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Batcheller and the smiling Miss Mary had been driven home in the Judge's carriage. "Yes," said Judy, abstractedly, watching the musicians, who were having their refreshments under the lilac bushes. "What handsome faces they have," she said, "so dark and wild.
He says she is too feeble for so much care and that it will be an accommodation to him." But Mrs. Batcheller did not tell how the Judge had argued for hours to break down the barriers of pride which she had raised, and that he had finally won, because of his insistence that Anne must have the opportunities due one of her name and race. "You are to go to Mrs. French's school in Richmond, with Judy.
"We can't make her unhappy," he said in a low voice. "Anne?" "Yes." "Everything is spoiled now," said Judy, chokingly, "everything. And I took such an interest. I think it's mean mean mean " Her voice grew very shrill, and her face was red. Mrs. Batcheller started to speak, but the Judge raised his hand to stop the untimely lecture. "Wait!" he said.
"But my hair doesn't curl like yours, little grandmother," and in that lament was voiced the greatest trial, that had, as yet, come to Anne. "Neither does Judy's," said Mrs. Batcheller, and Anne brightened up, but when she went down-stairs and saw Judy's bronze locks giving out wonderful lights where they were looped up with a broad black ribbon she sighed again.
"There is so much else to do, and books are a bore." Anne looked at her with a little puzzled stare. "Don't you like books really?" she asked, incredulously. "I hate them," said Judy calmly. Before Anne could recover from the shock of such a statement, the Judge waved the young people away. "Run along, run along," he ordered, "I want to talk to Mrs. Batcheller, you show Judy around a bit, Anne."
"Judy is so lonely," he pleaded, and Mrs. Batcheller unbent. "Anne has her lessons." "But to-morrow is Saturday." "Well she may go this time. How long do you want her to stay?" "Until Sunday night," said the Judge. "I will bring her back in time for school on Monday." Anne went up-stairs in a flutter of excitement.
Batcheller. "Judy hasn't been well since she took that heavy cold the night she stayed out in the pasture and I know the child pines for the sea, although she doesn't say a word. And I don't want her separated from Anne. She needs young company." The little grandmother consented reluctantly.
But the Judge's eyes were dreamy. "Dear little tender-heart," he said. "She teaches us a lesson of forgiveness," said Mrs. Batcheller, who with the Judge had deeply resented the treatment accorded Anne on that fateful Monday morning. "Perhaps it would be best to ask Miss Mary," ventured the Judge. "If she would come," said Mrs. Batcheller, doubtfully.
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