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Page 35
One day, Nancy, who had been to the shop for groceries, came in, very
hastily, to the room Helen and Mrs. Cameron were sitting in.
"Oh, Miss Helen! do you know, while I was waiting in Mrs. Conway's
shop, who should come in, but Peggy Smith, to say she was going to
leave, the place, and go to her mother, a long way off, as she was,
all along, so sickly, and she herself but a lone woman here; well
she's going to sell that nice cow, and let the field that joins our
little paddock, which she holds on lease. Now, I know that cow is a
first-rate milker, and I thought if you would buy her, as I have a
good deal of time, I could soon clear the five pounds, which is all
she asks for it; she will calve in a month, and Mrs. Conway will take
all the butter we don't want."
"It will be a capital thing, Helen," said Mrs. Cameron, "if Nancy
understands how to manage her."
"I should think, ma'am, I did, when I was brought up in a dairy all my
life, till I went to live with Mrs. Willoughby, and mother's been sick
two months at a time, and I made all the butter and cheese too."
Mrs. Cameron told Helen, she had no doubt it might be made quite a
profitable investment, as Nancy was such a good manager, and even
offered to lend the money, but Helen had so well economised her little
stock, this was not required.
Weeks and months passed away, but no satisfactory, or indeed, any
answer at, all could be obtained as to the compassionate allowance. At
last, Dr. Sherman wrote again to the War Office, and received an
answer, saying, the request could not be complied with, on the ground
that Captain Willoughby's death was not properly authenticated, though
it was not, in the least, doubted, as a miniature of Mrs. Willoughby,
and his pocket book, were found in the breast of a dead major, a
friend of his, and in the same regiment, it was supposed, that he
consigned them to the major, in his dying moments. The grant,
therefore, could not be allowed while the essential document was
wanting.
Among her pupils, she gave lessons in music at their own house, to the
Misses Falkner. One morning, being tired of waiting which she
invariably had to do, she sat down to the instrument to pass away the
time. One of her favorite songs lay before her on the Piano, and she
almost unconsciously struck the keys and played the accompaniment, and
sang it. Hardly had she finished, than Miss Falkner came in;
exclaiming, as she did so, "what, you here, Mr. Mortimer! how long
have you been waiting?" not taking the slightest notice of Helen.
"Some time," said he, "but both my apology, and thanks, are due to
this lady, for the high treat, she has afforded me. I was standing
outside the veranda, when she entered and seeing it was a stranger,
was going off, when she commenced a favorite air of mine, and I was
spell bound! but you will introduce me, will you not?
"Oh yes, certainly," said Miss Falkner in a hesitating tone. "It is
the young person to whom Julia goes to school, and who gives me, and
Eliza lessons in music; Miss Willoughby," here she stopped; she did
not even add the gentleman's name. "I am sorry Miss Willoughby," said
she "I cannot take my lesson to-day, and therefore need not detain
you."
Helen colored, and bowing left the room, the stranger rose, opened the
door for her, and accompanied her to the street door, when he again
bowed his head respectfully.
When he returned to the room, Miss Falkner rallied him on his
politeness, to the village governess, as she contemptuously, styled
Helen.
"Village queen! I think," said he, "for she certainly has a most
dignified, and ladylike bearing, and is very good looking too."
"Well, I do declare Mr. Mortimer, you have quite lost your heart."
"By no means my dear Miss Falkner, it is not quite so vulnerable. A
lovely face and graceful form alone, will never win it: even with the
addition of such a syren's voice as Miss Willoughby possesses; she
sings, not only sweetly, but scientifically."
"Of course," said she, "if people are to get their living by their
talents, they ought to be well cultivated."
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