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We may speak English now for half an hour, she said, and most of us are going to the play-room. We generally tell stories round the fire upon these dark winters nights. Would you like to come with me to-night? Shall we be chums for this evening?
I dont know what chums are, said Hester; but, she added, with the dawning of a faint smile on her poor, sad little face, I shall be very glad to go with you.
Come then, said Cecil Temple, and she pulled Hesters hand within her arm, and walked with her across the wide
stone hall, and into the largest room Hester had ever seen.
Never, anywhere, could there have been a more delightful play-room than this. It was so large that two great fires which burned at either end were not at all too much to emit even tolerable warmth. The room was bright with three or four lamps which were suspended from the ceiling, the floor was covered with matting, and the walls were divided into curious partitions, which gave the room a peculiar but very cosy effect. These partitions consisted of large panels, and were divided by slender rails the one from the other.
This is my cosy corner, said Cecil, and you shall sit with me in it to-night. You see, she added, each of us girls has her own partition, and we can do exactly what we like in it. We can put our own photographs, our own drawings, our own treasures on our panels. Under each division is our own little work-table, and, in fact, our own individual treasures lie round us in the enclosure of this dear little rail. The centre of the room is common property, and you see what a great space there is round each fire-place where we can chatter and talk, and be on common ground. The fire-place at the end of the room near the door is reserved especially for the little ones, but we elder girls sit at the top. Of course you will belong to us. How old are you?
Twelve, said Hester.
Oh, well, you are so tall that you cannot possibly be put with the little ones, so you must come in with us.
And shall I have a railed-in division and a panel of my own? asked Hester. It sounds a very nice arrangement. I hope my department will be close to yours, Miss?
Temple is my name, said Cecil, but you need not call me that. I am Cecil to all my friends, and you are my friend this evening, for you are my chum, you know. Oh, you were asking me about our departments you wont have any at first, for you have got to earn it, but I will invite you to mine pretty often. Come now, let us go inside. Is not it just like the darlingest little drawing-room? I am so sorry that I have only one easy chair, but you shall have it to-night, and I will sit on this three-legged stool. I am saving up my money to buy another armchair, and Annie has promised to upholster it for me.
Is Annie one of the maids?
Oh, dear, no! shes dear old Annie Forest, the liveliest girl in the school. Poor darling, shes seldom out of hot water; but we all love her, we cant help it. Poor Annie, she hardly ever has the luxury of a department to herself, so she is useful all round. Shes the most amusing and good-natured dear pet in Christendom.
I dont like her at all, said Hester; I did not know you were talking of her she is a most rude, uncouth girl. Cecil Temple, who had been arranging a small dark green table-cloth with daffodils worked artistically in each corner on her little table, stood up as the newcomer uttered these words, and regarded her fixedly.
It is a pity to draw hasty conclusions, she said. There is no girl more loved in the school than Annie Forest. Even the teachers, although they are always punishing her, cannot help having a soft corner in their hearts for her. What can she possibly have done to offend you? but oh! hush dont speak she is coming into the room.
As Cecil finished her rather eager defence of her friend, and prevented the indignant words which were bubbling to Hesters lips, a gay voice was heard singing a comic song in the passage the play-room door was flung open with a bang, and Miss Forest entered the room with a small girl seated on each of her shoulders.
Hold on, Janny love; keep your arms well round me, Mabel. Now then, here we go twice up the room and down again. No more, as Im alive. Ive got to attend to other matters than you.
She placed the little girls on the floor amid peals of laughter, and shouts from several little ones to give them a ride too. The children began to cling to her skirts and to drag her in all directions, and she finally escaped from them with one dexterous bound which placed her in that portion of the play-room where the little ones knew they were not allowed to enter.
Until her arrival the different girls scattered about the large room had been more or less orderly, chattering and laughing together, it is true, but in a quiet manner. Now the whole place appeared suddenly in an uproar.
Annie, come here Annie, darling, give me your opinion about this Annie, my precious, naughty creature, come and tell me about your last scrape.