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After breakfast Mrs Willis sent for her, and told her what arrangements were being made; she said that she was going to remove Susan Drummond out of Hesters bedroom, in order that Hester might enjoy her little sisters company at night. She spoke very gently, and entered with full sympathy into the girls delight over the little motherless sister, and Hester felt more drawn to her governess than she had ever been.
Nan was to arrive at Lavender House on the following evening, and for the first week her nurse was to remain with her until she got accustomed to her new life.
The morning of the day of Nans arrival was also the last of the Easter holidays, and Hester, awakening earlier than her wont, lay in bed, and planned what she would do to welcome the little one.
The idea of having Nan with her continually had softened and touched Hester. She was not unhappy in her school-life indeed, there was much in its monotonous, busy, and healthy occupation to stimulate and rouse the good in her. Her intellect was being vigorously exercised, and, by contact with her school-fellows, her character was being moulded; but the perfect harmony and brightness of the school had been much interrupted since Hesters arrival; her dislike to Annie Forest had been unfortunate in more ways than one, and that dislike, which was increasing each day, was hardening Hesters heart.
But it was not hard this morning all that was sweetest, and
softest, and best in her had come to the surface the little sister, whom her mother had left in her charge, was now to be her daily and hourly companion. For Nans sake, then, she must be very good; her deeds must be gentle and kind, and her thoughts charitable. Hester had an instinctive feeling that baby eyes saw deep below the surface; Hester felt if Nan were to lose even a shadow of her faith in her she could almost die of shame.
Hester had been very proud of Dora Russells friendship. Never before had it been known in the school that a first-class girl took a third into such close companionship, and Hesters little head had been slightly turned by the fact. Her better judgment and her better nature had been rather blinded by the fascinations of this tall, graceful, satirical Dora. She had been weak enough to agree with Dora with her lips when in her heart of hearts she knew she was all wrong. By nature Hester was an honourable girl, with many fine traits in her character by nature Dora was small and mean and poor of soul.
This morning Hester ran up to her favourite.
Little Nan is coming to-night, she said.
Dora was talking at the moment to Miss Maitland, another first-class girl, and the two stared rather superciliously at Hester, and, after a pause, Dora said in her finest drawl
Who is little Nan?
It was Hesters turn to stare, for she had often spoken of Nan to this beloved friend, who had listened to her narrative and had appeared to sympathise.
My little sister, of course, she exclaimed. I have often talked to you about her, Dora. Are you not glad she is coming?
No, my dear child, I cant say that I am. If you wish to retain my friendship, Hester, you must be careful to keep the little mite away from me; I cant bear small children.
Hester walked away with her heart swelling, and she fancied she heard the two elder girls laughing as she left the play-room.
Many other girls, however, in the school thoroughly sympathised with Hester, and amongst them no one was more delighted than Susan Drummond.
I am awfully good-natured not to be as cross as two sticks, Hetty, she exclaimed, for I am being turned out of my comfortable room; and whose room do you suppose I am now to share? why, that little imp Annie Forests. But Hester felt charitable, even toward Annie, on this happy day.
In the evening little Nan arrived. She was a very pretty, dimpled, brown-eyed creature, of just three years of age. She had all the imperious ways of a spoilt baby, and, evidently, fear was a word not to be found in her vocabulary. She clung to Hester, but smiled and nodded to the other girls, who made advances to her, and petted her, and thought her a very charming baby. Beside Nan, all the other little girls in the school looked old. She was quite, two years the youngest, and it was soon very evident that she would establish that most imperious of all reigns a baby reign in the school.
Hester fondled her and talked to her, and the little thing sat on her knee and stroked her face.
Me like oo, Hetty, she said several times, and she added many other endearing and pretty words which caused Hesters heart to swell with delight. She alone, of all the girls, had taken no notice of the new plaything. She walked to her usual corner, sat down on the floor, and began to play cup and ball for the benefit of two or three of the smallest children. Hester did not regard her in the least; she sat with Nan on her knee, stroking back her sunny curls, and remarking on her various charms to several of the girls who sat round her.
See, how pretty that dimple in her chin is, she said, and oh, my pet, your eyes look wiser, and bigger, and saucier than ever. Look at me, Nan; look at your own Hetty.