Part 14 (1/2)
”What for?” she asked
”I will tell you, darling, when I return to-night”
”Cyril, may I not co people as happy as you can
I'm just off to the station, in the irls were told at breakfast that their father had gone to London; but as this frequently happened, and was invariably connected with that business which they knew nothing whatever about, they were not keenly interested As a s ready for the entertainment of their friends; and in this Mrs Cardew very heartily joined theirls should have as happy a tiether as possible; and as the weather was perfect the invariable picnics and gipsy teas were arranged for their benefit
”You can all s,” said Mrs Cardew, addressing Cicely and Merry ”To-morrohen your father is here, the Tristrairls will have a very pleasant picnic to the Aldersleigh woods We will arrange it to-day, for there is nothing your father enjoys , happy day in the open air I will speak to Mrs Fairlight, and tell her to have all things in readiness for our picnic”
”Ohher mother's hand Then she added, ”Mu to teach us any more?”
”I am afraid it is only too true, Merry; but this is holiday-ti; we needn't talk of your education just at present”
”Only, we must be educated--mustn't we, mother?”
”Of course, dearest Your father will see to that”
Merry ran off to join her sister, and it is not too lorious day was one of unalloyed pleasure The Tristrairls, but now that they were accoreat addition to their charie, with her purpose full in vieith her heart beating a little one to London, religiously avoided the subject of the life at Aylreat deal of her own future depended on these two girls coe use of them--at school She was fond of Molly and Belle; but they were poor
Maggie herself was poor She wanted to have rich friends The Cardeere rich By their means she would defeat her enemy, Aneta Lysle, and establish herself not only in the school but with regard to her future life Maggie felt that she could make herself indispensable to Cicely and Merry Oh yes, they would certainly go to Aylmer House in September She need not worry herself any further, therefore, with regard to that uess how oal, and how fortunate circu her to the accoie that they were certainly going She could, therefore, give herself up to enjoyie Howland enjoy froirl She enjoyed herself with all her heart and soul, without one single reservation To see her face at such moments was to behold pure sunshi+ne; to hear her voice was to listen to the very essence of laughter and happiness She had astories, and when she was happy she told the on her words
Then she could improvise, and dance, and take off almost any character; in short, she was the life of every party who admitted her within their circle
Meanwhile a rather tired and rather sad ainst his will, in London He said to himself, ”This wonderful Mrs
Ward will not be at Aylmer House now These are the holidays, and she will be probably o to see her Yes, but she won't be in; that alone will clinch the matter But first I will pay a visit to Lucia Lysle; she said she would be in London--she told my dear wife so But Lucia is so erratic, it is most improbable that she either will be at home”
Mr Cardew drove first of all to Lady Lysle's house in Hans Place He asked if she ithin, and, very much to his annoyance, the servant replied in the affir rather silly The first person he saw there was a tall, slinize at first, but who knew him and ran up to him and introduced herself as Aneta
”Why, rown!”
”How is dear Cousin Sylvia, and how are Cicely and Merry?” asked Aneta ”Oh, I am very well indeed, Mr Cardew; I don't suppose anybody could be anything but as lucky enough to be at Aylmer House”
”Mrs Ward's school?” said Mr Cardew, feeling rather shy and almost self-conscious
”Of course Don't you know Mrs Ward, Mr Cardew?”
”No, my dear, I don't”
”It's the most marvelous school in the world,” said Aneta with enthusiasm ”I do wish you would send Cicely and Merry there They would have a good time”
”Is your aunt in?” said Mr Cardew, a little restlessly