Aunt Mary

by Sophie May

  CHAPTER XXI.

  THE NEW INMATE OF OAK VILLA.

  And now a new sort of life began, both at Oak Villa, and at CamdenTerrace.

  Mabel had promised her aunt (and she meant faithfully to fulfil thatpromise) to give what portion of the time she could spare from herattendance on mamma, to the lessons of her sister Julia, who was now farbehind Mabel, and sadly needed a preceptress.

  Well and amicably the two girls worked together; though there weretrials of temper at times, when Julia did not seem to make such progressas her youthful instructress had anticipated. This, however, was only atrifling matter; there was peace in the house, and papa came home, notto be burdened with complaints, by domestic irregularities, but to besolaced by the loving attentions of his two girls, and amused by thesententious sayings of little prudish Gertrude, or the high spirits andhappy gleefulness of Willie.

  It was also a source of great comfort to him to know that Fred was insuch good keeping; he could not doubt this, when he had practical proofbefore him daily, in the change that had been wrought in his eldestdaughter. But how do they get on at Oak Villa, I wonder?

  Admirably, I must say, considering that this is Aunt Mary's firstattempt at taming an embryo lord of the creation. Is she very severe? Byno means! Fred finds, to his great surprise, that 'this nasty old thing'works by love! and he is positively so full of employment andenjoyment, that he has no time to think of himself or to give way toevil temper. It must be owned (for there was no miracle in the case)that kind Aunt Mary had determined to give up this week, while Clara wasaway, to the instruction, amusement, and management of the CamdenTerrace rebel; and though no outward sign betrayed the good lady'sinward trials, it really was a week of trial to her. But she hadsucceeded to a wonder, so far as outward appearance testified, andworthy Bridget, who, by her good-nature helped on the reformation,declared herself astonished to find Master Freddy such a different boyto what she expected.

  And so the weeks passed by. Fred still lived on at Oak Villa, a happyand a loving inmate. Clara had come home, and contributed not a littleto Fred's enjoyment; they went out together to see all the poor people,and particularly the Simmons family, who were getting on very well, nowthat the father was recovered. Fred had a wheelbarrow and a nice boxthat Simmons had made him, and Clara and he worked away famously in thegarden, weeding, or planting, or picking up stones. Aunt Mary says,'This is what we have been trying to do for you, dear Freddy. Weedingout the naughty bitter weeds, putting in seeds that we hope will springup, and grow to be beautiful flowers, and picking up the stones, thatthe soil may look smooth, and show that it is well taken care of.'

  We must not forget the visits paid to dear mamma, twice a week, whenthat good lady was moved, even to tears, to see the great change, bothin appearance and manner, that had taken place in her beloved child. Shewas much better, and the doctor thought that change of air would be thevery best thing to restore her to health; but there were many things tobe considered in the carrying out of such a proposal. Time may dowonders, but that time had not yet come; and we have travelled on alittle too fast, I think, so we will go back to the first morning ofMaster Freddy's advent at Oak Villa. The first bell had rung, butBridget was not satisfied to let the little boy's getting up depend onthat, so she went and knocked at his door, and then peeped in.

  'Why, bless me, Master Fred, are you not up yet?' exclaimed the goodwoman in pretended surprise. 'Why, the sun has been up a long time, andthe birds are a-singing; and the fowls I know are wanting theirbreakfast, so I hope you will not keep them waiting very long. You mustwash yourself well, and dress yourself nicely, and brush your hair, forI know your aunt can't abide to see slovenly children.'

  After these instructions, Bridget made her exit; and Fred, the tiresomeFred, who when at home would only get up when he thought proper, jumpedout of bed, put on his socks and shoes, performed his ablutions, andfinished his dressing in a most satisfactory manner. Then he went down,and joined his aunt in the breakfast-room.

  'Well, my dear Fred,' said the kind lady, taking her nephew by the handand kissing him, 'I hope you are no worse for your fall yesterday, andthat you have had a good night's rest?'

  'Oh, I slept so well, aunt. It is such a nice little bed, I like it somuch!'

  'And have you, my child,' said his aunt, 'thanked the good God who gaveyou sleep, and rest, and kind friends?'

  'I haven't said my prayers, aunt,' replied Freddy; 'I don't always saythem.'

  'But you always wish to have kind friends, and a nice bed, and peacefulsleep, don't you, dear Fred?' said Aunt Mary.

  'Yes, aunt, I do,' replied the boy.

  'And don't you think you ought to be thankful when you have them?' wasthe next question.

  Freddy hung down his head, but he whispered 'Yes.'

  'Well, go then, my dear, and thank your heavenly Father for Hisgoodness, and ask Him to bless you, and keep you from all evil to-day.'

  And Freddy went back to his room, and knelt beside his little bed, andrepeated the same prayer that he had said so many times before, withoutthinking even of what he was saying; but this time he did think.

  After breakfast Fred went to feed the fowls, though this ought to havebeen done before; but this was a beginning, so it did not much matter.At ten o'clock he was called to his books, and Aunt Mary expected atrial, for Freddy had never been at school, and his teaching at home hadbeen only such as he chose to receive from his mamma or his sisters,when he happened to be in the humour. Yet he was naturally a quickchild, and but for temper, his aunt did not at all contemplate anydifficulty; indeed, she had no reason to do so, with her method ofteaching. She was never harsh, but she was strict in discipline. Sheknew, that to make children happy, it was not at all necessary that theyshould have their own way, though she never contradicted them withoutoccasion. She, in short, treated them as reasonable creatures, as lovingcreatures, who required love to draw them out; and she had seen, andfelt, the happy results of this treatment. After the first week therewas no more trouble about lessons; and with the assistance of Bridgetand Clara, who were both now really fond of the boy, and did many littlethings to contribute to his pleasure, Aunt Mary found that she need nolonger have any dread of having taken into her happy domicile aninmate, who would destroy its hitherto peaceful character; and Frednever once expressed a wish to go and live at home again.

  CHAPTER XXII.

  THE OAK AND THE LAUREL UNITED.

  More than four months had elapsed since Mabel had left Oak Villa toattend to her mamma, and Freddy had found a happy and delightful home inthat very desirable locality. The days were shortening now, and thesplendid autumn sunsets threw their gorgeous colouring over the trees,that had already put on their russet mantles, as if in anticipation ofsome great change. In human affairs it often happens that great changescome very unexpectedly, and so it occurred in the families with whom wehave been the most familiar.

  It was the beginning of October, when Aunt Mary received a letter fromher friend Mrs. Maitland which greatly surprised, and at first grievedher not a little. It contained the startling intelligence that Mr.Maitland wished to let their pretty homes, the Laurels, as the veryprecarious state of health Mrs. Maitland's mother was in, rendered itabsolutely necessary that they should remain with her for perhaps a verylong time.

  'Oh, Clara dear,' said her aunt, 'is not this sad news for us? I canscarcely believe it. Mrs. Maitland says they are not coming back; butare going to let the Laurels.

  'How we shall miss them all, I fear we shall never get such goodneighbours again,' said the lady, in a much more dolorous tone than wasusual with her.

  'Oh, I am so sorry!' exclaimed Clara, 'and so will Mabel be I know, forDora and Annie were our very best friends. But who is that other letterfrom?' inquired the niece; 'I hope that does not contain bad news,aunt!'

  Miss Livesay took up the letter spoken of; she had been so taken bysurprise with the information contained in the first letter, that shehad almost forgotten the other, which she now o
pened, and a gladexclamation which she uttered on reading the first line convinced Clarathat there was salve for the wound which had been inflicted.

  She was not kept in a state of suspense, the letter was from Irene (Mrs.Gordon), and the first line was: 'We are coming home to you, dear Mary!'

  'Oh, when, aunt, when?' cried Clara.

  'Wait, my dear, and you shall hear all,' replied Miss Livesay. '"CaptainGordon has got leave of absence for six months; will you, can you, dearMary, let me come again to the dear old home? there is no place likeit!" Dear Irene,' cried Aunt Mary, she little thinks how I long to seeher, and the quick tears testified the melting heart.

  Freddy all this time had stood an amazed listener; he could not at allmake it out why the breakfast should be delayed, but he remembered AuntIrene, and Captain Gordon, too, and he could somewhat enter into thepleasure manifested at the idea of their coming to see them, only hewished, notwithstanding, that Aunt Mary would pour the tea out, andallow him to begin his breakfast. This was done almost mechanically byAunt Mary, her mind was already so full of projects, which, however,must be explained some time hence.

  'Now the first thing we do, dear Clara, after breakfast,' said the kindaunt, 'must be to go to Camden Terrace; I hope your uncle will not havegone out, as I have a message for him from Mr. Maitland.'

  'Oh then, do let Freddy and me go at once,' entreated Clara; 'we can beso quick, and we can tell Uncle Ellis that you are coming immediately,so that you need not hurry yourself, dear aunt.'

  'Not a bad proposition, my little girl,' said her aunt; 'and Freddy, ishe ready to go?'

  'Oh yes, I am quite ready, and we can run all the way, and we can tellmamma that Aunt Irene is coming to see her; won't she be pleased? and sowill Mabel and Julia. Oh, I am so glad, and Fred gave a remarkablecaper, which not only threw himself down, but _overthrew_ the gravity ofboth aunt and cousin, who laughed heartily at the grotesque way in whichhe exhibited his joy.

  'We won't say anything about Aunt Irene's letter till you come,'whispered Clara to her aunt, but that lady said:

  'Depend upon it, dear Clara, your mamma has got a letter, as well asmyself, so this will be no news to her, though the Maitlands'communications will, and of this you need not say anything.'

  Mr. Ellis was just preparing to leave home when Clara and Fred madetheir appearance.

  'Why, you are early visitors this morning,' said that gentleman,kissing, and shaking hands with the fresh, healthy looking messengers,and adding; 'has the postman's news made you run off in such a hurry?'

  'Yes, it is the postman's news, uncle, that sent us here so soon,' saidClara, 'because Aunt Mary wants to see, and talk with you, before you goout; she will be here in less than half an hour, if you will kindlywait.'

  'That I will do with pleasure, my little girl, and you and Fred can goand find out mamma, and Mabel, and Julia, and Gertrude, and Willie, forI can hear them all making a noise; this news about Aunt Irene hascaused a great commotion in the house,' said Mr. Ellis.

  Away ran Clara and Freddy, to find, as papa had said, a glad and rathernoisy company in mamma's room. The invalid herself seeming evidentlybetter for this piece of joyous excitement.

  We may well believe that the noise was not lessened in the room by theadvent of Clara and Freddy; the latter having, since his departure fromhome, and the good accounts received of him from Aunt Mary, becomesomewhat of a hero in the estimation of the little people and even ofhis sisters. But here are other visitors, Aunt Mary and Mr. Ellis appearupon the scene, and they both stand for a moment in silent astonishmentat the uproar that is made.

  'Well,' said Aunt Mary, after a moment's pause, 'this is not much likethe chamber of an invalid; and yet you look wonderfully bright, my dearAda,' she said to her sister, putting her arms round and kissing Mrs.Ellis, who was already up, and seated in her arm-chair.

  'Oh, I am so much better, dear Mary; Irene's letter has acted like acordial to me this morning; of course _you_ have received one from her?'said Mrs. Ellis.

  'Yes; and I have also had one from our friend Mrs. Maitland, which, asit requires advice and consideration, will also require a little peaceand quietness, so we had better dismiss the joyous young party; they canfinish off, and talk over pleasant affairs, in the nursery. What do yousay to this, my dears?' inquired Aunt Mary.

  'We all say yes, yes, aunt!' replied Mabel, catching up Willie, andmaking a speedy exit, followed by the whole troop of rejoicing spirits,who were not at all sorry to leave grave discussions to their seniors.

  'And now,' said Miss Livesay, after the young tribe had left the room,'let us proceed to business. I have had a letter this morning from ourfriends the Maitlands, and in it, a request from Mr. Maitland to you,dear brother, to help him in the letting of his house, as they do notintend to return.'

  'Oh, how I wish we could take the Laurels, Arthur!' said Mrs. Ellis,eagerly; 'it would be so delightful to be near dear Mary; the thoughtalmost makes me well, I declare,' she continued, as the colour mountedto her pale cheeks.

  'It was the very idea that entered my head when I read the letter,' saidMiss Livesay. 'I do think, dear Ada, that such a change of air and scenewould be very beneficial to you; but, of course, it will requireconsideration, which, I know, your husband will give it.'

  'I don't think that we should find any difficulty in letting _this_house,' observed Mr. Ellis; 'and I assure you, I am as anxious for achange as my wife is; though the distance from my office will begreater, I should not mind that; I think we should all be greatlybenefited in health. I will myself write to Mr. Maitland this very day,and run the risk of letting our own house, rather than lose such agolden opportunity.'

  My young readers, I dare say, know nothing about the troubles of aremoval; I do, and I am not at all disposed to inflict details on them.All I have to say on the subject is, that matters were so speedily andamicably arranged, that the Laurels or Laurel Villa, received its newoccupants before the month of November had commenced, and that so greatan improvement had taken place in the health of Mrs. Ellis, as made thedoctor, aye, and Aunt Mary too, suspect that the _nerves_ had received agreat deal too much consideration, and that henceforth they were not toclaim more than their due share. We may imagine how busy Mabel, andClara, and Julia, and even Freddy had been; and, oh! what a comfort itwas to all parties, that now, neither Laurel Villa, nor Oak Villa, wouldreceive ill-conditioned men, women, or children, for did not the kindand benevolent fairy preside over both houses?

  Yes, she did; and I am bound to say that there was no opposition, forAunt Mary's ways and doings had worked such wonders as disinterestedlove alone _can_ work, and her heart was filled with joy andthankfulness at the success achieved.

  Captain Gordon and Aunt Irene did not arrive in England so soon as hadbeen expected, but they put in an appearance before Christmas, and werequite delighted with the change that had been made; and, oh! what ajoyous party helped to make the splendid wreath for the decoration ofMr. Norton's church, at Christmas time; plenty of laurels, we know, theyhad close at hand, so that though there were other kind workers in thisdelightful employ, I think we may say that none excelled in design orquantity the productions of the two villas.

  Our former friend, Harry Maitland, was on a visit to Mr. Newlove, andnot a day passed during the Christmas week in which there was not aninterchange of visits with the young people; and when on Christmas Daythey all assembled at church, I don't think there could have been inEngland a happier or more thankful family party than that which camefrom the intertwined _Oak and Laurel_!

  '_Order_ is Heaven's first law!'

  But _Love_ is the elastic, all-embracing band, which, wreathed withamaranthine flowers, endures when time shall be no more!

  THE END.

  * * * * *

  BY THE SAME AUTHOR.

  The Story of a Mouse. The Story of a Cat. The Village School. The Story of a Penny. Our Poor Neighbours. The Three Sisters. Ellen and Frank. The Twin Brothers. Lilian Sea
croft.

  BILLING AND SONS, PRINTERS AND ELECTROTYPERS, GUILDFORD.