Part 5 (2/2)
”Hush, I cannot permit impertinence! Ermengarde, I did not look for open and direct disobedience from you. You are full of faults, but I did not think deceit was one of them. I have found out about your drive yesterday.”
”Oh!” said Ermie. Her face grew very pale. ”Did--did Marjorie tell you? If I thought that----”
”No matter who told me. Don't blame your sister. She's worth twenty of you. Think of your own sin. Ermengarde, you have hurt me deeply.”
”I don't care,” said Ermengarde. ”I said I'd go, and I went. I don't care.”
”Poor child! I can only be very sorry for you. I can only pray G.o.d to bring you to a different state of mind. You thought to hide your sin from me. G.o.d knew it all the time.”
Ermengarde shuffled from one foot to another. There was not a trace of repentance about her face or manner.
”At one time I thought I must tell all to your father.”
Ermengarde started at this.
”I resolved not to do so.”
Her face grew relieved.
”But, Ermengarde,” continued the governess, ”it is my duty, my solemn duty, to punish you severely. The full extent of that punishment I have not yet determined on, but to-day you spend in this room, where your meals will be brought to you.”
”Oh, no, no; not that,” said Ermengarde suddenly. ”Not to-day, not the holiday! Let my punishment begin to-morrow, please, Miss Nelson. Do say yes, Miss Nelson. It would be terrible not to have the holiday with Basil, and for Basil to know the reason. Do yield on this point, please, Miss Nelson, please, please, and I'll try to be a better girl in future, I will truly.”
”No, Ermengarde; the punishment, being merited and severe, must begin on the day you feel it most. I am sorry for you, but I cannot, I dare not yield. G.o.d help you, poor child, to a sorrow which leads to repentance.”
The governess left the room, locking the door behind her.
Ermengarde stood quite still for a moment, as if she was stunned. Then she rushed to the door and tried to open it.
Miss Nelson went back to the schoolroom.
”You can have your holiday, children,” she said. ”Ermengarde cannot come, nor am I at liberty to explain her absence. No, Basil; you must not ask me. You must be happy without your sister to-day, and trust that what is right is being done for her. Now, about the picnic.
Maggie, come here, my love. You shall take a message to cook.”
”You'll come too, won't you, Miss Nelson?” asked Marjorie.
”I must, my dear. I could not allow wild young creatures like you to embark on such an expedition without me.”
”And may all the babies come, Miss Nelson?”
”Yes, if nurse can accompany them.”
”It seems a pity about poor Ermie.”
”Do not speak of her, Marjorie. You must trust your governess to do what is right.”
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