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Page 68
Emma had sunk upon a bench, and her eyes looked as if they would start
out of her head; she was trying so hard to see some way out of the
dilemma.
Fred came running down the walk. He wanted to know what they were about
the night before, but they had no time to answer, for just then the bell
rang for breakfast.
The meal was not a merry one. The children were all embarrassed, and
they knew why; they were all conscious that they had not behaved well to
their hostess.
Mrs. Stanhope looked at them inquiringly, but said not a word. Aunt
Clarissa nervously buttered large slices of bread as fast as she could;
the dish was piled high with them, for no one ate much.
As Mrs. Stanhope left the table, she turned to Fani and said:--
"Go into the library and wait for me. I want to speak to you."
Fani grew white; Emma, red. "It's coming now," they said to themselves.
As Mrs. Stanhope opened the door to leave the room, she was knocked
against by a house-maid who was entering in great haste.
"Excuse me, madam," she said. "I was in such a hurry. Something else has
happened. A servant has just come from the Crown Prince to say that the
young gentleman for whom Master Oscar ordered a room there has not been
at home all night; and this morning the shoemaker told them at the hotel
that he was with the young man himself last evening, and saw him running
like a crazy fellow down towards the river."
It was now Oscar's turn to grow pale.
Aunt Clarissa sent the maid away, saying that she would speak to the
hotel servant herself. She was afraid that Lina would let out the secret
of Fred's untidy room if she were allowed to go on.
Mrs. Stanhope looked very serious.
"I don't understand all this," she said, turning to Clarissa; "but if
the young stranger has anything to do with Oscar, I will be responsible
for his bill at the hotel." And she left the room.
Emma instantly rushed to the school-room, seized her portfolio, and
began to write as fast as her pen could go.
DEAR AUNTY,--For pity's sake, help me now! Something dreadful has
happened. I will never make any plans again as long as I live, even
if they would be sure to come out right. I will always do just as
mamma bids me, and never suggest anything more to Fani. I gave him
the book just to encourage him; but he said before he looked at it
that what he cared for most was to be an artist. And there was
something that he could do that would make Mrs. Stanhope willing to
have him one, only he couldn't find any way to do it. So I found a
way. I didn't forget that I promised mamma that I wouldn't make any
plans; but I thought this was different. Fani knew what he wanted
to do; only he couldn't see the way clear to do it, and I was just
going to help him. Don't you see? And there was a dreadful thing
that happened when we tried that way; but I can't write about it
now, it is a long story. I'll tell you by and by. But the trouble
now is, we have lost a boat in the river; it is a poor fisherman's,
and we must pay him for it. You will understand that we do not dare
to tell Mrs. Stanhope anything about it. We can't ask her for so
much money. Fani says he would rather go to work in the factory.
But you will help us, I know, dear aunty; you will not let us
suffer. We want eighty marks. It is terrible. But it is worth that,
for there were two oars and a pole besides the boat. I don't ask
you to give it to me, but only to lend it. I will keep thinking day
and night how I can earn enough to pay you. I have some things, you
know; my godfather's present. In my drawer in the little
writing-table at home are six silver spoons, and a beautiful
pincushion, and two old Easter eggs with pictures on them cut out
of paper: dragons spitting fire, and flowers, and the sun, moon,
and stars. You can sell them for something, I am sure; and after
this I will sell directly everything that I get and give you the
money. And perhaps I shall contrive to think of some way to earn
something too; if I can I will. Oh, dearest aunty, you will help
us, I know, for you help everybody.
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