I trust that you have found everything correct at at the schoolhouse, Miss Thorne?
Quite, I thank you, replied Hazel, with quiet dignity, and she entirely forgot that she was addressing her superior, and left out the sir.
Of course everything is very strange and new to you at first; but er er, you will soon feel quite at home with us, I hope.
Indeed, I hope so, said Hazel earnestly. The time has been so short as yet.
Yes of course so very short, replied the vicar. My sisters will call to-morrow, I have no doubt and see Mrs Thorne. I shall be down at the school in the afternoon. You saw Miss Burge, of course, this morning?
Oh yes. Miss Burge walked up to church with me.
And Mr William Forth Burge too, if I mistake not. Most admirable people, Miss Thorne. Great patrons of our schools. I trust that you will er er try to er that is, endeavour to meet them in little matters, connected with the management of the children.
You may rely upon my trying to thoroughly fulfil my duties, Mr Lambent, said Hazel quietly.
Of course to be sure, Miss Thorne, no doubt, he said hastily; and as he spoke he wondered at himself more and more; but I must not detain you, Miss Thorne. Er allow me one moment, the curtain is rather awkward to one unaccustomed to the place.
And, to the astonishment the utter astonishment of his sisters, who were standing as stiffly in the chancel as if they were a couple of monumental effigies, the Reverend Henry Lambent opened the door, passed
out first, and then stood holding the curtain aside for Hazel to pass, which she did, bowing gravely and with quiet dignity to the two ladies before gliding along the nave and out of the door.
Neither of the sisters spoke, but stood, like the vicar, watching the new mistress leave the church.
At last Miss Beatrice turned.
What excuse did she make, Henry? she said.
I er I beg your pardon, Beatrice?
I say, what excuse did she make? Really, her conduct is very, strange.
Excuse? Oh, of course, about her visitor, said the vicar absently. I er I on second consideration thought it would be better to ignore the matter. Perhaps she was not to blame.
Henry!
Beatrice, my dear, said the vicar quietly, I always abstain from having refreshments in the vestry, but the morning service is long and I feel faint. Let us go home to lunch.
Miss Beatrice had the first rule over the vicarage, her elder sister the second rule, and generally speaking, the vicar let them have matters entirely their own way; still, there were times when he took the reins in his own hands, and then it was dangerous to interfere.
This was one of the times when the vicar showed that he had a will of his own, and consequently the sisters exchanged glances and said no more.
Chapter Seven. What did I see in this Boy?
At last! he cried, eagerly, as he came up. My dear Hazel, I thought I was never to see you.
She took no notice of the proffered hand, but walked quietly on.
Wont you take my arm, Hazel? he exclaimed. Oh, dont be so hard on a fellow. What have I done?
Hazel turned her large earnest eyes upon him, and seemed to look him through and through, as, instead of answering his question, she put one to herself.
What did I see in Archibald Graves, this thoughtless boy, who can come and ask me such a question after the agony I have suffered? What did I see in this boy to make me think I loved him with all my heart?
Poor Hazel! It did not occur to her that a short two years since she was a light-hearted girl; and that since then she had grown into a deep, earnest woman, who had been baptised by sorrow, and who could only share the riches of her love with one who was all that was manly and true, and to whom she could look up with respect, even with reverence; whereas now, with his petulant boyish, injured air, Archibald Graves only filled her with something akin to disgust.
I say, you know, Hazel, he went on, dont be so hard on a fellow. The governor was dead against my keeping it up, you know, and he wanted me to give him my word not to see you any more; but at last I thought I must see you again, so I found out all about what you were doing, and where you were, and followed you down here; and pon my soul, when I saw you leading that string of scrubs of school children to church, I did not know whether to laugh or cry.
Then Mr Graves is not aware of your visit down here, Archibald? said Hazel quietly.
By Jove, no! he would be in a wax if he knew.
Then why did you come?
Why did I come? Oh, I say Hazel, he cried reproachfully, I didnt think you could be so hard upon me. You dont know how Ive been upset all about it. Pon my word, there were times when I felt almost ill.
Has he altered? Hazels heart cried out within her, or have I become worldly and cold, and, as he says, hard?
I say, you know, Hazel, you must give up all this wretched business. I shall tell the governor that I mean to keep to our old engagement, and hell come round some day; but you must give up the school teaching, as hed never stand that, for hes as proud as Lucifer. Come, I say, its all right again, isnt it?