"I don't ask you for more than a guinea," said Mrs. Hilary, with a parade of forbearance.
"It would be the same," I replied politely, "if you asked me for a thousand;" with which I handed her half-a-crown. She held it in her open hand, regarding it scornfully.
"Yes," I continued, taking a seat, "I feel that pecuniary gifts--""Half-a-crown!"
"Are you a poor substitute for personal service. May not Iaccompany you to the ceremony?"
"I dare say you spent as much as this on wine with your lunch!""I was in a mad mood today," I answered apologetically. "What are they taught at the school?""Above all, to be good girls," said Mrs. Hilary earnestly. "What are you sneering at, Mr. Carter?""Nothing," said I hastily, and I added with a sigh, "I suppose it's all right.""I should like," said Mrs. Hilary meditatively, "if I had not other duties, to dedicate my life to the service of girls.""I should think twice about that, if I were you," said I, shaking my head.
"By the way, Mr. Carter, I don't know if I've ever spoken unkindly of Lady Mickleham. I hope not.""Hope," said I, "is not yet taxed."
"If I have, I'm very sorry. She's been most kind in undertaking to give away the prizes today. There must be some good in her.""Oh, don't be hasty," I implored.
"I always wanted to think well of her."
"Ah! Now I never did."
"And Lord Mickleham is coming, too. He'll be most useful.""That settles it," I exclaimed. "I may not be an earl, but Ihave a perfect right to be useful. I'll go too.""I wonder if you'll behave properly," said Mrs. Hilary doubtfully.
I held out a half-sovereign, three half-crowns, and a shilling.
"Oh, well, you may come, since Hilary can't," said Mrs. Hilary.
"You mean he won't," I observed.
"He has always been prevented hitherto," said she, with dignity.
So I went, and it proved a most agreeable expedition. There were 200 girls in blue frocks and white aprons (the girl three from the end of the fifth row was decidedly pretty)--a nice lot of prize books--the Micklehams (Dolly in demure black), ourselves, and the matron. All went well. Dolly gave away the prizes; Mrs.
Hilary and Archie made little speeches. Then the matron came to me. I was sitting modestly at the back of the platform, a little distance behind the others.
"Mr. Musgrave," said the matron to me, "we're so glad to see you here at last. Won't you say a few words?""It would be a privilege," I responded cordially, "but unhappily I have a sore throat."The matron (who was a most respectable woman) said, "Dear, dear!"but did not press the point. Evidently, however, she liked me, for when we went to have a cup of tea, she got me in a corner and began to tell me all about the work. It was extremely interesting. Then the matron observed:
"And what an angel Mrs. Musgrave is!"
"Well, I should hardly call her that," said I, with a smile.
"Oh, you mustn't depreciate her--you, of all men!" cried the matron, with a somewhat ponderous archness. "Really I envy you her constant society.""I assure you, " said I, "I see very little of her.""I beg your pardon?"
"I only go to the house about once a fortnight--Oh, it's not my fault. She won't have me there oftener.""What do you mean? I beg your pardon. Perhaps I've touched on a painful--?""Not at all, not at all," said I suavely. "It is very natural.
I am neither young nor handsome, Mrs. Wiggins. I am not complaining."The matron gazed at me.
"Only seeing her here," I pursued, "you have no idea of what she is at home. She has chosen to forbid me to come to her house--""Her house?"
"It happens to be more hers than mine," I explained. "To forbid me, I say, more than once to come to her house. No doubt she had her reasons.""Nothing could justify it," said the matron, directing a wondering glance at Mrs. Hilary.
