Part 14 (2/2)
”You are too partial, Miss Burge,” said Hazel, smiling.
”That I _am not_!” said the little lady in the most decisive of tones; ”and now I must go, and I'm going to call in on your mamma, and try and cheer her up a bit, poor soul, for it must be very lonely for her while you are in the schools and, lor! if here ain't the two Misses Lambent.”
There was a very affectionate greeting at the door, and then Miss Burge went out, and the two Misses Lambent came in, looking very stiff and uncompromising as soon as they were alone with Hazel.
”How do you do. Miss Thorne?” said Miss Lambent in a very chilling way; and Miss Beatrice echoed her words, and finished their freezing as they fell.
”Are you going to take a cla.s.s, Beatrice?” said Miss Lambent.
”No, sister, I thought that I would say a few words to Miss Thorne, unless you would prefer speaking.”
”No, sister, I think you had better speak,” said Miss Lambent austerely; ”and--tut--tut--tut! I extremely regret this! such a thing never occurred in the school before. Miss Thorne, I will not trouble my brother by making any report of this, but I must request you to preserve better discipline in the school.”
”Discipline, ma'am! I thought the girls were very quiet.”
”I must request that you do not speak to me, the vicar's sister, in so haughty a tone, Miss Thorne.”
”I beg your pardon, ma'am; I wish to be respectful,” said Hazel humbly.
”But your ways are not respectful, and I must point out to you that both upon week-days and Sundays the behaviour of the girls has not been good.
I distinctly saw that child putting out her tongue at me--that girl-- Potts, I think, is her name.”
”I will certainly speak to the child, ma'am,” said Hazel quietly, though a feeling of indignation made the blood flush to her cheeks.
”I request that you do, and also punish her severely, Miss Thorne,”
continued Miss Lambent who, being wound up, felt that this was a favourable opportunity for going on striking.
”And now, as I am speaking, I will make a few remarks to you upon a subject that I was about to leave to my sister.”
”I will speak to Miss Thorne upon that matter, sister,” said Miss Beatrice.
”As I am speaking to Miss Thorne, I will continue, sister,” replied Miss Lambent. ”The fact is, Miss Thorne, my sister and I entertain the most sincere wish for your welfare.”
Hazel bowed.
”And it is only after mature deliberation that we have come to the conclusion that it is our absolute duty as Christian ladies to speak to you--”
”Upon matters that very nearly concern your position as the schoolmistress--”
”Of Plumton All Saints,” said Miss Lambent. ”Excuse me, sister, I prefer speaking to Miss Thorne myself.”
Hazel looked from one to the other, wondering what was the head and front of her offending.
”The fact is, Miss Thorne, my sister and I sincerely wish--most sincerely I may say--wish that you may be successful here, and in due time--say in due time--if such an affair should be in progress, marry in accordance with your station in life and--Hush, Miss Thorne! Do not speak, I insist. I see that you are growing angry, so I beg that you will be silent, and receive my words--our words--as being meant for your benefit.”
”I do not understand you, madam,” said Hazel, in spite of the prohibition.
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