The domestic affairs were harder to get over because they appealed strongly to the heart, and scarcely a day passed without some new trouble.
To a young girl like Hazel, after the first pangs, there was enough elasticity to make her feel happy enough in her new home. The rooms were small, the furniture common, but there was always that pleasant feeling of seeing, so to speak, the place grow. Her womans taste set her busily at work making little things to brighten the rooms. Now a few pence were spent in pots of musk for the windows. Next there was a large scarlet geranium in full blossom that cost the extravagant sum of sixpence; then blinds were made for the windows. A dozen such little things were done week by week, and as each triumph was achieved, and the place grew daily brighter and more tasty and refined, a feeling of satisfaction would come at times into her breast in spite of the wet-blanketism that was always being laid over everything by Mrs Thorne.
It is not that I mind the humble cottage, and the pitifully mean furniture, Hazel, my dear, sighed Mrs Thorne, anything would do for me. I am getting an old woman now.
No, no, dear, said Hazel. You are not old; and you are far better than you were.
You dont know, Hazel. I alone feel the worm eating away at the bud of my life; but as I was saying, I dont mind; it is for you I think and weep.
Then why think and weep, mamma dear? there, you see I said mamma this time.
Dont say mamma to please me, Hazel I am only your poor helpless, burdensome mother, now. You say, why think and weep? I will tell you: because it breaks my heart to see my child wasting herself here, and performing the most menial duties,
when she ought to be taking her place amongst the richest of the land.
I should be as happy as could be, dear, and I dont mind the work, if you would only get quite well.
Well, Hazel? Never any more. Let me only see you satisfactorily married, and I shall be ready to die in peace.
No, no, no, dear! cried Hazel; and pray dont say any more about such things.
I must my dear; but tell me, has Mr Graves been down again?
No, mother.
Mrs Thorne sighed, as she always did at the word mother.
Did I I tell you that I had had a letter from Mr Geringer?
No, said Hazel quickly. Surely you are not corresponding with him?
Oh, no, my dear; I only answered his letters.
Answered his letters?
Yes, my dear; he said he was coming down to see us, if I would give my consent, and of course I did.
Oh, mother, dear mother, how could you be so foolish?
Foolish, Hazel?
Yes, dear. He must not come. I could not see him. Why can he not leave me here in peace?
I I will not be spoken to like this by my own child! cried Mrs Thorne. It is cruel; it is wicked of you, Hazel. You not only degrade me to this terrible life, but you speak to me as if I were so much dirt under your feet. It is cruel; it is disgraceful; it is base.
Mother, dear mother, cried Hazel, whose face was aflame with mortification.
No, no, dont touch me; dont come near me; I cannot bear it. Foolish? What have I done that Heaven should have given me such a cruel child?
By this time Hazels arms were round her mothers neck, and her cheek laid upon her bosom, but it was long before Mrs Thorne would consent to the embrace, and leave off sobbing and wringing her hands.
When you might be rolling in your carriage, and have every luxury in the land.
But I want us to be independent, dear. We might be so happy here.
Happy? exclaimed Mrs Thorne, with a hysterical laugh. Happy here?
At last after similar scenes she would grow weary and forgive her child for her cruelty, and there would be a little peace, giving Hazel an opportunity to attend to some domestic work, and to devote an hour to the teaching of her little sisters; but there would be tears shed at night, and a prayer offered up for strength and patience to conquer in the end.
The school affairs went steadily on, and the girls settled down and began to forget the excitement of Mr William Forth Burges party. That gentleman called once during school-hours, shook hands very warmly, and stopped talking till Hazel thought he would never go.
Miss Burge came regularly on week-days and petitioned to be allowed to take a class sometimes a petition that was of course granted, but not with very satisfactory results, for poor little Miss Burges discipline was of the very mildest nature, and as she preferred taking the class that held Miss Feelier Potts and Ann Straggalls, the attention of the mistress had to be very frequently called to maintain order.
I really dont know how you do it, my dear, I dont indeed, said the little lady; the girls all like you, and yet they seem afraid of you as well. I declare I quite shrink from you when you look so stern.
I hope you like me as well, Miss Burge, said Hazel, smiling.
That I do indeed, my dear, and so does my brother. Hes always talking about you. I declare, my dear, Im quite surprised sometimes to find how much he thinks about you.