'To tell the truth, that's what I am most uneasy about. I take care he should have two hours every forenoon, and three evenings every week, free; but when a man is in his own neighbourhood, and so popular, I am afraid he does not get many evenings at home; and I can't hinder Bindon from admonishing him.'
'No,' said the sister; 'nothing will stir him till the examination is imminent; but I will try what I can do with him for the present. Here he comes, the dear old idle fellow!'
'Joanie, here you are at last, in conclave with the Rector. Lady Rose wants me to sing, and you must accompany me. No one is so jolly for picking one up.'
'Picking one up' was apt to be needed by Herbert, who had a good ear and voice, but had always regarded it as 'bosh' to cultivate them, except for the immediately practical purposes that had of late been forced on him. The choral society had improved him; but Jenny was taken aback by being called on to accompany him in Mrs. Brown's Luggage; and his father made his way up to him, saying, 'Eh, Herbert! is that the last clerical fashion?'
''Tis my Rectoress who sets me on, sir,' was Herbert's merry answer, looking at her. 'Now, Lady Rose, you'll keep me in countenance! My father has never heard you sing Coming through the Rye.'
'No, no, Herbert, my singing is only to amuse little boys. Here's the higher order of art!'
For Cecil was leading a young lady to the piano, and looking as if she by no means approved of such folly, though everybody had listened to the Poor Old Cockatoo, laughed and applauded heartily; and the ensuing performance seemed to be unappreciated by any one except Raymond and Cecil themselves.
Anne was sitting in a corner of the sofa, with a straight back and weary face, having been driven out into the throng by the old friends who came to sit with Mrs. Poynsett; but she brightened as Miss Bowater took a seat beside her, and accepted her inquiries for Captain Charnock far more graciously than the many which had preceded them. Was not her likeness in his album? And had he not spoken of her as one whom Anne would like?
Soon Joanna had led her to tell not only of Miles's last letter, but of those from Glen Fraser, of which she had spoken to no one, under the impression that nobody cared. She even spoke of the excellent farm and homestead which Mr. Van Dorp wanted to sell before going to the Free State, and which her father thought would exactly suit Miles.
'Does he mean to settle there?'
'Oh, yes; he promised me to leave the navy and take me home as soon as this voyage is over,' said Anne, eagerly. 'If the Salamanca only puts in for long enough, he might run up to Glen Fraser, and see Bocksfeld Stoop, and settle it all at once. I am sure he would be delighted with it, and it is only two miles from Mr. Pilgrim's.'
'I'm afraid you can never feel this like home,' said Jenny.
'Miles wanted me to know his family, and thought I should be useful to his mother,' said Anne; 'but she does not want anything I could do for her. If she has Raymond, she seems to need nobody else.'
'And have you nothing to do?'
'I have letters to write to Miles and to them all at home; and I am making a whole set of shirts and stockings for papa and the boys-it will spare mamma and Jeanie, and I have plenty of time.'
'Too much, I am afraid! But Herbert said you were very useful at the Work Society at Wil'sbro'.'
'Not now.'
'Indeed!'
'No,' in the old cold dry tone. But while Jenny was doubting whether to inquire further, innate sympathy conquered, and Anne added, 'I wonder whether I did wrong!'
'As how?' asked Joanna, kindly.
'They said'-she lowered her voice-'I must never speak on religious subjects.'
'How do you mean? What had you done?'
'One day I found a woman crying because her husband had gone away to seek work, so I told her my husband was further away and repeated the texts I like. She was so much comforted that I printed them on a card for her.'
'Was that all?'
'No; there was another poor dear that was unhappy about her baby; and when I bade her pray for it, she did not know how, so I had to tell her a little. There is one who does know her Saviour, and I did love to have a few words of peace with her.'
'And was that what was objected to?'
'Yes; they said it would change the whole character of the institution.'
'Who did?'
'Cecil-Mrs. Charnock Poynsett. I think Lady Tyrrell and Mrs. Duncombe desired her. I thought it was no place for me where I might not speak one word for Christ, and I said so; but since I have wondered whether the old Adam did not speak in me, and I ought to have gone on.'
'My wonder,' said Jenny, indignantly, 'would be what right they had to stop you. This was private interference, not from the Vicar or the committee.'
'But I am not a real visiting lady. I only go to help Cecil.'
'I see; but why didn't you ask Julius what was right? He would have told you.'
'Oh, no, I could not.'
'Why not?'
'It would seem like a complaint of Cecil. Besides-'
'Besides?'
'I don't think Julius is a Christian.'
The startling announcement was made in so humble and mournful a voice as almost to disarm Jenny's resentment; and before she had recovered enough for a reply, she was called to take leave of her parents.
Her brother was the professed object of her visit, and she was only at the Hall because there was no accommodation at his lodgings, so that she had no scruple in joining the early breakfast spread for the Rector and his wife, so as to have the morning free for him; but she found Julius alone, saying that his wife was tired after the party; and to Jenny's offer to take her class, he replied, 'Thank you, it will be a great kindness if you will teach; but Rose has no regular class. Teaching is not much in her line; and it is a pity she should have to do it, but we have to make the most of the single hour they allow us for godliness.'
'Don't you utilize Mrs. Charnock? or is she not strong enough for early hours?'
'Poor Anne! The truth is, I am afraid of her. I fancy all her doctrine comes out of the Westminster Catechism.'
'Could Calvinism be put in at seven years old? Would not it be a pouring of stiff glue into a narrow-necked phial?'
'Result-nil.'
'A few pure drops might got in-and you could give her books.'
'It had struck me that it might be wholesome work for her; but the children's good must stand first. And, timid and reserved as she seems, she insisted on preaching at the work-room, so that Cecil had to put a stop to it.'
'Are you certain about that preaching?'
'Rose heard of it from Cecil herself.'
'Did she ask what it amounted to?'
'I don't know; perhaps I had better find out. I remember it came after that ride to Sirenwood. By the bye, Jenny, I wish Cecil could be hindered from throwing herself into that oak of Broceliande!'
'Are not you so suspicious that you see the waving arms and magic circles everywhere?'
'A friendship with any one here is so unnatural, that I can't but think it a waving of hands boding no good. And there is worse than friendship in that quarter too.'
'Oh, but Lenore is quite different!'
'A Vivienne still!' said Julius, bitterly. 'If she costs poor Frank nothing more than his appointment, it will be well.'
'I don't understand!'
'She caught him in her toils two years ago at Rockpier; and now she is playing fast and loose with him- withdrawing, as I believe; and at any rate keeping the poor foolish boy in such an agitation, that he can't or won't settle to his reading; and Driver thinks he will break down.'
'I can't think it of Lenore.-Oh! good morning, Raymond!'
'Good morning! May I come to breakfast number one? I have to go to Backsworth.'
