"Then the papers are of no use," she commented in a tone of disappointment.
"They have been of a good deal of use in mental training. You will find it much easier to write on kindred subjects. And I must say you have had a fortunate summer; so much better than anything I had antic.i.p.ated for you. You have shown commendable courage in taking a step many girls would have shrunk from. I am sure that you will succeed, and some way we must all make it possible for you to go through the High School. I feel confident that Providence will smile on our efforts."
She glanced up soberly.
"You would have gone without hesitation when school closed in the summer?"
"Oh, yes." Then she laughed. She was the wholesome sort of girl, who could laugh at herself. "That was because I knew so little. And since I have found how much knowledge of every kind there is in the world, mine seems so small. I am afraid I don"t want to compare myself with the people who know less, and those who know more seem so far ahead of me,"
she subjoined frankly.
"That need not take away one"s courage. At eight and twenty you will know a good deal more, at eight and forty if you use life rightly, you will have discarded a good deal of the youthful knowledge, and taken on maturer thoughts. Schooldays do not end with the close of a school for vacation. You observe that goes on after a little rest. And the real scholars go on. All life is a school. I did some hard studying the fortnight I was in London. I shall do some more this winter. There is always something ahead of the one who loves knowledge."
He had a very encouraging smile for those who deserved it. He could frown as well, she knew, and this particular smile was used with discrimination; it was not the every-day pleasant look.
"So you will go next Tuesday. Louise Searing did not pa.s.s. She will keep you company. I must leave for New York in the train at four, and cannot be back before Wednesday. But I shall be thinking of you, and for my sake you must not fail. You see, it helps or hinders my reputation. I want all my five candidates to pa.s.s. There have never more than three gone from the Center school before."
"I will try my best," she returned. The thought that she would do something for him inspired her as well.
So they said good-by, and she went out to the kitchen. Two baskets of tempting Bartlett pears had come, and Mrs. Dayton, with a big kitchen ap.r.o.n on, and her sleeves rolled up, was beginning to pare them. As soon as Joanna had done the dishes she would can.
"If you wouldn"t mind helping, Helen. Put that big kitchen sacque over your dress, and b.u.t.ton the sleeves around your wrists. Pear juice stains dreadfully. And then we will talk about the plans. Mr. Warfield is a delightful gentleman to meet, and he is very much interested in you."
If Helen was two or three years older, she might repeat her mother"s destiny, the lady thought, and Mr. Warfield was a much more attractive man than Addison Grant.
They discussed the examination, and Mrs. Dayton endeavored to inspire her with hope, and she was confident a place could be found for Helen.
"But how to get the folks at home to consent to any such step will be the puzzle. As soon as we know about the examination I will have a talk with your uncle. I think I can persuade him to look upon the plan in the best light for you, and you can stay here all September."
"But there will be Jenny"s wedding about the middle of the month, Aunt said."
"And on the tenth the High School opens."
"Oh, dear! My schooldays seem a great perplexity," and Helen gave a vague smile. "Some girls" lives run on so smoothly, but mine appears full of upsets."
"Take courage and go on. I think it will come out right. But I shall not make a single plan until you have pa.s.sed the examination."
Then Mrs. Van Dorn"s bell rang.
Helen slipped off her sacque, washed her hands, and suddenly bent down and kissed Mrs. Dayton"s forehead. "Oh," she cried with deep tenderness, "I wish I had a mother! I wish you were my mother."
Mrs. Dayton looked after her, as she flashed through the dining room.
All her motions were light and rapid, yet she never ran over chairs, or b.u.mped up against doors or corners. It was a grace born in her, and Mrs.
Dayton wondered that it had not all been wrenched out of her by the crude bustling life at the Mulfords". And she wondered how it would seem to have a daughter growing up who would love her and care for her. Helen was overflowing with grat.i.tude, and one of the best features of it was that it abounded in deeds rather than words. She always wanted to do something in return, she often did it without stopping to inquire, daily little things that evinced thoughtfulness. After all, her three years"
board would hardly be felt, there would be the summer vacation. Only, if she should be sent away somewhere to teach afterward. But there would be three pleasant years. She _could_ afford to do it now, she had gone past the pinches, and was putting by a little every year.
Mrs. Van Dorn, upstairs on her couch in the comfort of a dressing sacque, was amusing herself with plans as well. She did like to enjoy outgeneraling people. And this young Mr. Warfield"s confidence rather piqued her. The same thought had entered her mind that this enthusiastic girl might repeat her mother"s story, and she had a fancy that it had been one of disappointment.
Years ago the daughter of a cousin, the only relative who had ever befriended her, after a prosperous married life of a dozen years"
duration, was thrown on her own endeavors for a livelihood, with two little girls. She had a beautiful house in a pretty, refined town, but there was a considerable mortgage on it. Mrs. Van Dorn had come to her a.s.sistance; she was not all selfishness. With a little aid, Mrs. Aldred had established herself in a day and boarding school, had added to her house, and become the pride of the pretty town of Westchester. One act of Mrs. Aldred had gone to her old cousin"s heart. She had paid the whole sum loaned, interest and princ.i.p.al, and sent the most heartfelt thanks. She was a prosperous and happy woman, and her girls were growing up into usefulness, one was teaching, the other would be an artist.
There was no hint or suggestion that she should like to be remembered in anyone"s will, or would be grateful for any gift. The principle of the incident really touched Mrs. Van Dorn, who paid Mrs. Aldred a visit, and on her departure left her what she called a little gift in token of her courage and business ability, a check for a thousand dollars.
"I"m going to take the good of what I have," she announced with a rather grim smile, "so I shall have the less to leave behind when I die."
That had been five years ago. Now Mrs. Van Dorn had written to know if the school was still prosperous, and what the terms were, and if she would take the supervision of an orphan girl who was ambitious, eager, capable of many things, a girl full of bright promise, amiable in temper, who was to be trained to get her own living if that came to her, but accomplished for society, if that should be her lot.
After her talk with Mr. Warfield she had made up her mind. He should not have his way in this matter. She would try her hand, or her money with this girl. She was going abroad again for the next year or two, and she would give Helen two years of education under Mrs. Aldred"s supervision.
Then she would decide if she wanted her, and in what capacity.
Fourteen only. Twenty would be young enough to marry. She would have six years of interest. If the girl came to love her very much----
The poor old heart had a hungering for ardent love, as well as admiration. And Helen Grant _was_ grateful. To rescue her from a distasteful life like that at her uncle"s, or a life of drudgery working her way through school would appeal to her, for Mrs. Van Dorn had discerned that the girl had a great hungry heart for all the accessories of finer living, though she did not know what the vague restless stirring within meant.
The carriage paused at the gate. "Help me into my waist," she said to Helen. "I"ve dawdled my time away finely. What have you been doing?"
"Peeling pears for canning," she replied merrily. "Mrs. Dayton picked out a dish of lovely ones for you, and put them in a cool place. They are luscious. I wonder if you would like to have one now?"
"Oh, no. That will be something to think of when I come back. The wind has blown up a little cooler, and I am glad. Get my bonnet, and the blue wrap."
They went downstairs together, and were helped into the coupe. "To the Postoffice first," she said. "We will wait on ourselves this time."
Mr. Conway always brought the mail up at six, though it reached Hope at three.
"Your friend, Mr. Warfield, is going to the city? He is very earnest that you shall take the examination. How do you expect to arrange about the High School? You will have to live here at North Hope."
Helen colored vividly, and a half-humorous smile parted her lips, and made dimples in the corners.
"I shall have to earn my own living someway," she answered courageously.
"Aunt Mulford will be much opposed to it, but I think Uncle will see before long that it will be best. Mrs. Dayton will be a very good friend to me. It all turns on my pa.s.sing the examinations successfully."
"And if you should not?"
"Then I must go back to the Center. But I would have another chance by the first of January. And I have quite resolved that if I do not accomplish it this year I will try next summer."
There was a charm in her courage and perseverance. Mrs. Van Dorn thought she had never looked prettier. She could not have taken so cordially to a plain girl.
They reached the Postoffice. Helen sprang out, and came back with an eager smile and three letters. Then they turned into an old shady street, and drove slowly.
One was from her lawyer in the city. The matter she had written of could be easily adjusted.
The next was in Miss Gage"s fine, almost old-fashioned hand. Everything had gone on well, and she would come on Wednesday, prepared to go abroad, or anywhere at Mrs. Van Dorn"s behest. A very suitable letter, but there was no suggestion of that wider living outside of her own home relations. She was an admirable companion, an excellent nurse for small ailments; she gave good value for what she received, but there was no refreshment of enthusiasm that had warmed her old heart toward this girl who seemed to rouse and stir one"s thoughts, and give a breath of sweetness.
The third was from Mrs. Aldred, who would be glad to do anything for her relative. She was fond of girls, especially those who were bright and capable of advancement. She would insure her a home and training for the next two years, and fit her for either position, look after her clothing, and make her as happy as possible. Hers was in reality a home school. Her circle was complete with thirty boarders, all of whom were of unexceptional character, and Mrs. Van Dorn need not be afraid to trust her _protegee_ at Aldred House, nor fear that any confidence would be misplaced.
She had meant to lay the matter before Helen this very afternoon, then she suddenly changed her mind. If the examination went against her, she would be the more grateful, if in her favor, it would be a card at Mrs.
Aldred"s. She would let the others plan, and amuse herself with upsetting their confident arrangements.
So they talked, instead, about places. Helen never tired of listening.
Her vivid imagination pictured the scenes, while here she smiled a little, there her straight brows drew together in a little frown of condemnation, then the heroic appealed to her. It was so pretty to note the changes. Two years from this time would she be anxious about gowns and trinkets and frivolity of all kinds? Girls were risky creatures before their characters were really formed. Yes, it would be wise not to commit one"s self too far to draw back, or subst.i.tute other plans.