Aunt Kitty's Tales
Page 47
CHAPTER VI.
THE BUTTERFLY AND THE BEE.
In a fortnight Mary and Ellen had taken possession of their neat plainroom at Mrs. Maclean's, and Mr. Villars had set out on his journey tosome place in Carolina. It was autumn, but the weather had not yetbecome at all cold. Mrs. Maclean was a lover of flowers, and the littlecourt-yard before her house was really gay with its golden marigolds,its pink and white artemisias, and its purple dahlias. We have said thatMrs. Maclean was a widow. She had no children of her own, and it waswith real pleasure that she prepared for the reception of these younggirls. Mr. Villars had sent over the furniture for their room, and shehad begged that they would come over themselves and direct itsarrangement. And how patiently did she obey their directions! Now thebedstead was put behind the door, because Mary thought that the rightplace for it; and now wheeled into the corner near the fireplace,because Ellen thought it would look best there. The looking-glass washung first in one pier and then in the other, and then moved back againto the first. In short, every piece of furniture made a journey aroundthe room before it found an abiding place, and yet Mrs. Maclean showedno weariness or impatience,--a fact on which Ellen dilated with greatemphasis to her uncle in Mrs. Merrill's presence--declaring that "Mrs.Maclean was so good-natured, she was sure she should love her dearly."
When Mr. Villars took the sisters to their home on the evening before heleft H., Ellen carried him up to their room--explained to him all theadvantages of its present arrangement--and especially challenged hisadmiration for the mantelpiece, on which Mrs. Maclean had placed twochina mugs filled with her brightest flowers. More pleasant than all toMr. Villars, was her satisfaction. While his children smiled socheerfully and appeared so animated, he felt that there was little toregret in their change of circumstances. It was noon the next day beforeMr. Villars was at leisure to make his farewell visit at Mrs. Maclean's.As soon as he came within view of the parlor windows, he saw Ellenstanding at one of them, looking out. She saw him too, and running outopened the little gate for him.
"Oh, Uncle Villars, I thought you were never coming, I have been lookingfor you so long."
"That was very unprofitable labor, Ellen, for it could not bring me hereany sooner. Where is Mary?"
"Up stairs in our room--come softly, Uncle Villars," here Ellen loweredher voice to a whisper, "come softly, and I do believe you may get closeup to her without her knowing it--she is so busy sewing."
Ellen tripped lightly on herself, and Mr. Villars with a smile followedwith as quiet a step as possible. They ascended the staircase, the doorwas opened without the least noise, and Ellen, motioning to her uncle tostand still, stole on towards her sister. Mary sat near the window, butthough her face was towards it, she was not looking out. Her head wasbent down over a piece of embroidery, and her fingers were movingquickly while she sang in a low suppressed voice to a cheerful tune anold song, the words of which ran thus--
1.
I will not be a butterfly, To sport beneath the summer sky, Idly o'er ev'ry flower to roam, And droop when winter storms have come.
2.
I will not be an ant, to soil Myself with low, debasing toil, To crawl on earth--to yon bright heaven No wing upraised, no effort given.
3.
But I will be a bee, to sup Pure honey from each flow'ry cup; Busy and pleased around I'll fly, And treasure win from earth and sky
As she finished her song, Ellen, who now stood close beside her, thoughunperceived, took up the strain and warbled,
Busy and pleased around I'll fly, And treasure win from earth and sky.
"Ah truant!" said Mary, with a smile, "you will not win much treasure, Iam afraid. See how much I have done while you have been looking out forUncle Villars, and all your looking has not brought him."
"No--but if I could only persuade you to take your eyes from your workand just give one glance over your shoulder, he would be here I know;try it, Mary."
"No, butterfly, I mean to be a bee, and you shall not tempt me to losetime."
"There, Miss Bee, is that losing time?" asked Ellen, as, putting a handon each side of Mary's head, she turned it suddenly round to where Mr.Villars stood, amused by the scene.
"Why, Uncle Villars!" exclaimed Mary, dropping her work in her surpriseand pleasure, and hastening to meet him, "how long have you been there?"
"Long enough to hear most of your song, Mary. But what pretty work isthis?" asked Mr. Villars, as he picked it up and handed it to her.
"A cape which Mrs. Melville sent me this morning to embroider for her;and see, she has sent Ellen some cambric handkerchiefs to hem."
"And how much have you done to them, Ellen?"
"I have done half a side to one of them."
Mr. Villars shook his head, and Ellen coloring, said, "Well, UncleVillars, I do hate so to hem handkerchiefs; it is all the same thingover and over again. Now there is some pleasure in embroidering."
"But my little girl must learn to take pleasure in winning treasure,"said Mr. Villars, pleasantly.
"I should like very well to have the treasure, Uncle Villars, if youmean money, but I do not see much pleasure in winning it."
"But I do not mean money only, Ellen, that is the treasure of earth; butyou remember the bee won that of the sky too, and I would have you, mydear child, win the best of all treasures, a disciplined, well-regulatedmind and heart; and the surest way to do this, is by steadyperseverance in what you know to be right, however disagreeable it maybe to you; and to encourage you, let me tell you that the things youlike least will become pleasant to you as soon as you have made up yourmind to do them, because they are right."
This was Mr. Villars' parting lesson to Ellen, for it was soon time forhim to be on board the steamboat which was to take him to New York, onhis way south. He left them, with many charges that they should write tohim at least once a fortnight; and that they should apply, if anydifficulty occurred, to Colonel and Mrs. Melville for advice, and, ifnecessary, for assistance.