scarlet stockings.doc

8/12/2019 Scarlet Stockings.doc

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Scarlet Stockings (Louisa May Alcott)Chapter 1

I. HOW THEY WALKED INTO LENNOX'S LIFE.

"COME out for a drive, Harry?"

"oo cold!"

"Have a gae of #illiards?"

"oo tired!"

"$o and call on t%e &airc%ilds?"

"Having an unfortunate 'reudice against country girls, res'ectfully decline!"

"*%at +ill you do t%en?"

"ot%ing, t%ank you!"

And settling %iself ore lu-uriously u'on t%e couc%, Lenno- closed %is eyes,

and a''eared to slu#er tran.uilly! /ate s%ook %er %ead, and stood regarding

%er #rot%er, des'ondently, till a sudden idea ade %er turn to+ard t%e +indo+,

e-claiing a#ru'tly,

"Scarlet stockings, Harry0"

"*%ere?" and, as if t%e +ords +ere a s'ell to #reak t%e dee'est day1drea,

Lenno- %urried to t%e +indo+, +it% an unusual e-'ression of interest in %is

listless face!

" t%oug%t t%at +ould succeed0 S%e isn2t t%ere, #ut 2ve got you u', and you are

not to go do+n again," laug%ed /ate, taking 'ossession of t%e sofa!

"ot a #ad anoeuvre! don2t ind3 it2s a#out tie for t%e one interesting event

of t%e day to occur, so 2ll +atc% for yself, t%ank you," and Lenno- took t%e

easy c%air #y t%e +indo+ +it% a s%rug and a ya+n!

"2 glad any t%ing does interest you," said /ate, 'etulantly, "t%oug% don2t

t%ink it aounts to uc%, for, t%oug% you 'erc% yourself at t%e +indo+ every

day to see t%at girl 'ass, you don2t care enoug% a#out it to ask %er nae!"

"2ve #een +aiting to #e told!"

"t2s 4elle Morgan, t%e 5octor2s daug%ter, and y dearest friend!"


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"%en, of course, s%e is a #lue1#elle?"

"5on2t try to #e +itty or sarcastic +it% %er, for s%e +ill #eat you at t%at!"

"ot a du#1#elle t%en?"

"6uite t%e reverse3 s%e talks a good deal, and very +ell too, +%en s%e likes!"

"S%e is very 'retty3 %as any#ody t%e rig%t to call %er 2Ma #elle2?"

"Many +ould #e glad to do so, #ut s%e +on2t %ave any t%ing to say to t%e!"

"A Canter#ury #elle in every sense of t%e +ord t%en?"

"S%e ig%t #e, for all Canter#ury loves %er, #ut s%e isn2t fas%iona#le, and %as

ore friends aong t%e 'oor t%an aong t%e ric%!"

"A%, see, a diving1#ell, +%o kno+s %o+ to go do+n into a sea of trou#les, and

#ring u' t%e 'earls +ort% %aving!"

"2ll tell %er t%at, it +ill 'lease %er! 7ou are really +aking u', Harry," and /ate

siled a''rovingly u'on %i!

"%is 'age of 24elle2s Life2 is rat%er ausing, so read a+ay," said Lenno-,

glancing u' t%e street, as if %e a+aited t%e a''earance of t%e ne-t edition +it%

'leasure!

"%ere isn2t uc% to tell3 s%e is a nice, #rig%t, energetic, +ar1%earted dear3 t%e

'ride of t%e 5octor2s %eart, and a favorite +it% every one, t%oug% s%e is odd!

"Ho+ odd?"

"5oes and says +%at s%e likes, is very #lunt and %onest, %as ideas and 'rinci'les

of %er o+n, goes to 'arties in %ig% dresses, +on2t dance round dances, and

+ears red stockings, t%oug% Mrs! 8lantagenet says it2s fast!"

"9at%er a olly little 'erson, fancy! *%y %aven2t +e et %er at soe of t%e tea1

fig%ts and uffin1+orries +e2ve #een to lately?"

"t ay ake you angry, #ut it +ill do you good, so 2ll tell! S%e didn2t careenoug% a#out seeing t%e distinguis%ed stranger to coe3 t%at2s t%e trut%!"

"Sensi#le girl, to s'are %erself %ours of ortal dulness, gossi', and dys'e'sia,"

+as t%e 'lacid re'ly!


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of %erself and friends! "4ut you don2t care for any of our si'le auseents,

#ecause you are s'oilt #y t%e flattery, gayety, and nonsense of foreign society! f

didn2t kno+ it +as %alf affectation, s%ould #e in des'air, you are so #lase and

a#surd! t2s al+ays t%e +ay +it% en, if one %a''ens to #e %andsoe,

acco'lis%ed, and talented, %e 'uts on as any airs, and is as vain as any silly

girl!"

"5on2t you t%ink if you took #reat%, you2d get on faster, y dear?" asked t%e

i'ertur#a#le gentlean, as /ate 'aused +it% a gas'!

" kno+ it2s useless for e to talk, as you don2t care a stra+ +%at say, #ut it2s

true, and soe day you2ll +is% you %ad done soet%ing +ort% doing all t%ese

years! +as so 'roud of you, so fond of you, t%at can2t %el' #eing

disa''ointed, to find you +it% no ore a#ition t%an to kill tie coforta#ly, no

interest in any t%ing #ut your o+n 'leasures, and only energy enoug% to ause

yourself +it% a 'air of scarlet stockings!"

8at%etic as 'oor /ate2s face and voice +ere, it +as i'ossi#le to %el' laug%ing at

t%e coical conclusion of %er laent! Lenno- tried to %ide t%e sile on %is li's

#y affecting to curl %is oustac%e +it% care, and to ga;e 'ensively out as if

touc%ed #y %er a''eal! 4ut %e +asn2t, o%, #less you, no0 s%e +as only %is sister,

and, t%oug% s%e ig%t %ave talked +it% t%e +isdo of Soloon, and t%e

elo.uence of 5eost%enes, it +ouldn2t %ave done a 'article of good! Sisters do

very +ell to +ork for one, to 'et one, and 'lay confidante +%en one2s love affairs

need feinine +it to conduct t%e, #ut +%en t%ey #egin to re'rove, or criticise

or orali;e, it +on2t do, and can2t #e allo+ed, of course! Lenno- never snu##ed

any#ody, #ut #landly e-tinguis%ed t%e #y a 'olite ac.uiescence in all t%eir

affirations, for t%e tie #eing, and t%en +ent on in %is o+n +ay as if not%ing

%ad #een said!

" dare say you are rig%t3 2ll go and t%ink over your very sensi#le advice," and,

as if roused to un+onted e-ertion #y t%e stings of an accusing conscience, %e left

t%e roo a#ru'tly!

" do #elieve 2ve ade an i'ression at last0 He2s actually gone out to t%ink

over +%at 2ve said! 5ear Harry, +as sure %e %ad a %eart, if one only kne+ %o+

to get at it0" and +it% a sig% of satisfaction /ate +ent to t%e +indo+ to #e%old

t%e "dear Harry" going #riskly do+n t%e street after a 'air of scarlet stockings! A

s'ark of anger kindled in %er eyes as s%e +atc%ed %i, and +%en %e vanis%ed,

s%e still stood knitting %er #ro+s in dee' t%oug%t, for a grand idea +as da+ningu'on %er!

t +as a dull to+n3 no one could deny t%at, for every#ody +as so intensely

'ro'er and +ell1#orn, t%at no#ody dared to #e olly! All t%e %ouses +ere s.uare,

aristocratic ansions +it% 9evolutionary els in front and s'acious coac%1

%ouses #e%ind! %e knockers %ad a su'ercilious 'erk to t%eir #ron;e or #rass

noses, t%e dandelions on t%e la+ns %ad a %ig%ly connected air, and t%e very 'igs


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+ere evidently descended fro "our first failies!" Stately dinner1'arties,

decorous dances, oral 'icnics, and uc% tea1'ot gossi'ing +ere t%e social

resources of t%e 'lace! Of course, t%e young 'eo'le flirted, for t%at diversion is

a''arently irradica#le even in t%e "#est society," #ut it +as done +it% a 'ro'riety

+%ic% +as edifying to #e%old!

One can easily iagine t%at suc% a starc%ed state of t%ings +ould not #e

'articularly attractive to a travelled young gentlean like Lenno-, +%o, as /ate

very truly said, %ad #een s'oilt #y t%e flattery, lu-ury, and gayety of foreign

society! He did %is #est, #ut #y t%e end of t%e first +eek ennui claied %i for

its o+n, and 'assive endurance +as all t%at +as left %i! &ro 'erfect des'air

%e +as rescued #y t%e scarlet stockings, +%ic% +ent tri''ing #y one day as %e

stood at t%e +indo+, 'lanning soe eans of esca'e!

A #risk, #lit%e1faced girl 'assed in a grey +alking suit +it% a distracting 'air of

%ig%1%eeled #oots and gli'ses of scarlet at t%e ankle! Modest, 'erfectly so,

assure you, +ere t%e gli'ses, #ut t%e feet +ere so decidedly 'retty t%at one

forgot to look at t%e face a''ertaining t%ereunto! t +asn2t a rearka#ly lovely

face, #ut it +as a %a''y, +%olesoe one, +it% all sorts of good little di'les in

c%eek and c%in, suns%iny t+inkles in t%e #lack eyes, and a decided, yet lova#le

look a#out t%e out% t%at +as .uite satisfactory! A #usy, #ustling little #ody s%e

seeed to #e, for sack1'ockets and uff +ere full of #undles, and t%e tri #oots

tri''ed #riskly over t%e ground, as if t%e girl2s %eart +ere as lig%t as %er %eels!

Soe%o+ t%is active, 'leasant figure seeed to +ake u' t%e +%ole street, and

leave a streak of suns%ine #e%ind it, for every one nodded as it 'assed, and t%e

'riest faces rela-ed into siles, +%ic% lingered +%en t%e girl %ad gone!

"


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n trut% %e soon forgot %iself entirely, and enoyed %er oddities +it% a relis%,

after t%e 'ri 'ro'rieties of t%e ot%er young ladies +%o %ad si'ered and sig%ed

#efore %i! &or t%e first tie in %is life, t%e "Crus%er," as %is ale friends called

%i, got crus%ed3 for 4elle, +it% t%e su#tle skill of a .uick1+itted, keen1sig%ted

girl, soon sa+ and condened t%e elegant affectations +%ic% ot%ers called

foreign 'olis%! A look, a +ord, a gesture fro a 'retty +oan is often oreelo.uent and i'ressive t%an oral essays or sei1occasional t+inges of

conscience, and in t%e 'resence of one satirical little 'erson, Sir C%arles

Coldstrea soon ceased to deserve t%e nae!

4elle seeed to get over %er %urry and to find tie for occasional rela-ation, #ut

one never kne+ in +%at ood %e ig%t find %er, for t%e +eat%ercock +as not

ore c%angea#le t%an s%e! Lenno- liked t%at, and found t%e uffin1+orries .uite

endura#le +it% t%is sauce 'i.uante to relieve t%eir insi'idity! 8resently %e

discovered t%at %e +as suffering for e-ercise, and fored t%e +%olesoe %a#it

of 'roenading t%e to+n a#out t%ree 8! M!3 /ate said, to follo+ t%e scarlet

stockings!

Chapter 2

II. WHERE THEY LED HIM.

"*HHE9 a+ay, Miss Morgan?" asked Lenno-, as %e overtook %er one #itter

cold day!

"2 taking y constitutional!"

"So a !"

"*it% a difference," and 4elle glanced at t%e #lue1nosed, uffled1u' gentlean

strolling along #eside %er +it% an occasional s%iver and s%rug!

"After a +inter in t%e sout% of &rance one don2t find arctic +eat%er like t%is easy

to #ear," %e said, +it% a disgusted air!

" like it, and do y five or si- iles a day, +%ic% kee's e in +%at fine ladies

call 2rude %ealt%,2 ans+ered 4elle, +alking %i on at a 'ace +%ic% soon ade %is

furs a #urden!

S%e +as a faous 'edestrian, and a little 'roud of %er 'o+ers, #ut s%e outdid allforer feats t%at day, and got over t%e ground in gallant style! Soet%ing in %er

anner 'ut %er escort on %is ettle, and %is usual lounge +as turned into a

#risk arc% +%ic% set %is #lood dancing, face glo+ing, and s'irits effervescing as

t%ey %ad not done for any a day!


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"%ere0 you look ore like your real self no+," said 4elle, +it% t%e first sign of

a''roval s%e %ad ever vouc%safed %i, as %e reoined %er after a race to recover

%er veil, +%ic% t%e +ind +%isked a+ay over %edge and ditc%!

"Are you sure you kno+ +%at y real self is?" %e asked, +it% a touc% of t%e

"con.uering %ero" air!

"ot a dou#t of it! al+ays kno+ a soldier +%en see one," returned 4elle,

decidedly!

"A soldier0 t%at2s t%e last t%ing s%ould e-'ect to #e accused of," and Lenno-

looked #ot% sur'rised and gratified!

"%ere2s a flas% in your eye and a ring to your voice, occasionally, +%ic% ade

e sus'ect t%at you %ad fire and energy enoug% if you only c%ose to s%o+ it,

and t%e s'irit +it% +%ic% you %ave ust e-ecuted t%e 2Morgan 6uick ste'2 'roves

t%at +as rig%t," returned 4elle, laug%ing!

"%en a not altoget%er a 2'eacock?2" said Lenno-, significantly, for during t%e

c%at, +%ic% %ad #een as #risk as t%e +alk, 4elle %ad given %is #esetting sins

several sly %its, and %e couldn2t resist one return s%ot, uc% as %er une-'ected

co'lient 'leased %i!

8oor 4elle #lus%ed u' to %er fore%ead, tried to look as if s%e did not understand,

and gladly %id %er confusion #e%ind t%e recovered veil +it%out a +ord!

%ere +as a decided dis'lay #ot% of t%e "flas%" and t%e "ring," as Lenno- looked

at t%e suddenly su#dued young lady, and, .uite satisfied +it% %is retaliation,

gave t%e order 11 "&or+ard, arc%0" +%ic% #roug%t t%e to t%e garden1gate#reat%less, #ut #etter friends t%an #efore!

%e ne-t tie t%e young 'eo'le et, 4elle +as in suc% a %urry t%at s%e +ent

round t%e corner +it% an a#stracted e-'ression +%ic% +as .uite a triu'% of art!

:ust t%en, off tu#led t%e lid of t%e #asket s%e carried, and Lenno-, rescuing it

fro a 'uddle, o#ligingly %el'ed readust it over a funny collection of #ottles,

dis%es, and tidy little rolls of all sorts!

"t2s very %eavy, ayn2t carry it for you?" %e asked, in an insinuating anner!

"o, t%ank you," +as on 4elle2s li's, #ut o#serving t%at %e +as got u' +it%unusual elegance to 'ay calls, s%e couldn2t resist t%e te'tation of aking a

#east of #urden of %i, and took %i at %is +ord!

"7ou ay, if you like! 2ve got ore #undles to take fro t%e store, and anot%er

'air of %ands +on2t coe aiss!"


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Lenno- lifted %is eye#ro+s, also t%e #asket, and t%ey +ent on again, 4elle very

uc% a#sor#ed in %er #usiness, and %er escort +ondering +%ere t%e dickens s%e

+as going +it% all t%at ru##is%! &illing %is unoccu'ied %and +it% sundry #ro+n

'a'er 'arcels, uc% to t%e detrient of t%e lig%t kid t%at covered it, 4elle

'araded %i do+n t%e ain street #efore t%e +indo+s of t%e ost aristocratic

ansions, and t%en dived into a dirty #ack1lane, +%ere t%e +ant and isery oft%e to+n +as decorously ke't out of sig%t!

"7ou don2t ind scarlet fever, su''ose?" o#served 4elle, as t%ey a''roac%ed

t%e unsavory residence of 4iddy O24rien!

"*ell, 2 not e-actly 'artial to it," said Lenno-, rat%er taken a#ack!

"7ou needn2t go in if you are afraid, or s'eak to e after+ards, so no %ar +ill

#e done 11 e-ce't to your gloves!"

"*%y do you coe %ere, if ay ask? t isn2t t%e sort of auseent s%ould

recoend," %e #egan, evidently disa''roving of t%e ste'!

"O%, 2 used to it, and like to 'lay nurse +%ere fat%er 'lays doctor! 2 fond of

c%ildren, and Mrs! O24rien2s are little dears," returned 4elle, #riskly, t%reading

%er +ay #et+een as%1%ea's and ud1'uddles as if #ound to a festive scene!

":udging fro t%e ro+ in t%ere, s%ould infer t%at Mrs! O24rien %ad .uite a %erd

of little dears!"

"Only nine!"

"And all sick?"

"More or less!"

"4y :ove0 it2s 'erfectly %eroic in you to visit t%is %ole in s'ite of dirt, noise,

fragrance, and infection," cried Lenno-, +%o devoutly +is%ed t%at t%e sense of

sell if not of %earing +ere te'orarily denied %i!

"4less you, it2s t%e sort of t%ing enoy, for t%ere2s no nonsense %ere3 t%e +ork

you do is 'leasant if you do it %eartily, and t%e t%anks you get are +ort% %aving,

assure you!"

S%e 'ut out %er %and to relieve %i of t%e #asket, #ut %e gave it an a''roving

little s%ake, and said #riefly 11

"ot yet, 2 coing in!"

t2s all very +ell to r%a'sodi;e a#out t%e e-.uisite 'leasure of doing good, to

give carelessly of one2s a#undance, and enoy t%e delusion of %aving


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ree#ered t%e 'oor! 4ut it is a c%ea' c%arity, and never #rings t%e genuine

satisfaction +%ic% t%ose kno+ +%o give t%eir ite +it% %eart as +ell as %and,

and truly love t%eir neig%#or as t%eselves! Lenno- %ad seen uc% fas%iona#le

#enevolence, and laug%ed at it even +%ile %e iitated it, giving generously +%en

it +asn2t inconvenient! 4ut t%is +as a ne+ sort of t%ing entirely, and in s'ite of

t%e dirt, t%e noise, and t%e sells, %e forgot t%e fever, and +as glad %e cae+%en 'oor Mrs! O24rien turned fro %er sick #a#ies, e-claiing, +it% ris% fervor

at sig%t of 4elle,

"%e Lord love ye, darlin, for rei#erin us +%en ivery one, #arrin2 t%e doctor,

and t%e 'raste, turns t%e co+ld s%ouldt%er in our t%rou#le0"

"o+ if you really +ant to %el', ust kee' t%is c%ild .uiet +%ile see to t%e

sickest ones," said 4elle, du'ing a stout infant on to %is knee, t%rusting an

orange into %is %and, and leaving %i ag%ast, +%ile s%e un'acked %er little

esses, and coforted t%e aternal #ird!

*it% t%e calness of des'eration, %er aid1de1ca' 'ut do+n %is #est #eaver on

t%e ric% soil +%ic% covered t%e floor, 'ocketed %is 8aris kids, and aking a #i# of

%is ca#ric %andkerc%ief, gagged young 8at deliciously +it% #its of orange

+%enever %e o'ened %is out% to roar! At %er first leisure oent, 4elle

glanced at %i to see %o+ %e +as getting on, and found %i so solenly

a#sor#ed in %is task t%at s%e +ent off into a #urst of suc% infectious errient

t%at t%e O24riens, sick and +ell, oined in it to a an!

"$ood fun, isn2t it?" s%e asked, turning do+n %er cuffs +%en t%e last s'oonful of

gruel +as adinistered!

"2ve no dou#t of it, +%en one is used to t%e t%ing! t coes a little %ard at first,you kno+," returned Lenno-, +i'ing %is fore%ead, +it% a long #reat%, and sei;ing

%is %at as if .uite ready to tear %iself a+ay!

"7ou2ve done very +ell for a #eginner3 so kiss t%e #a#y and coe %oe," said

4elle a''rovingly!

"o, t%ank you," uttered Lenno-, trying to detac% t%e #edau#ed innocent! 4ut

little 8at %ad a grateful %eart, and falling u'on %is ne+ nurse2s neck +it% a

ra'turous cro+ clung t%ere like a #urr!

"ake %i off0 Let e out of t%is0 He2s one too any for e0" cried t%e +retc%edyoung an in coic des'air!

4eing freed +it% uc% laug%ter, %e turned and fled, follo+ed #y a s%o+er of

#lessings, fro Mrs! O24rien!

As t%ey cae u' again into t%e 'leasant %ig%+ays, Lenno- said, a+k+ardly for

%i,


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"%e t%anks of t%e 'oor are e-cellent t%ings to %ave, #ut t%ink 2d rat%er

receive t%e #y 'ro-y! *ill you kindly s'end t%is for e in aking t%at 'oor

soul coforta#le?"

4ut 4elle +ouldn2t take +%at %e offered %er, s%e 'ut it #ack, saying earnestly,

"$ive it yourself3 one can2t #uy #lessings, t%ey ust #e earned or t%ey are not

+ort% %aving! ry it, 'lease, and if you find it a failure, t%en 2ll gladly #e your

aloner!"

%ere +as a significance in %er +ords +%ic% %e could not fail to understand! He

neit%er s%rugged, dra+led, nor sauntered no+, #ut gave %er a look in +%ic%

res'ect and self1re'roac% +ere ingled, and left %er, si'ly saying, "2ll try it,

Miss Morgan!"

"o+ isn2t s%e odd?" +%is'ered /ate to %er #rot%er, as 4elle a''eared at a little

dance at Mrs! 8lantagenet2s in a %ig%1necked dress, knitting a+ay on an ary1

sock, as s%e greeted t%e friends +%o cro+ded round %er!

"C%aringly so! *%y don2t you do t%at sort of t%ing +%en you can?" ans+ered

%er #rot%er, glancing at %er t%in, #are s%oulders and %ands, rendered nearly

useless #y t%e tig%tness of t%e gloves!

"$racious, no0 t2s natural to %er to do so, and s%e carries it off +ell3 couldn2t,

t%erefore don2t try, t%oug% adire it in %er! $o and ask %er to dance, #efore

s%e is engaged!"

"S%e doesn2t dance round dances you kno+!"

"S%e is dreadfully 'ri a#out soe t%ings and so free and easy a#out ot%ers,

can2t understand it, do you?"

"*ell, yes, t%ink do! Here2s &or#es coing for you, 2ll go and entertain 4elle

#y a .uarrel!"

He found %er in a recess out of t%e +ay of t%e rus%ing and ro'ing, #usy +it%

%er +ork, yet evidently glad to #e aused!

" adire your ad%erence to 'rinci'les, Miss 4elle, #ut don2t you find it a little

%ard to sit still +%ile your friends are enoying t%eselves?" %e asked, sinkinglu-uriously into t%e lounging c%air #eside %er!

"7es, very," ans+ered 4elle +it% c%aracteristic candor! "4ut fat%er don2t a''rove

of t%at sort of e-ercise, so console yself +it% soet%ing useful till y c%ance

coes!"


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"7our +ork can2t e-actly #e called ornaental," said Lenno-, looking at t%e #ig

sock!

"5on2t laug% at it, sir, it is for t%e foot of t%e #rave fello+ +%o is going to fig%t

for e and %is country!"

"Ha''y fello+0 May ask +%o %e is?" and Lenno- sat u' +it% an air of interest!

"My su#stitute3 don2t kno+ %is nae, for fat%er %as not got %i yet, #ut 2

aking socks, and to+els, and a cofort1#ag for %i, so t%at +%en found %e

ay #e off at once!"

"7ou really ean it?" cried Lenno-!

"O course do3 can2t go yself, #ut can #uy a 'air of strong ars to fig%t for

e, and intend to do it! only %o'e %e2ll %ave t%e rig%t sort of courage and #e

a credit to e!"

"*%at do you call t%e rig%t sort of courage?" asked Lenno-, so#erly!

"%at +%ic% akes a an ready and glad to live or die for a 'rinci'le! %ere2s a

c%ance for %eroes no+, if t%ere ever +as! *%en do you oin your regient?" s%e

added a#ru'tly!

"Haven2t t%e least idea," and Lenno- su#sided again!

"4ut you intend to do so, of course?"

"*%y s%ould ?"

4elle dro''ed %er +ork! "*%y s%ould you? *%at a .uestion0 4ecause you %ave

%ealt%, and strengt%, and courage, and oney to %el' on t%e good cause, and

every an s%ould give %is #est, and not dare to stay at %oe +%en %e is

needed!"

"7ou forget t%at a an Englis%an, and +e rat%er 'refer to #e strictly neutral

ust no+!"

"7ou are only %alf Englis%, and for your ot%er2s sake you s%ould #e 'roud and

glad to fig%t for t%e ort%," cried 4elle +arly!

" don2t ree#er y ot%er 11 "

"%at2s evident0"


12/20

"4ut +as a#out to add, 2ve no o#ection to lend a %and if it isn2t too uc%

trou#le to get off," said Lenno- indifferently, for %e liked to see 4elle2s color rise,

and %er eyes kindle +%ile %e 'rovoked %er!

"5o you e-'ect to go Sout% in a #and#o-? 7ou2d #etter oin one of t%e kid1glove

regients, t%ey say t%e dandies fig%t +ell +%en t%e tie coes!"

"2ve #een a+ay so long, t%e 'atriotic fever %asn2t sei;ed e yet, and as t%e

.uarrel is none of ine, t%ink, 'er%a's 2d #etter take care of /ate, and let you

fig%t it out aong yourselves! Here2s t%e Lancers, ay %ave t%e %onor?"

4ut 4elle, #eing very angry at t%is luke+arness, ans+ered in %er #luntest

anner!

"Having reinded e t%at you are a 2strictly neutral2 Englis%an, you ust

e-cuse e if decline3 dance only +it% loyal Aericans," and rolling u' %er

+ork +it% a defiant flouris%, s%e +alked a+ay, leaving %i to laent %is loss and

+onder %o+ %e could retrieve it! S%e did not s'eak to %i again till %e stood in

t%e %all +aiting for /ate, t%en 4elle cae do+n in t%e c%aring little red %ood,

and going straig%t u' to %i +it% %er %and out, a re'entant look, and a friendly

sile, said frankly 11

" +as very rude3 +ant to #eg 'ardon of t%e Englis%, and s%ake %ands +it% t%e

Aerican %alf!"

So 'eace +as declared, and lasted un#roken for t%e reaining +eek of %is stay,

+%en %e 'ro'osed to take /ate to t%e city for a little gayety! Miss Morgan o'enly

a''roved t%e 'lan, #ut secretly felt as if t%e to+n +as a#out to #e de'o'ulated,

and tried to %ide %er elanc%oly in %er su#stitute2s socks! %ey +ere not largeenoug%, %o+ever, to a#sor# it all, and +%en Lenno- +ent to ake %is adieu, it

+as 'erfectly evident t%at t%e 5octor2s 4elle +as out of tune! %e young

gentlean #asely e-ulted over t%is, till s%e gave %i soet%ing else to t%ink

a#out #y saying gravely,

"4efore you go, feel as if oug%t to tell you soet%ing, since /ate +on2t! f you

are offended a#out it 'lease don2t #lae %er3 s%e eant it kindly and so did !"

4elle 'aused as if it +as not an easy t%ing to tell, and t%en +ent on .uickly, +it%

%er eyes u'on %er +ork!

"%ree +eeks ago /ate asked e to %el' %er in a little 'lot, and consented, fort%e fun of t%e t%ing! S%e +anted soet%ing to ause and stir you u', and

finding t%at y .ueer +ays diverted you, s%e #egged e to #e neig%#orly and

let you do +%at you liked! didn2t care 'articularly a#out ausing you, #ut did

t%ink you needed rousing, so for %er sake tried to do it, and you very good1

naturedly #ore y lecturing! don2t like deceit of any kind, so confess, #ut

can2t say 2 sorry, for really t%ink you are none t%e +orse for t%e teasing and

teac%ing you2ve %ad!"


13/20

4elle didn2t see %i flus% and fro+n as s%e ade %er confession, and +%en s%e

looked u' %e only said, %alf gratefully, %alf re'roac%fully,

"2 a good deal t%e #etter for it, dare say, and oug%t to #e very t%ankful for

your friendly e-ertions! 4ut t+o against one +as %ardly fair, no+ +as it?"

"o, it +as sly and sinful in t%e %ig%est degree, #ut +e did it for your good, so

kno+ you2ll forgive us, and as a 'roof of it sing one or t+o of y favorites for t%e

last tie!"

"7ou don2t deserve any favor, #ut 2ll do it to s%o+ you %o+ uc% ore

agnanious en are t%an +oen!"

ot at all lot% to i'rove %is advantages, Lenno- +ar#led %is ost elting lays

con aore, +atc%ing, as %e sung, for any sign of sentient in t%e girlis% face

o''osite! 4ut 4elle +ouldn2t #e sentiental3 and sat rattling %er knitting1needles

industriously, t%oug% "%e Har#or 4ar +as Moaning," dolefully, t%oug% "5ouglas"

+as touc%ingly "tender and true," and t%e "*ind of t%e Suer ig%t" sig%ed

roantically t%roug% t%e sitting1roo!

"Muc% o#liged! Must you go?" s%e said, +it%out a sign of soft confusion as %e

rose!

" ust, #ut s%all coe again #efore leave t%e country! May ?" %e asked,

%olding %er %and!

"f you coe in a unifor!"

"$ood nig%t, 4elle," tenderly! "$ood1#ye, Sir C%arles," +it% a +icked t+inkle oft%e eye, +%ic% lasted till %e closed t%e %all1door, gro+ling irefully,

" t%oug%t 2d %ad soe e-'erience, #ut one never can understand t%ese

+oen!"

Canter#ury did #ecoe a desert to 4elle after %er dear friend %ad gone3 (of

course t%e dear friend2s #rot%er %ad not%ing to do +it% t%e desolation), and as

t%e +eeks dragged slo+ly, 4elle took to reading 'oetry, 'racticing 'laintive

#allads, and da+dling over %er +ork at a certain +indo+ +%ic% coanded a

vie+ of t%e rail+ay station and %otel!

"7ou2re dull, y dear, run u' to to+n +it% e to1orro+, and see your young

an off," said t%e 5octor, one evening as 4elle sat using +it% a %alf1ended

red stocking in %er %and!

"My young an?" s%e eaculated, turning +it% a start and a #lus%!


14/20

"7our su#stitute, c%ild! Ste'%ens attended to t%e #usiness for e, and %e2s off

to1orro+! #egan to tell you a#out t%e fello+ last +eek, #ut you +ere +ool1

gat%ering, so sto''ed!"

"7es, ree#er, it +as all very nice! $oes to1orro+, does %e? 2d like to see

%i, #ut do you t%ink +e can #ot% leave %oe at once? Soe one ig%t coeyou kno+, and fancy it2s going to sno+," said 4elle, 'utting %er face #e%ind t%e

curtain to ins'ect t%e +eat%er!

"7ou2d #etter go, t%e tri' +ill do you good, you can take your t%ings to o

:ones, and see /ate on t%e +ay3 s%e2s got #ack fro 8%iladel'%ia!"

"Has s%e0 2ll go, t%en3 it +ill 'lease %er, and do need c%ange! 7ou are an old

dear, to t%ink of it3" and giving %er fat%er a %asty gli'se of a suddenly e-cited

countenance, 4elle sli''ed out of t%e roo to 're'are %er #est array +it% a ost

reckless disregard of t%e i'ending stor!

t didn2t sno+ on t%e orro+, and u' t%ey +ent to see t%e 11 t% regient off!

4elle did not see "%er young an," %o+ever, for +%ile %er fat%er +ent to carry

%i %er coforts and a 'atriotic nosegay of red and +%ite flo+ers, tied u' +it% a

sart #lue ri##on, s%e called on /ate! 4ut Miss Lenno- +as engaged, and sent

an urgent re.uest t%at %er friend +ould call in t%e afternoon! Muc% disa''ointed

and a little %urt, 4elle t%en devoted %erself to t%e de'arting regient, +is%ing

s%e +as going +it% it, for s%e felt in a +ar1like ood! t +as 'ast noon +%en a

#urst of artial usic, t%e easured tra' of any feet, and ent%usiastic

c%eers announced t%at "t%e #oys" +ere coing! &ro t%e #alcony +%ere s%e

stood +it% %er fat%er, 4elle looked do+n u'on t%e living strea t%at flo+ed #y

like a #road river +it% a steely glitter a#ove t%e #lue! All %er 'etty trou#les

vanis%ed at t%e sig%t, %er %eart #eat %ig%, %er face glo+ed, %er eyes filled, ands%e +aved %er %at as ;ealously as if s%e %ad a do;en friends and lovers in t%e

ranks #elo+!

"Here coes your an3 told %i to stick t%e 'osy +%ere it +ould catc% y eye,

so could 'oint %i out to you! Look, it2s t%e tall fello+ at t%e end of t%e front

line," said t%e 5octor in an e-cited tone, as %e 'ointed and #eckoned!

4elle looked and gave a little cry, for t%ere, in a 'rivate2s unifor, +it% %er

nosegay at %is #utton%ole, and on %is face a sile s%e never forgot, +as Lenno-0

&or an instant s%e stood staring at %i as 'ale and startled as if %e +ere a

g%ost, t%en t%e color rus%ed into %er face, s%e kissed #ot% %ands to %i, andcried #ravely, "$ood1#ye, good1#ye, $od #less you, Harry0" and iediately laid

%er %ead on %er fat%er2s s%oulder, so##ing as if %er %eart +as #roken!

*%en s%e looked u', %er su#stitute +as lost in t%e undulating ass #elo+, and

for %er t%e s'ectacle +as over!


15/20

"*as it really %e? *%y +asn2t told? *%at does it all ean?" s%e deanded,

looking #e+ildered, grieved, and as%aed!

"He2s really gone, y dear! t2s a sur'rise of %is, and +as #ound over to

silence! Here, t%is +ill e-'lain t%e oke, su''ose," and t%e 5octor %anded %er a

cocked1%at note, done u' like a ilitary order!

"A 9oland for your Oliver, Madeoiselle0 cae %oe for t%e e-'ress 'ur'ose of

enlisting, and only delayed a ont% on /ate2s account! f ever return, +ill

receive y #ounty at your %ands! ill t%en 'lease cofort /ate, t%ink as kindly

as you can of 2Sir C%arles,2 and soeties 'ray a little 'rayer for

"7our un+ort%y

"Su#stitute!"

4elle looked very 'ale and eek +%en s%e 'ut %er note in %er 'ocket, #ut s%e

only said, " ust go and cofort /ate," and t%e 5octor gladly o#eyed, feeling

t%at t%e oke +as ore serious t%an %e %ad iagined!

%e oent %er friend a''eared, Miss Lenno- turned on %er tears, and "'layed

a+ay" 'ouring fort% laentations, re'roac%es, and regrets in a steady strea!

" %o'e you are satisfied no+, you cruel girl0" s%e #egan, refusing to #e kissed!

"7ou2ve sent %i off +it% a #roken %eart to rus% into danger and #e s%ot, or get

%is ars and legs s'oilt! 7ou kno+ %e loved you and +anted to tell you so, #ut

you +ouldn2t let %i, and no+ you2ve driven %i a+ay, and %e2s gone as an

insignificant 'rivate +it% %is %ead s%aved, and a %eavy kna'sack #reaking %is

#ack, and a %orrid gun t%at +ill #e sure to e-'lode, and %e +ould +ear t%oseiense #lue socks you sent, for %e adores you, and you only teased and

laug%ed at %i, y 'oor deluded, deserted #rot%er0" And .uite over+%eled #y

t%e afflicting 'icture, /ate lifted u' %er voice and +e't again!

" a satisfied3 for %e2s done +%at %o'ed %e +ould, and %e2s none t%e less a

gentlean #ecause %e2s a 'rivate and +ears y socks! 'ray t%ey +ill kee' %i

safe and #ring %i %oe to us +%en %e %as done %is duty like a an, as kno+

%e +ill! 2 'roud of y #rave su#stitute, and 2ll try to #e +ort%y of %i," cried

4elle, kindling #eautifully as s%e looked out into t%e +intry suns%ine +it% a ne+

softness in t%e eyes t%at still seeed +atc%ing t%at #lue1coated figure arc%ing

a+ay to danger, 'er%a's deat%!

"t2s ill 'laying +it% edged tools3 +e eant to ause %i and +e ay %ave sent

%i to destruction! 2ll never forgive you for your 'art, never0" said /ate, +it%

t%e c%aring inconsistency of %er se-!

4ut 4elle turned a+ay %er +rat% #y a soft ans+er, as s%e +%is'ered, +it% a

tender c%oke in %er voice,


16/20

"*e #ot% loved %i, dear3 let2s cofort one anot%er!"

Chapter 3

III. WHAT BECAME OF THEM.

89=AE Lenno- certainly %ad c%osen 'retty %ard +ork, for t%e 11 t% +as not a

"kid1glove" regient #y any eans3 fig%ting in id1+inter +as not e-actly

festive, and ca's do not a#ound in #eds of roses even at t%e #est of ties! 4ut

4elle +as rig%t in saying s%e kne+ a soldier +%en s%e sa+ %i, for no+ t%at %e

+as t%oroug%ly +aked u', %e 'roved t%at t%ere +as 'lenty of courage, energy,

and endurance in %i!

t2s y 'rivate o'inion t%at %e ig%t no+ and t%en %ave slig%tly regretted t%e

ste' %e %ad taken, %ad it not #een for certain recollections of a sarcastic tongue

and a 'air of keen eyes, not to ention t%e influence of one of t%e ost 'otent

rulers of t%e %uan %eart, naely, t%e desire to 'rove %iself +ort%y of t%e

res'ect, if not%ing ore, of soe#ody at %oe! 4elle2s socks did see to kee'

%i safe, and lead %i straig%t in t%e narro+ 'at% of duty! 4elle2s cofort1#ag

+as suc% in very trut%, for not one of t%e stout needles on t%e tricolored cus%ion

#ut +%at seeed to +ink its eye a''rovingly at %i3 not one of t%e tidy #alls of

t%read t%at did not reind %i of t%e little %and %e coveted, and t%e

i'ractica#le scissors, +ere c%eris%ed as a good oen, t%oug% %e felt t%at t%e

s%ar'est steel t%at ever cae fro S%effield couldn2t cut %is love in t+ain! And

4elle2s lessons, s%ort as t%ey %ad #een, +ere not forgotten, #ut seeed to %ave

#een taken u' #y a sterner istress, +%ose re+ards +ere greater if not so s+eet

as t%ose t%e girl could give! %ere +as 'lenty of e-ercise no+1a1days of %ard

+ork t%at left any a tired %ead aslee' forever under t%e sno+! %ere +ere

any o''ortunities for diving "into t%e de't%s and #ringing u' 'earls +ort%%aving" #y acts of kindness aong t%e +eak, t%e +icked, and t%e suffering all

a#out %i! He learned no+ %o+ to earn, not #uy, t%e t%anks of t%e 'oor, and

unconsciously 'roved in t%e truest +ay t%at a 'rivate could #e a gentlean! 4ut

#est of all +as t%e steadfast 'ur'ose "to live and die for a 'rinci'le," +%ic% gre+

and strengt%ened +it% eac% ont% of #itter %ards%i', #loody strife, and dearly1

#oug%t success! Life gre+ earnest to %i, tie seeed 'recious, self +as

forgotten, and all t%at +as #est and #ravest rallied round t%e flag on +%ic% %is

%eart inscri#ed t%e otto, "Love and Li#erty!"

8raise and %onor %e could not fail to +in, and %ad %e never gone #ack to clai

%is #ounty %e +ould %ave earned t%e great "*ell done," for %e ke't %is oat%loyally, did %is duty anfully, and loved %is lady fait%fully, like a knig%t of t%e

c%ivalrous ties! He kne+ not%ing of %er secret, #ut +ore %er #lue ri##on like an

order, never +ent into #attle +it%out first, like any anot%er 'oor fello+, kissing

soet%ing +%ic% %e carried ne-t %is %eart, and +it% eac% day of a#sence felt

%iself a #etter an, and #raver soldier, for t%e fondly foolis% roance %e %ad

+oven a#out t%e scarlet stockings!


17/20

4elle and /ate did cofort one anot%er, not only +it% tears and kisses, #ut +it%

+oanly +ork +%ic% ke't %earts %a''y and %ands #usy! Ho+ 4elle #ri#ed %er to

silence +ill al+ays reain t%e nint% +onder of t%e +orld, #ut t%oug% reas of

'a'er 'assed #et+een #rot%er and sister during t%ose t+elve ont%s not a %int

+as dro''ed on one side in re'ly to artful in.uiries fro t%e ot%er! 4elle never

told %er love in +ords, #ut s%e sto+ed a+ay an unliited .uantity of t%e articlein t%e #ig #o-es t%at +ent to gladden t%e eyes and 11 alas for roance0 11 t%e

stoac% of 8rivate Lenno-! f 'ickles could ty'ify 'assion, cigars 'rove

constancy, and ginger#read reveal t%e longings of t%e soul, t%en +ould t%e

a#ove1entioned gentlean %ave #een t%e %a''iest of lovers! 4ut ca'1life %ad

dou#tless dulled %is finer intuitions, for %e failed to understand t%e ne+ language

of love, and gave a+ay t%ese tender tokens +it% lavis% 'rodigality! Concealent

'reyed a trifle on 4elle2s daask c%eek it ust #e confessed, and t%e keen eyes

gre+ softer +it% t%e secret tears t%at soeties died t%e3 t%e s%ar'

tongue seldo did isc%ief no+, #ut uttered kindly +ords to every one as if

doing 'enance for t%e 'ast, and a s+eet seriousness toned do+n t%e lively s'irit

+%ic% +as learning any t%ings in t%e slee'less nig%ts t%at follo+ed +%en t%e

"little 'rayer" for t%e #eloved su#stitute +as done!

"2ll +ait and see if %e is all %o'e %e +ill #e, #efore let %i kno+! s%all read

t%e trut% t%e instant see %i, and if %e %as stood t%e test 2ll run into %is ars

and tell %i everyt%ing," s%e said to %erself +it% delicious t%rills at t%e idea3 #ut

you ay #e sure s%e did not%ing of t%e sort +%en t%e tie cae!

A ruor fle+ t%roug% t%e to+n one day t%at Lenno- %ad arrived3 u'on recei't of

+%ic% oyful tidings 4elle %ad a 'anic and %id %erself in t%e garret! 4ut +%en s%e

%ad .uaked, and cried, and 'ee'ed, and listened for an %our or t+o, finding t%at

no one cae to %unt %er u', s%e co'osed %er nerves and descended to 'ass

t%e afternoon in t%e 'arlor and a %ig% state of dignity! All sorts of re'ortsreac%ed %er 11 %e +as ortally +ounded, %e %ad #een ade a aor or a

colonel, or a general, no one kne+ e-actly +%ic%3 %e +as dead, +as going to #e

arried, and %adn2t coe at all! 4elle fully e-'iated all %er sall sins #y t%e

agonies of sus'ense s%e suffered t%at day, and +%en at last a note cae fro

/ate #egging %er "to dro' over to see Harry," s%e 'ut %er 'ride in %er 'ocket

and +ent at once!

%e dra+ing1roo +as e'ty and in confusion, t%ere +as a urur of voices

u'1stairs, a sell of ca'%or in t%e air, and an e'ty +ine1glass on t%e ta#le

+%ere a ilitary ca' +as lying! 4elle2s %eart sunk, and s%e covertly kissed t%e

faded #lue coat as s%e stood +aiting #reat%lessly, +ondering if Harry %ad anyars for %er to run into! S%e %eard t%e c%uckling 4iddy lu#er u' and announce

%er, t%en a laug% and a %alf fond, %alf e-ulting 11 "A%, %a, t%oug%t s%e2d

coe0"

%at s'oilt it all3 4elle took out %er 'ride instanter, set %er teet%, ru##ed a .uick

color into %er +%ite c%eeks, and snatc%ing u' a ne+s'a'er, sat %erself do+n

+it% as e-'ressionless a face as it +as 'ossi#le for an e-cited young +oan to


18/20

'ossess! Lenno- cae running do+n 11 "%ank %eaven, %is legs are safe0" sig%ed

4elle, +it% %er eyes glued to t%e 'rice of #eef! He entered +it% #ot% %ands

e-tended, +%ic% relieved %er ind u'on anot%er 'oint, and %e #eaed u'on %er,

looking so vigorous, anly, and artial t%at s%e cried +it%in %erself, "My

#eautiful #ro+n soldier0" even +%ile s%e greeted %i +it% an unnecessarily #rief

"Ho+ do you do, Mr! Lenno-?"

%e sudden ecli'se +%ic% 'assed over %is oyful countenance +ould %ave #een

ludicrous if it %adn2t #een 'at%etic3 #ut %e +as used to %ard knocks no+, and

#ore t%is, %is %ardest, like a an! He s%ook %ands %eartily, and as 4elle sat

do+n again (not to #etray t%at s%e +as tre#ling a good deal), %e stood at ease

#efore %er, talking in a +ay +%ic% soon satisfied %er t%at %e %ad #orne t%e test,

and t%at #liss +as +aiting for %er round t%e corner! 4ut s%e %ad ade it suc% a

very s%ar' corner s%e couldn2t turn it gracefully, and +%ile s%e 'ondered %o+ to

do so %e %el'ed %er +it% a coug%! S%e looked u' .uickly, discovering all at once

t%at %e +as very t%in, rat%er 'ale in s'ite of t%e nice tan, and #reat%ed %urriedly

as %e stood +it% one %and in %is #reast!

"Are you ill, +ounded, in 'ain?" s%e asked, forgetting %erself entirely!

"7es, all t%ree," %e ans+ered, after a curious look at %er c%anging color and

an-ious eyes!

"Sit do+n 11 tell e a#out it 11 can do any t%ing?" and 4elle #egan to 'lu' u'

t%e 'illo+s on t%e couc% +it% nervous eagerness!

"%ank you, 2 'ast %el'," +as t%e ournful re'ly, acco'anied #y a %ollo+

coug% +%ic% ade %er s%iver!

"O%, don2t say so0 Let e #ring fat%er3 %e is very skilful! S%all call /ate?"

"He can do not%ing3 /ate doesn2t kno+ t%is, and #eg you +on2t tell %er! got a

s%ot in t%e #reast and ade lig%t of it, #ut it +ill finis% e sooner or later!

don2t ind telling you, for you are one of t%e strong, cool sort, you kno+, and

are not affected #y suc% t%ings! 4ut /ate is so fond of e, don2t +ant to s%ock

and trou#le %er yet a+%ile! Let %er enoy y little visit, and after 2 gone you

can tell %er t%e trut%!"

4elle %ad sat like a statue +%ile %e s'oke +it% fre.uent 'auses and an

involuntary clutc% or t+o at t%e suffering #reast! As %e sto''ed and 'assed %is%and over %is eyes, s%e said slo+ly, as if %er +%ite li's +ere stiff,

"$one0 +%ere?"

"4ack to y 'lace! 2d rat%er die fig%ting t%an fussed and +ailed over #y a 'arcel

of +oen! e-'ected to stay a +eek or so, #ut a #attle is coing off sooner

t%an +e iagined, so 2 a+ay again to1orro+! As 2 not likely ever to coe


19/20

#ack, ust +anted to ask you to stand #y 'oor /ate +%en 2 finis%ed, and to

say good1#ye to you, 4elle, #efore go!" He 'ut out %is %and, #ut %olding it fast

in #ot% %er o+n, s%e laid %er tearful face do+n on it, +%is'ering i'loringly,

"O%, Harry, stay0"

ever ind +%at %a''ened for t%e ne-t ten inutes3 suffice it to say t%at t%e

eney %aving surrendered, t%e victor took 'ossession +it% great u#ilation and

s%o+ed no .uarter!

"4ang t%e field 'iece, toot t%e fife, and #eat t%e rolling dru, for ruse nu#er

t%ree %as succeeded0 Coe do+n, /ate, and give us your #lessing," called

Lenno-, taking 'ity on %is sister, +%o +as an-iously a+aiting t%e denoueent on

t%e stairs!

n s%e rus%ed, and t%e young ladies laug%ed and cried, kissed and talked

tuultuously, +%ile t%eir idol #enignantly looked on, vainly endeavoring to

re'ress all vestiges of unanly eotion!

"And you are not dying, really, truly?" cried 4elle, +%en fair +eat%er set in after

t%e flurry!

"4less your dear %eart, no0 2 as sound as a nut, and %aven2t a +ound to #oast

of, e-ce't t%is ugly slas% on t%e %ead!"

"t2s a s'lendid +ound, and 2 'roud of it," and 4elle set a rosy little seal on t%e

scar +%ic% .uite reconciled %er lover to t%e disfigureent of %is %andsoe

fore%ead! "7ou2ve learned to fi# in t%e ary, and 2 disa''ointed in you," s%e

added, trying to look re'roac%ful and failing entirely!

"o, only t%e art of strategy! 7ou .uenc%ed e #y your frosty rece'tion, and

t%oug%t it +as all u' till you 'ut t%e idea of 'laying invalid into y %ead! t

succeeded so +ell t%at 'iled on t%e agony, resolving to fig%t it out on t%at line,

and if failed again to ake a asterly retreat! 7ou gave e a lesson in deceit

once, so don2t co'lain if turned t%e ta#les and ade your %eart ac%e for a

inute, as you2ve ade ine for a year!"

4elle2s s'irit +as ra'idly coing #ack, so s%e gave %i a ca'ital iitation of %is

&renc% s%rug, and dra+led out in %is old +ay 11

" %ave y dou#ts a#out t%at, on ai!"

"*%at do you say to t%is 11 and t%is 11 and t%is?" %e retorted, 'ulling out and

laying #efore %er +it% a triu'%ant flouris%, a faded #lue ri##on, a fat

'incus%ion +it% a %ole t%roug% it, and a dainty1'ainted little 'icture of a 'retty

girl in scarlet stockings!


20/20

"%ere, 2ve carried t%ose treasures in y #reast1'ocket for a year, and 2

firly convinced t%at t%ey %ave all done t%eir 'art to+ard kee'ing e safe! %e

#lue ri##on #ound e fast to you, 4elle3 t%e funny cus%ion caug%t t%e #ullet t%at

ot%er+ise ig%t %ave finis%ed e, and t%e #lessed little 'icture +as y cofort

during t%ose dreadful arc%es, y co'anion on 'icket1duty +it% treac%ery and

danger all a#out e, and y ins'iration +%en t%e +ord 2C%arge02 +ent do+n t%eline, for in t%e t%ickest of t%e fig%t al+ays sa+ t%e little grey figure #eckoning

e on to y duty!"

"O%, Harry, you +on2t go #ack to all t%ose %orrors, +ill you? 2 sure you2ve

done enoug%, and ay rest no+ and enoy your re+ard," said /ate, trying not to

feel t%at "t+o is co'any and t%ree is none!"

"2ve enlisted for t%e +ar, and s%all not rest till eit%er it or coe to an end! As

for y re+ard, %ad it +%en 4elle kissed e!"

"7ou are rig%t, 2ll +ait for you, and love you all t%e #etter for t%e sacrifice,"

+%is'ered 4elle! " only +is% could s%are your %ards%i's, dear, for +%ile you

fig%t and suffer can only love and 'ray!"

"*aiting is %arder t%an +orking to suc% as you, so #e contented +it% your s%are,

for t%e t%oug%t of you +ill glorify t%e +orld generally for e! 2ll tell you +%at

you can do +%ile 2 a+ay3 it2s #ot% useful and ausing, so it +ill occu'y and

c%eer you ca'itally! :ust knit lots of red %ose, #ecause don2t intend you to +ear

any ot%ers %ereafter, Mrs! Lenno-!"

"Mine are not +orn out yet," laug%ed 4elle, getting erry at t%e t%oug%t!

"o atter for t%at, t%ose are sacred articles, and %encefort% ust #e treasuredas eorials of our love! &rae and %ang 2e u'3 or, if t%e 'reudices of society

for#id t%at flig%t of roance, lay t%e carefully a+ay +%ere ot%s can2t devour

nor t%ieves steal 2e, so t%at years %ence, +%en y descendants 'raise e for

any virtues ay 'ossess, any good ay %ave done, or any %onor ay %ave

earned, can 'oint to t%ose 'recious relics and say 'roudly,

"My c%ildren, for all t%at a, or %o'e to #e, you ust t%ank your %onored

ot%er2s scarlet stockings!"

scarlet stockings.doc

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