Part 2 (1/2)
”Yes, it makes my work easy. And I am going to be good to the lads. I am going to tell Maggie to make them nice little suppers, and let them play till midnight, while we are at Cramer Brae. That night you were at the Lindseys' and your father at Stirling, I had them to supper. There was three of them, one being a violinist in Menzie's orchestra. He was a few years older than Donald and Matthew, but just as foolish as they were.
And after their merry meal they played the heart out of me.”
”O Aunt! Aunt! I shall have to stop at home and watch you. The idea of you standing for Donald behind Father's back in this way. I would not have believed it. You must love Donald.”
”What for wouldn't I love him? He is most entirely lovable, and when I love I like to show it--to do foolish things to show it--ordinary things are not worth as much.”
”I would not have thought it. You, so proper and respectable, making a feast for three young men, who played the heart out of you with their violins!”
”Poor Donald has not a violin of his own, yet he plays better than Matthew or the orchestra lad. How it comes I cannot tell, but he does, and there's no 'ifs' or 'ands' about it.”
”Are violins dear things, Aunt?”
”Too dear for Donald to buy, and he dare not ask his father for money to buy a violin. Yes, Marion, violins cost a lot of money.”
”You say I have some money of my own.”
”What by that? You shall not ware it on a violin. Donald's violin will come its own road, and that will not be out of your purse. There's the clock striking twelve. Whatever are we doing here? I must have lost my senses to be keeping you.”
”Don't mind an hour or two, Aunt. This has been the most wonderful night to me. You have spoken of my mother. I have had an invitation to Lady Cramer's. I have heard that I am, in a small way, an heiress. I have learned all about the trouble between Father and Donald. I have made out the list for a far finer wardrobe than I ever expected to own. I am sorry this wonderful day is over.”
”But it is over, and it is now Tuesday. It will be Sat.u.r.day before we can be ready for Cramer Brae. You must stay here until your new frocks are fitted, and that will make us Sat.u.r.day. Now sleep well, for I shall have you called at seven sharp.”
As Mrs. Caird antic.i.p.ated, it was Sat.u.r.day afternoon when they arrived at Cramer Brae. The Cramer carriage was waiting to take them to the Little House, which was more than a mile inland. It stood on the Brae at the foot of the hills, and was s.h.i.+elded on the east and west by large beech trees. The hills were behind, the sea in front of it, and when the wind was lulled, or from the south, the roar and the beat of its waves were distinctly heard.
It was a long, low house. The leaded, diamond-shaped windows opened like doors on their hinges, and flower boxes, drooping vines and blooms were on every sill. Gardens and lawns, with a little paddock for the ponies to run in, covered the six acres of land surrounding it. Marion was delighted. ”Here we shall be so happy, Aunt,” she cried in a voice full of sweet inflections, for she was thanking G.o.d in her heart for bringing her to such a beautiful spot.
Aileen and Kitty met them at the door and tea was waiting in the small dining-room. There was a low bowl of pansies in the center of the table, which was set with cream Wedgwood and silver of the date of Queen Anne.
Every necessity and every luxury for the hour were there, and a wonderful peace brooded over all things.
Marion was enchanted. ”This place must be like Heaven,” she said; and Mrs. Caird answered, ”I hope you are right. I cannot imagine any circ.u.mstances much pleasanter. We may thank G.o.d even for this cup of young Pekoe and thick cream, and delicate bread and fresh b.u.t.ter. They are just a part of the whole blessing. I have heard of a great English writer who thought that among many higher pleasures we should not miss the homely delicacies of our earthly table. I hope we shall not. I would like a little of earth in heaven; it might be as good to us as is a little of heaven on earth. Why not? All G.o.d's gifts are blessed, if we bless Him for them.”
”I wonder if Father and Donald will have a good tea?”
”I'll warrant you. Maggie knows all your father's ways and likings--queer and otherwise. He would want a bit of broiled fish, or the like of it. I don't think you or I would care for hot meat now.”
”What could be nicer than this cold, tender chicken?”
”Nothing, but men are keen for something hot. They don't feel as if they were fed, wanting the taste and smell of fresh-cooked flesh--of one kind or another.”
”Donald promised me he would keep straight with Father, if possible.”
”Whiles it is not possible to do that--but he made me the same promise, and he'll keep it, if his father will let him.”
”Father is not at all quarrelsome, Aunt.”
”Isn't he, dear? I'm very glad to hear it.”
”You ought to know, Aunt; you have lived with him for----”
”Nearly eighteen years, and I am not settled in my mind yet on that subject.”
”If people attack Father's creed, it is right for him to be angry.