we two-第11章

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as　Raeburn　too　notorious　a　name　to　pass　muster；　but　the　head　of　the　hospital　knew　Erica　by　sight；　and　had　often　met　her　out　of　doors　with　her　father。　　She　was　a　stiff；　narrow…minded；　uncompromising　sort　of　person；　and；　in　her　own　words　was　〃determined　to　have　no　fellowship　with　the　works　of　darkness。〃　　How　she　could　consider　bright…faced　Erica；　with　her　loving　thought　for　others　and　her　free　gift；　a　〃work　of　darkness；〃　it　is　hard　to　understand。　　She　was　not　at　all　disposed；　however；　to　be　under　any　sort　of　obligation　to　an　atheist；　and　the　result　of　it　was　that　after　a　three　minutes'　interview；　Erica　found　herself　once　more　in　the　square；　with　her　flowers　still　in　her　hand；　〃declined　WITHOUT　thanks。〃

No　one　ever　quite　knew　what　the　superintendent　had　said　to　her；　but　apparently　the　rebuff　had　been　very　hard　to　bear。　　Not　content　with　declining　any　fellowship　with　the　poor　little　〃work　of　darkness；〃　she　had　gone　on　in　accordance　with　the　letter　of　the　text　to　reprove　her；　and　Erica　left　the　house　with　burning　cheeks；　and　with　a　tumult　of　angry　feeling　stirred　up　in　her　heart。　　She　was　far　too　angry　to　know　or　care　what　she　was　doing；　she　walked　down　the　quiet　square　in　the　very　opposite　direction　to　〃Persecution　Alley；〃　and　might　have　walked　on　for　an　indefinite　time　had　not　some　one　stopped　her。

〃I　was　hoping　to　see　you　before　you　left；〃　said　a　pleasant　quiet　voice　close　by　her。　　She　looked　up　and　saw　Charles　Osmond。

Thus　suddenly　brought　to　a　standstill；　she　became　aware　that　she　was　trembling　from　head　to　foot。　　A　little　delicate；　sensitive　thing；　the　unsparing　censure　and　the　rude　reception　she　had　just　met　with　had　quite　upset　her。

Charles　Osmond　retained　her　hand　in　his　strong　clasp；　and　looked　questioningly　into　her　bright；　indignant　eyes。

〃What　is　the　matter；　my　child？〃　he　asked。

〃I　am　only　angry；〃　said　Erica；　rather　breathlessly；　〃hurt　and　angry　because　one　of　your　bigots　has　been　rude　to　me。〃

〃Come　in　and　tell　me　all　about　it；〃　said　Charles　Osmond；　and　there　was　something　so　irresistible　in　his　manner　that　Erica　at　once　allowed　herself　to　be　led　into　one　of　the　tall；　old…fashioned　houses；　and　taken　into　a　comfortable　and　roomy　study；　the　nicest　room　she　had　ever　been　in。　　It　was　not　luxurious；　indeed　the　Turkey　carpet　was　shabby　and　the　furniture　well　worn；　but　it　was　home…like；　and　warm　and　cheerful；　evidently　a　room　which　was　dear　to　its　owner。　　Charles　Osmond　made　her　sit　down　in　a　capacious　arm　chair　close　to　the　fire。

〃Well；　now；　who　was　the　bigot？〃　he　said；　in　a　voice　that　would　have　won　the　confidence　of　a　flint。

Erica　told　as　much　of　the　story　as　she　could　bring　herself　to　repeat；　quite　enough　to　show　Charles　Osmond　the　terrible　harm　which　may　be　wrought　by　tactless　modern　Christianity。　　He　looked　down　very　sorrowfully　at　the　eager；　expressive　face　of　the　speaker；　it　was　at　once　very　white　and　very　pink；　for　the　child　was　sorely　wounded　as　well　as　indignant。　　She　was　evidently；　however；　a　little　vexed　with　herself　for　feeling　the　insult　so　keenly。

〃It　is　very　stupid　of　me；〃　she　said　laughing　a　little；　　〃it　is　time　I　was　used　to　it；　but　I　never　can　help　shaking　in　this　silly　way　when　any　one　is　rude　to　us。　　Tom　laughs　at　me；　and　says　I　am　made　on　wire　springs　like　a　twelfth…cake　butterfly！　　But　it　is　rather　hard；　isn't　it；　to　be　shut　out　from　everything；　even　from　giving？〃

〃I　think　it　is　both　hard　and　wrong；〃　said　Charles　Osmond。　　〃But　we　do　not　all　shut　you　out。〃

〃No；〃　said　Erica。　　〃You　have　always　been　kind；　you　are　not　a　bit　like　a　Christian。　　Would　you〃she　hesitated　a　little〃would　you　take　the　flowers　instead？〃

It　was　said　with　a　shy　grace　inexpressibly　winning。　　Charles　Osmond　was　touched　and　gratified。

〃They　will　be　a　great　treat　to　us；〃　he　said。　　〃My　mother　is　very　fond　of　flowers。　　Will　you　come　upstairs　and　see　her？　　We　shall　find　afternoon　tea　going　on；　I　expect。〃

So　the　rejected　flowers　found　a　resting　place　in　the　clergyman's　house；　and　Brian；　coming　in　from　his　rounds；　was　greeted　by　a　sight　which　made　his　heart　beat　at　double　time。　　In　the　drawing　room　beside　his　grandmother　sat　Erica；　her　little　fur　hat　pushed　back；　her　gloves　off；　busily　arranging　Christmas　roses　and　red　camellias。　　Her　anger　had　died　away；　she　was　talking　quite　merrily。　　It　seemed　to　Brian　more　like　a　beautiful　dream　than　a　bit　of　every…day　life；　to　have　her　sitting　there　so　naturally　in　his　home；　but　the　note　of　pain　was　struck　before　long。

〃I　must　go　home；〃　she　said。　　〃This　is　my　last　day；　you　know。　　I　am　going　to　Paris　tomorrow。〃

A　sort　of　sadness　seemed　to　fall　on　them　at　the　words；　only　gentle　Mrs。　Osmond　said；　cheerfully：

〃You　will　come　to　see　us　again　when　you　come　back；　will　you　not？〃

And　then；　with　the　privilege　of　the　aged；　she　drew　down　the　young；　fresh　face　to　hers　and　kissed　it。

〃You　will　let　me　see　you　home；〃　said　Brian。　　〃It　is　getting　dark。〃

Erica　laughingly　protested　that　she　was　well　used　to　taking　care　of　herself；　but　it　ended　in　Brian's　triumphing。　　So　together　they　crossed　the　quiet　square。　　Erica　chattered　away　merrily　enough；　but　as　they　reached　the　narrow　entrance　to　Guilford　Terrace　a　shadow　stole　over　her　face。

〃Oh！〃　she　exclaimed；　〃this　is　the　last　time　I　shall　come　home　for　two　whole　years。〃

〃You　go　for　so　long；〃　said　Brian；　stifling　a　sigh。　　〃You　won't　forget　your　English　friends？〃

〃Do　you　mean　that　you　count　yourself　our　friend？〃　asked　Erica；　smiling。

〃If　you　will　let　me。〃

〃That　is　a　funny　word　to　use；〃　she　replied；　laughing。　　〃You　see　we　are　treated　as　outlaws　generally。　　I　don't　think　any　one　ever　said　'will　you　let'　to　me　before。　　This　is　our　house；　thank　you　for　seeing　me　home。〃　　Then　with　a　roguish　look　in　her　eyes；　she　added　demurely；　but　with　a　slight　emphasis　on　the　last　word；　〃Good　bye；　my　friend。〃

Brian　turned　away　sadly　enough；　but　he　had　not　gone　far　when　he　heard　flying　footsteps；　and　looking　back　saw　Erica　once　more。

〃Oh；　I　just　came　to　know　whether　by　any　chance　you　want　a　kitten；〃　she　said；　〃I　have　a　real　beauty　which　I　want　to　find　a　nice　home　for。〃

Of　course　Brian　wanted　a　kitten　at　once；　one　would　have　imagined　by　the　eagerness　of　his　manner　that　he　was　devoted　to　the　whole　feline　tribe。

〃Well；　then；　will　you　come　in　and　see　it？〃　said　Erica。　　〃He　really　is　a　very　nice　kitten；　and　I　shall　go　away　much　happier　if　I　can　see　him　settled　in　life　first。〃

She　took　him　in；　introduced　him　to　her　mother；　and　ran　off　in　search　of　the　cat；　returning　in　a　few　minutes　with　a　very　playful…looking　tabby。

〃There　he　is；〃　she　said；　putting　the　kitten　on　the　table　with　an　air　of　pride。　　〃I　don't　believe　he　has　an　equal　in　all　London。

〃What　do　you　call　him？〃　asked　Brian。

〃His　name　is　St。　Anthony；〃　said　Erica。　　〃Oh；　I　hope；　by　the　bye；　you　won't　object　to　that；　it　was　no　disrespect　to　St。　Anthony　at　all；　but　only　that　he　always　will　go　and　preach　to　my　gold　fish。　　We'll　make　him　do　it　now　to　show　you。　　Come　along　Tony；　and　give　them　a　sermon；　there's　a　good　little　kit！〃

She　put　him　on　a　side　table；　and　he　at　once　rested　his　front　paws　on　a　large　glass　bowl　and　peered　down　at　the　gold　fish　with　great　curiosity。

〃I　believe　he　would　have　drowned　himself　sooner　or　later；　like　Gray's　cat；　so　I　dare　say　it　is　a　good　thing　for　him　to　leave。　　You　will　be　kind　to　him；　won't　you？〃

Brian　promised　that　he　should　be　well　attended　to；　and；　indeed　there　was　little　doubt　that　St。　Anthony　would　from　that　day　forth　be　lapped　in　luxury。　　He　went　away　with　his　new　master　very　contentedly；　Erica　following　them　to　the　door　with　farewell　injunctions。

〃And　you'll　be　sure　to　butter　his　feet　well　or　else　he　won't　stay　with　you。　Good　bye；　dear　Tony。　　Be　a　good　little　cat！〃

Brian　was　pleased　to　have　this　token　from　his　Undine；　but　at　the　same　time　he　could　not　help　seeing　that　she　cared　much　more　about　parting　with　the　kitten　than　about　saying　good　bye　to　him。　　Well；　it　was　something　to　have　that　lucky　St。　Anthony；　who　had　been　fondled　and　kissed。　　And　after　all　it　was　Erica's　very　childishness　and　simplicity　which　made　her　so　dear　to　him。

As　soon　as　they　were　out　of　sight；　Erica；　with　the　thought　of　the　separation　beginning　to　weigh　upon　her；　went　back　to　her　mother。　　They　knew　that　this　was　the　last　quiet　time　they　would　have　together　for　many　long　months。　　But　last　days　are　not　good　days　for　talking。　　They　spoke　very　little。　　Every　now　and　then　Mrs。　Raeburn　would　make　some　inquiry　about　the　packing　or　the　journey；　or　would　try　to　cheer　the　child　by　speaking　of　the　house　they　would　have　at　the　end　of　the　two　years。　　But　Erica　was　not　to　be　comforted；　a　dull　pain　was　gnawing　at　her　heart；　and　the　present　was　not　to　be　displaced　by　any　visions　of　a　golden　future。〃If　it　were　not　for　leaving　you　alone；　mother；　I　shouldn't　mind　so　much；〃　she　said；　in　a　choked　voice。　　〃But　it　seems　to　me　that　you　have　the　hardest　part　of　all。〃

〃Aunt　Jean　will　be　here；　and　Tom；〃　said　Mrs。　Raeburn。

〃Aunt　Jean　is　very　kind；〃　said　Erica；　doubtfully。　　〃But　she　doesn't　know　how　to　nurse　people。　　Tom　is　the　one　hope；　and　he　has　promised　always　to　tell　me　the　whole　truth　about　you；　so　if　you　get　worse；　I　shall　come　home　directly。〃

〃You　mustn't　grudge　me　my　share　of　the　work；〃　said　Mrs。　Raeburn。　　〃It　would　make　me　very　miserable　if　I　did　hinder　you　or　your　father。〃

Erica　sighed。〃You　and　father　are　so　dreadfully　public…spirited！　　And　yet；　oh；　mother！　What　does　the　whole　world　matter　to　me　if　I　think　you　are　uncomfortable；　and　wretched；　and　alone？〃

〃You　will　learn　to　think　differently；　dear；　by　and　by；〃　said　her　mother；　kissing　the　eager；　troubled　face。　　〃And；　when　you　fancy　me　lonely；　you　can　picture　me　instead　as　proud　and　happy　in　thinking　of　my　brave　little　daughter　who　has　gone　into　exile　of　her　own　accord　to　help　the　cause　of　truth　and　liberty。〃

They　were　inspiriting　words；　and　they　brought　a　glow　to　Erica's　face；　she　choked　down　her　own　personal　pain。　　No　religious　martyr　went　through　the　time　of　trial　more　bravely　than　Luke　Raeburn's　daughter　lived　through　the　next　four　and　twenty　hours。　　She　never　forgot　even　the　most　trivial　incident　of　that　day；　it　seemed　burned　in　upon　her　brain。　　The　dreary　waking　on　the　dark　winter　morning；　the　hurried　farewells　to　her　aunt　and　Tom；　the　last　long　embrace　from　her　mother；　the　drive　to　the　station；　her　father's　recognition　on　the　platform；　the　rude　staring　and　ruder　comments　to　which　they　were　subjected；　then　the　one　supreme　wrench　of　parting；　the　look　of　pain　in　her　father's　face；　the　trembling　of　his　voice；　the　last　long　look　as　the　train　moved　off；　and　the　utter　loneliness　of　all　that　followed。　　Then　came　dimmer　recollections；　not　less　real；　but　more　confused；　of　a　merry　set　of　fellow　passengers　who　were　going　to　enjoy　themselves　in　the　south　of　France；　of　a　certain　little　packet　which　her　father　had　placed　in　her　hand；　and　which　proved　to　be　〃Mill　on　Liberty；〃　of　her　eager　perusal　of　the　first　two　or　three　chapters；　of　the　many　instances　of　the　〃tyranny　of　the　majority〃　which　she　had　been　able　to　produce；　not　without　a　certain　satisfaction。　　And　afterward　more　vividly　she　could　recall　the　last　look　at　England；　the　dreary　arrival　at　Boulogne；　the　long　weary　railway　journey；　and　the　friendly　reception　at　Mme　Lemercier's　school。　　No　one　could　deny　that　her　new　life　had　been　bravely　begun。


CHAP