Part 46 (1/2)
”I have not decided, dear.”
”Won't you please decide now to let me go to-day?” she pleaded.
Miss Prudence was sure she had never ”spoiled” anybody, but she began to fear that this irresistible little coaxer might prove a notable exception.
”I must think about it awhile, little one.”
”Would I like it, Marjorie, at your school?”
”I am sure of it.”
”I never went to school. The day I went with you it was ever so nice. I want a copy-book and a pile of books, and I want the girls to call me 'Miss Holmes.'”
”We can do that,” said Miss Prudence, gravely. ”Morris, perhaps Miss Holmes would like another bit of steak.”
”That isn't it,” said Prue, shaking her curls.
”Not genuine enough? How large is your primary cla.s.s, Marjorie?”
”Twenty, I think. And they are all little ladies. It seems so comical to me to hear the girls call the little ones 'Miss.' Alice Dodd is younger than Prue, and Master McCosh says 'Miss Dodd' as respectfully as though she were in the senior cla.s.s.”
”Why shouldn't he?” demanded Prue. ”Miss Dodd looked at me in church Sunday; perhaps I shall sit next to her. Do the little girls come in your room, Marjorie?”
”At the opening of school, always, and you could come in at intermissions. We have five minute intermissions every hour, and an hour at noon.”
”O, Aunt Prue! When _shall_ I go? I wish I could go to-day! You say I read almost well enough. Marjorie will not be ashamed of me now.”
”I'd never be ashamed of you,” said Marjorie, warmly.
”Papa said I must not say my name was 'Jeroma,' shall I write it _Prue_ Holmes, Aunt Prue?”
”Prue J. Holmes! How would that do?”
But Miss Prudence spoke nervously and did not look at the child. Would she ever have to tell the child her father's story? Would going out among the children hasten that day?
”I like that,” said Prue, contentedly; ”because I keep papa's name tucked in somewhere. _May_ I go to-day, Aunt Prue?”
”Not yet, dear. Master McCosh knows you are coming by and by. Marjorie may bring me a list of the books you will need and by the time the new quarter commences in February you may be able to overtake them if you study well. I think that will have to do, Prue.”
”I would _rather_ go to-day,” sobbed the child, trying to choke the tears back. Rolling up her napkin hurriedly, she excused herself almost inaudibly and left the table.
”Aunt Prue! she'll cry,” remonstrated Marjorie.
”Little girls have to cry sometimes,” returned Miss Prudence, her own eyes suffused.
”She is not rebellious,” remarked Morris.
”No, never rebellious--not in words; she told me within the first half hour of our meeting that she had promised papa she would be obedient.
But for that promise we might have had a contest of wills. She will not speak of school again till February.”
”How she creeps into one's heart,” said Morris.