Part 19 (2/2)
”Judy's nervous, Cathy; please say something to cheer her up the way you did at the play.”
The colour deepened ever so slightly in Catherine's cheeks, for she had been mentally shaking herself that she had not been more generous to Judy, so she was quick to seize her opportunity as Judith pa.s.sed.
”Good for you, Judibus--you're certain to win--you're doing splendidly.
Remember we're trusting ourselves to you--but we're sure of the cup--you _can_ play!”
Catherine's old self, all the coldness gone, spoke in the words.
They seemed to be magic words, for a miracle happened then and there.
Nelly fought hard and it was a battle worth watching, but Judith was quite certain now that she would win. Nelly really hadn't a chance against some one who suddenly realized that she had not been answering up to the trust her friends had given her; some one who saw herself restored to the favour she coveted; some one who knew now that it didn't matter a bit whether she lost or won as long as she did her very best; some one who was suddenly walking on air, whose eyes and cheeks were glowing with joy, and whose feet and wits seemed so nimble that strategy and tactics were blown to the winds.
The last set went rapidly, and it seemed afterwards to Judith only a few exhilarating moments until the umpire was announcing, ”Game and set in favour of Judith Benson,” and three cheers were being given for her and three cheers for South. South House had the cup back again!
Judith had just sufficient presence of mind left to shake hands with Nelly and thank her for the game, and then she was in the midst of a happy throng of Southerners who shouted congratulations and told her she was a brick, and a wonder, and a credit to the House.
Invitations for tea at the tuck shop poured in thick and fast, but Catherine answered for her:
”Not a bit of it; she belongs to the 'Jolly Susan' _first_ of all, and we've a spread of s.h.i.+p's rations in my room all ready for the occasion.”
Judith looked so radiant at the party that Sally May, who always knew the latest bit of gossip, said disappointedly,
”I suppose you know about Miss Ashwell, Judy?”
”What about her?” said Judith eagerly. ”Is she--?”
”Yes, she--is--engaged! It's frightfully exciting--some of the girls saw her ring this afternoon, and she said yes she was, and what _do_ you think?” Sally May paused dramatically.
”Well--?”
”She's going to be married in prize-giving week because the Major is going back to France--and Miss Meredith is giving her a school wedding--only all the Old Girls are going to be there--so they're not sure whether we'll be invited.”
Sally May paused for breath.
Here was room for discussion, indeed. A wedding! A York Hill wedding!
And their own Miss Ashwell! Surely they would be invited!
Field Day proved another exciting topic--they all decided to enter the suitcase race and provide some merriment for the School by the costumes they would produce. The party broke up reluctantly to dress for dinner.
But Catherine managed to detain Judith for a moment and say in an undertone:
”I've been horrid lately, Judy--too busy with the play to be decent. I suppose you're getting busy, too, on the Properties Committee; but I wonder if you could spare time to hear me my part to-night?”
Could she?
CHAPTER XV
<script>