Part 1 (1/2)
Judy of York Hill.
by Ethel Hume Patterson Bennett.
CHAPTER I
BEGINNINGS
”YES, we're nearly in,” said Uncle Tom, glancing out at the flying landscape. ”There's the lake, and here comes the porter to stir up the dust.”
Judith's heart beat a little more quickly. Toronto and York Hill School had been the centre of her thoughts for months past, and now she was almost there and a new life ahead of her!
”I suppose you've read your 'Tom Brown,' Judy, eh? 'Like young bears with all your troubles to come,'” quoted Uncle Tom as he left her a few minutes later with Aunt Nell who had come to the station to meet them.
”Can't help having trouble, I'm afraid, but when you're going to be expelled for not having solved your geometry problem, just drown your grief in an ice-cream soda in the tuck shop”--and he dexterously inserted a crisp bank-note into Judith's bag.
”Don't mind him, Judy, darling, he's always teasing. We'll do our shopping first of all. I've arranged for a fitting at Madame's for you.”
”Mother and Daddy sent their love,” said Judith a little soberly as they got into the waiting motor. ”Yes, I think Mother seemed a little better--and she's just sure that Florida will make her perfectly well.”
Her lips quivered ever so slightly as she remembered how every hour was taking her mother farther away from her.
But Aunt Nell, who had promised her sister to finish Judith's shopping, made haste to introduce the fascinating question as to whether taffeta or crepe would be best for the afternoon frock, and how many sweater coats would she need.
They spent a busy and a delightful morning. Who doesn't like to get a new outfit? And then, after luncheon at Aunt Nell's club, they motored out to York, for they had an appointment with the Head Mistress at three o'clock.
”Just around this curve and then we can see the School--there!” said Aunt Nell, and Judith leaned forward, her eyes s.h.i.+ning with excitement.
”Blessed old York! I can't have quite the same affection, of course, for these new buildings as I had for the old School in town--York Ladies' College it was then; but this certainly is handsomer, and we've still got Miss Meredith and some of the old staff, so it's the same York.”
Judith looked eagerly at the great pile of grey stone vine-clad buildings.
”That's the main school with the bell-tower,” continued Aunt Nell in her character of guide. ”The cla.s.srooms and offices are there, the two wings are East and West Houses, farther to the north--there, you see--is North House, and here is South where you are to be. That's Miss Meredith's house over there by the maple trees, and back of the main school are the gymnasium and the tennis courts. I hope you've brought your tennis racquet; you'll get excellent practice.”
Aunt Nell paused for a moment, and then she laughed a little ruefully.
”I'd love to give you a bit of advice or guidance that would help, Judy; but honestly I don't know how to do it. Fathers and uncles in the school stories always seem to know what to say. I do know that you're going to have a splendid time--I wish _I_ were sixteen again and my first year at York before me.” Aunt Nell looked reminiscent for a moment, and then added, ”One thing--York is going to help you to grow; and if I didn't feel rather like a very heavy uncle who was being listened to for the tip he was to bestow, I'd conclude by quoting from 'Hamlet'--yes, I will--it's the soundest piece of advice I know.
'To thine own self be true, And it shall follow as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.'
There, that's my last will and testament. York is going to show you how to be true to the best that's in you; perhaps the girls will teach you as much as the staff will--you've got some very important things to learn from them.”
Judith looked politely astonished, but not very deeply interested. Fancy having to listen to ”Hamlet” when a perfectly fascinating new world lay just a few yards away! But Aunt Nell really was a dear--that new blue taffeta was going to be stunning.
Judith had dreaded a little the interview with Miss Meredith; she was sure that the Head of this great School must be an awe-inspiring person, stern and somewhat like a judge. But Miss Meredith's welcome was so warm and gracious that Judith felt surprisingly at her ease. She was conscious of a dignified presence, kind yet keen blue eyes, a beautiful, low-pitched voice, and a personality, which, even in that first short interview, Judith recognized as strong and powerful.
Judith's course of study was discussed, and then a charming-looking girl--who was apparently waiting in the corridor for the purpose--was summoned and introduced as Nancy Nairn, a cla.s.smate, and member of the same house.
They made way for another newcomer and her mother, and the moment Judith had dreaded was come. She kept Aunt Nell a few minutes in the hall sending messages to Doris and Bobby and Uncle Tom, and a miserable aching lump rose in her throat, though she swallowed hard.
”Head up, honey,” whispered Aunt Nell, holding Judith's hands firmly.