the daisy chain, or aspirations-第1章

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The　Daisy　Chain；　or　Aspirations

by　Charlotte　Yonge






PREFACE


No　one　can　be　more　sensible　than　is　the　Author　that　the　present　is　an
overgrown　book　of　a　nondescript　class；　neither　the　〃tale〃　for　the
young；　nor　the　novel　for　their　elders；　but　a　mixture　of　both。

Begun　as　a　series　of　conversational　sketches；　the　story　outran　both
the　original　intention　and　the　limits　of　the　periodical　in　which　it
was　commenced；　and；　such　as　it　has　become；　it　is　here　presented　to
those　who　have　already　made　acquaintance　with　the　May　family；　and　may
be　willing　to　see　more　of　them。　　It　would　beg　to　be　considered　merely
as　what　it　calls　itself；　a　Family　Chroniclea　domestic　record　of
home　events；　large　and　small；　during　those　years　of　early　life　when
the　character　is　chiefly　formed；　and　as　an　endeavour　to　trace　the
effects　of　those　aspirations　which　are　a　part　of　every　youthful
nature。　　That　the　young　should　take　one　hint；　to　think　whether　their
hopes　and　upward…breathings　are　truly　upwards；　and　founded　in
lowliness；　may　be　called　the　moral　of　the　tale。

For　those　who　may　deem　the　story　too　long；　and　the　characters　too
numerous；　the　Author　can　only　beg　their　pardon　for　any　tedium　that
they　may　have　undergone　before　giving　it　up。　Feb。　22nd；　1856。





PART　1。





THE　DAISY　CHAIN





CHAPTER　I。



Si　douce　est　la　Marguerite。CHAUCER。



〃Miss　Winter；　are　you　busy？　　Do　you　want　this　afternoon？　　Can　you
take　a　good　long　walk？〃

〃Ethel；　my　dear；　how　often　have　I　told　you　of　your　impetuosityyou
have　forgotten。〃

〃Very　well〃with　an　impatient　twist〃I　beg　your　pardon。　　Good…
morning；　Miss　Winter；〃　said　a　thin；　lank；　angular；　sallow　girl；　just
fifteen；　trembling　from　head　to　foot　with　restrained　eagerness；　as
she　tried　to　curb　her　tone　into　the　requisite　civility。

〃Good…morning；　Ethel；　good…morning；　Flora；〃　said　the　prim；　middle…
aged　daily　governess；　taking　off　her　bonnet；　and　arranging　the　stiff
little　rolls　of　curl　at　the　long；　narrow　looking…glass；　the　border　of
which　distorted　the　countenance。

〃Good…morning；〃　properly　responded　Flora；　a　pretty；　fair　girl；　nearly
two　years　older　than　her　sister。

〃Will　you〃　began　to　burst　from　Etheldred's　lips　again；　but　was
stifled　by　Miss　Winter's　inquiry；　〃Is　your　mamma　pretty　well　to…day？〃

〃Oh！　very　well；〃　said　both　at　once；　〃she　is　coming　to　the　reading。〃
And　Flora　added；　〃Papa　is　going　to　drive　her　out　to…day。〃

〃I　am　very　glad。　　And　the　baby？〃

〃I　do　believe　she　does　it　on　purpose！〃　whispered　Ethel　to　herself；
wriggling　fearfully　on　the　wide　window…seat　on　which　she　had
precipitated　herself；　and　kicking　at　the　bar　of　the　table；　by　which
manifestation　she　of　course　succeeded　in　deferring　her　hopes；　by　a
reproof　which　caused　her　to　draw　herself　into　a　rigid；　melancholy
attitude；　a　sort　of　penance　of　decorum；　but　a　rapid　motion　of　the
eyelids；　a　tendency　to　crack　the　joints　of　the　fingers；　and　an
unquietness　at　the　ends　of　her　shoes；　betraying　the　restlessness　of
the　digits　therein　contained。

It　was　such　a　room　as　is　often　to　be　found　in　old　country　town
houses；　the　two　large　windows　looking　out　on　a　broad　old…fashioned
street；　through　heavy　framework；　and　panes　of　glass　scratched　with
various　names　and　initials。　　The　walls　were　painted　blue；　the
skirting　almost　a　third　of　the　height；　and　so　wide　at　the　top　as　to
form　a　narrow　shelf。　　The　fireplace；　constructed　in　the　days　when
fires　were　made　to　give　as　little　heat　as　possible；　was　ornamented
with　blue　and　white　Dutch　tiles　bearing　marvellous　representations　of
Scripture　history；　and　was　protected　by　a　very　tall　green　guard；　the
chairs　were　much　of　the　same　date；　solid　and　heavy；　the　seats　in
faded　carpet…work；　but　there　was　a　sprinkling　of　lesser　ones　and　of
stools；　a　piano；　a　globe；　a　large　table　in　the　middle　of　the　room；
with　three　desks　on　it；　a　small　one；　and　a　light　cane　chair　by　each
window；　and　loaded　book…cases。　　Flora　began；　〃If　you　don't　want　this
afternoon　to　yourself〃

Ethel　was　on　her　feet；　and　open…mouthed。　　〃Oh；　Miss　Winter；　if　you
would　be　so　kind　as　to　walk　to　Cocksmoor　with　us！〃

〃To　Cocksmoor；　my　dear！〃　exclaimed　the　governess　in　dismay。

〃Yes；　yes；　but　hear；〃　cried　Ethel。　〃It　is　not　for　nothing。
Yesterday〃

〃No；　the　day　before；〃　interposed　Flora。

〃There　was　a　poor　man　brought　into　the　hospital。　　He　had　been
terribly　hurt　in　the　quarry；　and　papa　says　he'll　die。　　He　was　in
great　distress；　for　his　wife　has　just　got　twins；　and　there　were　lots
of　children　before。　　They　want　everythingfood　and　clothesand　we
want　to　walk　and　take　it。〃

〃We　had　a　collection　of　clothes　ready；　luckily；〃　said　Flora；　〃and　we
have　a　blanket；　and　some　tea　and　some　arrowroot；　and　a　bit　of　bacon；
and　mamma　says　she　does　not　think　it　too　far　for　us　to　walk；　if　you
will　be　so　kind　as　to　go　with　us。〃

Miss　Winter　looked　perplexed。　　〃How　could　you　carry　the　blanket；　my
dear？〃

〃Oh；　we　have　settled　that；〃　said　Ethel；　〃we　mean　to　make　the　donkey　a
sumpter…mule；　so；　if　you　are　tired；　you　may　ride　home　on　her。〃

〃But；　my　dear；　has　your　mamma　considered？　　They　are　such　a　set　of
wild　people　at　Cocksmoor；　I　don't　think　we　could　walk　there　alone。〃

〃It　is　Saturday；〃　said　Ethel；　〃we　can　get　the　boys。〃

〃If　you　would　reflect　a　little！　　They　would　be　no　protection。　　Harry
would　be　getting　into　scrapes；　and　you　and　Mary　running　wild。〃

〃I　wish　Richard　was　at　home！　〃　said　Flora。

〃I　know！〃　cried　Ethel。　〃Mr。　Ernescliffe　will　come。　　I　am　sure　he　can
walk　so　far　now。　　I'll　ask　him。〃

Ethel　had　clapped　after　her　the　heavy　door　with　its　shining　brass
lock；　before　Miss　Winter　well　knew　what　she　was　about；　and　the
governess　seemed　annoyed。　　〃Ethel　does　not　consider；〃　said　she。
〃I　don't　think　your　mamma　will　be　pleased。〃

〃Why　not？〃　said　Flora。

〃My　deara　gentleman　walking　with　you；　especially　if　Margaret　is
going！〃

〃I　don't　think　he　is　strong　enough；〃　said　Flora；　〃but　I　can't　think
why　there　should　be　any　harm。　　Papa　took　us　all　out　walking　with　him
yesterdaylittle　Aubrey　and　all；　and　Mr。　Ernescliffe　went。〃

〃But；　my　dear〃

She　was　interrupted　by　the　entrance　of　a　fine　tall　blooming　girl　of
eighteen；　holding　in　her　hand　a　pretty　little　maid　of　five。　　〃Good…
morning。　Miss　Winter。　　I　suppose　Flora　has　told　you　the　request　we
have　to　make　to　you？〃

〃Yes；　my　dear　Margaret；　but　did　your　mamma　consider　what　a　lawless
place　Cocksmoor　is？〃

〃That　was　the　doubt；〃　said　Margaret；　〃but　papa　said　he　would　answer
for　it　nothing　would　happen　to　us；　and　mamma　said　if　you　would　be　so
kind。〃

〃It　is　unlucky；〃　began　the　governess；　but　stopped　at　the　incursion　of
some　new…comers；　nearly　tumbling　over　each　other；　Ethel　at　the　head
of　them。　　〃Oh；　Harry！〃　as　the　gathers　of　her　frock　gave　way　in　the
rude　grasp　of　a　twelve…year…old　boy。　　〃Miss　Winter；　'tis　all　right
Mr。　Ernescliffe　says　he　is　quite　up　to　the　walk；　and　will　like　it
very　much；　and　he　will　undertake　to　defend　you　from　the　quarrymen。〃

〃Is　Miss　Winter　afraid　of　the　quarrymen？〃　hallooed　Harry。　　〃Shall　I
take　a　club？〃

〃I'll　take　my　gun　and　shoot　them；〃　valiantly　exclaimed　Tom；　and　while
threats　were　passing　among　the　boys；　Margaret　asked；　in　a　low　voice；
〃Did　you　ask　him　to　come　with　us？〃

〃Yes；　he　said　he　should　like　it　of　all　things。　　Papa　was　there；　and
said　it　was　not　too　far　for　himbesides；　there's　the　donkey。　　Papa
says　it；　so　we　must　go；　Miss　Winter。〃

Miss　Winter　glanced　unutterable　things　at　Margaret；　and　Ethel　began
to　perceive　she　had　done　something　wrong。　　Flora　was　going　to　speak；
when　Margaret；　trying　to　appear　unconscious　of　a　certain　deepening
colour　in　her　own　cheeks；　pressed　a　hand　on　her　shoulder；　and
whispering；　〃I'll　see　about　it。　　Don't　say　any　more；　please；〃　glided
out　of　the　room。

〃What's　in　the　wind？〃　said　Harry。　　〃Are　many　of　your　reefs　out　there；
Ethel？〃

〃Harry　can　talk　nothing　but　sailors'　language；〃　said　Flora；　〃and　I　am
sure　he　did　not　learn　that　of　Mr。　Ernescliffe。　　You　never　hear　slang
from　him。〃

〃But　aren't　we　going　to　Cocksmoor？〃　asked　Mary；　a　blunt　downright
girl　of　ten。

〃We　shall　know　soon；〃　said　Ethel。　　〃I　suppose　I　had　better　wait　till
after　the　reading　to　mend　that　horrid　frock？〃

〃I　think　so；　since　we　are　so　nearly　collected；〃　said　Miss　Winter；　and
Ethel；　seating　herself　on　the　corner　of　the　window…seat；　with　one　leg
doubled　under　her；　took　up　a　Shakespeare；　holding　it　close　to　her
eyes；　and　her　brother　Norman；　who；　in　age；　came　between　her　and
Flora；　kneeling　on　one　knee　on　the　window…seat；　and　supporting
himself　with　one　arm　against　the　shutter；　leaned　over　her；　reading　it
too；　disregarding　a　tumultuous　skirmish　going　on　in　that　division　of
the　family　collectively　termed　〃the　boys；〃　namely；　Harry；　Mary；　and
Tom；　until　Tom　was　suddenly　pushed　down；　and　tumbled　over　into
Ethel's　lap；　thereby　upsetting　her　and　Norman　together；　and　there　was
a　general　downfall；　and　a　loud　scream；　〃The　sphynx！〃

〃You've　crushed　it；〃　cried　Harry；　dealing　out　thumps
indiscriminately。

〃No；　here　'tis；〃　said　Mary；　rushing　among　them；　and　bringing　out　a
green　sphynx　caterpillar　on　her　finger〃'tis　not　hurt。〃

〃Pax！　　Pax！〃　cried　Norman；　over　all；　with　the　voice　of　an　authority；
as　he　leaped　up　lightly　and　set　Tom　on　his　legs　again。　　〃Harry！　you
had　better　do　that　again；〃　he　added　warningly。　　〃Be　off；　out　of　this
window；　and　let　Ethel　and　me　read　in　peace。〃

〃Here's　the　place；〃　said　Ethel　〃Crispin；　Crispian's　day。　　How　I　do
like　Henry　V。〃

〃It　is　no　use　to　try　to　keep　those　boys　in　order！〃　sighed　Miss
Winter。

〃Saturnalia；　as　papa　calls　Saturday；〃　replied　Flora。

〃Is　not　your　eldest　brother　coming　home　to…day？〃　said　Miss　Winter　in
a　low　voice　to　Flora；　who　shook　her　head；　and　said　confidentially；
〃He　is　not　coming　till　he　has　passed　that　examination。　　He　thinks　it
better　not。〃

Here　entered；　with　a　baby　in　her　arms；　a　lady　with　a　beautiful
countenance　of　calm　sweetness；　looking　almost　too　young　to　be　the
mother　of　the　tall　Margaret；　who　followed　her。　　There　was　a　general
hush　as　she　greeted　Miss　Winter；　the　girls　crowding　round　to　look　at
their　little　sister；　not　quite　six　weeks　old。

〃Now；　Margaret；　will　you　take　her　up　to　the　nursery？〃　said　the
mother；　while　the　impatient　speech　was　repeated；　〃Mamma；　can　we　go　to
Cocksmoor？〃

〃You　don't　think　it　will　be　too　far　for　you？〃　said　the　mother　to　Miss
Winter　as　Margaret　departed。

〃Oh；　no；　not　at　all；　thank　you；　that　was　not　But　Margaret　has
explained。〃

〃Yes；　poor　Margaret；〃　said　Mrs。　May；　smiling。　　〃She　has　settled　it　by
choosing　to　stay　at　home　with　me。　　It　is　no　matter　for　the　others；
and　he　is　going　on　Monday；　so　that　it　will　not　happen　again。〃

〃Margaret　has　behaved　very　well；〃　said　Miss　Winter。

〃She　has　indeed；〃　said　her　mother；　smiling。　　〃Well；　Harry；　how　is　the
caterpillar？〃

〃They've　just　capsized　it；　mamma；〃　answered　Harry；　〃and　Mary　is
making　all　taut。〃

Mrs。　May　laughed；　and　proceeded　to　advise　Ethel　and　Norman　to　put
away　Henry　V。；　and　find　the　places　in　their　Bibles；　〃or　you　will　have
the　things　mixed　together　in　your　heads；〃　said　she。

In　the　meantime　Margaret；　with　the　little　babe；　to…morrow　to　be　her
godchild；　lying　gently　in　her　arms；　came　out　into　the　matted　hall；
and　began　to　mount　the　broad　shallow…