Part 34 (2/2)
”You will be sure in the years to come. For mother's sake let us be a united family. You can never be crowded out. And I think the more love one gives, the more one gets in return.”
The Major was waiting for them and gave them a tender good-night.
They were all busy the next day in consultations. A package of clothing came over from Barrington house that Miss Arran had put in order for Marguerite, much of it being gifts from Mrs. Barrington, accompanied with the kindliest and most delicate note. Aunt Kate had fussed a little about the child not having anything fit to wear.
”Mrs. Barrington is right, it is best not to make too great a change, though I think Marguerite's tastes are very simple. Zay, I fancy, has had rather too much, but she is not as vain of her clothes as of her beauty, and she is a dear, sweet child. Aunt Kate, we all owe you so much, and we will see how Marguerite develops.”
Miss Crawford was somewhat mollified, but she returned--”Zay must not be crowded out of her mother's heart.”
”Oh, there is no fear of that. If we had the six we planned for I think none of them would complain. Mother love is elastic.”
Willard and Zay were much engrossed making farewell calls. He was very bright and hopeful, picturing the points of interest he should see and the experience he should gain. And there would be letters. Three years would pa.s.s rapidly. He stipulated that the girls should not be married until his return.
”We have had such a nice long vacation with you,” said his mother, ”and we must comfort ourselves with that; and I may come over to some port with the girls if you are to stay long enough. I feel as if I was just beginning to live a new life. Think, there have been times when I hardly expected to see one of you again. Now I am full of hope.”
”My blessed mother!”
He would write when he reached Was.h.i.+ngton and tell them what the plans were. If they were not quite ready Zay and his father might come on for a few days' visit.
Zay kissed her mother and went to her room where she gave way to a violent fit of weeping.
”I ought to go to your mother,” said Aunt Kate. Major Crawford had gone to the station with his son.
”Oh, no, stay with me, she will have Marguerite. Oh, if Willard never never should come back! So many accidents happen,” she sobbed.
”Don't let us think of that; so many come home safely. Oh, my child, try to be a little tranquil. He is here in the country yet and will not go away for several days. Summon your fort.i.tude for the sake of the others.”
”No one loves him as I do,” she moaned.
”I love him dearly. You children have been like my own, I have had so much of the care of you.”
”But I love him so dearly, and if he should get weaned away! Why, I should be heartbroken!”
”My dear!” Aunt Kate sat on the side of the bed, bathed her head with fragrant water and comforted her with endearing terms until she grew tranquil and finally fell asleep.
Mrs. Crawford had seated herself on the couch and motioned Marguerite beside her.
”My dear daughter,” she said, steadying her voice, ”heaven only knows how glad I am to have you and we must comfort one another. I had dreaded Willard going, but G.o.d has been good to me and sent you just when I needed you most. We shall be very happy in each other's society, I foresee. You will be my girl as Zay is Aunt Kate's. Willard is so interested in you, and when it is a little pleasanter we will go driving together. I like the byways and the nooks and the wild flowers. Oh, do you think you could learn to ride? You would not be afraid! Father is so fond of it. Oh, the rides we used to have in our early life!”
Marguerite's eyes lighted with eager pleasure. ”Oh, I should like it,”
she returned, earnestly.
”And he is so fond of it. It seems as if he had given up so many things for me. I used to go out to the Stations with him and live in the Forts.
What magnificent gallops we have had. I don't wonder the boys were imbued with the love of military life, their father was such an ardent soldier. We were very happy with our boys but we _did_ want a daughter.
I was so proud of the twins, perhaps too proud. Yet I do not think we can love these choice gifts of G.o.d too much, so long as we are grateful to the giver. Then there came all the sorrowful years. For a long while they thought I never would walk again. The Major resigned from the army and I know it was a sore cross to him. But we took much pleasure in educating our boys, and Zay was such a bright, winsome little thing. Her pa.s.sion is dancing and being merry. She loves to go out driving but I think she is afraid of managing a horse. Her father tried to train her a little but she cried and begged off, and the boys have been away so much. Oh, it will give him the greatest pleasure.”
”And I want to devote my life to your happiness to make up for the years when you did not have me. You must train me in your ways, you must tell me what he likes best.”
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