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Page 45
With these words the father shook all three pairs of outstretched hands
and was off.
The mother drew Emma to the other side of the room for a word of
admonition. The big roll of paper and the book that the little girl had
been so anxious to have at Christmas, and was now so determined to take
with her, roused anxious thoughts in the mother's mind, and she felt
that she must speak seriously to the child, warning her not to instigate
Fani to any undertaking which Mrs. Stanhope might not approve. She
reminded Emma that Fani was now very well off, and that the prospect
before him was very bright, if Mrs. Stanhope should decide to take him
under her protection. But it was of the greatest importance that he
should do nothing to displease Mrs. Stanhope, and Emma would certainly
never forgive herself if she should be the means of leading him to act
contrary to his benefactress' wishes.
Emma understood the value of her mother's suggestion and promised to
heed her advice, adding earnestly that she would try to think of
different ways in which Fani could make himself agreeable to Mrs.
Stanhope.
"You'd far better not think about it at all, my child," replied her
mother. "Enjoy with Fani the pleasures and advantages of his life, and
don't try to bring about any special event, as you are so fond of doing.
And one thing more: don't forget to pray every day to God to protect you
and to help you to carry out all your good resolutions. Now that you are
leaving home, my only comfort is that our Father's hand is still about
you, there as well as here. Promise me that you will pray for the
heavenly blessing every night, as we do together at home."
Emma promised not to neglect her morning and evening prayers, and begged
her mother to have no anxiety about her.
Meanwhile, aunty had been standing by the window, talking with Fred.
"Pray be careful," she said, "never by any chance to let one of your
small creatures, even the prettiest one, escape out of your pockets upon
the table or the floor. In fact, you would do better not to put them
into your pockets at all, for fear of some such mishap, as often occurs
at home. It would spoil all the pleasure of your visit; for Mrs.
Stanhope would neither understand nor forgive such carelessness."
"Don't worry, aunty," replied the boy; "I'll fix them so they can't
stir. I'll bring them all safe home to you, and I'm sure you will be
delighted with them."
Rikli had been meanwhile listening to one person and another, catching
the words of warning and advice as they were given to the three
travellers, and dwelling with pride and pleasure at the thought that she
was the only one who did not need any caution.
To her aunt's closing words to Fred, she added quickly:--
"Yes, yes! how Mrs. Stanhope would stare to see a horrid frog or a red
snail or a blind worm come hopping over her white table-cloth!"
"Well, I think any one would stare, to see a snail or a worm hop
anywhere!" said the boy laughing.
"You'd see what she would say, and how she would put you out of the
house in no time, and take all your food away."
"I don't believe I should _see_ her say anything at all," retorted Fred,
with another laugh.
"You'd find out how it would be, when you were sent home in disgrace;
and you'd be ashamed to be seen in the railway carriage, and by the
children in school."
"I don't mean to find out anything of the kind," said Fred, and the
contest dropped.
The coachman cracked his whip as a signal that it was high time to
start. Hurried good-byes were said; the children seized their bags, and
seated themselves in the carriage; the horses started, and the journey
was begun. Mother and aunt stood by the road-side, and waved their
handkerchiefs till the carriage turned a corner and was lost to view.
"Oh! I wish I knew that they would meet with no accident, and would all
come home safe!" said the mother, with a sigh, as she turned back to the
house.
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