Part 32 (1/2)

Accordingly, when the party entered one of the drawing-rooms of the Towers, and Molly, looking pale and anxious, came forward, and Mrs.

Lorrimer received Susy with that gentle kindness which always characterised her, the young lady had not a word to say. She sank down on an ottoman in the centre of the room and gazed vacantly around her.

A whoop from Boris was heard outside. Annie rushed to the door to be greeted by him and the other children, and carried away in their midst.

Mrs. Lorrimer asked Susy if she would like to see over the house.

”Yes, please,” replied Susy; ”I have brought the tapes and measures.”

She stopped, for Hester had given her a heavy frown.

”If its really inconvenient, I needn't do anything to-day,” she said, sinking back into her seat.

Mrs. Lorrimer looked puzzled, and Molly opened her brown eyes very wide.

Just then there came an interruption, in the shape of two individuals who entered the drawing-room by separate doors. One of them was Jane Macalister, who carried a duster in her hand, and had a large s.m.u.t on her forehead. The other was Antonia, whose hat had fallen off, and who trailed two enormous briars behind her.

The priestess of high art and the priestess of domestic economy, met almost in the centre of the room.

”Good gracious me,” exclaimed Jane Macalister, ”who in the world are you, my dear, and what, in the name of all that's orderly, are you bringing those abominable briars into the house for?”

”Abominable?” exclaimed Antonia; ”these briars abominable? Oh, what cra.s.s ignorance one comes across in this benighted land. My name is Antonia Bernard Temple, and I am an art student. I claim nothing higher.

I shall be an art student as long as I breathe.”

”And my name is Jane Macalister,” replied poor Jane, her whole face growing scarlet with vexation, ”and I claim nothing higher than the love of order and decent neatness. Give me those briars, child, and don't lumber the room with such messes.”

Before Antonia could utter a word of remonstrance, Jane had whipped her duster round the briars and had rushed out of the room with them.

For a moment Antonia felt inclined to pursue her; but as she was preparing to move, her large gaze was attracted by a couple of huge Chinese dragons which were reposing under one of the tables.

”Oh, you loves! you darlings! you adorables!” she shrieked. ”Here, indeed, is a prize.”

She made a rush to the objects of her wors.h.i.+p, and kneeling down on the floor opposite to them, whipped out her sketching materials preparatory to work.

”Tony, you must at least allow me to introduce you to Mrs. Lorrimer before you begin to sketch,” said Susy, who had perfectly recovered her own equanimity in the amus.e.m.e.nt which Antonia's conduct afforded her.

”Yes, yes, anything,” muttered Antonia ”Oh, these dragons are a prize; they are a prize. Yes, Susy, what is it you want?”

”Get up,” said Susy, ”and come and be introduced.”

She pulled Antonia by her sleeve, who rose in a sort of dream and approached Mrs. Lorrimer, looking like a person in a trance.

”This is my friend, Antonia Bernard Temple,” exclaimed Susy, addressing Mrs. Lorrimer.

”I am glad to see you, my dear,” said Mrs. Lorrimer in her sweet voice; ”and I am pleased to find that you appreciate the old china.”

”The dragons? Superb; Ruskinesque,” exclaimed Antonia. ”You don't mind if I go back to them? I must seize the opportunity of transferring them to my note book. Oh, what a heavenly room this is! Old, disorderly, worn, dim with the hue of ages. An artist might grovel in this room--grovel with delight!”

”Well, go back and grovel over the dragons,” exclaimed Susy, giving her friend a playful poke.

Antonia hurried to obey. Her work instantly absorbed her; she saw nothing else.