Part 4 (1/2)
Shoes.
Slippers.
Sailor Hat.
Gloves. P.F.M.
”That's short enough now! All the fripperies cut out, and the dull necessities left. I can get these, I suppose, Mardie?”
Miss Margaret believed that she could ”with care”, whereupon Mildred wrinkled her saucy nose, and said she should never have any respect for twenty-five s.h.i.+llings again, since it appeared that so very little could be obtained in exchange.
The shopping expedition was a great success, however, in spite of all drawbacks. The purchases were pretty and good of their kind, and Mildred felt an agreeable sense of virtue in having chosen useful things rather than ornamental. She had still a little plan of her own which she was anxious to execute before returning home, and took the opportunity to make a request while waiting for change in a large drapery establishment.
”I want to go to another department, Mardie. Do you mind if I leave you for a few minutes?”
”Not at all. I have some little things to get too. Suppose we arrange to meet at the door in ten minutes from now?”
Mildred dashed off in her usual impetuous fas.h.i.+on, but presently came to a standstill before a long, gla.s.s-covered counter, on which was displayed a fascinating a.s.sortment of silver and enamel goods. For the first few moments the a.s.sistant in charge took no further notice than a glance of kindly admiration. School-girls in short dresses, and with clouds of golden hair hanging loose round their shoulders, are not given to the purchase of valuable articles such as these; but Mildred proceeded to ask the price of one thing after another, with an air of such serious consideration as made it seem likely that she was to be the exception to the rule.
The gla.s.s case was opened, little heart-shaped trays and boxes brought forth, and such rhapsodies indulged in concerning silver-backed mirrors that the a.s.sistant felt certain of a sale. She was stretching underneath the gla.s.s to reach a mirror of another pattern, when Mildred suddenly glanced up at a clock, e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed ”Oh, I must go! Thank you so much!” and rushed off at full speed in another direction. The ten minutes were nearly over, and Mildred had not executed the private business which she had on hand. She turned the corner where parasols hung in tempting array, pa.s.sed the fancy work with resolute indifference, and making a dash for the perfumery counter came into collision with a lady who was just turning away, parcel in hand.
The lady lifted her eyes in surprise. By all that was mysterious and unexpected, it was Miss Margaret herself! Mildred blushed, Mardie laughed.
”What are you doing here, Ubiquitous Person?” she cried, but immediately turned aside in tactful fas.h.i.+on, and made her way to the door.
No reference to this encounter was made on either side, but later in the day a comical incident occurred. When Miss Margaret went upstairs to dress for dinner, she found a small box lying upon her dressing-table, on the paper covering of which an inscription was written in well-known, straggly writing:
”_Mardie, with heaps of love and many thanks, from Mildred_.”
Inside the box was a bottle of White Rose perfume, at the sight of which Miss Margaret began to laugh with mysterious enjoyment. When Mildred appeared a few minutes later, blus.h.i.+ng and embarra.s.sed, she said never a word of thanks, but led her across the room towards a table which had been specially devoted to her use. Mildred stared around, and then began to laugh in her turn, for there lay a parcel of precisely the same shape and size as that which she had addressed a few minutes earlier, and her own name was written on the cover.
”Great minds think alike!” cried Mardie. ”So this is the explanation of that mysterious 'P.F.M.'! But what are the thanks for, dear?”
”Oh, everything! You are so nice, you know, and I've been so nasty!”
said Mildred.
CHAPTER SIX.
THE JOURNEY TO THE DEANERY.
Friday arrived in a bustle of work and excitement. For the last two days Miss Margaret's little sewing-woman had taken possession of the work-room, and Mildred's well-worn dresses had been sponged and pressed, with such wholesale renewals of braid and b.u.t.tons as brought back a remembrance of their lost youth. And now all was ready. Letters from home announced further improvements in Robbie's condition; Miss Margaret was radiant in the prospect of her own holiday; there was nothing to shadow Mildred's expectation, and it really seemed as if it had been worth while having those days of disappointment and anxiety, so delightful was the reaction.
Miss Margaret and her pupil had a great many nice things to say to each other in the few minutes before the train steamed out of the station.
Mildred had said ”thank you” so many times during the last few days, that there was little left to be done in that direction, but she was full of warm-hearted affection.
”I shall always remember how good you have been to me, Mardie. I think you are the nicest person in the world next to Mother. I shouldn't mind being old if I could be like you.”
”But my dear child, I don't consider myself old at all! When you get to my age you will have discovered that you are just beginning to be young.