,'
said
Margaret
.
'
I
thought
it
was
only
as
a
piece
of
folly
,
and
—
'
'
And
interference
with
my
Cocksmoor
?
'
said
Ethel
.
I
had
better
own
to
what
may
be
wrong
personal
feeling
at
first
.
'
'
I
can
hardly
call
it
wrong
,
'
said
Margaret
,
tenderly
,
'
considering
what
Cocksmoor
is
to
you
,
and
what
the
Ladies
'
Committee
is
.
'
'
Oh
!
Margaret
,
if
the
lawful
authority
—
if
a
good
Clergyman
would
only
come
,
how
willingly
would
I
work
under
him
.
But
Mrs.
Ledwich
and
—
it
is
like
having
all
the
Spaniards
and
savages
spoiling
Robinson
Crusoe
's
desert
island
!
'
'
It
is
not
come
to
that
yet
,
'
said
Margaret
;
but
,
about
the
Fancy
Fair
.
We
all
know
that
the
school
is
very
much
wanted
.
'
'
Yes
,
but
I
hoped
to
wait
in
patience
and
perseverance
,
and
do
it
at
last
.
'
'
All
yourself
?
'
'
Now
Margaret
!
you
know
I
was
glad
of
Alan
's
help
.
'
'
I
should
think
so
!
'
said
Margaret
.
'
You
need
not
make
a
favour
of
that
!
'
'
Yes
,
but
,
do
n't
you
see
,
that
came
as
almsgiving
,
in
the
way
which
brings
a
blessing
.
We
want
nothing
to
make
us
give
money
and
work
to
Cocksmoor
.
We
do
all
we
can
already
;
and
I
do
n't
want
to
get
a
fine
bag
or
a
ridiculous
pincushion
in
exchange
!
'
'
Not
you
,
but
—
'
'
Well
,
for
the
rest
.
If
they
like
to
offer
their
money
,
well
and
good
,
the
better
for
them
;
but
why
must
they
not
give
it
to
Cocksmoor
—
but
for
that
unnatural
butterfly
of
Blanche
's
,
with
black
pins
for
horns
,
that
they
will
go
and
sell
at
an
extortionate
rate
.
'
'
The
price
will
be
given
for
Cocksmoor
's
sake
!
'
'
Pooh
!
Margaret
.
Do
you
think
it
is
for
Cocksmoor
's
sake
that
Lady
Leonora
Langdale
and
her
fine
daughter
come
down
from
London
?
Would
Mrs.
Hoxton
spend
the
time
in
making
frocks
for
Cocksmoor
children
that
she
does
in
cutting
out
paper
,
and
stuffing
glass
bottles
with
it
?
Let
people
be
honest
—
alms
,
or
pleasure
,
or
vanity
!
let
them
say
which
they
mean
;
but
do
n't
make
charity
the
excuse
for
the
others
;
and
,
above
all
,
do
n't
make
my
poor
Cocksmoor
the
victim
of
it
.
'
This
is
very
severe
,
'
said
Margaret
,
pausing
,
almost
confounded
.
'
Do
you
think
no
charity
worth
having
but
what
is
given
on
unmixed
motives
?
Who
,
then
,
could
give
?
'
'
Margaret
—
we
see
much
evil
arise
in
the
best-planned
institutions
;
nay
,
in
what
are
not
human
.
Do
n't
you
think
we
ought
to
do
our
utmost
to
have
no
flaw
in
the
foundation
?
Schools
are
not
such
perfect
places
that
we
can
build
them
without
fear
,
and
,
if
the
means
are
to
be
raised
by
a
bargain
for
amusement
—
if
they
are
to
come
from
frivolity
instead
of
selfdenial
,
I
am
afraid
of
them
.
I
do
not
mean
that
Cocksmoor
has
not
been
the
joy
of
my
life
,
and
of
Mary
's
,
but
that
was
not
because
we
did
it
for
pleasure
.
'
'
No
!
'
said
Margaret
,
sighing
,
'
you
found
pleasure
by
the
way
.
But
why
did
you
not
say
all
this
to
Flora
.
'
'
It
is
of
no
use
to
talk
to
Flora
,
'
said
Ethel
;
'
she
would
say
it
was
high-flown
and
visionary
.
Oh
!
she
wants
it
for
the
bazaar
's
own
sake
,
and
that
is
one
reason
why
I
hate
it
.
'
'
Now
,
Ethel
!
'
'
I
do
believe
it
was
very
unfortunate
for
Flora
that
the
Hoxtons
took
to
patronizing
her
,
because
Norman
would
not
be
patronized
.
Ever
since
it
began
,
her
mind
has
been
full
of
visitings
,
and
parties
,
and
county
families
,
and
she
has
left
off
the
home
usefulness
she
used
to
care
about
.
'
'
But
you
are
old
enough
for
that
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
It
would
be
hard
to
keep
Flora
at
home
,
now
that
you
can
take
her
place
,
and
do
not
care
for
going
out
.
One
of
us
must
be
the
representative
Miss
May
,
you
know
,
and
keep
up
the
civilities
;
and
you
may
think
yourself
lucky
it
is
not
you
.
'
'
If
it
was
only
that
,
I
should
not
care
,
but
I
may
as
well
tell
you
,
Margaret
,
for
it
is
a
weight
to
me
.
It
is
not
the
mere
pleasure
in
gaieties
—
Flora
cares
for
them
,
in
themselves
,
as
little
as
I
do
—
nor
is
it
neighbourliness
,
as
a
duty
to
others
,
for
,
you
may
observe
,
she
always
gets
off
any
engagement
to
the
Wards
,
or
any
of
the
town
folk
,
to
whom
it
would
be
a
gratification
to
have
her
—
she
either
eludes
them
,
or
sends
me
.
The
thing
is
,
that
she
is
always
trying
to
be
with
the
great
people
,
the
county
set
,
and
I
do
n't
think
that
is
the
safe
way
of
going
on
.
'
Margaret
mused
sadly
.
'
You
frighten
me
,
Ethel
!
I
cannot
say
it
is
not
so
,
and
these
are
so
like
the
latent
faults
that
dear
mamma
's
letter
spoke
of
—
'
Ethel
sat
meditating
,
and
,
at
last
,
said
,
'
I
wish
I
had
not
told
you
!
I
do
n't
always
believe
it
myself
,
and
it
is
so
unkind
,
and
you
will
make
yourself
unhappy
too
.
I
ought
not
to
have
thought
it
of
her
!
Think
of
her
ever
ready
kindness
and
helpfulness
;
her
pretty
courteous
ways
to
the
very
least
;
her
obligingness
and
tact
!
'
'
Yes
,
'
said
Margaret
,
'
she
is
one
of
the
kindest
people
there
is
,
and
I
am
sure
that
she
thought
the
gaining
funds
for
Cocksmoor
,
was
the
best
thing
to
be
done
,
that
you
would
be
pleased
,
and
a
great
deal
of
pleasant
occupation
provided
for
us
all
.
'
'
That
is
the
bright
side
,
the
surface
side
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
And
not
an
untrue
one
,
'
said
Margaret
;
'
Meta
will
not
be
vain
,
and
will
work
the
more
happily
for
Cocksmoor
's
sake
.
Mary
and
Blanche
,
poor
Mrs.
Boulder
,
and
many
good
ladies
who
hitherto
have
not
known
how
to
help
Cocksmoor
,
will
do
so
now
with
a
good
will
,
and
though
it
is
not
what
we
should
have
chosen
,
I
think
we
had
better
take
it
in
good
part
.
'
'
You
think
so
?
'
'
Yes
,
indeed
I
do
.
If
you
go
about
with
that
dismal
face
and
strong
disapproval
,
it
will
really
seem
as
if
it
was
the
having
your
dominion
meddled
with
that
you
dislike
.
Besides
,
it
is
putting
yourself
forward
to
censure
what
is
not
absolutely
wrong
in
itself
,
and
that
cannot
be
desirable
.
'
'
No
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
but
I
cannot
help
being
sorry
for
Cocksmoor
.
I
thought
patience
would
prepare
the
way
,
and
the
means
be
granted
in
good
time
,
without
hastiness
—
only
earnestness
.
'
'
You
had
made
a
picture
for
yourself
,
'
said
Margaret
,
gently
.
'
Yes
,
we
all
make
pictures
for
ourselves
,
and
we
are
the
foremost
figures
in
them
;
but
they
are
taken
out
of
our
hands
,
and
we
see
others
putting
in
rude
touches
,
and
spoiling
our
work
,
as
it
seems
;
but
,
by-and-by
,
we
shall
see
that
it
is
all
guided
.
'
Ethel
sighed
.
'
Then
having
protested
to
my
utmost
against
this
concern
,
you
think
I
ought
to
be
amiable
about
it
.
'
'
And
to
let
poor
Mary
enjoy
it
.
She
would
be
so
happy
,
if
you
would
not
bewilder
her
by
your
gloomy
looks
,
and
keep
her
to
the
hemming
of
your
endless
glazed
calico
bonnet
strings
.
'
'
Poor
old
Mary
!
I
thought
that
was
by
her
own
desire
.
'
'
Only
her
dutiful
allegiance
to
you
;
and
,
as
making
pincushions
is
nearly
her
greatest
delight
,
it
is
cruel
to
make
her
think
it
,
in
some
mysterious
way
,
wrong
and
displeasing
to
you
.
'
Ethel
laughed
,
and
said
,
'
I
did
not
think
Mary
was
in
such
awe
of
me
.
I
'll
set
her
free
,
then
.
But
,
Margaret
,
do
you
really
think
I
ought
to
give
up
my
time
to
it
?
'
'
Could
you
not
just
let
them
have
a
few
drawings
,
or
a
little
bit
of
your
company
work
—
just
enough
for
you
not
to
annoy
everyone
,
and
seem
to
be
testifying
against
them
.
You
would
not
like
to
vex
Meta
.
'
'
It
will
go
hard
,
if
I
do
not
tell
Meta
my
mind
.
I
cannot
bear
to
see
her
deluded
.
'
'
I
do
n't
think
she
is
,
'
said
Margaret
;
'
but
she
does
not
set
her
face
against
what
others
wish
.
As
papa
says
of
his
dear
little
humming-bird
,
she
takes
the
honey
,
and
leaves
the
poison
.
'
'
Yes
;
amid
all
that
enjoyment
,
she
is
always
choosing
the
good
,
and
leaving
the
evil
;
always
sacrificing
something
,
and
then
being
happy
in
the
sacrifice
!
'
'
No
one
would
guess
it
was
a
sacrifice
,
it
is
so
joyously
done
—
least
of
all
Meta
herself
.
'
'
Her
coming
home
from
London
was
exactly
a
specimen
of
that
sacrifice
—
and
no
sacrifice
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
What
was
that
?
'
said
Norman
,
who
had
come
up
to
the
window
unobserved
,
and
had
been
listening
to
their
few
last
sentences
.
'
Did
not
you
hear
of
it
?
It
was
a
sort
of
material
turning
away
from
vanity
that
made
me
respect
the
little
rival
Daisy
,
as
much
as
I
always
admired
her
.
'
Tell
me
,
'
said
Norman
.
'
When
was
it
?
'
'
Last
spring
.
You
know
Mr.
Rivers
is
always
ill
in
London
:
indeed
,
papa
says
it
would
be
the
death
of
him
;
but
Lady
Leonora
Langdale
thinks
it
dreadful
that
Meta
should
not
go
to
all
the
gaieties
;
and
,
last
year
,
when
Mrs.
Larpent
was
gone
,
she
insisted
on
her
coming
to
stay
with
her
for
the
season
.
Now
,
Meta
thought
it
wrong
to
leave
her
father
alone
,
and
wanted
not
to
have
gone
at
all
,
but
,
to
my
surprise
,
Margaret
advised
her
to
yield
,
and
go
for
some
short
fixed
time
.
'
'
Yes
,
'
said
Margaret
;
'
as
all
her
elders
thought
it
right
,
I
did
not
think
we
could
advise
her
to
refuse
absolutely
.
Besides
,
it
was
a
promise
.
'
'
She
declared
she
would
only
stay
three
weeks
,
and
the
Langdales
were
satisfied
,
thinking
that
,
once
in
London
,
they
should
keep
her
.
They
little
knew
Meta
,
with
her
pretty
ways
of
pretending
that
her
resolution
is
only
spoilt-child
wilfulness
.
None
of
you
quite
trusted
her
,
did
you
Margaret
?
Even
papa
was
almost
afraid
,
though
he
wanted
her
very
much
to
be
at
home
;
for
poor
Mr.
Rivers
was
so
low
and
forlorn
without
her
,
though
he
would
not
let
her
know
,
because
Lady
Leonora
had
persuaded
him
to
think
it
was
all
for
her
good
.
'
'
What
did
they
do
with
her
in
London
?
'
asked
Norman
.
'
They
did
their
utmost
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
They
made
engagements
for
her
,
and
took
her
to
parties
and
concerts
—
those
she
did
enjoy
very
much
—
and
she
had
lessons
in
drawing
and
music
,
but
whenever
she
wanted
to
see
any
exhibitions
,
or
do
anything
,
they
always
said
there
was
time
to
spare
.
I
believe
it
was
very
charming
,
and
she
would
have
been
very
glad
to
stay
,
but
she
never
would
promise
,
and
she
was
always
thinking
of
her
positive
duty
at
home
.
She
seemed
afterwards
to
think
of
her
wishes
to
remain
almost
as
if
they
had
been
a
sin
;
but
she
said
—
dear
little
Meta
—
that
nothing
had
ever
helped
her
so
much
as
that
she
used
to
say
to
herself
,
whenever
she
was
going
out
,
"
I
renounce
the
world
.
"
It
came
to
a
crisis
at
last
,
when
Lady
Leonora
wanted
her
to
be
presented
—
the
drawing-room
was
after
the
end
of
her
three
weeks
—
and
she
held
out
against
it
;
though
her
aunt
laughed
at
her
,
and
treated
her
as
if
she
was
a
silly
,
shy
child
.
At
last
,
what
do
you
think
Meta
did
?
She
went
to
her
uncle
,
Lord
Cosham
,
and
appealed
to
him
to
say
whether
there
was
the
least
necessity
for
her
to
go
to
court
.
'
'
Then
she
gained
the
day
?
'
said
Norman
.
'
He
was
delighted
with
that
spirited
,
yet
coaxing
way
of
hers
,
and
admired
her
determination
.
He
told
papa
so
himself
—
for
you
must
know
,
when
he
heard
all
Meta
had
to
say
,
he
called
her
a
very
good
girl
,
and
said
he
would
take
her
home
himself
on
the
Saturday
she
had
fixed
,
and
spend
Sunday
at
Abbotstoke
.
Oh
!
he
was
perfectly
won
by
her
sweet
ways
.
Was
not
it
lucky
?
for
before
this
Lady
Leonora
had
written
to
Mr.
Rivers
,
and
obtained
from
him
a
letter
,
which
Meta
had
the
next
day
,
desiring
her
to
stay
for
the
Drawing-room
.
But
Meta
knew
well
enough
how
it
was
,
and
was
not
to
be
conquered
that
way
;
so
she
said
she
must
go
home
to
entertain
her
uncle
,
and
that
if
her
papa
really
wished
it
,
she
would
return
on
Monday
.
'
'
Knowing
well
that
Mr.
Rivers
would
be
only
too
glad
to
heep
her
.
'
'
Just
so
.
How
happy
they
both
did
look
,
when
they
came
in
here
on
their
way
from
the
station
where
he
had
met
her
!
How
she
danced
in
,
and
how
she
sparkled
with
glee
!
'
said
Margaret
,
'
and
poor
Mr.
Rivers
was
quite
tremulous
with
the
joy
of
having
her
back
,
hardly
able
to
keep
from
fondling
her
every
minute
,
and
coming
again
into
the
room
after
they
had
taken
leave
,
to
tell
me
that
his
little
girl
had
preferred
her
home
,
and
her
poor
old
father
,
to
all
the
pleasures
in
London
.
Oh
!
I
was
so
glad
they
came
!
That
was
a
sight
that
did
one
good
!
And
then
,
I
fancy
Mr.
Rivers
is
a
wee
bit
afraid
of
his
brother-in-law
,
for
he
begged
papa
and
Flora
to
come
home
and
dine
with
them
,
but
Flora
was
engaged
to
Mrs.
Hoxton
.
'
'
Ha
!
Flora
!
'
said
Norman
,
as
if
he
rather
enjoyed
her
losing
something
through
her
going
to
Mrs.
Hoxton
.
'
I
suppose
she
would
have
given
the
world
to
go
!
'
'
I
was
so
sorry
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
but
I
had
to
go
instead
,
and
it
was
delightful
.
Papa
made
great
friends
with
Lord
Cosham
,
while
Mr.
Rivers
went
to
sleep
after
dinner
,
and
I
had
such
a
delightful
wandering
with
Meta
,
listening
to
the
nightingales
,
and
hearing
all
about
it
.
I
never
knew
Meta
so
well
before
.
'
'
And
there
was
no
more
question
of
her
going
back
?
'
said
Norman
.
'
No
,
indeed
!
She
said
,
when
her
uncle
asked
in
joke
,
on
Monday
morning
,
whether
she
had
packed
up
to
return
with
him
,
Mr.
Rivers
was
quite
nervously
alarmed
the
first
moment
,
lest
she
should
intend
it
.
'
'
That
little
Meta
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
Her
wishes
for
substantial
use
have
been
pretty
well
realized
!
'
'
Um
!
'
said
Ethel
.
'
What
do
you
mean
?
'
said
Norman
,
sharply
.
'
I
should
call
her
present
position
the
perfection
of
feminine
usefulness
.
'
'
So
perhaps
it
is
,
'
said
Ethel
;
'
but
though
she
does
it
beautifully
,
and
is
very
valuable
;
to
be
the
mistress
of
a
great
luxurious
house
,
like
that
,
does
not
seem
to
me
the
subject
of
aspirations
like
Meta
's
.
'
'
Think
of
the
contrast
with
what
she
used
to
be
,
'
said
Margaret
,
gently
,
'
the
pretty
,
gentle
,
playful
toy
that
her
father
brought
her
up
to
be
,
living
a
life
of
mere
accomplishments
and
self
indulgence
;
kind
certainly
,
but
never
so
as
to
endure
any
disagreeables
,
or
make
any
exertion
.
But
as
soon
as
she
entered
into
the
true
spirit
of
our
calling
,
did
she
not
begin
to
seek
to
live
the
sterner
life
,
and
train
herself
in
duty
?
The
quiet
way
she
took
always
seemed
to
me
the
great
beauty
of
it
.
She
makes
duties
of
her
accomplishments
by
making
them
loving
obedience
to
her
father
.
'
'
Not
that
they
are
not
pleasant
to
her
?
'
interposed
Norman
.
'
Certainly
,
'
said
Margaret
,
'
but
it
gives
them
the
zest
,
and
confidence
that
they
are
right
,
which
one
could
not
have
in
such
things
merely
for
one
's
own
amusement
.
'
'
Yes
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
she
does
more
;
she
told
me
one
day
that
one
reason
she
liked
sketching
was
,
that
looking
into
nature
always
made
Psalms
and
Hymns
sing
in
her
ears
,
and
so
with
her
music
and
her
beautiful
copies
from
the
old
Italian
devotional
pictures
.
She
says
our
papa
taught
her
to
look
at
them
so
as
to
see
more
than
the
mere
art
and
beauty
.
'
'
Think
how
diligently
she
measures
out
her
day
,
'
said
Margaret
;
'
getting
up
early
,
to
be
sure
of
time
for
reading
her
serious
books
,
and
working
hard
at
her
tough
studies
.
'
'
And
what
I
care
for
still
more
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
her
being
bent
on
learning
plain
needlework
and
doing
it
for
her
poor
people
.
She
is
so
useful
amongst
the
cottagers
at
Abbotstoke
!
'
'
And
a
famous
little
mistress
of
the
house
,
'
added
Margaret
.
'
When
the
old
housekeeper
went
away
two
years
ago
,
she
thought
she
ought
to
know
something
about
the
government
of
the
house
;
so
she
asked
me
about
it
,
and
proposed
to
her
father
that
the
new
one
should
come
to
her
for
orders
,
and
that
she
should
pay
the
wages
and
have
the
accounts
in
her
hands
.
Mr.
Rivers
thought
it
was
only
a
freak
,
but
she
has
gone
on
steadily
;
and
I
assure
you
,
she
has
had
some
difficulties
,
for
she
has
come
to
me
about
them
.
Perhaps
Ethel
does
not
believe
in
them
?
'
'
No
,
I
was
only
thinking
how
I
should
hate
ordering
those
fanciful
dinners
for
Mr.
Rivers
.
I
know
what
you
mean
,
and
how
she
had
difficulties
about
sending
the
maids
to
Church
,
and
in
dealing
with
the
cook
who
did
harm
to
the
other
servants
,
and
yet
sent
up
dinners
that
he
liked
,
and
how
puzzled
she
was
how
to
avoid
annoying
him
.
Oh
!
she
has
got
into
a
peck
of
troubles
by
making
herself
manager
.
'
'
And
had
she
not
been
the
Meta
she
is
,
she
would
either
have
fretted
,
or
thrown
it
all
up
,
instead
of
humming
briskly
through
all
.
She
never
was
afraid
to
speak
to
anyone
,
'
said
Margaret
,
'
that
is
one
thing
;
I
believe
every
difficulty
makes
the
spirit
bound
higher
,
till
she
springs
over
it
,
and
finds
it
,
as
she
says
,
only
a
pleasure
.
'
'
She
need
not
be
afraid
to
speak
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
for
she
always
does
it
well
and
winningly
.
I
have
seen
her
give
a
reproof
in
so
firm
and
kind
a
way
,
and
so
bright
in
the
instant
of
forgiveness
.
'
'
Yes
,
'
said
Margaret
,
'
she
does
those
disagreeable
things
as
well
as
Flora
does
in
her
way
.
'
'
And
yet
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
doing
things
well
does
not
seem
to
be
a
snare
to
her
.
'
'
Because
,
'
whispered
Margaret
,
'
she
fulfils
more
than
almost
anyone
—
the
—
"
Whatsoever
ye
do
,
do
all
to
the
glory
of
God
.
"
'
'
Do
you
know
,
'
said
Norman
,
suddenly
,
the
derivation
of
Margarita
?
'
'
No
further
than
those
two
pretty
meanings
,
the
pearl
and
the
daisy
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
It
is
from
the
Persian
Mervarid
,
child
of
light
,
'
said
Norman
;
and
,
with
a
sudden
flush
of
colour
,
he
returned
to
the
garden
.
'
A
fit
meaning
for
one
whole
carries
sunshine
with
her
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
I
feel
in
better
tune
,
for
a
whole
day
,
after
her
bright
eyes
have
been
smiling
on
me
.
'
'
You
want
no
one
to
put
you
in
tune
,
'
said
Ethel
,
fondly
—
'
you
,
our
own
pearl
of
light
.
'
'
No
,
call
me
only
an
old
faded
daisy
,
'
said
Margaret
,
sadly
.
'
Not
a
bit
,
only
our
moon
,
la
gran
Margarita
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
I
hear
the
real
Daisy
coming
!
'
exclaimed
Margaret
,
her
face
lighting
up
with
pleasure
as
the
two
youngest
children
entered
,
and
indeed
,
little
Gertrude
's
golden
hair
,
round
open
face
,
fresh
red
and
white
complexion
,
and
innocent
looks
,
had
so
much
likeness
to
the
flower
,
as
to
promote
the
use
of
the
pet
name
,
though
protests
were
often
made
in
favour
of
her
proper
appellation
.
Her
temper
was
daisy-like
too
,
serene
and
loving
,
and
able
to
bear
a
great
deal
of
spoiling
,
and
resolve
as
they
might
,
who
was
not
her
slave
?
Miss
Winter
no
longer
ruled
the
school-room
.
Her
sway
had
been
brought
to
a
happy
conclusion
by
a
proposal
from
a
widowed
sister
to
keep
house
with
her
;
and
Ethel
had
reason
to
rejoice
that
Margaret
had
kept
her
submissive
under
authority
,
which
,
if
not
always
judicious
,
was
both
kind
and
conscientious
.
Upon
the
change
,
Ethel
had
thought
that
the
lessons
could
easily
be
managed
by
herself
and
Flora
;
while
Flora
was
very
anxious
for
a
finishing
governess
,
who
might
impart
singing
to
herself
,
graces
to
Ethel
,
and
accomplishments
to
Mary
and
Blanche
.
Dr.
May
,
however
,
took
them
both
by
surprise
.
He
met
with
a
family
of
orphans
,
the
eldest
of
whom
had
been
qualifying
herself
for
a
governess
,
and
needed
nothing
but
age
and
finish
;
and
in
ten
minutes
after
the
project
had
been
conceived
,
he
had
begun
to
put
it
in
execution
,
in
spite
of
Flora
's
prudent
demurs
.
Miss
Bracy
was
a
gentle
,
pleasing
young
person
,
pretty
to
look
at
,
with
her
soft
olive
complexion
,
and
languid
pensive
eyes
,
obliging
and
intelligent
;
and
the
change
from
the
dry
,
authoritative
Miss
Winter
,
was
so
delightful
,
that
unedifying
contrasts
were
continually
being
drawn
.
Blanche
struck
up
a
great
friendship
for
her
at
once
,
Mary
,
always
docile
,
ceased
to
be
piteous
at
her
lessons
,
and
Ethel
moralised
on
the
satisfaction
of
having
sympathy
needed
instead
of
repelled
,
and
did
her
utmost
to
make
Miss
Bracy
feel
at
home
—
and
like
a
friend
—
in
her
new
position
.
For
herself
,
Ethel
had
drawn
up
a
beautiful
time-table
,
with
all
her
pursuits
and
duties
most
carefully
balanced
,
after
the
pattern
of
that
which
Margaret
Rivers
had
made
by
her
advice
,
on
the
departure
of
Mrs.
Larpent
,
who
had
been
called
away
by
the
ill-health
of
her
son
.
Meta
had
adhered
to
hers
in
an
exemplary
manner
,
but
she
was
her
own
mistress
in
a
manner
that
could
hardly
be
the
lot
of
one
of
a
large
family
.
Margaret
had
become
subject
to
languor
and
palpitations
,
and
the
headship
of
the
household
had
fallen
entirely
upon
Flora
,
who
,
on
the
other
hand
,
was
a
person
of
multifarious
occupations
,
and
always
had
a
great
number
of
letters
to
write
,
or
songs
to
copy
and
practise
,
which
,
together
with
her
frequent
visits
to
Mrs.
Hoxton
,
made
her
glad
to
devolve
,
as
much
as
she
could
,
upon
her
younger
sister
;
and
,
"
O
Ethel
,
you
will
not
mind
just
doing
this
for
me
,
"
was
said
often
enough
to
be
a
tax
upon
her
time
.
Moreover
,
Ethel
perceived
that
Aubrey
's
lessons
were
in
an
unsatisfactory
state
.
Margaret
could
not
always
attend
to
them
,
and
suffered
from
them
when
she
did
;
and
he
was
bandied
about
between
his
sisters
and
Miss
Bracy
in
a
manner
that
made
him
neither
attentive
nor
obedient
.
On
her
own
principle
,
that
to
embrace
a
task
heartily
,
renders
it
no
longer
irksome
,
she
called
on
herself
to
sacrifice
her
studies
and
her
regularity
as
far
as
was
needful
,
to
make
her
available
for
home
requirements
.
She
made
herself
responsible
for
Aubrey
,
and
,
after
a
few
battles
with
his
desultory
habits
,
made
him
a
very
promising
pupil
,
inspiring
so
much
of
herself
into
him
,
that
he
was
,
if
anything
,
overfull
of
her
classical
tastes
.
In
fact
,
he
had
such
an
appetite
for
books
,
and
dealt
so
much
in
precocious
wisdom
,
that
his
father
was
heard
to
say
,
"
Six
years
old
!
It
is
a
comfort
that
he
will
soon
forget
the
whole
.
"
Gertrude
was
also
Ethel
's
pupil
,
but
learning
was
not
at
all
in
her
line
;
and
the
sight
of
"
Cobwebs
to
Catch
Flies
,
"
or
of
the
venerated
"
Little
Charles
,
"
were
the
most
serious
clouds
,
that
made
the
Daisy
pucker
up
her
face
,
and
infuse
a
whine
into
her
voice
.
However
,
to-day
,
as
usual
,
she
was
half
dragged
,
half
coaxed
,
through
her
day
's
portion
of
the
discipline
of
life
,
and
then
sent
up
for
her
sleep
,
while
Aubrey
's
two
hours
were
spent
in
more
agreeable
work
,
such
as
Margaret
could
not
but
enjoy
hearing
—
so
spirited
was
Ethel
's
mode
of
teaching
—
so
eager
was
her
scholar
.
His
play
afterwards
consisted
in
fighting
o'er
again
the
siege
of
Troy
on
the
floor
,
with
wooden
bricks
,
shells
,
and
the
survivors
of
a
Noah
's
ark
,
while
Ethel
read
to
Margaret
until
Gertrude
's
descent
from
the
nursery
,
when
the
only
means
of
preventing
a
dire
confusion
in
Aubrey
's
camp
was
,
for
her
elder
sisters
to
become
her
playfellows
,
and
so
spare
Aubrey
's
temper
Ethel
good-humouredly
gave
her
own
time
,
till
their
little
tyrant
trotted
out
to
make
Norman
carry
her
round
the
garden
on
his
back
!
So
sped
the
morning
till
Flora
came
home
,
full
of
the
intended
bazaar
,
and
Ethel
would
fain
have
taken
refuge
in
puzzling
out
her
Spanish
,
had
she
not
remembered
her
recent
promise
to
be
gracious
.
The
matter
had
been
much
as
she
had
described
it
.
Flora
had
a
way
of
hinting
at
anything
she
thought
creditable
,
and
thus
the
Stoneborough
public
had
become
aware
of
the
exertions
of
the
May
family
on
behalf
of
Cocksmoor
.
The
plan
of
a
Fancy
Fair
was
started
.
Mrs.
Hoxton
became
more
interested
than
was
her
wont
;
and
Flora
was
enchanted
at
the
opening
it
gave
for
promoting
the
welfare
of
the
forlorn
district
.
She
held
a
position
which
made
her
hope
to
direct
the
whole
.
As
she
had
once
declared
,
with
truth
,
it
only
had
depended
on
them
selves
,
whether
she
and
her
sisters
should
sink
to
the
level
of
the
Andersons
,
and
their
set
,
or
belong
to
the
county
society
;
and
her
tact
had
resulted
in
her
being
decidedly
—
as
the
little
dress-maker
's
apprentice
amused
Ethel
by
saying
—
"
One
of
our
most
distinguished
patronesses
"
—
a
name
that
had
stuck
by
her
ever
since
.
Margaret
looked
on
passively
,
inclined
to
admire
Flora
in
everything
,
yet
now
and
then
puzzled
;
and
her
father
,
in
his
simplehearted
way
,
felt
only
gratitude
and
exultation
in
the
kindness
that
his
daughter
met
with
.
As
to
the
bazaar
,
if
it
had
been
started
in
his
own
family
,
he
might
have
weighed
the
objections
,
but
,
as
it
was
not
his
daughters
own
concern
,
he
did
not
trouble
himself
about
it
,
only
regarding
it
as
one
of
the
many
vagaries
of
the
ladies
of
Stoneborough
.
So
the
scheme
had
been
further
developed
,
till
now
Flora
came
in
with
much
to
tell
.
The
number
of
stalls
had
been
finally
fixed
.
Mrs.
Hoxton
undertook
one
,
with
Flora
as
an
aid-de-camp
,
and
some
nieces
to
assist
;
Lady
Leonora
was
to
chaperon
Miss
Rivers
;
and
a
third
,
to
Flora
's
regret
,
had
been
allotted
to
Miss
Cleveland
,
a
good-natured
,
merry
,
elderly
heiress
,
who
would
,
Flora
feared
,
bring
on
them
the
whole
"
Stoneborough
crew
.
"
And
then
she
began
to
reckon
up
the
present
resources
—
drawings
,
bags
,
and
pincushions
.
'
That
chip
hat
you
plaited
for
Daisy
,
Margaret
,
you
must
let
us
have
that
.
It
will
be
lovely
,
trimmed
with
pink
.
'
'
Do
you
wish
for
this
?
'
said
Ethel
,
heaving
up
a
grim
mass
of
knitting
.
'
Thank
you
,
'
said
Flora
;
'
so
ornamental
,
especially
the
original
performance
in
the
corner
,
which
you
would
perpetrate
,
in
spite
of
my
best
efforts
.
'
'
I
shall
not
be
offended
,
if
you
despise
it
.
I
only
thought
you
might
have
no
more
scruple
in
robbing
Granny
Hall
,
than
in
robbing
Daisy
.
'
'
Pray
send
it
.
Papa
will
buy
it
as
your
unique
performance
.
'
'
No
;
you
shall
tell
me
what
I
am
to
do
.
'
'
Does
she
mean
it
?
'
said
Flora
,
turning
to
Margaret
.
'
Have
you
converted
her
?
Well
done
!
Then
,
Ethel
,
we
will
get
some
pretty
batiste
,
and
you
and
Mary
shall
make
some
of
those
nice
sun-bonnets
,
which
you
really
do
to
perfection
.
'
'
Thank
you
.
That
is
a
more
respectable
task
than
I
expected
.
People
may
have
something
worth
buying
,
'
said
Ethel
,
who
,
like
all
the
world
,
felt
the
influence
of
Flora
's
tact
.
'
I
mean
to
study
the
useful
,
'
said
Flora
.
'
The
Cleveland
set
will
be
sure
to
deal
in
frippery
,
and
I
have
been
looking
over
Mrs.
Hoxton
's
stores
,
where
I
see
quite
enough
for
mere
decoration
.
There
are
two
splendid
vases
in
potichomanie
,
in
an
Etruscan
pattern
,
which
are
coming
for
me
to
finish
.
'
Mrs
.
Taylor
,
at
Cocksmoor
,
could
do
that
for
you
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Her
two
phials
,
stuffed
with
chintz
patterns
and
flour
,
are
quite
as
original
and
tasteful
.
'
'
Silly
work
,
'
said
Flora
,
'
but
it
makes
a
fair
show
.
'
'
The
essence
of
Vanity
Fair
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
It
wo
n't
do
to
be
satirical
over
much
,
'
said
Flora
.
'
You
wo
n't
get
on
without
humouring
your
neighbours
'
follies
.
'
'
I
do
n't
want
to
get
on
.
'
'
But
you
want
—
or
,
at
least
,
I
want
—
Cocksmoor
to
get
on
.
'
Ethel
saw
Margaret
looking
distressed
,
and
,
recalling
her
resolution
,
she
said
,
'
Well
,
Flora
,
I
dont
mean
to
say
any
more
about
it
.
I
see
it
ca
n't
be
helped
,
and
you
all
think
you
intend
it
for
good
;
so
there
's
an
end
of
the
matter
,
and
I
'll
do
anything
for
you
in
reason
.
'
'
Poor
old
King
Ethel
!
'
said
Flora
,
smiling
in
an
elder-sisterly
manner
.
'
You
will
see
,
my
dear
,
your
views
are
very
pretty
,
but
very
impracticable
,
and
it
is
a
work-a-day
world
after
all
—
even
papa
would
tell
you
so
.
When
Cocksmoor
school
is
built
,
then
you
may
thank
me
.
I
do
not
look
for
it
before
.
'
CHAPTER
II
.
Knowledge
is
second
,
not
the
first
;
A
higher
Hand
must
make
her
mild
,
If
all
be
not
in
vain
,
and
guide
Her
footsteps
,
moving
side
by
side
,
With
wisdom
;
like
the
younger
child
,
For
she
is
earthly
of
the
mind
,
But
knowledge
heavenly
of
the
soul
.
In
Memoriam
.
Etheldred
had
not
answered
her
sister
,
but
she
did
not
feel
at
all
secure
that
she
should
have
anything
to
be
thankful
for
,
even
if
the
school
were
built
.
The
invasion
of
Cocksmoor
was
not
only
interference
with
her
own
field
of
action
,
but
it
was
dangerous
to
the
improvement
of
her
scholars
.
Since
the
departure
of
Mr.
Wilmot
,
matters
at
Stoneborough
National
School
had
not
improved
,
though
the
Miss
Andersons
talked
a
great
deal
about
progress
,
science
,
and
lectures
.
The
Ladies
'
Committee
were
constantly
at
war
with
the
mistresses
,
and
that
one
was
a
veteran
who
endured
them
,
or
whom
they
could
endure
beyond
her
first
half-year
.
No
mistress
had
staid
a
year
within
the
memory
of
any
girl
now
at
school
.
Perpetual
change
prevented
any
real
education
,
and
,
as
each
lady
held
different
opinions
and
proscribed
all
books
not
agreeing
thereto
,
everything
"
dogmatical
"
was
excluded
;
and
,
as
Ethel
said
,
the
children
learnt
nothing
but
facts
about
lions
and
steam-engines
,
while
their
doctrine
varied
with
that
of
the
visitor
for
the
week
.
If
the
ten
generals
could
only
have
given
up
to
Miltiades
,
but
alas
!
there
was
no
Miltiades
.
Mr.
Ramsden
's
health
was
failing
,
and
his
neglect
told
upon
the
parish
in
the
dreadful
evils
reigning
unchecked
,
and
engulfing
many
a
child
whom
more
influential
teaching
might
have
saved
.
Mental
arithmetic
,
and
the
rivers
of
Africa
,
had
little
power
to
strengthen
the
soul
against
temptation
.
The
scanty
attendance
at
the
National
School
attested
the
indifference
with
which
it
was
regarded
,
and
the
borderers
voluntarily
patronized
Cherry
Elwood
,
and
thus
had
,
perhaps
,
first
aroused
the
emulation
that
led
Mrs.
Ledwich
on
a
visit
of
inspection
,
to
what
she
chose
to
consider
as
an
offshoot
of
the
National
School
.
The
next
day
,
she
called
upon
the
Miss
Mays
.
It
was
well
that
Ethel
was
not
at
home
.
Margaret
received
the
lady
's
horrors
at
the
sight
of
the
mere
crowded
cottage
kitchen
,
the
stupid
untrained
mistress
,
without
an
idea
of
method
,
and
that
impertinent
woman
,
her
mother
!
Miss
Flora
and
Miss
Ethel
must
have
had
a
great
deal
to
undergo
,
and
she
would
lose
no
time
in
convening
the
Ladies
'
Committee
,
and
appointing
a
successor
to
"
that
Elwood
,
"
as
soon
as
a
fit
room
could
be
erected
for
her
use
.
If
Margaret
had
not
known
that
Mrs.
Ledwich
sometimes
threatened
more
than
she
could
accomplish
,
she
would
have
been
in
despair
.
She
tried
to
say
a
good
word
for
Cherry
,
but
was
talked
down
,
and
had
reason
to
believe
that
Mrs.
Elwood
had
mortally
offended
Mrs.
Ledwich
.
The
sisters
had
heard
the
other
side
of
the
story
at
Cocksmoor
.
Mrs.
Elwood
would
not
let
them
enter
the
school
,
till
she
had
heard
how
that
there
Mrs.
Ledwich
had
come
in
,
and
treated
them
all
as
if
it
was
her
own
place
—
how
she
had
found
fault
with
Cherry
before
all
the
children
,
and
,
as
good
as
said
,
she
was
not
fit
to
keep
a
school
.
She
had
even
laid
hands
on
one
of
the
books
,
and
said
that
she
should
take
it
home
,
and
see
whether
it
were
a
fit
one
for
them
to
use
;
whereupon
Mrs.
Elwood
had
burst
out
in
defence
—
it
was
Miss
Ethel
May
's
book
,
and
should
not
be
taken
away
—
it
was
Miss
Ethel
as
she
looked
to
—
and
when
it
seemed
that
Mrs.
Ledwich
had
said
something
disparaging
of
Miss
Ethel
,
either
as
to
youth
,
judgment
,
or
doctrine
,
Mrs.
Elwood
had
fired
up
into
a
declaration
that
'
Miss
Ethel
was
a
real
lady
—
that
she
was
!
and
that
no
real
lady
would
ever
come
prying
into
other
folk
's
work
,
and
finding
fault
with
what
was
n't
no
business
of
theirs
,
'
with
more
of
a
personal
nature
,
which
Flora
could
not
help
enjoying
,
even
while
she
regretted
it
.
Cherry
was
only
too
meek
,
as
her
mother
declared
.
She
had
said
not
a
word
,
except
in
quiet
reply
,
and
being
equally
terrified
by
the
attack
and
defence
,
had
probably
seemed
more
dull
than
was
her
wont
.
Her
real
feelings
did
not
appear
till
the
next
Sunday
,
when
,
in
her
peaceful
conference
with
Margaret
,
far
from
the
sound
of
storms
,
she
expressed
that
she
well
knew
that
she
was
a
poor
scholar
,
and
that
she
hoped
the
young
ladies
would
not
let
her
stand
in
the
children
's
light
,
when
a
better
teacher
could
be
found
for
them
.
'
I
am
sure
!
'
cried
Ethel
,
as
she
heard
of
this
,
'
it
would
be
hard
to
find
such
a
teacher
in
humility
!
Cherry
bears
it
so
much
better
than
I
,
that
it
is
a
continual
reproof
!
'
As
to
the
dullness
,
against
which
Ethel
used
to
rail
,
the
attacks
upon
it
had
made
her
erect
it
into
a
positive
merit
;
she
was
always
comparing
the
truth
,
honesty
,
and
respectful
demeanour
of
Cherry
's
scholars
,
with
the
notorious
faults
of
the
National-school
girls
,
as
if
these
defects
had
been
implanted
either
by
Mrs.
Ledwich
,
or
by
geography
.
It
must
be
confessed
that
the
violence
of
partisanship
did
not
make
her
a
pleasant
companion
.
However
,
the
interest
of
the
bazaar
began
somewhat
to
divert
the
current
of
the
ladies
'
thoughts
,
and
Ethel
found
herself
walking
day
after
day
to
Cocksmoor
,
unmolested
by
further
reports
of
Mrs.
Ledwich
's
proceedings
.
Richard
was
absent
,
preparing
for
Ordination
,
but
Norman
had
just
returned
home
for
the
Long
Vacation
,
and
,
rather
than
lose
the
chance
of
a
conversation
with
her
,
had
joined
her
and
Mary
in
a
walk
to
Cocksmoor
.
His
talk
was
chiefly
of
Settlesham
,
old
Mr.
Wilmot
's
parish
,
where
he
had
been
making
a
visit
to
his
former
tutor
,
and
talking
over
the
removal
to
Eton
of
Tom
,
who
had
well
responded
to
the
care
taken
of
him
,
and
with
his
good
principles
confirmed
,
and
his
character
strengthened
,
might
be
,
with
less
danger
,
exposed
to
trial
.
It
had
been
a
visit
such
as
to
leave
a
deep
impression
on
Norman
's
mind
.
Sixty
years
ago
,
old
Mr.
Wilmot
had
been
what
he
now
was
himself
—
an
enthusiastic
and
distinguished
Balliol
man
,
and
he
had
kept
up
a
warm
,
clear-sighted
interest
in
Oxford
,
throughout
his
long
life
.
His
anecdotes
,
his
recollections
,
and
comments
on
present
opinions
had
been
listened
to
with
great
eagerness
,
and
Norman
had
felt
it
an
infinite
honour
to
give
the
venerable
old
man
his
arm
,
as
to
be
shown
by
him
his
curious
collection
of
books
.
His
parish
,
carefully
watched
for
so
many
years
,
had
been
a
study
not
lost
upon
Norman
,
who
detailed
particulars
of
the
doings
there
,
which
made
Ethel
sigh
to
think
of
the
contrast
with
Stoneborough
.
—
In
such
conversation
they
came
to
the
entrance
of
the
hamlet
,
and
Mary
,
with
a
scream
of
joy
,
declared
that
she
really
believed
that
he
was
going
to
help
them
!
He
did
not
turn
away
.
'
Thank
you
!
'
said
Ethel
,
in
a
low
voice
,
from
the
bottom
of
her
heart
.
She
used
him
mercifully
,
and
made
the
lessons
shorter
than
usual
,
but
when
they
reached
the
open
air
again
,
he
drew
a
long
breath
;
and
when
Mary
eagerly
tried
for
a
compliment
to
their
scholars
,
asked
if
they
could
not
be
taught
the
use
of
eyelids
.
'
Did
they
stare
?
'
said
Ethel
.
'
That
's
one
advantage
of
being
blind
.
No
one
can
stare
me
out
of
countenance
.
'
'
Why
were
you
answering
all
your
questions
yourself
?
'
asked
Mary
.
'
Because
no
one
else
would
,
'
said
Norman
.
'
You
used
such
hard
words
,
'
replied
Ethel
.
'
Indeed
!
I
thought
I
was
very
simple
.
'
'
O
!
cried
Mary
,
there
were
derive
,
and
instruction
,
and
implicate
,
and
—
oh
,
so
many
.
'
'
Never
mind
,
'
said
Ethel
,
seeing
him
disconcerted
.
'
It
is
better
for
them
to
be
drawn
up
,
and
you
will
soon
learn
their
language
.
If
we
only
had
Una
M'Carthy
here
!
'
'
Then
you
do
n't
like
it
?
'
said
Mary
,
disappointed
.
'
It
is
time
to
learn
not
to
be
fastidious
,
'
he
answered
.
'
So
,
if
you
will
help
me
—
'
'
Norman
,
I
am
so
glad
!
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Yes
,
'
said
Norman
,
'
I
see
now
that
these
things
that
puff
us
up
,
and
seem
the
whole
world
to
us
now
,
all
end
in
nothing
but
such
as
this
!
Think
of
old
Mr.
Wilmot
,
once
carrying
all
before
him
,
but
deeming
all
his
powers
well
bestowed
in
fifty
years
'
teaching
of
clowns
!
'
'
Yes
,
'
replied
Ethel
,
very
low
.
'
One
soul
is
worth
—
'
and
she
paused
from
the
fullness
of
thought
.
'
And
these
things
,
about
which
we
are
so
elated
,
do
not
render
us
so
fit
to
teach
—
as
you
,
Mary
,
or
as
Richard
.
'
'
They
do
,
'
said
Ethel
.
The
ten
talents
were
doubled
.
Strength
tells
in
power
.
The
more
learning
,
the
fitter
to
teach
the
simplest
thing
.
'
'
You
remind
me
of
old
Mr.
Wilmot
,
saying
that
the
first
thing
he
learnt
at
his
parish
was
,
how
little
his
people
knew
;
the
second
,
how
little
he
himself
knew
.
'
So
Norman
persevered
in
the
homely
discipline
that
he
had
chosen
for
himself
,
which
brought
out
his
deficiency
in
practical
work
in
a
manner
which
lowered
him
in
his
own
eyes
,
to
a
degree
almost
satisfactory
to
himself
.
He
was
not
,
indeed
,
without
humility
,
but
his
nature
was
self-contemplative
and
self-conscious
enough
to
perceive
his
superiority
of
talent
,
and
it
had
been
the
struggle
of
his
life
to
abase
this
perception
,
so
that
it
was
actually
a
relief
not
to
be
obliged
to
fight
with
his
own
complacency
in
his
powers
.
He
had
learnt
not
to
think
too
highly
of
himself
—
he
had
yet
to
learn
to
"
think
soberly
.
"
His
aid
was
Ethel
's
chief
pleasure
through
this
somewhat
trying
summer
,
it
might
be
her
last
peaceful
one
at
Cocksmoor
.
That
bazaar
!
How
wild
it
had
driven
the
whole
town
,
and
even
her
own
home
!
Margaret
herself
,
between
good-nature
and
feminine
love
of
pretty
things
,
had
become
ardent
in
the
cause
.
In
her
unvaried
life
,
it
was
a
great
amusement
to
have
so
many
bright
elegant
things
exhibited
to
her
,
and
Ethel
was
often
mortified
to
find
her
excited
about
some
new
device
,
or
drawn
off
from
"
rational
employments
,
"
to
complete
some
trifle
.
Mary
and
Blanche
were
far
worse
.
From
the
time
that
consent
had
been
given
to
the
fancy-work
being
carried
on
in
the
school-room
,
all
interest
in
study
was
over
.
Thenceforth
,
lessons
were
a
necessary
form
,
gone
through
without
heart
or
diligence
.
These
were
reserved
for
paste-board
boxes
,
beplastered
with
rice
and
sealing-wax
,
for
alum-baskets
,
dressed
dolls
,
and
every
conceivable
trumpery
;
and
the
governess
was
as
eager
as
the
scholars
.
If
Ethel
remonstrated
,
she
hurt
Miss
Bracy
's
feelings
,
and
this
was
a
very
serious
matter
to
both
parties
.
The
governess
was
one
of
those
morbidly
sensitive
people
,
who
cannot
be
stopped
when
once
they
have
begun
arguing
that
they
are
injured
.
Two
women
together
,
each
with
the
last-word
instinct
,
have
no
power
to
cease
;
and
,
when
the
words
are
spent
in
explaining
—
not
in
scolding
—
conscience
is
not
called
in
to
silence
them
,
and
nothing
but
dinner
,
or
a
thunder-storm
can
check
them
.
All
Ethel
's
good
sense
was
of
no
avail
;
she
could
not
stop
Miss
Bracy
,
and
,
though
she
might
resolve
within
herself
that
real
kindness
would
be
to
make
one
reasonable
reply
,
and
then
quit
the
subject
,
yet
,
on
each
individual
occasion
,
such
a
measure
would
have
seemed
mere
impatience
and
cruelty
.
She
found
that
if
Miss
Winter
had
been
too
dry
,
Miss
Bracy
went
to
the
other
extreme
,
and
demanded
a
manifestation
of
sympathy
,
and
return
to
her
passionate
attachment
that
perplexed
Ethel
's
undemonstrative
nature
.
Poor
good
Miss
Bracy
,
she
little
imagined
how
often
she
added
to
the
worries
of
her
dear
Miss
Ethel
,
all
for
want
of
self-command
.
Finally
,
as
the
lessons
were
less
and
less
attended
to
,
and
the
needs
of
the
stall
became
more
urgent
,
Dr.
May
and
Margaret
concurred
in
a
decision
,
that
it
was
better
to
yield
to
the
mania
,
and
give
up
the
studies
till
they
could
be
pursued
with
a
willing
mind
.
Ethel
submitted
,
and
only
laughed
with
Norman
at
the
display
of
treasures
,
which
the
girls
went
over
daily
,
like
the
"
House
that
Jack
built
,
"
always
starting
from
'
the
box
that
Mary
made
.
'
Come
when
Dr.
May
would
into
the
drawing-room
,
there
was
always
a
line
of
penwipers
laid
out
on
the
floor
,
bags
pendant
to
all
the
table-drawers
,
anti-macassars
laid
out
everywhere
.
Ethel
hoped
that
the
holidays
would
create
a
diversion
,
but
Mary
was
too
old
to
be
made
into
a
boy
,
and
Blanche
drew
Hector
over
to
the
feminine
party
,
setting
him
to
gum
,
gild
,
and
paste
all
the
contrivances
which
,
in
their
hands
,
were
mere
feeble
gimcracks
,
but
which
now
became
fairly
sound
,
or
,
at
least
,
saleable
.
The
boys
also
constructed
a
beautiful
little
ship
from
a
print
of
the
Alcestis
,
so
successfully
,
that
the
Doctor
promised
to
buy
it
;
and
Ethel
grudged
the
very
sight
of
it
to
the
bazaar
.
Tom
,
who
,
in
person
,
was
growing
like
a
little
shadow
or
model
of
Norman
,
had
,
unlike
him
,
a
very
dextrous
pair
of
hands
,
and
made
himself
extremely
useful
in
all
such
works
.
On
the
other
hand
,
the
Cleveland
stall
seemed
chiefly
to
rely
for
brilliance
on
the
wit
of
Harvey
Anderson
,
who
was
prospering
at
his
College
,
and
the
pride
of
his
family
.
A
great
talker
,
and
extremely
gallant
,
he
was
considered
a
far
greater
acquisition
to
a
Stoneborough
drawing-room
,
than
was
the
silent
bashful
Norman
May
,
and
rather
looked
down
on
his
brother
Edward
,
who
,
having
gone
steadily
through
the
school
,
was
in
the
attorney
's
office
,
and
went
on
quietly
and
well
,
colouring
up
gratefully
whenever
one
of
the
May
family
said
a
kind
word
to
him
.
CHAPTER
III
.
Any
silk
,
any
thread
,
Any
toys
for
your
head
,
Of
the
newest
and
finest
wear-a
?
Come
to
the
pedlar
,
Money
's
a
medlar
,
That
doth
utter
all
men
's
ware-a
.
Winter
's
Tale
.
'
This
one
day
,
and
it
will
be
over
!
and
we
shall
be
rational
again
!
'
thought
Ethel
,
as
she
awoke
.
Flora
was
sleeping
at
the
Grange
,
to
be
ready
for
action
in
the
morning
,
and
Ethel
was
to
go
early
with
Mary
and
Blanche
,
who
were
frantic
to
have
a
share
in
the
selling
.
Norman
and
the
boys
were
to
walk
at
their
own
time
,
and
the
children
to
be
brought
later
by
Miss
Bracy
.
The
Doctor
would
be
bound
by
no
rules
.
It
was
a
pattern
day
,
bright
,
clear
,
warm
,
and
not
oppressive
,
perfect
for
an
out-of-doors
fète
;
and
Ethel
had
made
up
her
mind
to
fulfil
her
promise
to
Margaret
of
enjoying
herself
.
In
the
brilliant
sunshine
,
and
between
two
such
happy
sisters
,
it
would
have
been
surly
,
indeed
,
not
to
enter
into
the
spirit
of
the
day
;
and
Ethel
laughed
gaily
with
them
,
and
at
their
schemes
and
hopes
;
Blanche
's
heart
being
especially
set
on
knowing
the
fate
of
a
watch-guard
of
her
own
construction
.
Hearing
that
the
ladies
were
in
the
gardens
,
they
repaired
thither
at
once
.
The
broad
,
smooth
bowling-green
lay
before
them
;
a
marquee
,
almost
converted
into
a
bower
,
bounding
it
on
either
side
,
while
,
in
the
midst
arose
,
gorgeous
and
delicious
,
a
pyramid
of
flowers
—
contributions
from
all
the
hot-houses
in
the
neighbourhood
—
to
be
sold
for
the
benefit
of
the
bazaar
.
Their
freshness
and
fragrance
gave
a
brightness
to
the
whole
scene
,
while
shrinking
from
such
light
,
as
only
the
beauteous
works
of
nature
could
bear
,
was
the
array
accomplished
by
female
fingers
.
Under
the
wreathed
canopies
were
the
stalls
,
piled
up
with
bright
colours
,
most
artistically
arranged
.
Ethel
,
with
her
over
minute
knowledge
of
every
article
,
could
hardly
believe
that
yonder
glowing
Eastern
pattern
of
scarlet
,
black
and
blue
,
was
,
in
fact
,
a
judicious
mosaic
of
penwipers
that
she
remembered
,
as
shreds
begged
from
the
tailor
,
that
the
delicate
lace-work
consisted
of
Miss
Bracey
's
perpetual
anti-macassars
,
and
that
the
potichomanie
could
look
so
dignified
and
Etruscan
.
'
Here
you
are
!
'
cried
Meta
Rivers
,
springing
to
meet
them
.
'
Good
girls
,
to
come
early
.
Where
's
my
little
Daisy
?
'
'
Coming
in
good
time
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
How
pretty
it
all
looks
!
'
'
But
where
's
Flora
—
where
's
my
watch-guard
,
'
anxiously
asked
Blanche
.
'
She
was
here
just
now
,
'
said
Meta
,
looking
round
.
'
What
a
genius
she
is
,
Ethel
!
She
worked
wonders
all
yesterday
,
and
let
the
Miss
Hoxtons
think
it
was
all
their
own
doing
,
and
she
was
out
before
six
this
morning
,
putting
finishing
touches
.
'
'
Is
this
your
stall
?
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Yes
,
but
it
will
not
bear
a
comparison
with
hers
.
It
has
a
lady's-maid-look
by
the
side
of
hers
.
In
fact
,
Bellairs
and
my
aunt
's
maid
did
it
chiefly
,
for
papa
was
rather
ailing
yesterday
,
and
I
could
not
be
out
much
.
'
How
is
he
now
?
'
'
Better
;
he
will
walk
round
by-and-by
.
I
hope
it
will
not
be
too
much
for
him
.
'
'
Oh
!
what
beautiful
things
!
'
cried
Mary
,
in
ecstasy
,
at
what
she
was
forced
to
express
by
the
vague
substantive
,
for
her
imagination
had
never
stretched
to
the
marvels
she
beheld
.
'
Aye
!
we
have
been
lazy
,
you
see
,
and
so
Aunt
Leonora
brought
down
all
these
smart
concerns
.
It
is
rather
like
Howell
and
James
's
,
is
n't
it
?
'
In
fact
,
Lady
Leonora
's
marquee
was
filled
with
costly
knick-knacks
,
which
,
as
Meta
justly
said
,
had
not
half
the
grace
and
appropriate
air
that
reigned
where
Flora
had
arranged
,
and
where
Margaret
had
worked
,
with
the
peculiar
freshness
and
finish
that
distinguished
everything
to
which
she
set
her
hand
.
Miss
Cleveland
's
counter
was
not
ill
set-out
,
but
it
wanted
the
air
of
ease
and
simplicity
,
which
was
even
more
noticeable
than
the
perfect
taste
of
Flora
's
wares
.
If
there
had
been
nothing
facetious
,
the
effect
would
have
been
better
,
but
there
was
nothing
to
regret
,
and
the
whole
was
very
bright
and
gay
.
Blanche
could
hardly
look
;
so
anxious
was
she
for
Flora
,
to
tell
her
the
locality
of
her
treasure
.
'
There
she
is
,
'
said
Meta
,
at
last
.
'
George
is
fixing
that
branch
of
evergreen
for
her
.
'
'
Flora
!
I
did
not
know
her
,
'
cried
each
sister
amazed
,
while
Mary
added
,
'
Oh
!
how
nice
she
looks
.
'
It
was
the
first
time
of
seeing
her
in
the
white
muslin
,
and
broad
chip-hat
—
which
all
the
younger
saleswomen
of
the
bazaar
had
agreed
to
wear
.
It
was
a
most
becoming
dress
,
and
she
did
,
indeed
,
look
strikingly
elegant
,
and
well
dressed
.
It
occurred
to
Ethel
,
for
the
first
time
,
that
Flora
was
decidedly
the
reigning
beauty
of
the
bazaar
—
no
one
but
Meta
Rivers
could
be
compared
to
her
,
and
that
little
lady
was
on
so
small
a
scale
of
perfect
finish
,
that
she
seemed
fit
to
act
the
fairy
,
where
Flora
was
the
enchanted
princess
.
Flora
greeted
her
sisters
eagerly
,
while
Meta
introduced
her
brother
—
a
great
contrast
to
herself
,
though
not
without
a
certain
comeliness
,
tall
and
large
,
with
ruddy
complexion
,
deep
lustreless
black
eyes
,
and
a
heavy
straight
bush
of
black
moustache
,
veiling
rather
thick
lips
.
Blanche
reiterated
enquiries
for
her
watch-guard
.
'
I
do
n't
know
,
'
said
Flora
.
'
Somewhere
among
the
rest
.
'
Blanche
was
in
despair
.
'
You
may
look
for
it
,
'
said
Flora
—
who
,
however
hurried
,
never
failed
in
kindness
—
'
if
you
will
touch
nothing
.
'
So
Blanche
ran
from
place
to
place
in
restless
dismay
,
that
caused
Mr.
George
Rivers
to
ask
what
was
the
matter
.
'
The
guards
!
the
guards
!
'
cried
Blanche
;
whereupon
he
fell
into
a
fit
of
laughter
,
which
disconcerted
her
,
because
she
could
not
understand
him
,
and
made
Ethel
take
an
aversion
to
him
on
the
spot
.
However
,
he
was
very
good-natured
;
he
took
Blanche
's
reluctant
hand
,
and
conducted
her
all
along
the
stall
,
even
proceeding
to
lift
her
up
where
she
could
not
command
a
view
of
the
whole
,
thus
exciting
her
extreme
indignation
.
She
shook
herself
out
when
he
set
her
down
,
surveyed
her
crumpled
muslin
,
and
believed
he
took
her
for
a
little
girl
!
She
ought
to
have
been
flattered
when
the
quest
was
successful
,
and
he
insisted
on
knowing
which
was
the
guard
,
and
declared
that
he
should
buy
it
.
She
begged
him
to
do
no
such
thing
,
and
he
desired
to
know
why
—
insisting
that
he
would
give
five
shillings
—
fifteen
—
twenty-five
for
that
one
!
till
she
did
not
know
whether
he
was
in
earnest
,
and
she
