Part 40 (2/2)
”I must pray to G.o.d to guide me aright,” answered Miss Maria. ”This is a case for a right judgment in all things. Poor child! I pity her from my heart; but how to bring her to the necessary confession is the question.”
Miss Henderson went to bed, but not to sleep. Early in the morning she arose, having made up her mind what to do.
Accordingly, when Audrey and Evelyn arrived in the pretty little governess-cart-Audrey with a high color in her cheeks, looking as sweet and fresh and good and nice as English girl could look, and Evelyn tripping after her with a certain defiance on her white face and a look of hostility in her brown eyes-they were both greeted by Miss Henderson herself.
”Ah, Audrey dear,” she said in a cheerful and friendly tone, ”how are you this morning?-How do you do, Evelyn?-No, Audrey, you are not late; you are quite in nice time. Will you go to the schoolroom, my dear? I will join you presently for prayers.-Evelyn, can I have a word with you?”
”Why so?” asked Evelyn, backing a little.
”Because I have something I want to say to you.”
Audrey also stood still. She cast a hostile glance at Miss Henderson, saying to herself:
”After all, my head-mistress is horribly unfair; she is doubtless going to tell Evelyn that she suspects her.”
”Evelyn,” said Audrey, ”I will wait for you in the dressing-room if Miss Henderson has no objection.”
”But I have, for it may be necessary for me to detain your cousin for a short time,” said Miss Henderson. ”Go, Audrey; do not keep me any longer.”
Evelyn stood sullenly and perfectly still in the hall; Audrey disappeared in the direction of the schoolrooms. Miss Henderson now took Evelyn's hand and led her into her private sitting-room.
”What do you want me for?” asked the little girl.
”I want to say something to you, Evelyn.”
”Then say it, please.”
”You must not be pert.”
”I do not know what 'pert' is.”
”What you are now. But there, my dear child, please control yourself; believe me, I am truly sorry for you.”
”Then you need not be,” said Evelyn, with a toss of her head. ”I do not want anybody to be sorry for me. I am one of the most lucky girls in the world. Sorry for me! Please don't. Mothery could never bear to be pitied, and I won't be pitied; I have nothing to be pitied for.”
”Who did you say never cared to be pitied?” asked Miss Henderson.
”Never you mind.”
”And yet, Evelyn, I think I have heard the words. You allude to your mother. I understand from Lady Frances that your mother is dead. You loved her, did you not?”
Evelyn gave a quick nod; her face seemed to say, ”That is nothing to you.”
”I see you did, and she was fond of you.”
In spite of herself Evelyn gave another nod.
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