Meade L. T. - A Sweet Girl Graduate

Meade L. T. A Sweet Girl Graduate

Chapter One Going out into the World

Well, I think Ive told you everything, said the aunt.

Oh, yes, Aunt Raby, I shant forget. Im to write once a week, and Im to try not to be nervous. I dont suppose I shall be I dont see why I should. Girls arent nervous nowadays, are they?

I dont know, my dear. It seems to me that if they arent they ought to be. I can understand girls doing hard things if they must. I can understand anyone doing anything that has to be done, but as to not being nervous well there! Sit down, Prissie, child, and take your tea.

Priscilla was tall and slight. Her figure was younger than her years, which were nearly nineteen, but her face was older. It was an almost careworn face, thoughtful, grave, with anxious lines already deepening the seriousness of the too serious mouth.

Priscilla cut some bread-and-butter, and poured out some tea for her aunt and for herself.

Miss Rachel Peel was not the least like her niece. She was short and rather dumpy. She had a sensible, downright sort of face, and she took life with a gravity which would have oppressed a less earnest spirit than Priscillas.

Well, Im tired, she said, when the meal was over. I suppose Ive done a great deal more than I thought I had all day. I think Ill go to bed early. We have said all our last words, havent we, Priscilla?

Pretty nearly, Aunt Raby.

Oh, yes, that reminds me theres one thing more. Your fees will be all right, of course, and your travelling, and I have arranged about your washing money.

Yes, Aunt Raby, oh, yes; everything is all right.

Priscilla fidgeted, moved her position a little, and looked longingly out of the window.

You must have a little money over and above these things, proceeded Miss Peel, in her sedate voice. I am not rich, but Ill allow you yes, Ill manage to allow you two shillings a week. That will be for pocket-money, you understand, child.

The girls old-young face flushed painfully.

Ill want a few pence for stamps, of course, she said. But I shant write a great many letters. Ill be a great deal too busy studying. You need not allow me anything like so large a sum as that, Aunt Raby.

Nonsense, child. Youll find it all too small when you go out into the world. You are a clever girl, Prissie, and Im going to be proud of you. I dont hold with the present craze about womens education. But I feel somehow that I shall be proud of you. Youll be learned enough, but youll be a woman with it all. I wouldnt have you stinted for the world, Prissie, my dear. Yes, Ill make it ten shillings a month yes, I will. I can easily screw that sum out of the butter money. Now, not another word. Im off to bed. Good-night, my love.

Priscilla kissed her aunt and went out. It was a lovely autumn evening. She stepped on to the green sward which surrounded the little cottage, and with the moonlight casting its full radiance on her slim figure, looked steadily out over the sea. The cottage was on the top of some high cliffs. The light of the moon made a bright path over the water, and Priscilla had a good view of shining, silvered water, and dark, deep blue sky.

She stood perfectly still, gazing straight out before her. Some of the reflection and brightness of the moonlight seemed to get into her anxious eyes, and the faint dawn of a new-born hope to tremble around her lips. She thought herself rich with ten shillings a month pocket-money. She returned to the house, feeling overpowered at Aunt Rabys goodness.

Upstairs in Prissies room there were two beds. One was small; in this she herself slept. The other had now three occupants. Three heads were raised when Prissie entered the room, and three shrill voices exclaimed

Here we are, all wide-awake, Prissie, darling! This remark, made simultaneously, was followed by prolonged peals of laughter.

Three of you in that small bed! said Priscilla. She stood still, and a smile broke all over her face. Why, Hattie, she said, catching up the eldest of the three girls, and giving her a fervent hug how did you slip out of Aunt Rabys room?

Oh, I managed to, said Hattie, in a stage whisper.

Aunt Raby came upstairs half an hour ago, and she undressed very fast, and got into bed, and I heard her snoring in about a minute. It was then I slipped away. She never heard.

Hop up on the bed now, Prissie, exclaimed Rose, another of the children, and let us all have a chat. Here, Katie, if youll promise not to cry you may get into the middle, between Hattie and me, then youll be very close to darling Prissie.

Katie was the youngest of the three occupants of the bed: she was about eight years old; her small face was delicate in its outline, her mouth peevish; she did not look a strong child, and self-control could scarcely be expected of her.

Priscilla placed her candle on the chimney-piece, jumped on the bed according to orders, and looked earnestly at her three small sisters.

Now, Prissie, said Hattie, in the important little voice which she always used, begin, go on tell us all about your grand college life.