Part 11 (1/2)
”I have been busy about something else, mamma,” Maria said.
”That braiding. Yes. But there is always 'something else.' There are other things that ought to begin at home besides charity. Do _you_ belong to this a.s.sociation, Matilda?”
”No, mamma,” came in a low voice from the child.
”Why not?”
The answer was not ready.
”Have you joined it, Clarissa?” her mother asked.
”Yes, mamma.”
”And what have you pledged yourself to do?”
”I think nothing, mamma, that I was not properly pledged to before.”
”Such as what?”
”I gave my name for the visiting and helping sick and poor people; for the singing in the school;--I believe that is all, mamma.”
”I shall not let you go where there is sickness,” said Mrs Candy. ”When did you pledge yourself to that ever?”
”When I took the vows of the Church, mamma,” Clarissa said, with a little hesitation, ”I suppose I engaged to do some of these things.”
”Some of them; I have no objection to your singing as much as you like; but as to your going where there are fevers and bad air, and all that sort of thing, I should not be willing at all.”
”There will not be much occasion for it in Shadywalk,” said Mrs.
Englefield. ”We have few poor people; there are not many who have not friends of their own to take care of them.”
”Anne and Let.i.tia, you have nothing to do with all this?” their aunt asked.
”I have enough to do as it is, Aunt Candy,” said Anne.
”And I don't like the new sorts of work, Aunt Erminia,” said Let.i.tia.
”I know you wanted to stand up with us this evening, though,” said Maria. ”You felt bad because you didn't.”
This remark threatened to disturb the harmony of the party; so Mrs.
Englefield broke it up, and sent everybody to bed.
”How do you like our Mr. Richmond, Clarissa?” she asked, as they were separating.
”I don't know, Aunt Marianne; it struck me he was something of an enthusiast.”
”That is just what I think,” said Mrs. Englefield.
”Those people are dangerous, Marianne,” said Mrs. Candy.