Part 18 (1/2)
”I wanted to explain--” Marie flushed and hesitated. ”There have been many guests asked, and they are mostly older people--”
”Yes, I know. I am only a child, and your mother does not approve. Then I go to the heretic school.”
”She thinks the school a bad thing. And about the maids--”
”I could not be one of them,” Jeanne said stiffly.
”Mother has chosen them, I had no say. She manages everything. When I have my own home I shall do as I like and invite whom I choose. Mother thinks I do not know anything and have no mind, but, Jeanne, I love you, and I am not afraid of what you learn at school. Monsieur Beeson said it was a good thing. And you will not be angry with me?”
”No, no, Marie.” The child's heart was touched.
”We will be friends afterward. I shall tell M'sieu Beeson how long we have cared for each other.”
”You--like him?” hesitatingly.
”He is very kind. And girls cannot choose. I wish he were younger, but it will be gay at Christmastide, and my own home will be much to me.
Yes, we will wait until then. Jeanne, kiss me for good luck. You are quite sure you are not angry?”
”Oh, very sure.”
The two girls kissed each other and Jeanne cried, ”Good luck! good luck!” But all the same she felt Marie was going out of her life and it would leave a curious vacancy.
CHAPTER VIII.
A TOUCH OF FRIENDs.h.i.+P.
How softly the bells rang out for the service of St. Michael and All Angels! The river flowing so tranquilly seemed to carry on the melody and then bring back a faint echo. It was a great holiday with the French. The early ma.s.s was thronged, somehow the virtue seemed greater if one went to that. Then there was a procession that marched to the little chapels outside, which were hardly more than shrines.
Pani went out early and alone. And though the good priest had said to her, ”The child is old enough and should be confirmed,” since M.
Bellestre had some objections and insisted that Jeanne should not be hurried into any sacred promises, and the child herself seemed to have no desire, they waited.
”But you peril the salvation of her soul. Since she has been baptized she should be confirmed,” said Father Rameau. ”She is a child of the Church. And if she should die!”
”She will not die,” said Pani with a strange confidence, ”and she is to decide for herself.”
”What can a child know!”
”Then if she cannot know she must be blameless. Monsieur Bellestre was a very good man. And, M'sieu, some who come to ma.s.s, to their shame be it said, cheat their neighbors and get drunk, and tempt others to drink.”
”Most true, but that doesn't lessen our duty.”
M. Bellestre had not come yet. This time a long illness had intervened.
Jeanne went out in the procession and sang in the hymns and the rosary.
And she heard about the betrothal. The house had been crowded with guests and Marie had on a white frock and a beautiful sash, and her hair was curled.
In spite of her protests Jeanne did feel deeply hurt that she should be left out. Marie had made a timid plea for her friend.