She had become aware just then that something else was wrong in the van of her little army, and hurrying to the front, she found fat Ann Straggalls furiously red, and choking with laughter.
For shame! began Hazel severely. I dont yet know your name.
Straggalls, teacher, burst out a chorus of voices. Annie Straggalls.
Straggalls, I shall have to punish you if you do not walk properly. A great girl like you, and setting so bad an example.
Please, teacher, it wasnt me, began fat Ann Straggalls.
It was you, retorted Hazel; I saw you laughing and behaving very badly.
But please, teacher, it was Feelier Potts kept tiddling of me
Oh, what a wicked story, teacher.
Silence! cried Hazel.
Inside of my and, where theres a ole in my glove, teacher.
Strue as goodness I didnt, teacher, cried Feelier.
Not another word. Walk quietly on to church. I will talk about it to-morrow.
This was, of course, as the progression went on, and just at that moment, as she was resuming her place. Hazel Thorne felt as if she had been attacked by a severe spasm. Her heart seemed to stand still, and she turned pale; then it began to beat furiously, and there was a crimson flush in her face and temples as she became aware of the fact that a tall, well-dressed, gentlemanly-looking young man was walking on the other side of the long street leading into the town, and she saw him change his thin, closely-folded umbrella from one hand to the other, ready to raise his hat to her if she would have looked across the road again. But she let her eyes fall, and this time returned to her place between Mr and Miss Burge, feeling glad that they were there, and almost glorying in the vulgarity of their appearance as a safeguard to her from recollections of the past, and the possibility of troubles in the future.
Ah, as I was a-saying, resumed Mr William Forth Burge, Plumtons wonderfully
changed since I went to London. Do you know London, Miss Thorne?
Oh, yes, I know London, she replied. I used to live at Kensington.
Did you now! cried her companion, looking at her with admiration. Well now, that is strange!
Hazel could not see the strangeness of the fact, but she said nothing.
Why, my carts used to go all round Kensington, right to Notting Hill, and take in Chelsea and Pimlico as well.
I really must beg of you to excuse me once more, said Hazel.
Naughty child. Sh sh sh! said little Miss Burge, shaking her parasol at the two first girls of the rank, as Hazel went off again. For, highly indignant at having been charged with tiddling her fellow pupil. Miss Ophelia Potts had snatched herself together very tightly, and keeping hold of Ann Straggalls hand the one that had a hole in the glove she had begun to walk as fast as she could with so much heavy ballast as Miss Straggalls proved. The consequence was, that the girls behind followed suit not quite so fast, the next couple caught the infection, and then there was a hiatus, six girls straggling a long way ahead, and after a great gap of twenty or thirty yards there was the rest of the school. Hazel hurried after her disordered forces, and checked the advance guard till they were joined by the rest, after which she allowed the brother and sister to come up to her, when she once more took her place, looking terribly conscious of the fact that Archibald Graves was on the other side, keeping pace with them, and looking across as if begging for a glance.
Quite a stranger, Betsey. No; I never see him afore.
Why, how hot and flustered you do look, my dear! said little Miss Burge. The girls is tiresome this morning. If that Feelier Potts dont behave herself, she shant come up to the garden to tea.
You havent seen my garden, Miss Thorne, said the ex-butcher.
No.
Ah, youll have to come up and see my garden. My sister here will ask you to bring up some of the best girls to take them on the lawn, and eat cake.
But not a bit for that naughty Feelier Potts, cried Miss Burge, shaking her parasol at the delinquent. Look at that now, Bill. Well, of all the aggravating hussies.
Hazel was already on in front, to where Miss Feelier had turned what her mother termed stunt; that is to say, she behaved as a horse does that has a character for jibbing she was not allowed to go her own pace, so she began to walk as slowly as possible, and almost stopped.
It needs neither blackboard nor chalk to demonstrate the problem that follows:
A, B, and C, are divisions of a column of troops on the march. Portion A forms the advance guard; B the centre; C the rear. If A marched one mile per hour, B two miles per hour, and C three miles per hour, what would be the result?
Setting aside miles per hour. Hazel Thornes column behaved as above; and in two minutes, to Feelier Potts great delight of which, however, she did not display an inkling in her stolid face, the little column was all in confusion, while the young lady called out loudly:
Please, teacher, theyre a-scrouging of us behind.
There was nothing for it but for Hazel Thorne to lead the van, leaving little Miss Burge in charge of the rear, seeing which state of affairs, Mr William Forth Burge was about to leave his sister and go up to the front and continue his egotistical discourse; but here he was checked by Miss Burge.