Mrs. Small answered the summons and without ceremony Sandy entered, gently pushing Phoebe before him.
"This package was delayed in arrivin"," he commenced, but there seemed to be no need of finishing the sentence.
As Phoebe stood held close in her mother"s embrace, she cried,
"Oh, I never, never will go away to school again."
"You never shall," said Mrs. Small, "but Phoebe, child, how is it that you are here, and with Mr. McLeod at this time of night?"
"Oh, I told them yesterday that I must come home, but they said at the school, that you had paid for the term in advance, and that I could not leave until the end of that term.
"I said nothing, but this morning I ran away to the depot and when I had bought my ticket and was in the cars riding toward home I was happier than I had been for weeks. But the train was late and it was very dark when I left the cars at the Centre and started to walk home."
"The la.s.s reached our door," said Sandy, "an" she was aboot faintin" when I lifted her in, and set her doon before the fire. An" noo, as I"m not necessary to ye"re happiness," said Sandy with twinkling eyes, "I think I"ll bid ye "good night," and be drivin" hame tae Margaret."
"I"m so glad to be at home again," said Phoebe, when Sandy had gone.
"I cannot tell you, Phoebe, how we"ve missed you," her mother answered.
"Your father had to visit Boston yesterday and will be back to-morrow.
When Sandy arrived with you, I was sitting here alone and wondering how long you would be willing to stay at boarding school."
"I never wish to see or hear about one again," said Phoebe. I shall never be discontented again.
"It was a hard lesson," said Mrs. Small, as she kissed Phoebe, "but perhaps it was a good one after all."
CHAPTER X
THE PARTY
Randy had become a favorite among the girls at the school, and one and all declared that her frankness had been the trait which had first won their admiration.
"She always means what she says," said Nina Irwin. "I value a compliment which Randy gives, for she never flatters. If she says a pleasant word, it comes straight from her heart, and her heart is warm and loving."
Randy had made rapid progress in her studies, and it seemed as if her zeal increased as the months sped by. She had attended many concerts since the memorable one when she had given her single rose to Madame Valena, "and now the finest thing is yet to happen," she said in a letter to her mother.
Miss Dayton had sent out invitations for a little party to be given in honor of Miss Randy Weston, and in consequence there was much excitement at the private school.
To receive an invitation from Miss Dayton meant much, and Randy"s friends talked of little else.
"What shall you wear, Nina," asked Polly Lawrence.
"Whatever mama suggests," replied Nina, with a laugh.
"Because," continued Polly, "I think we ought to dress, well--in a very showy manner, for Miss Dayton."
"Why, I do not see that," remarked another girl. "Miss Dayton dresses richly, but I should not say that "showy" was a fitting word to apply to her refined taste."
"Indeed!" said Polly, sharply. "Well, I shall wear my red gauze over satin, and I fancy Peggy will not choose a very simple frock for the occasion."
"Just my blue silk, dear," Peggy remarked lazily, "and since you"ve all seen it you will not have to enthuse over it."
"What do you suppose Randy will wear?" asked Peggy.
"Something becoming, without a doubt," said Nina Irwin, "since everything becomes her."
At this point Randy entered, and the subject of conversation changed from dress to the lessons for the day.
"You always come with lessons prepared, Randy Weston," said Polly, "and you look decidedly cheerful, too."
"Why shouldn"t I look cheerful, if I am ready for the recitations?" asked Randy, in surprise.
"Because," Polly answered, "it makes me cross to have to study, and you must work persistently to keep up such a record as you have this year."
"Miss Dayton helps me," Randy answered.
"But she cannot _learn_ for you," said Nina Irwin, "and you seem to get on as well in those studies which are new to you, as in those which you had commenced in the district school."
"But I like all my studies," said Randy, "and anyone would be interested in new ones. There is another reason why I am working so diligently.
"Father and mother sent me here, believing that I would study faithfully.
I should not be true to them if I wasted my opportunity. And little Prue is trying to be patient, although her funny little letters show how she misses me. I"ll show you the last one which she sent me, only don"t laugh at her original spelling, Nina. Remember, she is a little girl. Here it is:"
"DEAR RANDY:--
"How long wil it bee fore you c.u.m hom I luv you an I wanto see you Me n Jonny slided on my sled an we ran intu a fense an got hurted I lern my lesons, but I cant spel big words yet When I say I want my Randy ma dont cry but her ize is wet and ant Prudence wipes her gla.s.sis Hi put sum gum in Jonys cap an it got stuk to his hare. When you c.u.m hom I wil be so glad for I luv you
"Yor litle PRUE."
"The cunning little thing," said Nina, "her funny letter shows just how they miss you at home, and how dearly she loves you, Randy."
"That is what I meant when I said one day to you, Nina that it was hard, and at the same time delightful to be here. I love father, mother and dear little Prue more than it is possible to say; I love the dear home, too. Of course it is not like the homes which I have seen here, but nothing can make it less dear to me," said Randy.
"I enjoy all the pleasures which Miss Dayton plans for me, and I have become attached to the school and to the pleasant friends which I have made here in the city; but sometimes in the midst of my study, sometimes when listening to rare music, the thought of home brings the tears, and for the moment, I am homesick, so homesick that I think I cannot stay.
"Then I remember that father and mother wish me to excel in my studies, and I crowd back the tears, and by reminding myself that with the spring I shall return, I try to be cheerful."
As the bell called the girls to their seats, Nina whispered as she pa.s.sed,
"O Randy! The longer I know you, the more truly I love you;" and the whispered words made Randy very happy.
On the day of the little party the decorators converted the drawing-room into a veritable rose garden, glowing and sweet, the lovely pink blossoms sending out their fragrance as if doing their utmost to honor Randy, who, until that season, had known only the garden roses which blossomed near the farm-house door.