Part 26 (1/2)

”You don't know me, Miss Bethia, nor him, or you would not say that.”

”Your father would have made it his business to do him good.”

”But I am not like my father, very far from that.”

”Well, your father was nothing by himself. You are bound to do the same work, and you can have the same help. And it will pay in the long run.

Oh, yes! it will pay!”

”I have been telling David that he may do that pleasant-spoken youth much good, if he is faithful to him and to himself,” added she, as Mrs Inglis came into the room.

”And I have been telling Miss Bethia that she does not know me, or him, or she wouldn't say that, mamma,” said David.

”She must know you by this time, I think, Davie,” said his mother, smiling.

”I used to know him pretty well, and he seems to be getting along pretty much so. I don't know as I see any change for the worse in him. He has had great privileges, and he has great responsibility.”

”Yes,” said his mother, gravely; ”and I quite agree with you, Miss Bethia, he may do Mr Philip good by a diligent and faithful performance of his daily duties, if in no other way. He has done so already.”

”Oh, mamma!” said David, ”Miss Bethia will think you are growing vain.”

”No, I sha'n't. But he must be faithful in word as well as in deed.

Oh! I guess he'll get along pretty well--David, I mean, not young Mr Oswald.”

Jem came home while they were still talking.

”Mamma,” said he, as he followed his mother out of the room, ”we saw Philip going into d.i.c.k's saloon as we were going up the street and Violet said he'd be just as pleased and just as popular there as in our own home among the children, and she said he was as weak as water. That is all she knows! Violet is hard on Phil.”

”She cannot think it right for him to spend his evenings in such a place,” said his mother.

”But he sees no harm in it, and I don't suppose there is much.”

”I should think it great harm for one of my boys,” said his mother, gravely.

”All right, mamma!” said Jem. ”But, then, as Miss Barnes says, our bringing up has been different.”

CHAPTER TWELVE.

When it was fairly decided that Miss Bethia's pleasant plan for the summer was possible, there was little time lost in preparation. Miss Bethia went away at once, to have all things ready for their coming, and in a few days Mrs Inglis and Violet and the children followed. The little Oswalds went with them, and Jem and possibly Frank Oswald were to follow when their holidays commenced. Whether David was to go or not, was to be decided later, but he did not let the uncertainty with regard to his own prospects of pleasure interfere with his in all that the others were to enjoy. He helped cheerfully in all the arrangements for their departure, and made light of his mother's anxiety and doubts as to the comfort of those who were to be left behind.

But when they were gone, and Jem and David left in the deserted house alone, they were neither of them very cheerful for a while. They were quite alone, for Mrs Lacy, the neighbour whom Mrs Inglis had engaged to care for their comfort, had a home of her own and little children to care for, and could only be there a part of the day. The unwonted silence of the house pressed heavily upon their spirits.

”It's queer, too,” said Jem, who had been promising himself great enjoyment of the quiet time so that he might the better prepare for the school examinations that were coming on. ”I used to think the children bothered with their noise and their chatter, but the stillness is ten, times more distracting, I think.”

David nodded a.s.sent.

”They will be in Gourlay long ago,” said he. ”I wonder how it will seem to mamma to go back again.”

Jem looked grave.

”It won't be all pleasure to her, I am afraid.”