Part 5 (1/2)
The singing was followed by the Bible reading, and then lessons began.
Molly and Nora acquitted themselves admirably, as was their wont--Nell's dark grey eyes grew full of interest as she read the fascinating story of the ”Field of the Cloth of Gold” in her history book--Kitty worked at her sums with fierce persistence and tried to fancy herself at boarding-school, going up rapidly to the top of her cla.s.s, while Boris made more mistakes than ever over his dictation, and inked his fingers unmercifully.
”What was the use of fussing over such a stupid, useless thing as spelling?” This was his thought of thoughts.
The day was a warm one. Jane Macalister was icily cold, however, as unapproachable as an iceberg. Boris watched her with anxiety. He knew well that there was no chance for him and Kitty; they would both be punished for being late for prayers.
Oh, dear, oh, dear; _why_ was Jane so unbeautiful, so unapproachable in school hours?
”I know she'll keep Kitty and me in during the whole of the play hour,”
he muttered to himself. ”I'm certain of it, because the tip of her nose is getting red; that's a sign that she's worried, and when she's worried she's twice as bad as she is at any other time.”
”What noise is that? Oh!--I say--Miss Macalister----”
Jane Macalister was always spoken to in this correct fas.h.i.+on during school hours.
”I say, there's a visitor!” burst from the eager lips of the little boy.
He started to his feet as he spoke, upsetting the ink-pot over his own copybook and also over Kitty's white-frilled pinafore.
”Boris, you are incorrigible!” exclaimed Jane. ”You lose all your conduct marks for the week, and must stay indoors for an hour and learn a piece of poetry after lessons.”
Boris got very red and tried to smile. The blow had fallen, so he wasn't going to whimper over it. He would stand up to his punishment like a man. He meant to be a soldier some day, and felt exactly now as if he were facing the guns. He met Elinor's full, troubled grey eyes, and seated himself slowly once more in his chair.
The steps had come nearer, the schoolroom door was burst open, and Nan Thornton rushed in.
”Here I am,” she said. ”I have come to torment you, Miss Macalister, and to beg off lessons at once. How do you do, children? How are you, Kitty?
How are you, Boris? How do you do, Nell? Molly and Nora, I'll kiss you when I can get breath. Oh, what a climb those stairs are! Why do you have lessons in the tower? All the same, it's lovely when you _are_ here. What a view! What a darling, darling, heavenly, scrumptious, _ripping_ view. Oh, dear! oh, dear! I am out of breath. Jane, aren't you glad to see me? Aren't you glad to know that all the children are to have a holiday immediately? Shut up your books, young 'uns, and let's be off. You don't mind, do you, Jane?”
Certainly Jane Macalister did mind. The icy expression grew more marked on her face. Boris gave her a glance, felt that he was very close to the guns, and lowered his eyes. Nan began dancing about the room. Nan was in white--white hat, white frock. Her fluffy golden hair surrounded her like a cloud. Boris felt that she was something like a very naughty and very beautiful angel. Why was she tempting them all when Jane Macalister was like ice?
”I think, Nan,” said Miss Macalister--”(how do you do, my dear? Of course I'm glad to see you)--I think I must ask you to leave the schoolroom for the present. Recess will be at half-past eleven, and then you can talk to all the children except Boris, who I grieve to say will have to undergo punishment. As to holidays, the summer holidays will begin in a fortnight, until then I cannot permit any such indulgence. Go away, Nan, for the present. Molly, I can attend to your German now.
Bring your exercise book with the grammar and history.”
Nan was not accustomed to being vanquished, but she was very near defeat then. The next moment she would have found herself ignominiously outside the baize door if other steps had not approached, and Hester, looking cool and sweet, Annie, all radiant and laughing, and Mrs. Lorrimer, with her usual gentle motherly expression, had not appeared on the scene.
”Jane,” said the mother, smiling round with her blue eyes at each of the children, ”Hester wants us to get up a hasty picnic to Friar's Wood. The day is perfect, and this is the first of Nan's holidays, so I hope you will not object, particularly if the children promise to work extra well to-morrow.”
Jane began to close up all the books hastily. Nan's pet.i.tion was not to be listened to for a moment. Mrs. Lorrimer's was law, and must be cheerfully obeyed.
”Certainly,” she said, in a pleasant tone, dropping her frozen manner as if by magic. ”It is a _perfect_ day for a picnic. Leave the schoolroom tidy, my loves, and then go and get ready. You'd like me to see the cook, wouldn't you, Mrs. Lorrimer? I can help her to cut sandwiches and to pack plates and dishes.”
”Jane, you're an angel,” said Mrs. Lorrimer.
Jane Macalister kissed Hester, was introduced to Annie, and then rushed down the spiral stairs, intent on housekeeping cares.
The Lorrimer boys and girls surrounded Hester and Annie. Nan flitted in and out of the group, and was here, there, and everywhere. All was excitement and laughter. Presently the children left the schoolroom in a body.
No, there was one exception. Boris stayed behind. He looked wistfully after the others as they streamed away. Miss Macalister had not said a word about remitting his punishment, and he must be true to his colours.