Daddy's Girl

by L. T. Meade

  CHAPTER X.

  "Nursie," said Sibyl, two months after the events related in the lastchapter, "mother says that when my ownest father comes back againwe'll be very rich."

  "Um," replied nurse, with a grunt, "do she?"

  "Why do you speak in that sort of voice, nursie? It's very nice to berich. I have been having long talks with mother, and she has 'splainedthings. It means a great deal to be rich. I am so glad that my fatheris coming back a very, very rich man. I didn't understand at first. Ithought to be rich just meant to have lots of money, and big, bighouses, and heaps of bags of sweeties, and toys and ponies, and, oh,the kind of things that don't matter a bit. But now I know what to berich really is."

  "Yes, dear," said nurse. She was seated in the old nursery close tothe window. She was mending some of Sibyl's stockings. A little pileof neatly mended pairs lay on the table, and there was a frock whichalso wanted a darn reclining on the back of the old woman's chair.Sibyl broke off and watched her nurse's movements with close interest.

  "Why do you wear spectacles?" she asked suddenly.

  "Because, my love, my sight is failing. I ain't as young as I was."

  "What does 'not as young as you was' mean?"

  "What I say, my dear."

  "I notice," said Sibyl, thoughtfully, "that all very, very old peoplesay they're not as young as they was, and so you wear spectacles 'cosyou're not as young as you was, and 'cos you can't see as well as youdid."

  "That's about it, Missy, and when I have to darn the stockings of anaughty little Miss, and to mend holes in her dress, I have to put onmy glasses."

  "Then I'm glad we're going to be rich; it will be quite easy to'splain why I am glad," continued Sibyl, thoughtfully. "When our goldcomes, nursie, you'll never have to do no more darning, and you neednever wear your glasses 'cept just to read lovely books. Oh, we'll dosuch a lot when we are rich. There's poor Mr. Holman: I was talking tohim only yesterday. Do you know, nursie, his shop isn't paying, not abit, and he was, oh, so sad about it, and Mrs. Holman began to cry.She told me there's a new big toy-shop in Palace Road, a great biglovely _swampy_ sort of shop. I mean by that, that it takes all thecustomers. They go in there and they spend their money, and there'snone left for poor Mr. Holman. It's just 'cos he lives in GreekStreet, and Greek Street is what is called a back street. Isn't itperfectly shameful, nursie? Mr. Holman said if they could afford tohave a shop in Palace Road he would get all the little boys and girlsback again. But they won't come into his nice, quiet _back_ street. Ilike back streets, don't you, nursie? It's horrid of the boys andgirls not to go to Mr. Holman's."

  "It's the way of the world, dear," answered nurse; "the world alwaysgoes with the prosperous people. Them that are struggling the worldleaves behind. It's a cruel way, but it's the way the world has got."

  "Then I hate the world," said Sibyl. "My beautiful Lord Jesus wouldn'tallow it if He was on earth now, would He, nursie?"

  "Oh, my love, there'd be a lot of things _He'd_ have to change if Hecame back; but don't ask me any more questions now, Missy. You go outwith your governess. You don't get half enough of the air, to my wayof thinking; you're looking peaky, and not what the master would liketo see."

  "But I am perfectly well," answered Sibyl, "I never felt better in allmy borned days. You know, nursie, I have got a lot to do now. Fathergave me 'rections in that letter that nobody else is to see, and oneof them was that I was to keep well, so I'll go for a walk if youthink it will be good for me; only I just wish to say that when fathercomes back dear Mr. Holman shall have his shop in Palace Road, and alot of fresh toys put in it, and then he'll be quite happy andsmiling, and his shop will swamp up all the children, and all thepennies and all the half-pennies and sixpennies, and poor, dear,darling Mrs. Holman won't have to wipe away her tears any more."

  Sibyl skipped out of the room, and nurse said several times under herbreath--

  "Bless her! the darling she is!"

  Smartly dressed, as was her mother's wish, the little girl now randownstairs. Miss Winstead was not ready. Sibyl waited for her in thehall. She felt elated and pleased, and just at that moment a servantcrossed the spacious hall, and opened the hall door. Standing on thesteps was Mr. Rochester. Sibyl uttered a great whoop when she saw him,rushed forward, and seized him by the hand.

  "Oh, I am glad to see you," she said. "Have you come to see me, or tosee mother?"

  "I am very glad to see you," replied the young man; "but I did call tosee your mother."

  "Well, come to the drawing-room, I'll entertain you till mothercomes. Go upstairs, please, Watson, and tell mother that Mr. Rochesteris here. Be sure you say Mr. Rochester--_nice_ Mr. Rochester."

  Watson smiled, as he often did when Sibyl addressed him, and nice Mr.Rochester and the little girl disappeared into the drawing-room.

  Sibyl shut the door, took his hand, and looked earnestly into hisface.

  "Well?" she said.

  "Why do you say that?" he asked, in some confusion.

  "I was only wondering if Lady Helen had done it."

  "Really, Sibyl, you say very queer things," answered Rochester. He satdown on a chair.

  "Oh, you know you are awfully fond of her, and you want her to marryyou, and I want her to marry you because I like you. You are verynice, very nice indeed, and you are rich, you know. Mother has been'splaining to me about rich people. It's most 'portant that everybodyshould be rich, isn't it, Mr. Rochester? It's the only way to betruly, truly happy, isn't it?"

  "That it is not, Sibyl. Who has been putting such an idea into yourhead?"

  Sibyl looked at him, and was about to say, "Why, mother," but shechecked herself. A cloud took some of the brightness out of her eyes.She looked puzzled for a moment, then she laughed.

  "When my own father comes back again we'll all be rich people. I hopewhen you are very, very rich you'll make," she said, "dear Lady Helenhappy. I am very glad, now, my father went to Australia. It gave medreadful pain at the time, but when he comes back we'll all be rich.What has he gone about; do you know, Mr. Rochester?"

  "Something about a gold mine. Your father is a great engineer, and hisopinion with regard to the mine will be of the utmost value. If hesays it is a good mine, with a lot of gold in it, then the Britishpublic will buy shares. They will buy shares as fast as ever theycan."

  "What are shares?" asked Sibyl.

  "It is difficult to explain. Shares mean a little bit of the gold outof the mine, and these people will buy them in order to become rich."

  "It's very puzzling," said Sibyl. "And it depends on father?"

  "Yes, because if he says there is not much gold in the mine, then noone will buy shares. Don't you understand, it all depends on him."

  "It's _very_ puzzling," said Sibyl again. "Are you going to buyshares, Mr. Rochester?"

  "I think so," he answered earnestly. "I shall buy several shares, Ithink, and if I do I shall be rich enough to ask Lady Helen to marryme."

  "And you will be happy?"

  "Very happy if she says 'yes.' But, Sibyl, this is a great secretbetween you and me, you must never tell it to anyone else."

  "You may trust me," said Sibyl, "I never tell things I'm told not totell. You can't think what wonderful 'portant things father has toldme, and I never, never speak of them again. Then you'll be glad to berich?"

  "Yes, because I shall be happy if Lady Helen is my wife," he answered,and just then Mrs. Ogilvie came into the room.

  Sibyl and Miss Winstead went out for their daily exercise. Sibyl hadalready ridden the pony in the morning. It was a nameless pony.Nothing would induce her to give it a title.

  "When father comes back he'll christen my pony," she said, "but no oneelse shall. I won't give it no name till he comes back."

  She enjoyed her rides on the brisk little pony's back. She was rapidlybecoming a good horsewoman. When her mother did not accompany her theredoubtable Watson followed his little mistress, and the exercise didthe child good, and helped to bring a faint color to her cheeks.
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  Now she and Miss Winstead walked slowly down the shady side of thestreet. Sibyl was pondering over many things.

  "It is very hot this morning," said the governess.

  "Oh, that don't matter," replied Sibyl. "Miss Winstead, is your headsometimes so full that it seems as if it would burst?"

  "No," answered Miss Winstead, "I cannot say it is."

  "Full of thoughts, you know."

  "No," replied the governess again. "Don't turn in your toes, Sibyl,walk straight, turn your toes out a little, so; keep step with me.Little ladies ought to walk properly."

  Sibyl took great pains to follow Miss Winstead's instructions. She wasalways taking great pains now. A wonderful lot of her naughtiness anddaringness had left her. She was trying to be good. It was extremelyirksome, but when she succeeded she felt a great glow of pleasure, forshe believed herself near to her father.

  "Miss Winstead," she said suddenly, "I have been thinking ofsomething. It is most terribly 'portant. Would you greatly mind if wewent to see the Holmans before we go back?"

  "We shan't have time," replied Miss Winstead.

  "Oh, but I want to go," said Sibyl, knitting her brows, "don't let usgo into the stupid Park, do come to the Holmans."

  "I cannot do it, Sibyl, it is impossible. We must be back rather earlyfor lunch to-day, as your mother is going into the country thisafternoon."

  "Mother going into the country, what for?"

  "I cannot tell you, it is not my affair."

  "That means that you know, but you won't tell."

  "You can put it in that way if you like. I won't tell. Now come intothe Park, we can sit on one of the chairs under the trees and keepcool."

  Sibyl obeyed unwillingly. She felt, as she said afterwards, as if MissWinstead had rubbed her the wrong way.

  "I am like a pussy-cat when its fur is rubbed quite the wrong sideup," thought the little girl. "I don't like it, not a bit."

  Presently she slipped her hand through her governess's arm, and saidin a coaxing voice--

  "Do come home through Greek Street; I do want just to say one word toMr. Holman, you can't think how 'portant it is."

  "I cannot, Sibyl; you must not ask me again." Here Miss Winstead tookout her watch.

  "We must hurry home," she said; "I had not the least idea the time wasgoing so fast."

  They left the Park, and came back in time for lunch. During lunchboth Mrs. Ogilvie and her little daughter were very silent. Sibyl wasthinking of the Holmans, and how more than important it was that sheshould see them soon, and Mrs. Ogilvie had another thought in herhead, a thought which caused her eyes to dance with pleasure.

  "Why isn't Mr. Rochester here?" said the little girl at last.

  "He could not stay," replied Mrs. Ogilvie. "You and he are greatfriends, are you not, Sib?"

  "He is nice, he is very nice," said the child; "he and Lady Helen--oh,more than nice. I like 'em very much, don't you, mother?"

  "Yes, dear." Mrs. Ogilvie got up. "Good-by, Sibyl, I shall be backlate this evening."

  "Good-by, mother dear."

  Mrs. Ogilvie left the room. Miss Winstead, having finished her lunch,desired Sibyl to be quick with hers, and then to follow her to theschoolroom. There was no one in the room now but Sibyl and thefootman, Watson. Watson began to remove the things. Sibyl played witha biscuit. Suddenly she looked full up at the young man.

  "Are you tired after your ride this morning Watson?"

  "No, Miss Sibyl, not at all."

  "I wonder if you're awfully hungry, Watson?"

  "Why so, Miss?"

  "Because it's time for the servants' dinner."

  "Well, Miss, I'm going down to the hall presently, when I shall havemy appetite satisfied, thank you all the same for inquiring."

  Watson greatly enjoyed having a private chat with Sibyl.

  "You couldn't, p'waps," said the little girl, knitting her brows, "youcouldn't, p'waps, come a short way down the street with me afore youbegin your dinner?"

  "Where do you want to go, Miss?"

  "I want to see Mr. Holman; you know Mr. Holman, don't you, Watson? Heis the dear, kind, nice, sorrowful man who keeps the dusty toys."

  "I have heard of him from you, Miss."

  "It's most 'portant that I should see him and his wife, and if youwalked behind me, mother would not be very angry. Would you come,Watson? You might just put on your hat and come at once. I have nottaken off my hat and coat. We can do it and be back afore MissWinstead finds out."

  Watson looked out of the window. He saw Mrs Ogilvie at that moment godown the steps, closing the door behind her. She walked away in thedirection of the nearest railway station. She held a dainty parasolover her head. He turned to where the eager little face of Sibyl waswatching him.

  "If you're very quick, Miss," he said, "I'll do it."

  "You are good," said Sibyl. "Do you know, Watson, that you're a verynice man--you have very good impulses, I mean. I heard father once sayof a man who dined here that he had good impulses, and I think he hada look of you; and you have very good impulses, too. Now let's go; dolet's be quick."

  A moment later the footman and the child were in the street. Sibylwalked on in front, and Watson a couple of feet behind her. Holman'sshop was fortunately not far off, and they soon entered it.

  "Watson," said the little girl, "you can stand in the doorway. It'svery private, what I has to say to the Holmans; you must on no accountlisten."

  "No, Miss, I won't."

  Sibyl now entered the shop. Mrs. Holman was alone there. She wasattending in the shop while her husband was eating his dinner. Shelooked very sad, and, as Sibyl expressed it afterwards, rusty. Therewere days when Mrs. Holman did present that appearance--when her capseemed to want dusting and her collar to want freshness. Her blackdress, too, looked a little worn. Sibyl was very, very sorry for herwhen she saw her in this dress.

  "Dear! dear!" she said; "I am glad I came. You look as if you wantedcheering up. Mrs. Holman, I've splendid news for you."

  "What is that, my dear little lady? That you have got money to buyanother toy? But Mr. Holman said only as late as last night that hewouldn't send you another worn-out toy not for nobody. 'Tain't fair,my love. It seems like playing on your generosity, my dear."

  "But I like them," said the child; "I do really, truly. I paint themup with the paints in my paint-box and make them look as good as new.They are much more interesting than perfect toys, they are truly."

  "Well, dear, your mother would not like it if she know we treated youin what my husband says is a shabby way."

  "Don't think any more about that now, Mrs. Holman. You both treat meas I love to be treated--as though I were your little friend."

  "Which you are, darling--which you are."

  "Well, Mrs. Holman, I must hurry; I must tell you my good news. Do youremember telling me last week that you had a hundred pounds put awayin the Savings Bank, and that you didn't know what to do with it. Yousaid, 'Money ought to make money,' and you didn't know how yourhundred pounds would make money. It was such a funny speech, and youtried to 'splain it to me, and I tried to understand."

  "It was silly of my husband and me to talk of it before you, Missy. Itis true we have got a hundred pounds. It is a nest-egg against a rainyday."

  "Now again you are talking funnily; a nest-egg against a rainy day?"

  "Against a time of trouble when we may want to spend the money."

  "Oh, I understand that," answered the child.

  "And I had it well invested, but the money was paid back, and therewas nothing for it but to pop it into the Post Office Savings Bank."

  "It's there still, is it?" said Sibyl, her eyes shining.

  "Yes, dear."

  "Well, now, what do you say to buying bits of gold with it?"

  "Bits of gold with our hundred pounds?" said Mrs. Holman, staring atSibyl.

  "Yes, that is exactly what I mean; bits of gold. You will be able toif you keep it long enough. If you promise to keep that money safe you
may be able to buy great lumps of gold out of my father's gold mine.My father has gone to Australia to----Oh, I must not tell you, for itreally is an awful, awful secret; but, anyhow, when he comes backyou'll be able to make a lot of money out of your money, to buy heapsof bits of gold. Will you promise to keep that hundred pounds tillfather comes home? That's what I came about, to ask you to promise,and Watson came with me because Miss Winstead wouldn't. Will youpromise, dear Mrs. Holman?"

  "Bless you, darling," said Mrs. Holman, "so that is why your fatherhas gone away. It do sound exciting."

  "It's awfully exciting, isn't it? We shall all be so rich. Mother saidso, and mother ought to know. You'll be rich, and I'll be rich, anddear, dear nursie will be rich, and even Watson. Watson has got suchgood impulses. He'll be rich, too, and he shall marry the girl he isfond of; and there is a friend of mine, he wants to marry anothergirl, and they shall be rich and they shall marry. Oh, nobody need besorrowful any more. Everybody will be quite happy when father comesback. You'll be able to have your shop in Palace Road, and oh, be sureyou keep that hundred pounds till then."

  Sibyl did not wait for Mrs. Holman to make any further remark. Mrs.Holman's eyes looked bright and excited; the child dashed out of theshop.

  "Come, Watson," she said, "you'll have a splendid appetite for yourdinner, and you have done a very good deed. You have denied yourself,Watson, and made a sorrowful woman happy. What do you think of that?"