Ah, but no place was ever so good as this, said poor Valetta.
Dont be such a little donkey, said Fergus consequentially. Dont you know we are going to school, and I am three years younger than Wilfred was?
It is only a petticoat school, said Val, kept by ladies.
It isnt.
It is; I heard Harry say so.
And yours is all butchers and bakers and candlestick makers.
On which they fell on each other, each with a howl of defiance. Fergus grabbed at Vals pigtail, and she was buffeting him vehemently when Harry came out, held them apart, and demanded if this were the way to make their mother easy in leaving them.
She said it was a pet-pet-petticoat school, sobbed Fergus.
And so it ought to be, for boys that fight with girls.
And he said mine was all butchers and bakers and candlestick makers, whined Valetta.
Then youd better learn manners, or theyll take you for a tramp, observed Harry; but at that moment Mysie broke in with a shout at having discovered the kittens making a plaything of the best library pen-wiper, their mother, the sleek Begum, abetting them, and they were borne off to display the coming glories of their deep fur to Aunt Jane.
Her choice fell upon the Sofy, as much because of the convenience of the name as because of the preternatural wisdom of expression imparted by the sweep of the black lines on the gray visage. Mr. Pollocks landlady was to be the happy possessor of Artaxerxes, and the turbulent portion of the Household was disposed of to bear him thither, and to beg Miss Hacket to give Buff and Ring the run of her cage, whence they had originally come, also to deliver various messages and notes.
By the time they returned, Colonel Mohun was met in the hall by his sister. Oh, Reggie, it is too good in you! were the words that came with her fervent kiss. Remember how many years I have been seasoned to being cockit up on a baggage waggon. Ought not such an old soldier as I to be able to take care of myself?
And what would your husband say to you when you got there? And should not I catch it from William? Well, are you packing up the youthful family for Beechcroft, except that at Rotherwood they are shrieking for Mysie?
I know how good William and Alethea would be. This child, pointing to Primrose, who had been hanging on her all day in silence, is to go to them; but as I cant send Miss Vincent, educational advantages, as the advertisements say, lie on the side of Rockstone; so Jenny here undertakes to be troubled with the rabble.
But Mysie? Rotherwood met me at the station and begged me to obtain her from you. They really wish it.
He does, I have no doubt.
So does Madame la Marquise. They have been anxious about little Phyllis all the summer. She was languid and off her feed in London, and did not pick up at home as they expected. My belief is that it is too much governess and too little play, and that a fortnight here would set her up again. Rotherwood himself thinks so, and Victoria has some such inkling. At any rate, they are urgent to have Mysie with the child, as the next best thing.
Poor dear little Fly! ejaculated Lady Merrifield; but I am afraid Mysie was not very happy there last year.
And what would be the effect of all the overdoing? said Miss Mohun.
Mysie is tougher than that sprite, and I suppose there is some relaxation, said Lady Merrifield.
Yes; the doctors have frightened them sufficiently for the present.
I suppose Mysie is a prescription, poor child, said her aunt, in a tone that evoked from her brother
Jealous, Jenny?
Well, Jane, said Lady Merrifield, you know how thankful I am to you and Ada, but I am inclined to let it depend on the letters I get to-morrow, and the way Victoria takes it. If it is really an earnest wish on that dear little Flys account, I could not withstand old Rotherwood, and though Mysie might be less happy than she would be with you, I do not think any harm will be done. Everything there is sound and conscientious, and if she picks up a little polish, it wont hurt her.
Shall you give her the choice?
I see no good in rending the poor childs mind between two affections, especially as there will be a very short time to decide in, for I shall certainly not send her if Victorias is a mere duty letter.
You are quite right there, Lily, said the Colonel. The less choice the greater comfort.
Well done, sir soldier, said his sister Jane. I say quite right too; only, for my own sake, I wish it had been Valetta.
So no doubt does she, said the mother; but unluckily it isnt. And, indeed, I dont think I wish it. Val is safer with you. As Gillian expressed it the other day, Val does right when she likes it; Mysie does right when she knows it.
You have the compliment after all, Jane, said the Colonel. Lily trusts you with the child she doesnt trust!
There was no doubt the next morning, for Lady Rotherwood wrote an earnest, affectionate letter, begging for Mysie, who, she said, had won such golden opinions in her former visit that it would be a real benefit to Phyllis, as much morally as physically, to have her companionship. It was the tenderest letter that either of the sisters had ever seen from the judicious and excellent Marchioness, full of warm sympathy for Lady Merrifields anxiety for her husband, and betraying much solicitude for her little girl.
It has done her good, said Jane Mohun. I did not think she had such a soft spot.
Poor Victoria, said Lady Merrifield, that is a shame. You know she is an excellent mother.
Too excellent, thats the very thing, muttered Aunt Jane. Well, Mysies fate is settled, and I dare say it will turn out for the best.
So Mysie was to go with Mrs. Halfpenny and Primrose to Beechcroft, whence the Rotherwoods would fetch her. If the ladys letter had been much less urgent, who could have withstood her lords postscript: If you could see the little pale face light up at the bare notion of seeing Mysie, you would know how grateful we shall be for her.
Mysie herself heard her destiny without much elation, though she was very fond of Lady Phyllis, and the tears came into her eyes at the thought of her being unwell and wanting her.
Mamma said we must not grumble, she said to Gillian; but I shall feel so lost without you and Val. It is so unhomish, and theres that dreadful German Fraulein, who was not at home last time.
If you told mamma, perhaps she would let you stay, returned Gillian. I know I should hate it, worse than I do going to Rockstone and without you.
That would be unkind to poor Fly, said Mysie. Besides, mamma said she could not have settling and unsettling for ever. And I shall see Primrose sometimes; besides, I do love Fly. Its marching orders, you know.
It was Valetta who made the most objection. She declared that it was not fair that Mysie, who had been to the ball at Rotherwood, should go again to live with lords and ladies, while she went to a nasty day-school with butchers and bakers daughters. She hoped she should grow horridly vulgar, and if mamma did not like it, it would be her own fault!
Mrs. Halfpenny, who did not like to have to separate Mysies clothes from the rest after they were packed, rather favoured this naughtiness by observing: The old blue merino might stay at home. Miss Mysie would be too set up to wear that among her fine folk. Set her up, that she should have all the treats, while her own Miss Gillian was turned over to the auld aunties!