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There was a little stir and murmur of excitement went round the table, but all awaited for their mother to speak. But she said nothing, and Miss Bethia went on, not at all as if she were saying anything to surprise anybody, but just as she would have told any piece of news. "I've thought of it considerable. Serepta Stone has concluded to go away to a water-cure place in the States.
On that particular November evening, Viner, a young gentleman of means and leisure, who lived in a comfortable old house in Markendale Square, Bayswater, in company with his maiden aunt Miss Bethia Penkridge, had spent his after-dinner hours in a fashion which had become a habit.
A night's sleep and a morning brilliant with sunshine are quite enough to put painful thoughts out of the mind of a boy of fourteen for the time, at least, and David had no more trouble with his, till Miss Bethia Barnes, coming to visit them one afternoon, asked him about Mr Bent's funeral and the bearers and mourners, and about his father's text and sermon, and then they came back to him again.
I have seen him," said David. "And so have I," said Violet. "If you were going to sell them all together, so as not to break it up, it would be different," said Miss Bethia. "But I could not do that, even if I wished. Mr Grantly only wants a small number of them, a list of which he left when he was here." "The best-looking ones on the outside, I suppose.
It would seem queer to see us together twins so wouldn't it? she a child and me an old woman," said Miss Bethia, with something like a sob in her voice. "It will be all in her favour the difference, I mean." "`Whom the gods love die young," said David. "But that is a Pagan sentiment.
After tea, they all went again to the kitchen, which, indeed, was as pleasant as many parlours, and while Violet washed the tea-dishes, Miss Bethia went on with the ironing, and the boys went on with their lessons.
That would be a much better plan, he thought, with a rueful glance at the book he had intended to enjoy all the afternoon. But Miss Bethia had quite other thoughts. "Well, it can't be helped. They'll be home to-morrow if they don't come to-night; and I can have a visit with you and Violet. I shall admire to!" said Miss Bethia, reassuringly, as a doubtful look passed over David's face.
"You don't know me, Miss Bethia, nor him, or you would not say that." "Your father would have made it his business to do him good." "But I am not like my father, very far from that." "Well, your father was nothing by himself. You are bound to do the same work, and you can have the same help. And it will pay in the long run. Oh, yes! it will pay!"
"And it is no good making plans so far ahead," said Ned. "And we shall hope to see Miss Bethia before summer, and then we can make our plans. Our house is not very large, Aunt Bethia, but there will always be room enough in it for such a friend as you have been to us all." "And you have promised to come, Aunt Bethia," said Violet. "If all is well," said Miss Bethia, gravely.
There was no mistaking the look she bent upon him. It was searching and critical, admiring, but not altogether approving. "You have never been out Gourlay way?" said she. "No, I never have, as yet." "He did not know what nice people the Gourlay people are, or he would have been," said Jem. "I expect so," said Miss Bethia. "It ain't too late to go yet." "Thank you, Miss Barnes.
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