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the daisy chain, or aspirations-第13部分
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thoughts seemed chiefly occupied with her father。 She made Richard
explain to her the injury he had suffered; and begged to know whether
his constant attendance on her could do him harm。 She was much
rejoiced when her brother assured her that nothing could be better
for him; and she began to say; with a smile; that very likely her
being hurt had been fortunate。 She asked who had taken care of him
before Richard's arrival; and was pleased to hear that it was Mr。
Ernescliffe。 A visit from the little Gertrude Margaret was happily
accomplished; and; on the whole; the day was most satisfactoryshe
herself declaring that she could not see that there was anything the
matter with her; except that she felt lazy; and did not seem able to
move。
Thus the next Sunday morning dawned with more cheerfulness。 Dr。 May
came downstairs for the first time; in order to go to church with his
whole flock; except the two Margarets。 He looked very wan and
shattered; but they clustered gladly round him; when he once more
stood among them; little Blanche securing his hand; and nodding
triumphantly to Mr。 Ernescliffe; as much as to say; 〃Now I have him;
I don't want you。〃
Norman alone was missing; but he was in his place at church among the
boys。 Again; in returning; he slipped out of the party; and was at
home the first; and when this recurred in the afternoon Ethel began
to understand his motive。 The High Street led past the spot where
the accident had taken place; though neither she nor any of the
others knew exactly where it was; except Norman; on whose mind the
scene was branded indelibly; she guessed that it was to avoid it that
he went along what was called Randall's Alley; his usual short cut to
school。
The Sunday brought back to the children that there was no one to hear
their hymns; but Richard was a great comfort; watching over the
little ones more like a sister than a brother。 Ethel was ashamed of
herself when she saw him taking thought for them; tying Blanche's
bonnet; putting Aubrey's gloves on; teaching them to put away their
Sunday toys; as if he meant them to be as neat and precise as
himself。
Dr。 May did not encounter the family dinner; nor attempt a second
going to church; but Blanche was very glorious as she led him down to
drink tea; and; before going up again; he had a conversation with
Alan Ernescliffe; who felt himself obliged to leave Stoneborough
early on the morrow。
〃I can endure better to go now;〃 said he; 〃and I shall hear of you
often; Hector will let me know; and Richard has promised to write。〃
〃Ay; you must let us often have a line。 I should guess you were a
letter…writing man。〃
〃I have hitherto had too few friends who cared to hear of me to write
much; but the pleasure of knowing that any interest is taken in me
here〃
〃Well;〃 said the doctor; 〃mind that a letter will always be welcome;
and when you are coming southwards; here are your old quarters。 We
cannot lose sight of you anyway; especially〃and his voice quivered…
…〃after the help you gave my poor boys and girls in their distress。〃
〃It would be the utmost satisfaction to think I had been of the
smallest use;〃 said Alan; hiding much under these commonplace words。
〃More than I know;〃 said Dr。 May; 〃too much to speak of。 Well; we
shall see you again; though it is a changed place; and you must come
and see your god…daughterpoor childmay she only be brought up as
her sisters were! They will do their best; poor things; and so must
I; but it is sad work!〃
Both were too much overcome for words; but the doctor was the first
to continue; as he took off his dimmed spectacles。 He seemed to wish
to excuse himself for giving way; saying; with a look that would fain
have been a smile; 〃The world has run so light and easy with me
hitherto; that you see I don't know how to bear with trouble。 All
thinking and managing fell to my Maggie's share; and I had as little
care on my hands as one of my own boyspoor fellows。 I don't know
how it is to turn out; but of all the men on earth to be left with
eleven children; I should choose myself as the worst。〃
Alan tried to say somewhat of 〃Confidenceaffectiondaughters;〃 and
broke down; but it did as well as if it had been connected。
〃Yes; yes;〃 said the doctor; 〃they are good children every one of
them。 There's much to be thankful for; if one could only pluck up
heart to feel it。〃
〃And you are convinced that Margathat Miss May is recovering。〃
〃She has made a great advance today。 The head is right; at least;〃
but the doctor looked anxious and spoke low as he said; 〃I am not
satisfied about her yet。 That want of power over the limbs; is more
than the mere shock and debility; as it seems to me; though Ward
thinks otherwise; and I trust he is right; but I cannot tell yet as
to the spine。 If this should not soon mend I shall have Fleet to see
her。 He was a fellow…student of mine very clever; and I have more
faith in him than in any one else in that line。〃
〃By all means Yes;〃 said Alan; excessively shocked。 〃But you will
let me know how she goes onRichard will be so kind。〃
〃We will not fail;〃 said Dr May more and more touched at the sight of
the young sailor struggling in vain to restrain his emotion; 〃you
shall hear。 I'll write myself as soon as I can use my hand; but I
hope she may be all right long before that is likely to be。〃
〃Your kindness〃 Alan attempted to say; but began again。 〃Feeling
as I must〃 then interrupting himself。 〃I beg your pardon; 'tis no
fit time; nor fit But you'll let me hear。〃
〃That I will;〃 said Dr May; and as Alan hastily left the room; he
continued; half aloud; to himself; 〃Poor boy! poor fellow。 I see。
No wonder! Heaven grant I have not been the breaking of their two
young hearts; as well as my own! Maggie looked doubtfulas much as
she ever did when my mind was set on a thing; when I spoke of
bringing him here。 But after all; she liked him as much as the rest
of us didshe could not wish it otherwisehe is one of a thousand;
and worthy of our Margaret。 That he is! and Maggie thinks so。 If he
gets on in his profession; why then we shall see〃 but the sigh of
anguish of mind here showed that the wound had but been forgotten for
one moment。
〃Pshaw! What am I running on to? I'm all astray for want of her!
My poor girl〃
Mr Ernescliffe set out before sunrise。 The boys were up to wish him
good…bye; and so were Etheldred and Mary; and some one else; for
while the shaking of hands was going on in the hall there was a call;
〃Mr Ernthcliffe;〃 and over the balusters peeped a little rough curly
head; a face glowing with carnation deepened by sleep; and a round;
plump; bare arm and shoulder; and down at Alan's feet there fell a
construction of white and pink paper; while a voice lisped out; 〃Mr
Ernthcliffe; there's a white rothe for you。〃
An indignant 〃Miss Blanche!〃 was heard behind and there was no
certainty that any thanks reached the poor little heroine; who was
evidently borne off summarily to the nursery; while Ethel gave way to
a paroxysm of suppressed laughter; joined in; more or less; by all
the rest; and thus Alan; promising faithfully to preserve the
precious token; left Dr May's door; not in so much outward sorrow as
he had expected。
Even their father laughed at the romance of the white 〃rothe;〃 and
declared Blanche was a dangerous young lady; but the story was less
successful with Miss Winter; who gravely said it was no wonder since
Blanche's elder sister had been setting her the example of
forwardness in coming down in this way after Mr。 Ernescliffe。 Ethel
was very angry; and was only prevented from vindicating herself by
remembering there was no peacemaker now; and that she had resolved
only to think of Miss Winter's late kindness; and bear with her
tiresome ways。
Etheldred thought herself too sorrowful to be liable to her usual
faults which would seem so much worse now; but she found herself more
irritable than usual; and doubly heedless; because her mind was
preoccupied。 She hated herself; and suffered more from sorrow than
even at the first moment; for now she felt what it was to have no one
to tame her; no eye over her; she found herself going a tort et a
travers all the morning; and with no one to set her right。 Since it
was so the first day; what would follow?
Mary was on the contrary so far subdued; as to be exemplary in
goodness and diligence; and Blanche was always steady。 Flora was too
busy to think of the school…room; for the whole house was on her
hands; besides the charge of Margaret; while Dr。 May went to the
hospital; and to sundry patients; and they thought he seemed the
better for the occupation; as well as gratified and affected by the
sympathy he everywhere met with from high and low。
The boys were at school; unseen except when at the dinner play…hour
Norman ran home to ask after his father and sister; but the most
trying time was at eight in the evening; when they came home。 That
was wont to be the merriest part of the whole day; the whole family
collected; papa at leisure and ready for talk or for play; mamma
smiling over her work…basket; the sisters full of chatter; the
brothers full
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