
,
in
part
,
from
Harry
,
and
how
young
Jennings
was
entered
in
the
flag-ship
,
as
a
boy
,
though
not
yet
to
sail
with
his
father
.
After
the
storm
of
the
day
,
the
sky
seemed
quite
clear
,
and
Ethel
could
not
see
that
being
lovers
made
much
difference
—
to
be
sure
papa
displeased
Blanche
,
by
calling
her
away
to
his
side
,
when
she
would
squeeze
her
chair
in
between
Alan
's
and
the
sofa
;
and
Alan
took
all
the
waiting
on
Margaret
exclusively
to
himself
.
Otherwise
,
there
was
nothing
remarkable
,
and
he
was
very
much
the
same
Mr.
Ernescliffe
whom
they
had
received
a
year
ago
.
In
truth
,
the
next
ten
days
were
very
happy
.
The
future
was
left
to
rest
,
and
Alan
spent
his
mornings
in
the
drawing-room
alone
with
Margaret
,
and
looked
ever
more
brightly
placid
,
while
,
with
the
rest
,
he
was
more
than
the
former
kind
play-fellow
,
for
he
now
took
his
place
as
the
affectionate
elder
brother
,
entering
warmly
into
all
their
schemes
and
pleasures
,
and
winning
for
himself
a
full
measure
of
affection
from
all
;
even
his
little
god-daughter
began
to
know
him
,
and
smile
at
his
presence
.
Margaret
and
Ethel
especially
delighted
in
the
look
of
enjoyment
with
which
their
father
sat
down
to
enter
on
the
evening
's
conversation
after
the
day
's
work
;
and
Flora
was
well-pleased
that
Mrs.
Hoxton
should
find
Alan
in
the
drawing-room
,
and
ask
afterwards
about
his
estate
;
and
that
Meta
Rivers
,
after
being
certified
that
this
was
their
Mr.
Ernescliffe
,
pronounced
that
her
papa
thought
him
particularly
pleasing
and
gentlemanlike
.
There
was
something
dignified
in
having
a
sister
on
the
point
of
being
engaged
.
CHAPTER
XXVIII
.
'
Sail
forth
into
the
sea
,
thou
ship
,
Through
breeze
and
cloud
,
right
onward
steer
;
The
moistened
eye
,
the
trembling
lip
,
Are
not
the
signs
of
doubt
or
fear
!
'
Longfellow
.
Tranquillity
only
lasted
until
Mr.
Ernescliffe
found
it
necessary
to
understand
on
what
terms
he
was
to
stand
.
Everyone
was
tender
of
conscience
,
anxious
to
do
right
,
and
desirous
to
yield
to
the
opinion
that
nobody
could
,
or
would
give
.
While
Alan
begged
for
a
positive
engagement
,
Margaret
scrupled
to
exchange
promises
that
she
might
never
be
able
to
fulfil
,
and
both
agreed
to
leave
all
to
her
father
,
who
,
in
every
way
,
ought
to
have
the
best
ability
to
judge
whether
there
was
unreasonable
presumption
in
such
a
betrothal
;
but
this
very
ability
only
served
to
perplex
the
poor
Doctor
more
and
more
.
It
is
far
easier
for
a
man
to
decide
when
he
sees
only
one
bearing
of
a
case
,
than
when
,
like
Dr.
May
,
he
not
only
sees
them
,
but
is
rent
by
them
in
his
inmost
heart
.
Sympathizing
in
turn
with
each
lover
,
bitterly
accusing
his
own
carelessness
as
the
cause
of
all
their
troubles
,
his
doubts
contending
with
his
hopes
,
his
conviction
clashing
with
Sir
Matthew
Fleet
's
opinion
,
his
conscientious
sincerity
and
delicacy
conflicting
with
his
affection
and
eagerness
,
he
was
perfectly
incapable
of
coming
to
a
decision
,
and
suffered
so
cruelly
,
that
Margaret
was
doubly
distressed
for
his
sake
,
and
Alan
felt
himself
guilty
of
having
rendered
everybody
miserable
.
Dr.
May
could
not
conceal
his
trouble
,
and
rendered
Ethel
almost
as
unhappy
as
himself
,
after
each
conversation
with
her
,
though
her
hopes
usually
sprang
up
again
,
and
she
had
a
happy
conviction
that
this
was
only
the
second
volume
of
the
novel
.
Flora
was
not
often
called
into
his
councils
;
confidence
never
came
spontaneously
from
Dr.
May
to
her
;
there
was
something
that
did
not
draw
it
forth
towards
her
,
whether
it
resided
in
that
half-sarcastic
corner
of
her
steady
blue
eye
,
or
in
the
grave
common
sense
of
her
gentle
voice
.
Her
view
of
the
case
was
known
to
be
that
there
was
no
need
for
so
much
perplexity
—
why
should
not
Alan
be
the
best
judge
of
his
own
happiness
?
If
Margaret
were
to
be
delicate
for
life
,
it
would
be
better
to
have
such
a
home
to
look
to
;
and
she
soothed
and
comforted
Margaret
,
and
talked
in
a
strain
of
unmixed
hope
and
anticipation
that
often
drew
a
smile
from
her
sister
,
though
she
feared
to
trust
to
it
.
Flora
's
tact
and
consideration
in
keeping
the
children
away
,
when
the
lovers
could
best
be
alone
,
and
letting
them
in
,
when
the
discussion
was
becoming
useless
and
harassing
,
her
cheerful
smiles
,
her
evening
music
that
covered
all
sounds
,
her
removal
of
all
extra
annoyances
,
were
invaluable
,
and
Margaret
appreciated
them
,
as
,
indeed
,
Flora
took
care
that
she
should
.
Margaret
begged
to
know
her
eldest
brother
's
judgment
,
but
had
great
difficulty
in
dragging
it
out
.
Diffidently
as
it
was
proposed
,
it
was
clear
and
decided
.
He
thought
that
his
father
had
better
send
Sir
Matthew
Fleet
a
statement
of
Margaret
's
present
condition
,
and
abide
by
his
answer
as
to
whether
her
progress
warranted
the
hope
of
her
restoration
.
Never
was
Richard
more
surprised
than
by
the
gratitude
with
which
his
suggestion
was
hailed
,
simple
as
it
was
,
so
that
it
seemed
obvious
that
others
should
have
already
thought
of
it
.
After
the
tossings
of
uncertainty
,
it
was
a
positive
relief
to
refer
the
question
to
some
external
voice
,
and
only
Ethel
and
Norman
expressed
strong
dislike
to
Sir
Matthew
becoming
the
arbitrer
of
Margaret
's
fate
,
and
were
scarcely
pacified
by
Dr.
May
's
assurance
,
that
he
had
not
revealed
the
occasion
of
his
inquiry
.
The
letter
was
sent
,
and
repose
returned
,
but
hearts
beat
high
on
the
morning
when
the
answer
was
expected
.
Dr.
May
watched
the
moment
when
his
daughter
was
alone
,
carried
the
letter
to
her
,
and
kissing
her
,
said
,
with
an
oppressed
voice
,
'
I
give
you
joy
,
my
dear
.
'
She
read
with
suspended
breath
and
palpitating
heart
.
Sir
Matthew
thought
her
improvement
sure
,
though
slow
,
and
had
barely
a
doubt
,
that
,
in
a
year
,
she
would
have
regained
her
full
strength
and
activity
.
'
You
will
show
it
to
Alan
,
'
said
Dr.
May
,
as
Margaret
lifted
her
eyes
to
his
face
inquiringly
.
'
Will
not
you
?
'
she
said
.
'
I
cannot
,
'
he
answered
.
'
I
wish
I
was
more
helpful
to
you
,
my
child
,
'
he
added
,
wistfully
,
'
but
you
will
rest
on
him
,
and
be
happy
together
while
he
stays
,
will
you
not
?
'
'
Indeed
I
will
,
dear
papa
.
'
Mr.
Ernescliffe
was
with
her
as
the
Doctor
quitted
her
.
She
held
the
letter
to
him
,
'
But
,
'
she
said
,
slowly
,
'
I
see
that
papa
does
not
believe
it
.
'
'
You
promised
to
abide
by
it
!
'
he
exclaimed
,
between
entreaty
and
authority
.
'
I
do
;
if
you
choose
so
to
risk
your
hopes
.
'
'
But
,
'
cried
he
,
as
he
glanced
hastily
over
the
letter
,
'
there
can
be
no
doubt
!
These
words
are
as
certain
as
language
can
make
them
.
Why
will
you
not
trust
them
?
'
'
I
see
that
papa
does
not
.
'
'
Despondency
and
self-reproach
make
him
morbidly
anxious
.
Believe
so
,
my
Margaret
!
You
know
he
is
no
surgeon
!
'
'
His
education
included
that
line
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
I
believe
he
has
all
but
the
manual
dexterity
.
However
,
I
would
fain
have
faith
in
Sir
Matthew
,
'
she
added
,
smiling
,
'
and
perhaps
I
am
only
swayed
by
the
habit
of
thinking
that
papa
must
know
best
.
'
'
He
does
in
indifferent
cases
;
but
it
is
an
old
axiom
,
that
a
medical
man
should
not
prescribe
for
his
own
family
;
above
all
,
in
such
a
case
,
where
it
is
but
reasonable
to
believe
an
unprejudiced
stranger
,
who
alone
is
cool
enough
to
be
relied
on
.
I
absolutely
depend
on
him
!
'
Margaret
absolutely
depended
on
the
bright
cheerful
look
of
conviction
.
'
Yes
,
'
she
said
,
'
we
will
try
to
make
papa
take
pleasure
in
the
prospect
.
Perhaps
I
could
do
more
if
I
made
the
attempt
.
'
'
I
am
sure
you
could
,
if
you
would
let
me
give
you
more
support
.
If
I
were
but
going
to
remain
with
you
!
'
'
Do
n't
let
us
be
discontented
,
'
said
Margaret
,
smiling
,
'
when
so
much
more
has
been
granted
than
I
dare
to
hope
.
Be
it
as
it
may
,
let
us
be
happy
in
what
we
have
.
'
'
It
makes
you
happy
?
'
said
he
,
archly
reading
her
face
to
draw
out
the
avowal
,
but
he
only
made
her
hide
it
,
with
a
mute
caress
of
the
hand
that
held
hers
.
She
was
glad
enough
to
rest
in
the
present
,
now
that
everything
concurred
to
satisfy
her
conscience
in
so
doing
,
and
come
what
might
,
the
days
now
spent
together
would
be
a
possession
of
joy
for
ever
.
Captain
Gordon
contrived
to
afford
his
lieutenant
another
fortnight
's
leave
,
perhaps
because
he
was
in
dread
of
losing
him
altogether
,
for
Alan
had
some
doubts
,
and
many
longings
to
remain
.
Had
it
been
possible
to
marry
at
once
,
he
would
have
quitted
the
navy
immediately
;
and
he
would
have
given
worlds
to
linger
beside
Margaret
's
couch
,
and
claim
her
the
first
moment
possible
,
believing
his
care
more
availing
than
all
.
He
was
,
however
,
so
pledged
to
Captain
Gordon
,
that
,
without
strong
cause
,
he
would
not
have
been
justified
in
withdrawing
;
besides
,
Harry
was
under
his
charge
,
and
Dr.
May
and
Margaret
both
thought
,
with
the
captain
,
that
an
active
life
would
be
a
better
occupation
for
him
than
watching
her
.
He
would
never
be
able
to
settle
down
at
his
new
home
comfortably
without
her
,
and
he
would
be
more
in
the
way
of
duty
while
pursuing
his
profession
,
so
Margaret
nerved
herself
against
using
her
influence
to
detain
him
,
and
he
thanked
her
for
it
.
Though
hope
and
affection
could
not
at
once
repair
an
injured
spine
,
they
had
wonderful
powers
in
inciting
Margaret
to
new
efforts
.
Alan
was
as
tender
and
ready
of
hand
as
Richard
,
and
more
clever
and
enterprising
;
and
her
unfailing
trust
in
him
prevented
all
alarms
and
misgivings
,
so
that
wonders
were
effected
,
and
her
father
beheld
her
standing
with
so
little
support
,
looking
so
healthful
and
so
blithe
,
that
his
forebodings
melted
away
,
and
he
talked
joyously
of
the
future
.
The
great
achievement
was
taking
her
round
the
garden
.
She
could
not
bear
the
motion
of
wheels
,
but
Alan
adopted
the
hammock
principle
,
and
,
with
the
aid
of
Richard
and
his
crony
,
the
carpenter
,
produced
a
machine
in
which
no
other
power
on
earth
could
have
prevailed
on
her
to
trust
herself
,
but
in
which
she
was
carried
round
the
garden
so
successfully
,
that
there
was
even
a
talk
of
next
Sunday
,
and
of
the
Minster
.
It
was
safely
accomplished
,
and
tired
as
she
was
,
Margaret
felt
,
as
she
whispered
to
Alan
,
that
he
had
now
crowned
all
the
joy
that
he
had
brought
to
her
.
Ethel
used
to
watch
them
,
and
think
how
beautiful
their
countenances
were
,
and
talk
them
over
with
her
father
,
who
was
quite
happy
about
them
now
.
She
gave
assistance
,
which
Alan
never
once
called
unhandy
,
to
all
his
contrivances
,
and
often
floundered
in
upon
his
conferences
with
Margaret
,
in
a
way
that
would
have
been
very
provoking
,
if
she
had
not
always
blushed
and
looked
so
excessively
discomfited
,
that
they
had
only
to
laugh
and
reassure
her
.
Alan
was
struck
by
finding
that
the
casual
words
spoken
on
the
way
from
Cocksmoor
had
been
so
strenuously
acted
on
,
and
he
brought
on
himself
a
whole
torrent
of
Ethel
's
confused
narratives
,
which
Richard
and
Flora
would
fain
have
checked
;
but
Margaret
let
them
continue
,
as
she
saw
him
a
willing
listener
,
and
was
grateful
to
him
for
comprehending
the
ardent
girl
.
He
declared
himself
to
have
a
share
in
the
matter
,
reminding
Ethel
of
her
appeal
to
him
to
bind
himself
to
the
service
of
Cocksmoor
.
he
sent
a
sovereign
at
once
,
to
aid
in
a
case
of
the
sudden
death
of
a
pig
;
and
when
securely
established
in
his
brotherly
right
,
he
begged
Ethel
to
let
him
know
what
would
help
her
most
.
She
stood
colouring
,
twisting
her
hands
,
and
wondering
what
to
say
,
whereupon
he
relieved
her
by
a
proposal
to
leave
an
order
for
ten
pounds
,
to
be
yearly
paid
into
her
hands
,
as
a
fixed
income
for
her
school
.
A
thousand
a
year
could
hardly
have
been
so
much
to
Ethel
.
'
Thank
you
!
Oh
,
this
is
charming
!
We
could
set
up
a
regular
school
!
Cherry
Elwood
is
the
very
woman
!
Alan
,
you
have
made
our
fortune
!
Oh
!
Margaret
!
Margaret
!
I
must
go
and
tell
Ritchie
and
Mary
!
'
This
is
the
first
real
step
to
our
Church
and
all
!
'
'
May
I
do
it
?
'
said
Alan
,
turning
to
Margaret
,
as
Ethel
frantically
burst
out
of
the
room
;
'
perhaps
I
should
have
asked
leave
?
'
'
I
was
going
to
thank
you
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
It
is
the
very
kindest
thing
you
could
have
done
by
dear
Ethel
!
the
greatest
comfort
to
us
.
She
will
be
at
peace
now
,
when
anything
hinders
her
from
going
to
Cocksmoor
.
'
'
I
wonder
,
'
said
Alan
,
musing
,
'
whether
we
shall
ever
be
able
to
help
her
more
substantially
.
I
cannot
do
anything
hastily
,
for
you
know
Maplewood
is
still
in
the
hands
of
the
executors
,
and
I
cannot
tell
what
claims
there
may
be
upon
me
;
but-by-and-by
,
when
I
return
,
if
I
find
no
other
pressing
duty
,
might
not
a
Church
at
Cocksmoor
be
a
thankoffering
for
all
I
have
found
here
?
'
'
Oh
!
Alan
,
what
joy
it
would
be
!
'
It
is
a
long
way
off
,
'
he
said
,
sadly
;
'
and
perhaps
her
force
of
perseverance
will
have
prevailed
alone
.
'
'
I
suppose
I
must
not
tell
her
,
even
as
a
vision
.
'
'
It
is
too
uncertain
;
I
do
not
know
the
wants
of
the
Maplewood
people
,
and
I
must
provide
for
Hector
.
I
would
not
let
these
vague
dreams
interfere
with
her
resolute
work
;
but
,
Margaret
,
what
a
vision
it
is
!
I
can
see
you
laying
the
first
stone
on
that
fine
heathy
brow
.
'
'
Oh
!
your
godchild
should
lay
the
first
stone
!
'
'
She
shall
,
and
you
shall
lead
her
.
And
there
shall
be
Ethel
's
sharp
face
full
of
indescribable
things
as
she
marshals
her
children
,
and
Richard
shall
be
Curate
,
and
read
in
his
steady
soft
tone
,
and
your
father
shall
look
sunny
with
his
boys
around
him
,
and
you
—
'
'
Oh
!
Alan
!
'
said
Margaret
,
who
had
been
listening
with
a
smile
,
'
it
is
,
indeed
,
a
long
way
off
!
'
'
I
shall
look
to
it
as
the
haven
where
I
would
be
,
'
said
the
sailor
.
They
often
spoke
together
of
this
scheme
,
ever
decking
it
in
brighter
colours
.
The
topic
seemed
to
suit
them
better
than
their
own
future
,
for
there
was
no
dwelling
on
that
without
an
occasional
misgiving
,
and
the
more
glad
the
anticipation
,
the
deeper
the
sigh
that
followed
on
Margaret
's
part
,
till
Mr.
Ernescliffe
followed
her
lead
,
and
they
seldom
spoke
of
these
uncertainties
,
but
outwardly
smiled
over
the
present
,
inwardly
dwelt
on
the
truly
certain
hopes
.
There
were
readings
shared
together
,
made
more
precious
than
all
,
by
the
conversations
that
ensued
.
The
hour
for
parting
came
at
last
.
Ethel
never
knew
what
passed
in
the
drawing-room
,
whence
everyone
was
carefully
excluded
.
Dr.
May
wandered
about
,
keeping
guard
over
the
door
,
and
watching
the
clock
,
till
,
at
the
last
moment
,
he
knocked
,
and
called
in
a
trembling
voice
,
'
Ernescliffe
!
Alan
!
It
is
past
the
quarter
!
You
must
not
stay
!
'
The
other
farewells
were
hurried
;
Alan
seemed
voiceless
,
only
nodding
in
reply
to
Mary
's
vociferous
messages
to
Harry
,
and
huskily
whispering
to
Ethel
,
'
Good
luck
to
Cocksmoor
!
'
The
next
moment
the
door
had
shut
on
him
,
and
Dr.
May
and
Flora
had
gone
to
her
sister
,
whom
she
found
not
tearful
,
but
begging
to
be
left
alone
.
When
they
saw
her
again
,
she
was
cheerful
;
she
kept
up
her
composure
and
animation
without
flagging
,
nor
did
she
discontinue
her
new
exertions
,
but
seemed
decidedly
the
happier
for
all
that
had
passed
.
Letters
came
every
day
for
her
,
and
presents
to
everyone
.
Ethel
had
a
gold
chain
and
eye-glass
,
which
,
it
was
hoped
,
might
cure
her
of
frowning
and
stooping
,
though
her
various
ways
of
dangling
her
new
possession
,
caused
her
to
be
so
much
teazed
by
Flora
and
Norman
,
that
,
but
for
regard
to
Margaret
's
feelings
,
she
would
not
have
worn
it
for
three
days
.
To
Mary
was
sent
a
daguerreotype
of
Harry
,
her
glory
and
delight
.
Say
,
who
would
,
that
it
had
pig
's
eyes
,
a
savage
frown
,
a
pudding
chin
,
there
were
his
own
tight
rings
of
hair
,
his
gold-banded
cap
,
his
bright
buttons
,
how
could
she
prize
it
enough
?
She
exhibited
it
to
the
little
ones
ten
times
a
day
,
she
kissed
it
night
and
morning
,
and
registered
her
vow
always
to
sleep
with
it
under
her
'
pilow
,
'
in
a
letter
of
thanks
,
which
Margaret
defended
and
despatched
,
in
spite
of
Miss
Winter
's
horrors
at
its
disregard
of
orthography
.
It
was
nearly
the
last
letter
before
the
Alcestis
was
heard
of
at
Spithead
.
Then
she
sailed
;
she
sent
in
her
letters
to
Plymouth
,
and
her
final
greetings
by
a
Falmouth
cutter
—
poor
Harry
's
wild
scrawl
in
pencil
,
looking
very
sea-sick
.
'
Dear
papa
and
all
,
good-bye
.
We
are
out
of
sight
of
land
.
Three
years
,
and
keep
up
a
good
heart
.
I
shall
soon
be
all
right
.
Your
H
.
May
.
'
It
was
inclosed
in
Mr.
Ernescliffe
's
envelope
,
and
with
it
came
tidings
that
Harry
's
brave
spirit
was
not
failing
,
even
under
untoward
circumstances
,
but
he
had
struggled
on
deck
,
and
tried
to
write
,
when
all
his
contemporaries
had
given
in
;
in
fact
,
he
was
a
fine
fellow
—
everyone
liked
him
,
and
Captain
Gordon
,
though
chary
of
commendation
,
had
held
him
up
to
the
other
youngsters
as
an
example
of
knowing
what
a
sailor
was
meant
to
be
like
.
Margaret
smiled
,
and
cried
over
the
news
when
she
imparted
it
—
but
all
serenely
—
and
though
she
was
glad
to
be
alone
,
and
wrote
journals
for
Alan
,
when
she
could
not
send
letters
,
she
exerted
herself
to
be
the
same
sister
as
usual
to
the
rest
of
the
household
,
and
not
to
give
way
to
her
wandering
musings
.
From
one
subject
her
attention
never
strayed
.
Ethel
had
never
found
any
lack
of
sympathy
in
her
for
her
Cocksmoor
pursuits
;
but
the
change
now
showed
,
that
where
once
Margaret
had
been
interested
,
merely
as
a
kind
sister
,
she
now
had
a
personal
concern
,
and
she
threw
herself
into
all
that
related
to
it
as
her
own
chief
interest
and
pursuit
—
becoming
the
foremost
in
devising
plans
,
and
arranging
the
best
means
of
using
Mr.
Ernescliffe
's
benefaction
.
The
Elwood
family
had
grown
in
the
good
opinion
of
the
Mays
.
Charity
had
hobbled
to
Church
,
leaning
on
her
father
's
arm
,
and
being
invited
to
dinner
in
the
kitchen
,
the
acquaintance
had
been
improved
,
and
nurse
herself
had
pronounced
her
such
a
tidy
,
good
sort
of
body
,
that
it
was
a
pity
she
had
met
with
such
a
misfortune
.
If
Miss
Ethel
brought
in
nothing
but
the
like
of
her
,
they
should
be
welcome
—
poor
thing
,
how
tired
she
was
!
Nurse
's
opinions
were
apt
to
be
sagacious
,
especially
when
in
the
face
of
her
prejudices
,
and
this
gave
Margaret
confidence
.
Cherry
proved
to
have
been
carefully
taught
by
a
good
Clergyman
and
his
wife
,
and
to
be
of
very
different
stamp
from
the
persons
to
whom
the
girls
were
accustomed
.
They
were
charmed
with
her
,
and
eagerly
offered
to
supply
her
with
books
—
respecting
her
the
more
when
they
found
that
Mr.
Hazlewood
had
already
lent
her
their
chief
favourites
.
Other
and
greater
needs
they
had
no
power
to
fill
up
.
'
It
is
so
lone
without
the
Church
bells
,
you
see
,
Miss
,
'
said
Mrs.
Elwood
.
'
Our
tower
had
a
real
fine
peal
,
and
my
man
was
one
of
the
ringers
.
I
seems
quite
lost
without
them
,
and
there
was
Cherry
,
went
a'most
every
day
with
the
children
.
'
'
Every
day
!
'
cried
Mary
,
looking
at
her
with
respect
.
'
It
was
so
near
,
'
said
Cherry
,
'
I
could
get
there
easy
,
and
I
got
used
to
it
when
I
was
at
school
.
'
'
Did
it
not
take
up
a
great
deal
of
time
?
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Why
,
you
see
,
Ma'am
,
it
came
morning
and
night
,
out
of
working
times
,
and
I
ca
n't
be
stirring
much
.
'
'
Then
you
miss
it
sadly
?
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Yes
,
Ma'am
,
it
made
the
day
go
on
well
like
,
and
settled
a
body
's
mind
,
when
I
fretted
for
what
could
not
be
helped
.
But
I
try
not
to
fret
after
it
now
,
and
Mr.
Hazlewood
said
,
if
I
did
my
best
wherever
I
was
,
the
Lord
would
still
join
our
prayers
together
.
'
Mr.
Hazlewood
was
recollected
by
Mr.
Wilmot
as
an
old
College
friend
,
and
a
correspondence
with
him
fully
confirmed
the
favourable
estimate
of
the
Elwoods
,
and
was
decisive
in
determining
that
the
day-school
,
with
Alan
's
ten
pounds
as
salary
,
and
a
penny
a
week
from
each
child
,
should
be
offered
to
Cherry
.
Mr.
Hazlewood
answered
for
her
sound
excellence
,
and
aptitude
for
managing
little
children
,
though
he
did
not
promise
genius
,
such
as
should
fulfil
the
requirements
of
modern
days
.
With
these
Cocksmoor
could
dispense
at
present
;
Cherry
was
humbly
gratified
,
and
her
parents
delighted
with
the
honour
and
profit
;
there
was
a
kitchen
which
afforded
great
facilities
,
and
Richard
and
his
carpenter
managed
the
fitting
to
admiration
;
Margaret
devised
all
manner
of
useful
arrangements
,
settled
matters
with
great
earnestness
,
saw
Cherry
frequently
,
discussed
plans
,
and
learnt
the
history
and
character
of
each
child
,
as
thoroughly
as
Ethel
herself
.
Mr.
Ramsden
himself
came
to
the
opening
of
the
school
,
and
said
so
much
of
the
obligations
of
Cocksmoor
to
the
young
ladies
,
that
Ethel
would
not
have
known
which
way
to
look
,
if
Flora
had
not
kindly
borne
the
brunt
of
his
compliments
.
Everyone
was
pleased
,
except
Mrs.
Green
,
who
took
upon
herself
to
set
about
various
malicious
reports
of
Cherry
Elwood
;
but
nobody
cared
for
them
,
except
Mrs.
Elwood
,
who
flew
into
such
passions
,
that
Ethel
was
quite
disappointed
in
her
,
though
not
in
Cherry
,
who
meekly
tried
to
silence
her
mother
,
begged
the
young
ladies
not
to
be
vexed
,
and
showed
a
quiet
dignity
that
soon
made
the
shafts
of
slander
fall
inoffensively
.
All
went
well
;
there
was
a
school
instead
of
a
hubbub
,
clean
faces
instead
of
dirty
,
shining
hair
instead
of
wild
elf-locks
,
orderly
children
instead
of
little
savages
.
The
order
and
obedience
that
Ethel
could
not
gain
in
six
months
,
seemed
impressed
in
six
days
by
Cherry
;
the
neat
work
made
her
popular
with
the
mothers
,
her
firm
gentleness
won
the
hearts
of
the
children
,
and
the
kitchen
was
filled
not
only
with
boys
and
girls
from
the
quarry
,
but
with
some
little
ones
from
outlying
cottages
of
Fordholm
and
Abbotstoke
,
and
there
was
even
a
smart
little
farmer
,
who
had
been
unbearable
at
home
.
Margaret
's
unsuccessful
Bath
chair
was
lent
to
Cherry
,
and
in
it
her
scholars
drew
her
to
Stoneborough
every
Sunday
,
and
slowly
began
to
redeem
their
character
with
the
ladies
,
who
began
to
lose
the
habit
of
shrinking
out
of
their
way
—
the
Stoneborough
children
did
so
instead
;
and
Flora
and
Ethel
were
always
bringing
home
stories
of
injustice
to
their
scholars
,
fancied
or
real
,
and
of
triumphs
in
their
having
excelled
any
national
school
girl
.
The
most
stupid
children
at
Cocksmoor
always
seemed
to
them
wise
in
comparison
with
the
Stoneborough
girls
,
and
the
Sunday-school
might
have
become
to
Ethel
a
school
of
rivalry
,
if
Richard
had
not
opened
her
eyes
by
a
quiet
observation
,
that
the
town
girls
seemed
to
fare
as
ill
with
her
,
as
the
Cocksmoor
girls
did
with
the
town
ladies
.
Then
she
caught
herself
up
,
tried
to
be
candid
,
and
found
that
she
was
not
always
impartial
in
her
judgments
.
Why
would
competition
mingle
even
in
the
best
attempts
?
Cherry
did
not
so
bring
forward
her
scholars
,
that
Ethel
could
have
many
triumphs
of
this
dangerous
kind
.
Indeed
,
Ethel
was
often
vexed
with
her
;
for
though
she
taught
needlework
admirably
,
and
enforced
correct
reading
,
and
reverent
repetition
,
her
strong
provincial
dialect
was
a
stumbling-block
;
she
could
not
put
questions
without
book
,
and
nothing
would
teach
her
Ethel
's
rational
system
of
arithmetic
.
That
she
was
a
capital
dame
,
and
made
the
children
very
good
,
was
allowed
;
but
now
and
then
,
when
mortified
by
hearing
what
was
done
at
Stoneborough
,
Fordholm
,
or
Abbotstoke
,
Ethel
would
make
vigorous
efforts
,
which
resulted
only
in
her
coming
home
fuming
at
Cherry
's
'
outrageous
dullness
.
'
These
railings
always
hurt
Margaret
,
who
had
made
Cherry
almost
into
a
friend
,
and
generally
liked
to
have
a
visit
from
her
during
the
Sunday
,
when
she
always
dined
with
the
servants
.
Then
school
questions
,
Cocksmoor
news
,
and
the
tempers
of
the
children
,
were
talked
over
,
and
Cherry
was
now
and
then
drawn
into
home
reminiscences
,
and
descriptions
of
the
ways
of
her
former
school
.
There
was
no
fear
of
spoiling
her
—
notice
from
her
superiors
was
natural
to
her
,
and
she
had
the
lady-likeness
of
womanly
goodness
,
so
as
never
to
go
beyond
her
own
place
.
She
had
had
many
trials
too
,
and
Margaret
learnt
the
true
history
of
them
,
as
she
won
Cherry
's
confidence
,
and
entered
into
them
,
feeling
their
likeness
,
yet
dissimilarity
,
to
her
own
.
Cherry
had
been
a
brisk
happy
girl
in
a
good
place
,
resting
in
one
of
the
long
engagements
that
often
extend
over
half
the
life
of
a
servant
,
enjoying
the
nod
of
her
baker
as
he
left
his
bread
,
and
her
walk
from
Church
with
him
on
alternate
Sundays
.
But
poor
Cherry
had
been
exposed
to
the
perils
of
window
cleaning
;
and
,
after
a
frightful
fall
,
had
wakened
to
find
herself
in
a
hospital
,
and
her
severe
sufferings
had
left
her
a
cripple
for
life
.
And
the
baker
had
not
been
an
Alan
Ernescliffe
!
She
did
not
complain
of
him
—
he
had
come
to
see
her
,
and
had
been
much
grieved
,
but
she
had
told
him
she
could
never
be
a
useful
wife
;
and
before
she
had
used
her
crutches
,
he
was
married
to
her
pretty
fellow-servant
.
Cherry
spoke
very
simply
;
she
hoped
it
was
better
for
Long
,
and
believed
Susan
would
make
him
a
good
wife
.
Ethel
would
have
thought
she
did
not
feel
,
but
Margaret
knew
better
.
She
stroked
the
thin
slight
fingers
,
and
gently
said
,
'
Poor
Cherry
!
'
and
Cherry
wiped
away
a
tear
,
and
said
,
'
Yes
,
Ma'am
,
thank
you
,
it
is
best
for
him
.
I
should
not
have
wished
him
to
grieve
for
what
cannot
be
helped
.
'
'
Resignation
is
the
great
comfort
.
'
'
Yes
,
Ma'am
.
I
have
a
great
deal
to
be
thankful
for
.
I
do
n't
blame
no
one
,
but
I
do
see
how
some
,
as
are
married
,
seem
to
get
to
think
more
of
this
world
;
and
now
and
then
I
fancy
I
can
see
how
it
is
best
for
me
as
it
is
.
'
Margaret
sighed
,
as
she
remembered
certain
thoughts
before
Alan
's
return
.
'
Then
,
Ma'am
,
there
has
been
such
goodness
!
I
did
vex
at
being
a
poor
helpless
thing
,
nothing
but
a
burthen
on
father
;
and
when
we
had
to
go
from
home
,
and
Mr.
and
Mrs.
Hazlewood
and
all
,
I
ca
n't
tell
you
how
bad
it
was
,
Ma'am
.
'
'
Then
you
are
comforted
now
?
'
'
Yes
,
Ma'am
,
'
said
Cherry
,
brightening
.
'
It
seems
as
if
He
had
given
me
something
to
do
,
and
there
are
you
and
Mr.
Richard
,
and
Miss
Ethel
,
to
help
.
I
should
like
,
please
God
,
to
be
of
some
good
to
those
poor
children
.
'
'
I
am
sure
you
will
,
Cherry
;
I
wish
I
could
do
as
much
.
'
Cherry
's
tears
had
come
again
.
'
Ah
!
Ma'am
,
you
—
'
and
she
stopped
short
,
and
rose
to
depart
.
Margaret
held
out
her
hand
to
wish
her
good-bye
.
'
Please
,
Miss
,
I
was
thinking
how
Mr.
Hazlewood
said
that
God
fits
our
place
to
us
,
and
us
to
our
place
.
'
'
Thank
you
,
Cherry
,
you
are
leaving
me
something
to
remember
.
'
And
Margaret
lay
questioning
with
herself
,
whether
the
school-mistress
had
not
been
the
most
self-denying
of
the
two
;
but
withal
gazing
on
the
hoop
of
pearls
which
Alan
had
chosen
as
the
ring
of
betrothal
.
'
The
Pearl
of
great
price
,
'
murmured
she
to
herself
;
'
if
we
hold
that
,
the
rest
will
soon
matter
but
little
!
It
remaineth
that
both
they
that
have
wives
,
be
as
they
that
have
none
,
and
they
that
weep
,
as
though
they
wept
not
,
and
they
that
rejoice
,
as
though
they
rejoiced
not
!
If
ever
Alan
and
I
have
a
home
together
upon
earth
,
may
all
too
confident
joy
be
tempered
by
the
fears
that
we
have
begun
with
!
I
hope
this
probation
may
make
me
less
likely
to
be
taken
up
with
the
cares
and
pleasures
of
his
position
,
than
I
might
have
been
last
year
.
He
is
one
who
can
best
help
the
mind
to
go
truly
upward
!
But
,
oh
!
that
voyage
!
'
CHAPTER
XXIX
.
'
Heart
affluence
in
household
talk
,
From
social
fountains
never
dry
.
'
Tennyson
.
'
What
a
bore
!
'
'
What
's
the
matter
now
?
'
'
Here
has
this
old
fellow
asked
me
to
dinner
again
!
'
'
A
fine
pass
we
are
come
to
!
'
cried
Dr.
May
,
half
amused
,
half
irate
.
'
I
should
like
to
know
what
I
should
have
said
at
your
age
,
if
the
head-master
had
asked
me
to
dinner
.
'
'
Papa
is
not
so
very
fond
of
dining
at
Dr.
Hoxton
's
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
A
whipper-snapper
schoolboy
,
who
might
be
thankful
to
dine
anywhere
!
'
continued
Dr.
May
,
while
the
girls
burst
out
laughing
,
and
Norman
looked
injured
.
'
It
is
very
ungrateful
of
Norman
,
'
said
Flora
;
'
I
cannot
see
what
he
finds
to
complain
of
.
'
'
You
would
know
,
'
said
Norman
,
'
if
,
instead
of
playing
those
perpetual
tunes
of
yours
,
you
had
to
sit
it
out
in
that
perfumy
drawing-room
,
without
anything
to
listen
to
worth
hearing
.
If
I
have
looked
over
that
Court
Album
once
,
I
have
a
dozen
times
,
and
there
is
not
another
book
in
the
place
!
'
'
I
am
glad
there
is
not
,
'
said
Flora
.
'
I
am
quite
ashamed
to
see
you
for
ever
turning
over
those
old
pictures
!
You
cannot
guess
how
stupid
you
look
.
I
wonder
Mrs.
Hoxton
likes
to
have
you
,
'
she
added
,
patting
his
shoulders
between
jest
and
earnest
.
'
I
wish
she
would
not
,
then
!
It
is
only
to
escort
you
.
'
'
Nonsense
,
Norman
,
you
know
better
!
'
cried
Ethel
.
'
You
know
it
is
for
your
own
sake
,
and
to
make
up
for
their
injustice
,
that
he
invites
you
,
or
Flora
either
.
'
'
Hush
,
Ethel
!
he
gives
himself
quite
airs
enough
already
,
'
said
the
Doctor
.
'
Papa
!
'
said
Ethel
,
in
vexation
,
though
he
gave
her
a
pinch
to
show
it
was
all
in
good
humour
,
while
he
went
on
,
'
I
am
glad
to
hear
they
do
leave
him
to
himself
in
a
corner
.
A
very
good
thing
too
!
Where
else
should
a
great
gawky
schoolboy
be
?
'
'
Safe
at
home
,
where
I
wish
he
would
let
me
be
,
'
muttered
Norman
,
though
he
contrived
to
smile
,
and
followed
Flora
out
of
the
room
,
without
subjecting
himself
to
the
imputation
of
offended
dignity
.
Ethel
was
displeased
,
and
began
her
defence
:
'
Papa
!
I
wish
—
'
and
there
she
checked
herself
.
'
Eh
!
Miss
Ethel
's
bristles
up
!
'
said
her
father
,
who
seemed
in
a
somewhat
mischievous
mood
of
teazing
.
'
How
could
you
,
papa
?
'
cried
she
.
'
How
could
I
what
,
Miss
Etheldred
?
'
'
Plague
Norma
,
'
—
the
words
would
come
.
'
Accuse
him
of
airs
.
'
'
I
hate
to
see
young
fellows
above
taking
an
honour
from
their
elders
,
'
said
Dr.
May
.
'
Now
,
papa
,
papa
,
you
know
it
is
no
such
thing
.
Dr.
Hoxton
's
parties
are
very
dull
—
you
know
they
are
,
and
it
is
not
fair
on
Norman
.
If
he
was
set
up
and
delighted
at
going
so
often
,
then
you
would
call
him
conceited
.
'
'
Conceit
has
a
good
many
lurking-places
,
'
said
Dr.
May
.
'
It
is
harder
to
go
and
be
overlooked
,
than
to
stay
at
home
.
'
'
Now
,
papa
,
you
are
not
to
call
Norman
conceited
!
'
cried
Ethel
.
'
You
do
n't
believe
that
he
is
any
such
thing
.
'
'
Why
,
not
exactly
,
'
said
Dr.
May
,
smiling
.
'
The
boy
has
missed
it
marvellously
;
but
,
you
see
,
he
has
everything
that
subtle
imp
would
wish
to
feed
upon
,
and
it
is
no
harm
to
give
him
a
lick
with
the
rough
side
of
the
tongue
,
as
your
canny
Scots
grandfather
used
to
say
.
'
'
Ah
!
if
you
knew
,
papa
—
'
began
Ethel
.
'
If
I
knew
?
'
'
No
,
no
,
I
must
not
tell
.
'
'
What
,
a
secret
,
is
there
?
'
'
I
wish
it
was
not
;
I
should
like
to
tell
you
very
much
,
but
then
,
you
see
,
it
is
Norman
's
,
and
you
are
to
be
surprised
.
'
'
Your
surprise
is
likely
to
be
very
much
like
Blanche
's
birthday
presents
,
a
stage
aside
.
'
'
No
,
I
am
going
to
keep
it
to
mysalf
.
'
Two
or
three
days
after
,
as
Ethel
was
going
to
the
school-room
after
breakfast
,
Dr.
May
beckoned
her
back
to
the
dining-room
,
and
,
with
his
merry
look
of
significance
,
said
,
'
Well
,
ma'am
,
I
have
found
out
your
mystery
!
'
'
About
Norman
?
Oh
papa
!
Did
he
tell
you
?
'
'
When
I
came
home
from
the
hospital
last
night
,
at
an
hour
when
all
respectable
characters
,
except
doctors
and
police
,
should
be
in
their
warm
beds
,
I
beheld
a
light
in
Norman
's
window
,
so
methought
I
would
see
what
Gravity
was
doing
out
of
his
bed
at
midnight
—
'
'
And
you
found
him
at
his
Greek
—
'
'
So
that
was
the
meaning
of
his
looking
so
lank
and
care-worn
,
just
as
he
did
last
year
,
and
he
the
prince
of
the
school
!
I
could
have
found
it
in
my
heart
to
fling
the
books
at
his
head
!
'
'
But
you
consent
,
do
n't
you
,
to
his
going
up
for
the
scholarship
?
'
'
I
consent
to
anything
,
as
long
as
he
keeps
within
due
bounds
,
and
does
not
work
himself
to
death
.
I
am
glad
of
knowing
it
,
for
now
I
can
put
a
moderate
check
upon
it
.
'
'
And
did
he
tell
you
all
about
it
?
'
'
He
told
me
he
felt
as
if
he
owed
it
to
us
to
gain
something
for
himself
,
since
I
had
given
up
the
Randall
to
gratify
him
—
a
pretty
sort
of
gratification
.
'
'
Yes
,
and
he
will
be
glad
to
get
away
from
school
.
He
says
he
knows
it
is
bad
for
him
—
as
it
is
uncomfortable
to
be
singled
out
in
the
way
Dr.
Hoxton
does
now
.
You
know
,
'
pleaded
Ethel
,
'
it
is
not
ingratitude
or
elation
,
but
it
is
,
somehow
,
not
nice
to
be
treated
as
he
is
,
set
apart
from
the
rest
.
'
'
True
;
Dr.
Hoxton
never
had
taste
or
judgment
.
If
Norman
were
not
a
lusus
natureæ
,
'
said
Dr.
May
,
hesitating
for
a
word
,
'
his
head
would
have
been
turned
long
ago
.
And
he
wants
companions
too
—
he
has
been
forced
out
of
boyhood
too
soon
,
poor
fellow
—
and
Harry
gone
too
.
He
does
not
get
anything
like
real
relaxation
,
and
he
will
be
better
among
youths
than
boys
.
Stoneborough
will
never
be
what
it
was
in
my
time
!
'
added
the
Doctor
,
mournfully
.
'
I
never
thought
to
see
the
poor
old
place
come
to
this
;
but
there
—
when
all
the
better
class
send
their
sons
to
the
great
public
schools
,
and
leave
nothing
but
riff-raff
here
,
one
is
forced
,
for
a
boy
's
own
sake
,
to
do
the
same
.
'
'
Oh
!
I
am
so
glad
!
Then
you
have
consented
to
the
rest
of
Norman
's
scheme
,
and
will
not
keep
poor
little
Tom
at
school
here
without
him
?
'
'
By
what
he
tells
me
,
it
would
be
downright
ruin
to
the
boy
.
I
little
thought
to
have
to
take
a
son
of
mine
away
from
Stoneborough
;
but
Norman
is
the
best
judge
,
and
be
is
the
only
person
who
seems
to
have
made
any
impression
on
Tom
,
so
I
shall
let
it
be
.
In
fact
,
'
he
added
,
half
smiling
,
'
I
do
n't
know
what
I
could
refuse
old
June
.
'
'
That
's
right
!
'
cried
Ethel
.
'
That
is
so
nice
!
Then
,
if
Norman
gets
the
scholarship
,
Tom
is
to
go
to
Mr.
Wilmot
first
,
and
then
to
Eton
!
'
'
If
Norman
gains
the
scholarship
,
but
that
is
an
if
,
'
said
Dr.
May
,
as
though
hoping
for
a
loop-hole
to
escape
offending
the
shade
of
Bishop
Whichcote
.
'
Oh
,
papa
,
you
cannot
doubt
of
that
!
'
'
I
cannot
tell
,
Ethel
.
He
is
facile
princeps
here
in
his
own
world
,
but
we
do
not
know
how
it
may
be
when
he
is
measured
with
public
schoolmen
,
who
have
had
more
first-rate
tutorship
than
poor
old
Hoxton
's
.
'
'
Ah
!
he
says
so
,
but
I
thought
that
was
all
his
humility
.
'
'
Better
he
should
be
prepared
.
If
he
had
had
all
those
advantages
—
but
it
may
be
as
well
after
all
.
I
always
had
a
hankering
to
have
sent
him
to
Eton
,
but
your
dear
mother
used
to
say
it
was
not
fair
on
the
others
.
And
now
,
to
see
him
striving
in
order
to
give
the
advantage
of
it
to
his
little
brother
!
I
only
hope
Master
Thomas
is
worthy
of
it
—
but
it
is
a
boy
I
ca
n't
understand
.
'
'
Nor
I
,
'
said
Ethel
;
'
he
never
seems
to
say
anything
he
can
help
,
and
goes
after
Norman
without
talking
to
anyone
else
.
'
'
I
give
him
up
to
Norman
's
management
!
'
said
Dr.
May
.
'
He
says
the
boy
is
very
clever
,
but
I
have
not
seen
it
;
and
,
as
to
more
serious
matters
.
—
However
,
I
must
take
it
on
Norman
's
word
,
that
he
is
wishing
to
learn
truth
.
We
made
an
utter
mistake
about
him
;
I
do
n't
know
who
is
to
blame
for
it
.
'
'
Have
you
told
Margaret
about
Norman
's
plan
?
'
asked
Ethel
.
'
No
;
he
desired
me
to
say
nothing
.
Indeed
,
I
should
not
like
Tom
's
leaving
school
to
be
talked
of
beforehand
.
'
'
Norman
said
he
did
not
want
Flora
to
hear
,
because
she
is
so
much
with
the
Hoxton
's
,
and
he
said
they
would
all
watch
him
.
'
'
Aye
,
aye
!
and
we
must
keep
his
secret
.
What
a
boy
it
is
!
But
it
is
not
safe
to
say
conceited
things
.
We
shall
have
a
fall
yet
,
Ethel
.
Not
seventeen
,
remember
,
and
brought
up
at
a
mere
grammar-school
.
'
'
But
we
shall
still
have
the
spirit
that
made
him
try
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
and
that
is
the
thing
.
'
'
and
,
to
tell
you
the
truth
,
'
said
the
Doctor
,
lingering
,
'
for
my
own
part
,
I
do
n't
care
a
rush
for
it
!
'
and
he
dashed
off
to
his
work
,
while
Ethel
stood
laughing
.
'
Papa
was
so
very
kind
,
'
said
Norman
,
tremulously
,
when
Ethel
followed
him
to
his
room
,
to
congratulate
him
on
having
gained
his
father
's
assent
,
of
which
he
had
been
more
in
doubt
than
she
.
'
And
you
see
he
quite
approves
of
the
scheme
for
Tom
,
except
for
thinking
it
disrespect
to
Bishop
Whichcote
.
He
said
he
only
hoped
Tom
was
worthy
of
it
.
'
'
Tom
!
'
cried
Norman
.
'
Take
my
word
for
it
,
Ethel
,
Tom
will
surprise
you
all
.
He
will
beat
us
all
to
nothing
,
I
know
!
'
'
If
only
he
can
be
cured
of
—
'
'
He
will
,
'
said
Norman
,
'
when
once
he
has
outgrown
his
frights
,
and
that
he
may
do
at
Mr.
Wilmot
's
,
apart
from
those
fellows
.
When
I
go
up
for
this
scholarship
,
you
must
look
after
his
lessons
,
and
see
if
you
are
not
surprised
at
his
construing
!
'
'
When
you
go
.
It
will
be
in
a
month
!
'
'
He
has
told
no
one
,
I
hope
.
'
'
No
;
but
I
hardly
think
he
will
bear
not
telling
Margaret
.
'
'
Well
—
I
hate
a
thing
being
out
of
ones
own
keeping
.
I
should
not
so
much
dislike
Margaret
's
knowing
,
but
I
wo
n't
have
Flora
know
—
mind
that
,
Ethel
,
'
he
said
,
with
disproportionate
vehemence
.
'
I
only
hope
Flora
will
not
be
vexed
.
But
,
oh
dear
!
how
nice
it
will
be
when
you
have
it
,
telling
Meta
Rivers
,
and
all
!
'
'
And
this
is
a
fine
way
of
getting
it
,
standing
talking
here
.
Not
that
I
shall
—
You
little
know
what
public
schools
can
do
!
But
that
is
no
reason
against
trying
.
'
'
Good
night
,
then
.
Only
one
thing
more
.
You
mean
that
,
till
further
orders
,
Margaret
should
not
know
?
'
'
Of
course
,
'
said
Norman
,
impatiently
.
'
She
wo
n't
take
any
of
Flora
's
silly
affronts
,
and
,
what
is
more
,
she
would
not
care
half
so
much
as
before
Alan
Ernescliffe
came
.
'
'
Oh
,
Norman
,
Norman
!
I
'm
sure
—
'
'
Why
,
it
is
what
they
always
say
.
Everybody
ca
n't
be
first
,
and
Ernescliffe
has
the
biggest
half
of
her
,
I
can
see
.
'
'
I
am
sure
I
did
not
,
'
said
Ethel
,
in
a
mortified
voice
.
'
Why
,
of
course
,
it
always
comes
of
people
having
lovers
.
'
'
Then
I
am
sure
I
wo
n't
!
'
exclaimed
Ethel
.
Norman
went
into
a
fit
of
laughing
.
'
You
may
laugh
,
Norman
,
but
I
will
never
let
papa
or
any
of
you
be
second
to
anyone
!
'
she
cried
,
vehemently
.
A
brotherly
home-truth
followed
:
'
Nobody
asked
you
,
sir
,
she
said
!
'
was
muttered
by
Norman
,
still
laughing
heartily
.
'
I
know
,
'
said
Ethel
,
not
in
the
least
offended
,
'
I
am
very
ugly
,
and
very
awkward
,
but
I
do
n't
care
.
There
never
can
be
anybody
in
all
the
world
that
I
shall
like
half
as
well
as
papa
,
and
I
am
glad
no
one
is
ever
likely
to
make
me
care
less
for
him
and
Cocksmoor
.
'
'
Stay
till
you
are
tried
,
'
said
Norman
.
Ethel
squeezed
up
her
eyes
,
curled
up
her
nose
,
showed
her
teeth
in
a
horrible
grimace
,
and
made
a
sort
of
snarl
:
'
Yah
!
That
's
the
face
I
shall
make
at
them
!
'
and
then
,
with
another
good-night
,
ran
to
her
own
room
.
Norman
was
,
to
a
certain
extent
,
right
with
regard
to
Margaret
—
her
thoughts
and
interest
had
been
chiefly
engrossed
by
Alan
Ernescliffe
,
and
,
so
far
drawn
away
from
her
own
family
,
that
when
the
Alcestis
was
absolutely
gone
beyond
all
reach
of
letters
for
the
present
,
Margaret
could
not
help
feeling
somewhat
of
a
void
,
and
as
if
the
home
concerns
were
not
so
entire
an
occupation
for
her
mind
as
formerly
.
She
would
fain
have
thrown
herself
into
them
again
,
but
she
became
conscious
that
there
was
a
difference
.
She
was
still
the
object
of
her
father
's
intense
tenderness
and
solicitude
,
indeed
she
could
not
be
otherwise
,
but
it
came
over
her
sometimes
that
she
was
less
necessary
to
him
than
in
the
first
year
.
He
was
not
conscious
of
any
change
,
and
,
indeed
,
it
hardly
amounted
to
a
change
,
and
yet
Margaret
,
lying
inactive
and
thoughtful
,
began
to
observe
that
the
fullness
of
his
confidence
was
passing
to
Ethel
.
Now
and
then
it
would
appear
that
he
fancied
he
had
told
Margaret
little
matters
,
when
he
had
really
told
them
to
Ethel
—
and
it
was
Ethel
who
would
linger
with
him
in
the
drawing-room
after
the
others
had
gone
up
at
night
,
or
who
would
be
late
at
the
morning
's
reading
,
and
disarm
Miss
Winter
,
by
pleading
that
papa
had
been
talking
to
her
.
The
secret
they
shared
together
was
,
of
course
,
the
origin
of
much
of
this
;
but
also
Ethel
was
now
more
entirely
the
Doctor
's
own
than
Margaret
could
be
after
her
engagement
;
and
there
was
a
likeness
of
mind
between
the
father
and
daughter
that
could
not
but
develop
more
in
this
year
,
that
in
all
Ethel
's
life
,
when
she
had
made
the
most
rapid
progress
.
Perhaps
,
too
,
the
Doctor
looked
on
Margaret
rather
as
the
authority
and
mistress
of
his
house
,
while
Ethel
was
more
of
a
playfellow
;
and
thus
,
without
either
having
the
least
suspicion
that
the
one
sister
was
taking
the
place
of
the
other
,
and
without
any
actual
neglect
of
Margaret
,
Ethel
was
his
chief
companion
.
'
How
excited
and
anxious
Norman
looks
!
'
said
Margaret
,
one
day
,
when
he
had
rushed
in
at
the
dinner-hour
,
asking
for
his
father
,
and
,
when
he
could
not
find
him
,
shouting
out
for
Ethel
.
'
I
hope
there
is
nothing
amiss
.
He
has
looked
thin
and
worn
for
some
time
,
and
yet
his
work
at
school
is
very
easy
to
him
.
'
'
I
wish
there
may
be
nothing
wrong
there
again
,
'
said
Flora
.
'
There
!
there
's
the
front
door
banging
!
He
is
off
!
Ethel
!
'
—
stepping
to
the
door
,
and
calling
in
her
sister
,
who
came
from
the
street
door
,
her
hair
blowing
about
with
the
wind
.
—
'
What
did
Norman
want
?
'
'
Only
to
know
whether
papa
had
left
a
note
for
Dr.
Hoxton
,
'
said
Ethel
,
looking
very
confused
and
very
merry
.
'
That
was
not
all
,
'
said
Flora
.
'
Now
do
n't
be
absurd
,
Ethel
—
I
hate
mysteries
.
'
'
Last
time
I
had
a
secret
,
you
would
not
believe
it
,
'
said
Ethel
,
laughing
.
'
Come
!
'
exclaimed
Flora
,
'
why
cannot
you
tell
us
at
once
what
is
going
on
?
'
'
Because
I
was
desired
not
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
You
will
hear
it
soon
enough
,
'
and
she
capered
a
little
.
'
Let
her
alone
,
Flora
,
'
