Part 14 (2/2)
”Like yours,” added Sally, with a face full of such honest admiration that it could not offend.
Seeing that she had made one convert, and knowing that girls, like sheep, are sure to follow a leader, Miss Orne said no more then, but waited for the leaven to work. The others called it one of Sally's notions, but were interested to see how she would get on, and had great fun, when they went to bed, watching her faithful efforts to imitate her teacher's rapid and effective motions.
”The wind-mill is going!” cried Kitty, as several of them sat on the bed, laughing at the long arms swinging about.
”That is the hygienic elbow-exercise, and that the Orne Quickstep, a mixture of the gra.s.shopper's skip and the water-bug's slide,” added Julia, humming a tune in time to the stamp of the other's foot.
”We will call these the Jersey Jymnastics, and spell the last with a J, my dear,” said Nelly; and the name was received with as much applause as the young ladies dared to give it at that hour.
”Laugh on, but see if you don't all follow my example sooner or later, when I become a model of grace, strength, and beauty,” retorted Sally, as she turned them out and went to bed, tingling all over with a delicious glow that sent the blood from her hot head to warm her cold feet, and bring her the sound, refres.h.i.+ng sleep she so much needed.
This was the beginning of a new order of things, for Miss Orne carried her energy into other matters besides gymnastics, and no one dared oppose her when Madame shut her ears to all complaints, saying, ”Obey her in everything, and don't trouble me.”
Pitchers of fresh milk took the place of tea and coffee; cake and pie were rarely seen, but better bread, plain puddings, and plenty of fruit.
Rooms were cooled off, feather beds sent up garret, and thick curtains abolished. Sun and air streamed in, and great cans of water appeared suggestively at doors in the morning. Earlier hours were kept, and brisk walks taken by nearly all the girls; for Miss Orne baited her hook cleverly, and always had some pleasant project to make the wintry expeditions inviting. There were games in the parlor instead of novels, and fancy-work in the evening; shorter lessons, and longer talks on the many useful subjects that are best learned from the lips of a true teacher. A cooking cla.s.s was started, not to make fancy dishes, but the plain, substantial ones all housewives should understand. Several girls swept their own rooms, and liked it after they saw Miss Orne do hers in a becoming dust-cap; and these same pioneers, headed by Sally, boldly coasted on the hill, swung clubs in the coach-house, and played tag in the bowling-alley rainy days.
It took time to work these much-needed changes, but young people like novelty; the old routine had grown tiresome, and Miss Orne made things so lively and pleasant it was impossible to resist her wishes. Sally did begin to straighten up, after a month or two of regular training; Maud outgrew both corsets and backache; Nelly got a fresh color; Kitty found her thin arms developing visible muscles; and Julia considered herself a Von Hillern, after walking ten miles without fatigue.
But dear, fat Cordy was the most successful of all; and rejoiced greatly over the loss of a few pounds when she gave up over-eating, long naps, and lazy habits. Exercise became a sort of mania with her, and she was continually trudging off for a const.i.tutional, or trotting up and down the halls when bad weather prevented the daily tramp. It was the desire of her soul to grow thin, and such was her ardor that Miss Orne had to check her sometimes, lest she should overdo the matter.
”All this is easy and pleasant now, because it is new,” she said, ”and there is no one to criticise our simple, sensible ways; but when you go away I am afraid you will undo the good I have tried to do you. People will ridicule you, fas.h.i.+on will condemn, and frivolous pleasures make our wholesome ones seem hard. Can you be steadfast, and keep on?”
”We will!” cried all the girls; but the older ones looked a little anxious, as they thought of going home to introduce the new ways alone.
Miss Orne shook her head, earnestly wis.h.i.+ng that she could impress the important lesson indelibly upon them; and very soon something happened which had that effect.
April came, and the snowdrops and crocuses were up in the garden beds.
Madame was able to sit at her window, peering out like a dormouse waking from its winter sleep; and much did the good lady wonder at the blooming faces turned up to nod and smile at her, the lively steps that tripped about the house, and the amazing spectacle of _her_ young ladies racing round the lawn as if they liked it. No one knew how Miss Orne reconciled her to this new style of deportment; but she made no complaint,--only shook her impressive cap when the girls came beaming in to pay little visits, full of happy chat about their affairs. They seemed to take a real interest in their studies now, to be very happy; and all looked so well that the wise old lady said to herself:--
”Looks are everything with women, and I have never been able to show such a bouquet of blooming creatures at my breaking up as I shall this year. I will let well enough alone, and if fault is found, dear Anna's shoulders are broad enough to bear it.”
Things were in this promising state, and all were busily preparing for the May fete, at which time this cla.s.s of girls would graduate, when the mysterious events occurred to which we have alluded.
They were gathered--the girls, not the events--round the table one night, discussing, with the deep interest befitting such an important topic, what they should wear on examination day.
”_I_ think white silk jerseys and pink or blue skirts would be lovely; so pretty and so appropriate for the J. J. Club, and so nice for us to do our exercises in. Miss Orne wants us to show how well we go together, and of course we want to please her;” said Nelly taking the lead as usual in matters of taste.
”Of course!” cried all the girls, with an alacrity which plainly showed how entirely the new friend had won their hearts.
”I wouldn't have believed that six months could make such a difference in one's figure and feelings,” said Maud, surveying her waist with calm satisfaction, though it was no longer slender, but in perfect proportion to the rest of her youthful shape.
”I've had to let out every dress, and it's a mercy I'm going home, for I shouldn't be decent if I kept on at this rate;” and Julia took a long breath, proud of her broad chest, expanded by plenty of exercise, and loose clothing.
”I take mine in, and don't have to worry about my b.u.t.tons flying off, _a la_ Clara Peggotty. I'm _so_ pleased I want to be training all the time, for I'm not half thin enough yet,” said Cordy, jumping up for a trot round the room, that not a moment might be lost.
”Come, Sally, you ought to join in the jubilee, for you have done wonders, and will be as straight as a ramrod in a little while. Why so sober to-night? Is it because our dear Miss Orne leaves us to sit with Madame?” asked Nelly, missing the gayest voice of the six, and observing her friend's troubled face.
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