Part 19 (2/2)
”Wouldn't it be a joke,” said Grace Minton, ”if Miss Stiefbach should walk in on us just as you got the cork out?”
But hardly were the words spoken, when the door, which all supposed locked, suddenly opened, and Miss Stiefbach appeared upon the threshold.
Oh! horror of horrors! Marion's experience in opening wines had not been sufficient to teach her the force of champagne. As the door opened, she was standing in the middle of the room, holding the bottle at arms'
length, fumbling at the wires; in her surprise and amazement at the apparition before her, she gave an extra tug, when pop went the cork, and with it half the contents of the bottle in Miss Stiefbach's face.
Miss Stiefbach stood with uplifted hands, perfectly electrified with astonishment at the sight before her. As for the six girls, each in her turn was a perfect picture of horror; visions of fearful lectures, perhaps expulsion from school, rising in the minds of all.
But before Miss Stiefbach could collect her scattered senses, and wrap herself in her mantle of frigid dignity, Marion set the bottle on the table, and, springing forward, caught up a towel, and with profuse lamentations and regrets for the accident, commenced wiping the stains from her teacher's dress.
”O Miss Stiefbach, what did you come so soon for? It was too bad of you; it has just upset all our plans. We had only this moment got the table set, and I had not had time to go down and invite you and Miss Christine. I had no idea that horrid champagne would go off like that; it frightened us half to death.--Sarah, put your hand over that bottle, or we shall lose it all.--Now, Miss Stiefbach, _do_ sit down, and I'll go right off and get Miss Christine.”
”Marion Berkley, do you mean to say that you expect me and Miss Christine to sit down to a supper which you young ladies have secretly prepared?”
”Why, of course I do!” replied Marion, with an air of perfect simplicity and confidence, which perfectly amazed her companions, who were breathlessly awaiting the issue of the conversation; ”of course I do!
Why, what did I ask you to give up the history for if it wasn't that I might have time for my supper? I knew it would never do to have it down in the dining-room, for then all the little girls would want to come, and of course we couldn't have them; and I don't care to invite all the old girls, only just those who would make a pleasant party. Now, Miss Stiefbach, it would be positively cruel for you to refuse to join us!”
and Marion looked as if her whole future happiness depended on her teacher's answer.
Miss Stiefbach was in a dilemma; she could hardly bring herself to believe that the supper was intended as a compliment to herself; but nevertheless Marion's invitation was given with such apparent sincerity, and without even a hint of a doubt as to the propriety of the affair, that she was put quite off her guard, and hardly knew what to say. To sit down with a parcel of school-girls to a table heaped with good things, and crowned with champagne, was altogether too much for her dignity, and a compromise suggested itself to her.
”I thank you, Marion, for your implied compliment,” she said with her usual stately, polite manner, ”but I really think it would be unbecoming in me to enter into any festivities with a part of my scholars, from which the rest were excluded; but I will send Miss Christine to keep you company, as I could not think of leaving you alone.”
”Of course not,” said Marion; ”we never thought you would; but please before you go let us drink your health in a gla.s.s of champagne?”
”Might I ask where this champagne came from?” asked Miss Stiefbach, glancing round the room at the other girls, who still maintained a discreet silence.
”Oh, papa sent it to me,” replied Marion. ”I presume mamma thought it was cider; but papa always has me drink champagne with him Thanksgiving day, and as I could not be home, the next best thing was to send it, so I could drink it here. You don't think it was _very_ dreadful in him, do you?”
”I cannot say that I wholly approve of it; but perhaps under the circ.u.mstances I must waive my objections.”
”Oh, please do, Miss Stiefbach, just this once; and oh, I forgot all about it, here's a great turkey, and a loaf of cake for you; shall I take it down?”
”Thank you, you are very kind,” replied Miss Stiefbach. ”You may take it down after you have finished your supper; but I will go now, and send Miss Christine.”
”No! no! Miss Stiefbach, not yet. Papa would feel dreadfully if he knew you refused his champagne; it never would do in the world. Here, Sarah, hand these round to the girls;” and Marion filled the six gla.s.ses. ”I shall have to take a tumbler myself, but never mind; now are you all ready? Well, here's to the health of Miss Stiefbach; may she live many years at the head of this school, and may every Thanksgiving eve see her as she is now, smiling encouragement upon the innocent pleasure of her pupils.”
The toast was drank with smiles and bows, and Miss Stiefbach retired from the room with a bland ”Good-evening, young ladies, and a happy Thanksgiving to you all.”
Poor woman! with all her learning, and the terrible dignity with which she thought it necessary to enshroud herself, as a part of her position as head of a large school, she was at heart as simple-minded as a child.
”Girls!” exclaimed Marion, as she turned to her companions, and the door closed after Miss Stiefbach, ”you've been taught that there are seven wonders in the world; after this I think you can add an eighth.”
”Indeed we can!” exclaimed Sarah Brown; ”and that eighth will be Marion Berkley!”
”I don't mean myself at all, but the whole thing. Imagine Miss Stiffy smiling benignly on an affair like this! But keep quiet, Miss Christine will be here in a minute. She'll see through the whole thing, you may be sure; but nevertheless we must carry it out just the same. Don't you betray me; we'll have just as good a time, and better too, if she's here; besides, no matter what happens now, Miss Stiefbach has countenanced us. Don't stir off that bed, Julia, and keep your skirts well over Flo's foot. How do you feel now, dear?”
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