the daisy chain, or aspirations-第15章

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knights　and　horsespain　and　woundsand　I　looked　in　vain　through　the
opposing　overwhelming　host　for　mymy　Maggie。　　Well；　I　got　the　worst
of　it；　my　sword　arm　was　brokenI　fell；　was　stifledcrushedin
miseryall　I　could　do　was　to　grasp　my　tokenmy　Daisy　Chain；〃　and　he
pressed　Margaret's　hand　as　he　said　so。　　〃And；　behold；　the　tumult　and
despair　were　passed。　　I　lay　on　the　grass　in　the　cloisters；　and　the
Daisy　Chain　hung　from　the　sky；　and　was　drawing　me　upwards。　　Thereit
is　a　queer　dream　for　a　sober　old　country　doctor。　　I　don't　know　why　I
told　you；　don't　tell　any　one　again。〃

And　he　walked　away；　muttering。　　〃For　he　told　me　his　dreams；　talked　of
eating　and　drinking；〃　leaving　Margaret　with　her　eyes　full　of　tears；
and　Ethe1　vehemently　caressing　the　baby。

〃How　beautiful！〃　said　Ethel。

〃It　has　been　a　comfort　to　him；　I　am　sure；〃　said　Margaret。

〃You　don't　think　it　ominous；〃　said　Ethel　with　a　slight　tremulous
voice。

〃More　soothing　than　anything　else。　　It　is　what　we　all　feel；　is　it
not？　that　this　little　daisy　bud　is　the　link　between　us　and　heaven？〃

〃But　about　him。　　He　was　victor　at　firstvanquished　the　next　time。〃

〃I　thinkif　it　is　to　have　an　interpretation；　though　I　am　not　sure　we
ought　to　take　it　so　seriously；　it　would　only　mean　that　in　younger
days　people　care　for　victory　and　distinction　in　this　world；　like
Norman；　or　as　papa　most　likely　did　then；　but；　as　they　grow　older；
they　care　less；　and　others　pass　them；　and　they　know　it　does　not
signify；　for　in　our　race　all　may　win。〃

〃But　he　has　a　great　name。　　How　many　people　come　from　a　distance　to
consult　him！　he　is　looked　upon；　too；　in　other　ways！　he　can　do
anything　with　the　corporation。〃

Margaret　smiled。　　〃All　this　does　not　sound　grandit　is　not　as　if　he
had　set　up　in　London。〃

〃Oh；　dear；　I　am　so　glad　he　did　not。〃

〃Shall　I　tell　you　what　mamma　told　me　he　said　about　it；　when　Uncle
Mackenzie　said　he　ought？　　He　answered　that　he　thought　health　and
happy　home　attachments　were　a　better　provision　for　us　to　set　out　in
life　with　than　thousands。〃

〃I　am　sure　he　was　right！〃　said　Ethel　earnestly。　　〃Then　you　don't
think　the　dream　meant　being　beaten；　only　that　our　best　things　are　not
gained　by　successes　in　this　world？〃

〃Don't　go　and　let　it　dwell　on　your　mind　as　a　vision；〃　said　Margaret。
〃I　think　dear　mamma　would　call　that　silly。〃

An　interruption　occurred；　and　Ethel　had　to　go　down　to　breakfast　with
a　mind　floating　between　romance；　sorrow；　and　high　aspirations；　very
unlike　the　actual　world　she　had　to　live　in。　　First；　there　was　a　sick
man　walking　into　the　study；　and　her　father；　laying　down　his　letters；
saying；　〃I　must　despatch　him　before　prayers；　I　suppose。　　I've　a　great
mind　to　say　I　never　will　see　any　one　who　won't　keep　to　my　days。〃

〃I　can't　imagine　why　they　don't；〃　said　Flora；　as　he　went。　　〃He　is
always　saying　so；　but　never　acting　on　it。　　If　he　would　once　turn　one
away；　the　rest　would　mind。〃

Richard　went　on　in　silence；　cutting　bread　and　butter。

〃There's　another　ring；〃　said　Mary。

〃Yes；　he　is　caught　now；　they'll　go　on　in　a　stream。　　I　shall　not　keep
Margaret　waiting　for　her　breakfast；　I　shall　take　it　up。〃

The　morning　was　tiresome；　though　Dr。　May　had　two　regular　days　for
seeing　poor　people　at　his　house；　he　was　too　good…natured　to　keep
strictly　to　them；　and　this　day；　as　Flora　had　predicted；　there　was　a
procession　of　them　not　soon　got　rid　of；　even　by　his　rapid　queries　and
the　talismanic　figures　made　by　his　left　hand　on　scraps　of　paper；　with
which　he　sent　them　off　to　the　infirmary。　　Ethel　tried　to　read；　the
children　lingered　about；　it　was　a　trial　of　temper　to　all　but　Tom；　who
obtained　Richard's　attention　to　his　lessons。　　He　liked　to　say　them　to
his　brother；　and　was　an　incentive　to　learn　them　quickly；　that　none
might　remain　for　Miss　Winter　when　Richard　went　out　with　his　father。
If　mamma　had　been　there；　she　would　have　had　prayers；　but　now　no　one
had　authority　enough；　though　they　did　at　last　even　finish　breakfast。
Just　as　the　gig　came　to　the　door；　Dr。　May　dismissed　his　last　patient；
rang　the　bell　in　haste；　and　as　soon　as　prayers　were　over；　declared　he
had　an　appointment；　and　had　no　time　to　eat。　　There　was　a　general
outcry　that　it　was　bad　enough　when　he　was　well；　and　now　he　must　not
take　liberties；　Flora　made　him　drink　some　tea；　and　Richard　placed
morsels　in　his　way；　while　he　read　his　letters。　　He　ran　up　for　a　final
look　at　Margaret；　almost　upset　the　staid　Miss　Winter　as　he　ran　down
again；　called　Richard　to　take　the　reins；　and　was　off。

It　was　French　day；　always　a　trial　to　Ethel。　　M。　Ballompre；　the
master；　knew　what　was　good　and　bad　French；　but　could　not　render　a
reason；　and　Ethel；　being　versed　in　the　principles　of　grammar；　from
her　Latin　studies；　chose　to　know　the　why　and　wherefore　of　his
correctionsshe　did　not　like　to　see　her　pages　defaced；　and　have　no
security　against　future　errors；　while　he　thought　her　a　troublesome
pupil；　and　was　put　out　by　her　questions。　　They　wrangled；　Miss　Winter
was　displeased；　and　Ethel　felt　injured。

Mary's　inability　to　catch　the　pronunciation；　and　her　hopeless　dull
look　when　she　found　that　coeur　must　not　be　pronounced　cour；　nor　cur；
but　something　between；　to　which　her　rosy　English　lips　could　never
comeall　this　did　not　tease　M。　Ballompre；　for　he　was　used　to　it。

His　mark　for　Ethel's　lesson　was　〃de　l'humeur。〃

〃I　am　sorry；〃　said　Miss　Winter；　when　he　was　gone。　　〃I　thought　you　had
outgrown　that　habit　of　disputing　over　every　phrase。〃

〃I　can't　tell　how　a　language　is　to　be　learned　without　knowing　the
reasons　of　one's　mistakes；〃　said　Ethel。

〃That　is　what　you　always　say；　my　dear。　　It　is　of　no　use　to　renew　it
all；　but　I　wish　you　would　control　yourself。　　Now；　Mary；　call　Blanche；
and　you　and　Ethel　take　your　arithmetic。〃

So　Flora　went　to　read　to　Margaret；　while　Blanche　went　lightly　and
playfully　through　her　easy　lessons；　and　Mary　floundered　piteously
over　the　difficulties　of　Compound　Long　Division。　　Ethel's　mind　was　in
too　irritated　and　tumultuous　a　state　for　her　to　derive　her　usual
solace　from　Cube　Root。　　Her　sum　was　wrong；　and　she　wanted　to　work　it
right；　but　Miss　Winter；　who　had　little　liking　for　the　higher　branches
of　arithmetic；　said　she　had　spent　time　enough　over　it；　and　summoned
her　to　an　examination　such　as　the　governess　was　very　fond　of　and
often　practised。　　Ethel　thought　it　useless；　and　was　teased　by　it；　and
though　her　answers　were　chiefly　correct；　they　were　given　in　an
irritated　tone。　　It　was　of　this　kind：


　　　　　　　　What　is　the　date　of　the　invention　of　paper？
　　　　　　　　What　is　the　latitude　and　longitude　of　Otaheite？
　　　　　　　　What　are　the　component　parts　of　brass？
　　　　　　　　Whence　is　cochineal　imported？


When　this　was　over；　Ethel　had　to　fetch　her　mending…basket；　and　Mary
her　book　of　selections；　the　piece　for　to…day's　lesson　was　the　quarrel
of　Brutus　and　Cassius；　and　Mary's　dull　droning　tone　was　a　trial　to
her　ears；　she　presently　exclaimed；　〃Oh；　Mary；　don't　murder　it！〃

〃Murder　what？〃　said　Mary；　opening　wide　her　light　blue　eyes。

〃That　use　of　exaggerated　language；〃began　Miss　Winter。

〃I've　heard　papa　say　it；〃　said　Ethel；　only　wanting　to　silence　Miss
Winter。　　In　a　cooler　moment　she　would　not　have　used　the　argument。

〃All　that　a　gentleman　may　say；　may　not　be　a　precedent　for　a　young
lady；　but　you　are　interrupting　Mary。〃

〃Only　let　me　show　her。　　I　can't　bear　to　hear　her；　listen；　Mary。


　　　　　　　　〃What　shall　one　of　us
　　　　　　　　　That　struck　the　foremost〃


〃That　is　declaiming；〃　said　Miss　Winter。　　〃It　is　not　what　we　wish　for
in　a　lady。　　You　are　neglecting　your　work　and　interfering。〃

Ethel　made　a　fretful　contortion；　and　obeyed。　　So　it　went　on　all　the
morning；　Ethel's　eagerness　checked　by　Miss　Winter's　dry　manner；
producing　pettishness；　till　Ethel；　in　a　state　between　self…reproach
and　a　sense　of　injustice；　went　up　to　prepare　for　dinner；　and　to　visit
Margaret　on　the　way。

She　found　her　sister　picking　a　merino　frock　to　pieces。　　〃See　here；〃
she　said　eagerly；　〃I　thought　you　would　like　to　make　up　this　old　frock
for　one　of　the　Cocksmoor　children；　but　what　is　the　matter？〃　as　Ethel
did　not　show　the　lively　interest　that　she　expected。

〃Oh；　nothing；　only　Miss　Winter　is　so　tiresome。〃

〃What　was　it？〃

〃Everything；　it　was　all　horrid。　　I　was　cross；　I　know；　but　she　and　M。
Ballompre　made　me　so；〃　and　Ethel　was　in　the　midst　of　the　narration　of
her　grievances；　when　Norman　came　in。　　The　school　was　half　a　mile　off；
but　he　had　not　once　failed　to　come　home；　in　the　interval　allowed　for
play　after　dinner；　to　inquire　for　his　sister。

〃Well；　Norman；　you　are　out　of　breath；　sit　down　and　rest。　　What　is
doing　at　school；　are　you　dux　of　your　class？〃

〃Yes；〃　said　the　boy　wearily。

〃What　mark　for　the　verses？〃　said　Ethel。

〃Quam　bene。〃

〃Not　optime？〃

〃No；　they　were　tame；〃　Dr。　Hoxton　said。

〃What　is　Harry　doing？〃　said　Margaret。

〃He　is　fourth　in　his　form。　　I　left　him　at　football。〃

〃Dinner！〃　said　Flora　at　the　door。　　〃What　will　you　have；　Margaret？〃

〃I'll　fetch　it；〃　said　Norman；　who　considered　it　his　privilege　to　wait
on　Margaret　at　dinner。　　When　he　had　brought　the　tray；　he　stood
leaning　against　the　bed…post；　musing。　　Suddenly；　there　was　a
considerable　clatter　of　fire…irons；　and　his　violent　start　surprised
Margaret。

〃Ethel　has　been　poking　the　fire；〃　she　said；　as　if　no　more　was　needed
to　account　for　their　insecurity。　　Norman　put　them　up　again；　but　a
ringing　sound　betrayed　that　it　was　not　with　a　firm　touch；　and　when；　a
minute　after；　he　came　to　take　her　plate；　she　saw　that　he　was　trying
with　effort　to　steady　his　hand。

〃Norman；　dear；　are　you　sure　you　are　well？〃

〃Yes；　very　well；〃　said　he；　as　if　vexed　that　she　had　taken　any　notice。

〃You　had　better　not　come　racing　home。　　I'm　not　worth　inquiries　now；　I
am　so　much　better；〃　said　she；　smiling。

He　made　no　reply；　but　this　was　not　consenting　silence。

〃I　don't　like　you　to　lose　your　football；〃　she　proceeded。

〃I　could　not〃　and　he　stopped　short。

〃It　would　be　much　better　for　you；〃　said　she；　looking　up　in　his　face
with　anxious　affectionate　eyes；　but　he　shunned　her　glance　and　walked
away　with　her　plate。

Flora　had　been　in　such　close　attendance　upon　Margaret；　that　she
needed　some　cheerful　walks；　and　though　she　had　some　doubts　how
affairs　at　home　would　go　on　without　her；　she　was　overruled；　and　sent
on　a　long　expedition　with　Miss　Winter　and　Mary；　while　Ethel　remained
with　Margaret。

The　only　delay　before　setting　out；　was　that　nurse　came　in；　saying；
〃If　you　please；　Miss　Margaret；　there　is　a　girl　come　to　see　about　the
place。〃

The　sisters　looked　at　each　other　and　smiled；　while　Margaret　asked
whence　she　came；　and　who　she　was。

〃Her　name　is　Taylor；　and　she　comes　from　Cocksmoor；　but　she　is　a　nice；
tidy；　strong…looking　girl；　and　she　says　she　has　been　used　to
children。〃

Nurse　had　fallen　into　the　trap　most　comfortably；　and　seemed　bent　upon
taking　this　girl　as　a　choice　of　her　own。　　She　wished　to　know　if　Miss
Margaret　would　like　to　see　her。

〃If　you　please；　nurse；　but　if　you　think　she　will　do；　that　is　enough。〃

〃Yes；　Miss；　but　you　should　look　to　them　things　yourself。　　If　you
please；　I'll　bring　her　up。〃　　So　nurse　departed。

〃Charming！〃　cried　Ethel；　〃that's　your　capital　management；　Flora；
nurse　thinks　she　has　done　it　all　herself。〃

〃She　is　your　charge　though；〃　said　Flora；　〃coming