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With these words, the housemaid approached the bed where the red-haired girl lay again on her back, and again snoring loudly.
Miss Drummond, wake, miss; its half-past six. Wake up, miss I have brought your hot water.
Eh? what? said the voice in the bed sleepily; dont bother me, Hannah I Ive determined not to ride this morning; go away then more sleepily, and in a lower key, Tell Percy he cant bring the dogs in here.
I aint neither your Hannah, nor your Percy, nor one of the dogs, replied the rather irate Alice There, get up, miss, do. I never see such a young lady for sleeping, never.
I wont be bothered, said the occupant of the bed, and now she turned deliberately on her side and snored more loudly than ever.
Theres no help for it, said Alice: I have to do it nearly every morning, so dont you be startled, miss. Poor thing, she would never have a good conduct mark but for me. Now then, here goes. You neednt be frightened, miss she dont mind it the least bit in the world.
Here Alice seized a rough Turkish towel, placed it under the sleepy head with its shock of red hair, and, dipping a sponge in a basin of icy cold water, dashed it on the white face.
This remedy proved effectual; two large pale blue eyes opened wide, a voice said in a tranquil and unmoved tone
Oh, thank you, Alice. So Im back at this horrid, detestable school again?
Get your feet well on the carpet, Miss Drummond, before you falls off again, said the servant. Now then, youd better get dressed as fast as possible, miss you have lost five minutes already.
Hester, who had laughed immoderately during this little scene, was already up and going through the processes of her toilet. Miss Drummond, seated on the edge of her bed, regarded her with sleepy eyes.
So you are my new room-mate? she said Whats your name?
Hester Thornton, replied Hetty with dignity.
Oh Im Susy Drummond you may call me Susy if you like.
Hester made no response to this gracious invitation.
Miss Drummond sat motionless, gazing down at her toes.
Had not you better get dressed? said Hester after a long pause, for she really feared the young lady would fall asleep where she was sitting.
Miss Drummond started.
Dressed! So I will, dear creature. Have the sweet goodness to hand me my clothes.
Where are they? asked Hester rather crossly, for she did not care to act as ladys-maid.
They
are over there, on a chair, in that lovely heap with a shawl flung over them. There, toss them this way Ill get into them somehow.
Miss Drummond did manage to get into her garments; but her whole appearance was so heavy and untidy when she was dressed, that Hester by the very force of contrast felt obliged to take extra pains with her own toilet.
Now, thats a comfort, said Susan, Im in my clothes. How bitter it is! Theres one comfort, the chapel will be warm. I often catch forty winks in chapel that is, if Im lucky enough to get behind one of the tall girls, where Mrs Willis wont see me. It does seem to me, continued Susan in a meditative tone, the strangest thing why girls are not allowed sleep enough.
Hester was pinning a clean collar round her neck when Miss Drummond came up close, leaned over the dressing-table, and regarded her with languid curiosity.
A penny for your thoughts. Miss Prunes and Prism.
Why do you call me that? said Hester angrily.
Because you look like it, sweet. Now, dont be cross, little pet no one ever yet was cross with sleepy Susy Drummond. Now, tell me, love, what had you for breakfast yesterday?
Im sure I forget, said Hester.
You forget ? how extraordinary! Youre sure that it was not buttered scones? We have them sometimes, and I tell you they are enough even to keep a girl awake. Well, at least you can let me know if the eggs were very stale, and the coffee very weak, and whether the butter was second-rate Dorset, or good and fresh. Come now my breakfast is of immense importance to me, I assure you.
I dare say, answered Hester. You can see for yourself this morning what is on the table I can only inform you that it was good enough for me, and that I dont remember what it was.
Oh, dear! exclaimed Susan Drummond, Im afraid she has a little temper of her own poor little room-mate. I wonder if chocolate-creams would sweeten that little temper?
Please dont talk Im going to say my prayers, said Hester.
She did kneel down, and made a slight effort to ask God to help her through the days work and the days play. In consequence, she rose from her knees with a feeling of strength and sweetness which even the feeblest prayer when uttered in earnest can always give.
The prayer-gong now sounded, and all the girls assembled in the chapel. Miss Drummond was greeted by many appreciative nods, and more than one pair of longing eyes gazed in the direction of her pockets, which stuck out in the most ungainly fashion.
Hester was relieved to find that her room-mate did not share her class in school, nor sit anywhere near her at table.
When the half-hours recreation after breakfast arrived, Hester, determined to be beholden to none of her school-mates for companionship, seated herself comfortably in an easy chair, with a new book. Presently she was startled by a little stream of lollipops falling in a shower over her head, down her neck, and into her lap. She started up with an expression of disgust. Instantly Miss Drummond sank into the vacated chair.