Ruthshe was the parlour-maid and had red haircame in and said that two gentlemen wanted to see the master.
Ive shown them into the Library, Sir, said she.
I expect its the subscription to the Vicars testimonial, said Mother, or else its the choir holiday fund. Get rid of them quickly, dear. It does break up an evening so, and its nearly the childrens bedtime.
But Father did not seem to be able to get rid of the gentlemen at all quickly.
I wish we HAD got a moat and drawbridge, said Roberta; then, when we didnt want people, we could just pull up the drawbridge and no one else could get in. I expect Father will have forgotten about when he was a boy if they stay much longer.
Mother tried to make the time pass by telling them a new fairy story about a Princess with green eyes, but it was difficult because they could hear the voices of Father and the gentlemen in the Library, and Fathers voice sounded louder and different to the voice he generally used to people who came about testimonials and holiday funds.
Then the Library bell rang, and everyone heaved a breath of relief.
Theyre going now, said Phyllis; hes rung to have them shown out.
But instead of showing anybody out, Ruth showed herself in, and she looked queer, the children thought.
Pleasem, she said, the Master wants you to just step into the study. He looks like the dead, mum; I think hes had bad news. Youd best prepare yourself for the worst, mpraps its a death in the family or a bank busted or
Thatll do, Ruth, said Mother gently; you can go.
Then Mother went into the Library. There was more talking. Then the bell rang again, and Ruth fetched a cab. The children heard boots go out and down the steps. The cab drove away, and the front door shut. Then Mother came in. Her dear face was as white as her lace collar, and her eyes looked very big and shining. Her mouth looked like just a line of pale redher lips were thin and not their proper shape at all.
Its bedtime, she said. Ruth will put you to bed.
But you promised we should sit up late tonight because Fathers come home, said Phyllis.
Fathers been called awayon business, said Mother. Come, darlings, go at once.
They kissed her and went. Roberta lingered to give Mother an extra hug and to whisper:
It wasnt bad news, Mammy, was it? Is anyone deador
Nobodys deadno, said Mother, and she almost seemed to push Roberta away. I cant tell you anything tonight, my pet. Go, dear, go NOW.
So Roberta went.
Ruth brushed the girls hair and helped them to undress. (Mother almost always did this herself.) When she had turned down the gas and left them she found Peter, still dressed, waiting on the stairs.
I say, Ruth, whats up? he asked.
Dont ask me no questions and I wont tell you no lies, the red-headed Ruth replied. Youll know soon enough.
Late that night Mother came up and kissed all three children as they lay asleep. But Roberta was the only one whom the kiss woke, and she lay mousey-still, and said nothing.
If Mother doesnt want us to know shes been crying, she said to herself as she heard through the dark the catching of her Mothers breath, we WONT know it. Thats all.
When they came down to breakfast the next morning, Mother had already gone out.
To London, Ruth said, and left them to their breakfast.
Theres something awful the matter, said Peter, breaking his egg. Ruth told me last night we should know soon enough.
Did you ASK her? said Roberta, with scorn.
Yes, I did! said Peter, angrily. If you could go to bed without caring whether Mother was worried or not, I couldnt. So there.
I dont think we ought to ask the servants things Mother doesnt tell us, said Roberta.
Thats right, Miss Goody-goody, said Peter, preach away.
IM not goody, said Phyllis, but I think Bobbies right this time.
Of course. She always is. In her own opinion, said Peter.
Oh, DONT! cried Roberta, putting down her egg-spoon; dont lets be horrid to each other. Im sure some dire calamity is happening. Dont lets make it worse!
Who began, I should like to know? said Peter.
Roberta made an effort, and answered:
I did, I suppose, but
Well, then, said Peter, triumphantly. But before he went to school he thumped his sister between the shoulders and told her to cheer up.
The children came home to one oclock dinner, but Mother was not there. And she was not there at tea-time.
It was nearly seven before she came in, looking so ill and tired that the children felt they could not ask her any questions. She sank into an arm-chair. Phyllis took the long pins out of her hat, while Roberta took off her gloves, and Peter unfastened her walking-shoes and fetched her soft velvety slippers for her.
When she had had a cup of tea, and Roberta had put eau-de-Cologne on her poor head that ached, Mother said:
Now, my darlings, I want to tell you something. Those men last night did bring very bad news, and Father will be away for some time. I am very worried about it, and I want you all to help me, and not to make things harder for me.
As if we would! said Roberta, holding Mothers hand against her face.
You can help me very much, said Mother, by being good and happy and not quarrelling when Im awayRoberta and Peter exchanged guilty glancesfor I shall have to be away a good deal.
We wont quarrel. Indeed we wont, said everybody. And meant it, too.
Then, Mother went on, I want you not to ask me any questions about this trouble; and not to ask anybody else any questions.
Peter cringed and shuffled his boots on the carpet.
Youll promise this, too, wont you? said Mother.
I did ask Ruth, said Peter, suddenly. Im very sorry, but I did.
And what did she say?
She said I should know soon enough.
It isnt necessary for you to know anything about it, said Mother; its about business, and you never do understand business, do you?
No, said Roberta; is it something to do with Government? For Father was in a Government Office.
Yes, said Mother. Now its bed-time, my darlings. And dont YOU worry. Itll all come right in the end.
Then dont YOU worry either, Mother, said Phyllis, and well all be as good as gold.
Mother sighed and kissed them.
Well begin being good the first thing tomorrow morning, said Peter, as they went upstairs.
Why not NOW? said Roberta.
Theres nothing to be good ABOUT now, silly, said Peter.
We might begin to try to FEEL good, said Phyllis, and not call names.
Whos calling names? said Peter. Bobbie knows right enough that when I say silly, its just the same as if I said Bobbie.
WELL, said Roberta.
No, I dont mean what you mean. I mean its just awhat is it Father calls it?a germ of endearment! Good night.
The girls folded up their clothes with more than usual neatnesswhich was the only way of being good that they could think of.
I say, said Phyllis, smoothing out her pinafore, you used to say it was so dullnothing happening, like in books. Now something HAS happened.
I never wanted things to happen to make Mother unhappy, said Roberta. Everythings perfectly horrid.