The Nicest Girl in the School: A Story of School Life Read online

  CHAPTER VIII

  A Great Disappointment

  As December passed by, and the term drew to a close, Patty's impatiencebegan almost to get the better of her. No thirteen weeks had everappeared so long. She felt as if she had been away from home for years,and she yearned for a sight of all the loved faces. Letters, though verywell in their way, were unsatisfactory things, especially thechildren's, which contained little news for the amount of paper covered,and consisted mostly of wishes for her return, with a whole page ofcrosses meant to represent kisses at the end. Now at last, however, shecould count the remainder of the term by days instead of weeks, and herfancy was busy painting in rainbow colours a picture of her arrival,first at the station, where perhaps her father would meet her, and thenat the dear, well-known door, where her mother would be waiting to claspher in the warmest hug, and all the younger ones would be watchingeagerly to welcome her back again. It was such an enthralling prospectthat Patty's eyes shone whenever she thought about it, and she sometimesexecuted a little dance of delight in the privacy of her cubicle, to letoff some of the effervescence of her spirits.

  "Only four days more!" she said to herself one night. "I suppose I shallmanage to get through them somehow! I wonder if it seems as long toMother and the others! I've never looked forward to anything so much inmy life. It makes me wild with joy to think it's so near."

  Poor Patty! In the midst of her pleasant anticipations a bitterdisappointment was in store for her. It seemed hard indeed that all hercherished plans must suddenly and ruthlessly be destroyed; but it takesa mingled warp and woof of joy and sorrow to weave the patterns of ourlives, and a piece of dark background is sometimes needed to bring thebrighter parts into full relief. The very next morning a letter arrivedfrom Mrs. Hirst, containing such bad news that Patty had to read ittwice over before she entirely grasped the full meaning of its tidings.Three of the younger children were ill with scarlet fever, Rowleyseriously so, and Robin and Kitty quite poorly enough to cause a certainamount of anxiety. The small patients had been carefully isolated, andso far the other children were well; but they were of course liable todevelop the complaint, and needed careful watching. In the circumstancesit was quite impossible for Patty to come home. She must not venturewithin danger of infection, for even if she did not take scarlet feverherself, it would not be right to allow her to go back to school afterthe holidays from a house where there had been sickness.

  "Uncle Sidney and Aunt Lucy have very kindly invited you to Thorncroft,"wrote Mrs. Hirst, "so you will return with Muriel, and will, I hope,have a pleasant holiday there. It is hard for us all to miss ourChristmas together, but you must be a brave girl, darling, and lookforward to seeing us at Easter instead. I cannot even write to youoften, because I am nursing our invalids, and Father has to disinfect myletters carefully in the surgery before he considers it safe to forwardthem. Milly, however, shall write you a postcard every day, to say howwe are, and you will be constantly in my thoughts, though I may not beable to do more than send you a brief message."

  To Patty it seemed as if the sun had suddenly gone out. That she mustforego all her home joys and spend the holidays with Muriel was indeed agreat hardship.

  "Muriel won't want me, I know," she sobbed, "and it won't seem likeChristmas at all to have to spend it at Thorncroft. Oh, how I wish Icould have gone home first, before the children were taken ill, and thenI could have helped to nurse them! Easter is months and months off. Idon't know how I'm going to live till I see them all again."

  After one storm of grief, however, Patty, like a sensible girl, driedher eyes, and tried to put on a bright face and make the best of thingsas they were. It seemed no use bemoaning her misery, and spoiling allher friends' happiness by dwelling on her troubles, so she managed tointerest herself in Enid's packing, and to sympathize with Jean's choiceof Christmas presents, though it was hard to listen to the others' gladplans when her own had suffered such shipwreck. It is a greataccomplishment to be able to smile outside when we are crying inside,and I don't believe Patty could have done it if she had not been soaccustomed to forget her own side of a question, and engross herself inother people's affairs. As it was, her power of self-mastery helped herto be brave and cheery in spite of her disappointment; but it was not aneasy task, and it cost her best efforts to smother her grief, and keepup to anything like her usual level of good spirits. It is sometimesmore difficult to practise the little self-denials and do the unlaudedacts of courage than to make one supreme sacrifice while the worldapplauds; so I think Patty deserved to be called a heroine for her smallvictory, which nobody noticed, just as much as if it had been a greatone. She had, at any rate, one compensation to console her. JeanBannerman also lived at Waverton, and would travel home with Muriel andherself, and she hoped it might be possible to see something of Jeanduring the holidays. The breaking-up day arrived at last, and Patty,after a warm good-bye to Enid, Winnie, and Avis, was put with her twocompanions under the guardianship of Miss Rowe, who escorted them to thejunction, and saw them safely into the northern express. Even though shewas not going to her own home, Patty felt rather cheered at leaving ThePriory and starting upon a journey; and the prospect of Christmas andits attendant festivities was an enlivening one.

  She had a kind welcome from her uncle and aunt, and her cousin Horace,who had returned from school the day before, also seemed pleased to seeher. Patty always liked Horace much better than Muriel. He was farkinder to her, and would often ask her to help him with his photography,or to arrange his cases of beetles, butterflies, and moths, entertainingher the while with accounts of his adventures at school, some of whichwere of such a thrilling description that she suspected they were madeup for her benefit. Muriel, who preferred to keep her brother toherself, was jealous of this intimacy; she did not want to include Pattyin their family life, and though she did not dare to say so to herparents, she secretly resented her cousin's presence. The two girls werenecessarily thrown much in each other's company, and so overbearing didMuriel prove sometimes, that it needed all Patty's self-restraint toprevent a quarrel. It was not pleasant to be ordered about, told tofetch and carry, and receive no thanks for her pains; and particularlydisagreeable to be given to understand that she was an unwelcomevisitor, who ought to consider herself very fortunate to have been askedat all. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Pearson had any idea how unkind Muriel wasto Patty in private; they were proud of their pretty little daughter,and fondly liked to think she was everything they could desire: theirlove made them blind to small indications of character, and so long asthey saw no glaring fault they thought all was well. Muriel from herbabyhood had been accustomed to expect her own way in everything. Herfather, mother, and brother had made a pet of her, and spoilt her soentirely that she had grown up a very selfish girl, and even theinfluence of school life, wholesome though it was, had not been able sofar to undo the ill effects of her home training. The first few days atThorncroft were naturally occupied with preparations for Christmas.Patty was very anxious to send some little gifts home to the children,and spent much time and thought planning how she could mostadvantageously lay out the few shillings of pocket money which shepossessed. It was a difficult matter when there were so many presentsrequired, and one which demanded serious consideration. In lack of anyother confidant, she talked it over with Muriel.

  "There's the tray-cloth for Mother, which I worked at school," she said."That's quite finished, and it looks very nice, only a little crushed.Aunt Lucy says Emma shall iron it out for me. I wish I could think ofsomething for Father. Can you suggest anything?"

  Muriel shook her head.

  "I can't," she replied. "I'm in the same difficulty nearly every year.There seems nothing you can give to a gentleman that he really caresfor. I've made shaving cloths, and cigarette cases, and match-boxholders, and heaps of other things for Father, and he always says 'Thankyou!' and puts them away in his drawer, and never uses them. He musthave a whole pile of my presents somewhere."

  "I thought of a blotter," said P
atty, "but I know it would only be leftlying about in the surgery. Father has a stylo. pen, and hardly everneeds blotting-paper. The little ones give him useful things--boxes ofmatches, and railway guides, and cakes of soap."

  "Cakes of soap!" laughed Muriel.

  "Yes, why not? They can't think of anything else to buy. But I wantedsomething nicer. I wish someone would publish a book on how to makeChristmas presents for one's father."

  "They might suggest things, but they couldn't guarantee his using themwhen they were made."

  "It's much easier for the children," said Patty, "because I know exactlywhat they'd like."

  "That's no trouble, then," yawned Muriel. "We shall be going into townto-morrow. You'll have plenty of choice at Archer's."

  "Too much, I'm afraid," said Patty. "I shall want to buy all I see."

  "Well, if I were you, I should get them each a shilling toy, and thenone wouldn't be better than another," said Muriel carelessly, rising andputting an end to a conversation of which she was growing tired. "I'mthankful to say my presents are all arranged."

  It was easy enough, Patty thought, for Muriel to suggest shilling toysin such an airy manner, but quite an impossibility to provide them forseven brothers and sisters when her small green purse only contained ahalf-crown and a new sixpence. Her gifts would have to be very modestones, and it would take much ingenuity to make her money last out. Emma,her aunt's maid, came to the rescue by hunting out a large bag ofcoloured wools and helping her to make a ball for the baby. This Pattyknew would delight him, and would leave her a little extra to spend uponthe others. On the day before Christmas Eve, Mrs. Pearson took Murieland Patty to town with her, and after visiting several places, thecarriage finally drew up at Archer's, a large general store where toysand all kinds of fancy articles were sold. The shop was so crowded thatit was quite difficult to obtain attention from the overworkedassistants, and Mrs. Pearson was obliged to wait some time before makingher purchases. It had been a busy morning for her; she was not strong,and by the time she had bought what she needed, she was thoroughlytired.

  "You children must be quick, if there is anything you want," she said,consulting her watch. "I particularly wish to be home by half-pasttwelve, so I can only allow you ten minutes for your shopping. Whereshall we go first?"

  "To the book department," said Muriel promptly. "You know I haven'tspent the present Aunt Ida sent me yet, and I want to choose somethingnice."

  "Wouldn't it do another day, dear?" suggested her mother.

  "No, I'd like to buy it now, and then I can have it to read on ChristmasDay. Do come, Mother!"

  The book department was upstairs, and proved as crowded as the floorbelow. After some difficulty they managed to find a place at thecounter, and Muriel was soon occupied in turning over the pages ofvarious fascinating stories, hesitating so long over her choice that theten minutes soon lengthened out into a quarter of an hour.

  "Do be quick, Muriel!" Patty ventured to whisper. "Aunt Lucy wants to gohome, and I haven't bought one of my presents yet!"

  "Oh, bother!" replied Muriel. "Do you think you'd have this historicaltale, or this school story, if you were choosing?"

  "The school one," said Patty, "though either looks nice. Here's theassistant. If you buy it now, perhaps Aunt Lucy would take me to the toydepartment for just five minutes."

  "I can't make up my mind yet," said Muriel. "I'd rather look at a fewothers first. Hand me that one bound in green. Yes, and the red one too.Oh, don't be a nuisance! Your Christmas presents will have to wait. I'mnot going to decide in a hurry just to please you."

  Poor Patty thought Muriel would never finish her purchase. She examinedbook after book, till at length even her mother waxed impatient, anddeclared she could stay no longer.

  "It is twenty minutes past twelve now," she said, "and I have made anappointment at half-past to meet the superintendent of the Sunday Schoolabout the Scholars' Christmas Tree. I should not like to keep himwaiting, and I am afraid I shall be late as it is. You must choose atonce, dear, and come."

  It took almost five minutes longer to secure the services of theassistant, who in the meantime had been attending to somebody else, andto wait while she wrapped the book in paper and fetched the change: sowhen at length Muriel was able to take her parcel, Mrs. Pearson was mostanxious to start for home.

  "I suppose there's no time for me to buy anything?" ventured Patty,timidly.

  "Oh no, dear!" said her aunt. "We must hurry away at once; you shouldhave mentioned it before. What did you want to get?"

  "Some little presents for the children," said Patty. "I've brought mypurse with me."

  "I am sending them a parcel to-morrow," said Mrs. Pearson, "so that willdo for you as well. You shall help me to pack it if you like. Dear me,it's nearly half-past twelve already! How very annoying! Jackson mustdrive home as quickly as he can. I shall have to apologize to Mr.Saunders. He's always so punctual, I'm sure I shall find him in thebreakfast-room when we arrive."

  Patty entered the carriage in a very dejected frame of mind. It seemedso hard, when the money had been in her pocket all the morning, that sheshould have found no opportunity of spending it. She had wished so muchto send Christmas boxes to the little ones, and though she knew heraunt's gifts would probably be much handsomer than any she could haveafforded, she felt it was not at all the same as if they were her own.

  "It's the first Christmas I've ever been away from home," she said toherself, "and I wanted everyone to have a remembrance from me. They'llbe so disappointed, and think I've taken no trouble over them. I haven'teven any cards to send them."

  In spite of her efforts she could not get over her disappointment, andas she sat by the breakfast-room fire after lunch, the tears began towell up in her eyes at the thought of the delightful parcel which shehad hoped by now to be packing up and despatching. Muriel, seated in theopposite armchair, was absorbed in her new story, and beyondoccasionally asking Patty to poke the fire or put on more coals, took nonotice of her cousin, and did not see that anything was wrong. Pattytried to fix her attention on "The Daisy Chain", which she had justbegun to read, but the description of the large family made her think ofher own, and she felt so wretchedly homesick and miserable that bigdrops blurred her eyes and fell down on to the pages of her book. Shewas wiping them up carefully with her pocket handkerchief when the dooropened suddenly, and Cousin Horace made his appearance.

  "Hello!" he cried cheerily. "I thought I should find you two in here!Muriel, Mother wants you for a minute in her bedroom."

  "What for?"

  "Your new dress has come, I believe."

  Muriel jumped up with alacrity and went upstairs, and Horace, taking hervacant chair, stretched himself lazily, and put his feet on the fender.

  "I don't know what it is about holidays," he remarked; "they make afellow want to do nothing but lounge. Don't you feel the same, Patty?"

  "I'm not sure," said Patty, so very chokily that Horace sat up andexamined her with critical eyes.

  "Why, what's the matter?" he exclaimed.

  "Nothing," said Patty, "at least, not much."

  "But you're crying."

  It was such a self-evident statement that Patty did not reply.

  "Have you been quarrelling with Muriel?"

  "No. Oh no!"

  "Then what is it?"

  "It seems hardly worth while telling."

  "Of course it is. Look here, Patty, you and I are chums. If you'veanything on your mind, just reel it off and get rid of it. Perhaps I canhelp."

  "It's only about the children," began Patty.

  "Well! Go on! What about them?"

  "I meant to buy them some presents, and there was no time when we wereshopping this morning, and Aunt Lucy isn't going into town again beforeChristmas, so I can't get them at all now," said Patty, blurting out hertrouble as briefly as she could.

  "Is that all?" asked Horace.

  "It's quite enough for me," replied Patty, wiping her eyes again.

  "W
hy, my dear girl, that's easily remedied. Put on your hat and jacketand I'll take you to town in the tramcar. It's only half-past three, andwe'll soon buy what you want."

  "Oh! Would Aunt Lucy really let us?" cried Patty, brightening up at sucha delightful prospect.

  "Why not? We'll go and ask her. Stuff that handkerchief in your pocket,and come along now."

  Horace knew exactly the right way to wheedle his mother, and very soonpersuaded her to allow them to start on their expedition.

  "Patty must put on her fur," said Mrs. Pearson. "It is much too cold andfoggy for Muriel to go out. I heard her coughing last night."

  "I don't want to go, thanks," said Muriel, who looked a little annoyed."Horace can please himself. I thought he said he was going to develop myfilms."

  "I'll do that another day. Be quick, Patty, or you'll find everythingbought up before you get there! I expect the shops will be crammed asfull of people as they'll hold."

  It was in very different spirits indeed that Patty buttoned her boots,and, donning her outdoor garments, joined Horace, who was waiting forher in the hall. It was freezing keenly, and the ground crunchedcrisply under their feet as they walked down the drive. They wereobliged to wait nearly ten minutes for the tramcar, and it was bitterlycold standing at the corner of the road, but Patty did not mind in theleast when she thought of her errand. It was almost dark before theyreached the town, and the streets looked bright and cheerful, with theirmany gas lamps and electric lights shining out through the murkyatmosphere. Everyone appeared to be busy with Christmas shopping, andthe pavements were crowded with people gazing at the presents displayedin the windows: and almost all seemed to be carrying a number ofparcels. There was such a happy, cheery feeling in the air, in spite ofthe fog, that Patty felt inclined to smile at everybody she met, eventhe conductor who came to collect their fares, or the stout woman whosat next to her, and whose large basket was such an inconvenience. Shewas beaming with joy as she and Horace left the car at the terminus andwalked down the main street, looking at the gay shop windows as theywent.

  "I hope you've made a list of your presents," said Horace, "and then weshan't waste time. I think the best plan is to go to a shop, ask forwhat you want, and insist upon having it. Don't let them show youhalf-a-dozen other things, and try to persuade you they're quite asgood."

  "I haven't made a list," said Patty, "but I want to buy eight presents,and only spend three shillings. It allows just fourpence-halfpenny foreach, or if I could spend a little less on some of the children's, Imight afford rather more for Father's."

  "Whew!" exclaimed Horace. "It requires rather careful calculation.You'll have to be uncommonly economical, I'm afraid. What can youpossibly buy for fourpence-halfpenny that's worth having?"

  "A great many things," said Patty. "Toys, of course, for the littleones. It's far harder to choose presents for Basil and Milly, and itwill be terribly difficult to get one for Father, I'm sure. Why, there'sUncle Sidney! He's seen us, and he's crossing the street."

  "Well, Patty," said Mr. Pearson, "what are you and Horace doing here?"

  "We've come shopping," explained Horace. "Patty's going to hunt bargainsto send home. She wants to buy eight Christmas presents for threeshillings. Isn't she plucky?" he added, with a meaning glance at hisfather.

  "You had better take her to Archer's stores," said Mr. Pearson, "and seewhat you can find there." Then, putting his hand in his pocket, he drewout a sovereign and slipped it into his niece's hand. "This is mypresent to you, Patty," he said. "Perhaps you would rather have it nowthan on Christmas Day. Spend it just as you like, my dear," and hehurried away almost before she had time to say "Thank you".

  With such wealth at her disposal, Patty could now afford to beextravagantly generous, and I think she never enjoyed any afternoon inher life more than the one spent in Archer's stores. I fear she triedHorace's patience, after all, by looking at a great many unnecessaryarticles; but in the end she secured exactly what she wanted, andemerged from the crowded shop in such a state of bliss that he forboreto scold, and took her various packages instead--a great self-denial onhis part, for he was a young gentleman who considered it much beneathhis dignity to carry a parcel. I do not know which delighted Patty most,when she opened her treasures on her return, whether it was the pair ofthick driving gloves for her father, or the books for Basil and Milly,or the wonderful toys for the little ones. Mary, the nurse, had not beenforgotten--a pretty handkerchief-box was to bear her name; and there waseven a bottle of scent for Anne, the kitchen servant, and a pencil-casefor Hughes, the coachman.

  "They'll be so surprised," she said. "I'm sure they won't expect suchlovely presents as these."

  "These aren't nearly so nice as the things Mother's sending them," saidMuriel, turning over the toys in a rather disdainful manner.

  "No, but they'll like them all the same, because they come from me. Itwill be so delightful to write 'From Patty' on each."

  "Well, I should hardly have thought it worth while to go into town onpurpose to buy them, and especially to drag poor Horace out on such acold, foggy afternoon," said Muriel.

  "She didn't drag me out, Sis; it was I who suggested it," interposedHorace. "Why can't you let her enjoy her presents without finding faultwith them?"

  "I'm not finding fault."

  "Yes, you are."

  "You're quite absurd about Patty."

  "And you're not very kind."

  "It's the first time you've ever called me unkind," said Muriel,flushing angrily. "I think it's horrid of you to run away from me for awhole afternoon and then speak to me like this! You're unkind yourself!"

  And throwing down the humming top which she had been examining, shestalked out of the room, and banged the door behind her. Horace, whowas extremely fond of his sister, followed, and succeeded in makingpeace. Muriel was mollified when he played chess with her all theevening, and forgave him for what she considered his neglect; but hischampionship of Patty did not make her love her cousin any the better.