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Sophia fought with the scorn that was thrusting itself into her heart as she listened when Miss Bennett now talked in a charming way about the public characters and incidents which interested her. "I wish for your sake, Miss Rexford," she said, "that some of the Royal family would come out again.
It was very awkward, Sophia, to be without handkerchiefs all winter." The crescendo emphasis which Mrs. Rexford had put into her remarks found its fortissimo here. Then she added more mildly, "Though I got no character with Eliza I am convinced she will never pilfer." Mrs. Rexford was putting her needle out and in with almost electric speed.
Rexford, neat, quick-moving, and excitable, after watching this operation for a few minutes and issuing several orders as to how it was to be done, moved off in lively search of the next train. She ran about, a few steps in each direction, looking at the various railway lines, and then accosted a tall, thin man who was standing still, doing nothing. "Is the train for the Eastern Townships here?
In the same way, she had accepted Eliza's position and character as a complex fact which, like the winter, had advantages and disadvantages. Mrs. Rexford put up with the latter, was thankful for the former, and wasted no more thoughts on the matter. Eliza's last remark, however, was a subject for consideration, and with Mrs. Rexford consideration was speech. "Dear me!" she said. "Well!"
I don't suppose he means any harm, but he's not a sensible young man, I think." "You're a very sensible girl, Eliza," said Mrs. Rexford, with quick vigour and without any sense of contrast. "It doesn't matter to me," went on Eliza, "for I don't answer him more than I can help; but if he was to talk to the other girls when they go out, I suppose they'd know not to notice him too much." Mrs.
The words of the lesson he had ready seemed to be forgotten, although his outward composure did not fail him. Eliza came near, the child upon her shoulder, looked at him and waited. "Eliza will hear what you have to say," said Mrs. Rexford.
"Now," said Miss Bennett, calling upon Miss Rexford, "there will be a few people to talk to, and we shall see a little life. These people are really a very good sort; you'll begin to have some enjoyment." The Rexfords had indeed been advertised more than once of the advantage that would accrue to them from the coming of the town-folks, and this chiefly by Trenholme himself.
As for the little boys, "a good run behind," their mother said, was just what they needed to warm them up. They began running behind, but soon ran in front, which rather confused Mrs. Rexford's ideas of order, but still the carriage lumbered on. Captain Rexford had no fortune with his second wife; and their children numbered seven daughters and three sons.
Sophia laughed a little, and laid her cool hand on the girl's hot one. "I can't be anything grand ever, and begin by being a servant, Miss Sophia. I say I'm not a servant, and I try not to act like one; but Mrs. Rexford, she's tried hard to make me one. You wouldn't like to be a servant, Miss Sophia?" "You are very childish and foolish," said Sophia.
After this little conversation with Captain Rexford about his relatives, and when Sophia had received the other children from the hands of Eliza and repaired with them to the house door, Trenholme also took leave, and rose to accompany her as far as the gate. Sophia shivered a little when she stepped out upon the narrow wooden gallery in front of the door.
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