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I shall long to hear of your dear girls, and also to see them, she said, as she sipped her tea and stirred it slowly with a small Russian spoon.
Well, come over and take a peep at them on Saturday, said Mrs. Chetwynd. Belle is away, is she not?
She comes home to-morrow night; she has had a very pleasant tour in Switzerland. May I bring her with me?
Mrs. Chetwynd longed to say No. She disliked Belle Acheson, she disliked her manners and her mode of life, and she did not wish her to exercise the smallest influence over Letitia, Eileen, and Marjorie. After a moments reflection, however, she came to the conclusion that these young ladies could not be injured by any one so plain and unimportant. She therefore bent her head in token of willingness to receive Belle Acheson for a few hours into her house.
Let it be Saturday, then, she said. Come as early as you can in the afternoon. If all goes well, I mean to have my three girls presented this season. I took this house for the purpose: it is in a fashionable locality and close to everything. Yes, after all, three young débutantes will in one sense be an advantage. The thing will be out of the common; nothing is admired so much as the uncommon. I expect I shall enjoy myself; and the girls, whatever happens, shall have a good time. If you are wise, my dear Emily, you will try to introduce Belle. If you dress her well you might do wonders with her, and
Belle in society! said Mrs. Acheson with a laugh. Ah, I see you do not know her yet. Expect me on Saturday, and I will bring Belle if I can.
Mrs. Chetwynd heaved a sigh as her friend left the room.
CHAPTER II IN A THIRD-CLASS CARRIAGE
How tired you must be! said this girl. Do let me hold your baby for a little.
As she spoke all the other passengers turned and stared at her. She was a tall, slim, very plainly-dressed girl; her dark-blue serge dress lacked freshness, her sailor hat was decidedly the worse for wear, and her gloves had been mended in many places. The woman whom the girl addressed, glancing first at the shabby clothes, then at the kind, bright, handsome young face, decided that the girl was not very much above herself in the social scale, and agreed to let her hold her baby for a bit.
A charming color came into the girls face as she received the small atom of humanity on her knee. She held the baby tenderly; her young arms were strong, the little one nestled down comfortably, and the mother gave her a glance of admiration.
Why, I do declare, my dear, she exclaimed, one would think you had half-a-dozen of your own, you handle the little mite that knowingly!
Oh, it is because I love children, replied the girl. It is kind of you to let me hold your little one. Look, Marjorie, do look; hasnt it pretty little fingers; and oh, do see its tiny toes!
Another tall girl bent forward and began to examine the babys feet. They were pink and very small; the girl stretched out her palm, and the other girl placed the little foot upon it.
You are not to take the little dear from me, said the first girl.
Oh, my dear Eileen, I would not deprive you of the little treasure for the world, was the quick reply. I know by your face you are in the seventh heaven.
I am, I am, replied the girl addressed as
Eileen. Oh, what a darling! It is so delicious, Marjorie, when it nestles up against you.
The train slackened speed, drew up at a great station, and the woman, the baby, and most of the other passengers got out. The three girls now found themselves alone in the carriage. The girl at the distant window, the smallest of the three, turned and eagerly faced her companions.
Well, Eileen, she began she shook her finger in the face of the bright, tall girl as she spoke if you begin that sort of thing just on the very day when you have left school, if you will insist on wearing those disgracefully shabby clothes, going third-class and taking us with you, when your mother sends us money to travel first, and finally adopting strange babies who happen to be traveling in the same carriage, you will certainly break Aunt Helens heart.
Eileen shrugged her shoulders.
Not at all, she answered. Mother may not like it at first, but she will soon learn to know once for all that Marjorie and I mean to follow our own bent. Marjorie and I do not intend to wear gay clothes, because we consider finery a sheer waste of money; but as to you, Lettie, it is the greatest pity you are not mothers own daughter. How exquisitely neat, how smart, you look!
Not smart at all, only suitably dressed, replied Letitia, bridling a little.
She was wearing a very correct traveling costume of dark gray; her bright wavy hair was arranged in the latest and most fashionable manner; little curls and bits of fluffy downy brightness would get out of their confinement and dance round her small, soft face. She was wearing the universal coat and skirt; but a light-blue cambric shirt and a white sailor hat with a broad white ribbon gave distinction to her costume. Her gloves were also white, and her little shoes had smart bows and buckles.