CHAPTER XIV.
The remaining winter months sped swiftly by, nothing occurring to mar the domestic felicity of our friends at Woodburn; then came gentle spring with her soft breezes, buds and blossoms, bringing new delights.
The captain planned and carried out various improvements in the grounds, taking not his wife only, but his children also, into his counsels, consulting their tastes and wishes in a way that gave them a very enjoyable sense of joint proprietorship with him. He had a pleasant fashion of saying “ours” instead of “my” house, grounds, flower-garden, etc.
But Max was given a garden spot to be all his own; Lulu and Grace each had hers; and they were encouraged to work in them according to their strength, the gardener being instructed to do for them whatever they were not able to do for themselves, and to provide each with whatever plants and seeds were called for.
It was but little Grace could do with her own small hands, but she found great pleasure in directing the laying out of her own tiny domain,selecting the seeds and plants and deciding upon the order of their arrangement.
The captain was a firm believer in the efficacy of fresh air, and in suitable weather there were daily drives and walks about the grounds, through the woods and along the country roads.
It was a dear delight to the children to hunt for wild wood flowers in their walks, and if they spied any in their drives, papa was always indulgently ready to stop the carriage and gather the floral treasures for his darlings, or even to permit them to alight and pluck the tempting beauties for themselves.
Such a free, glad life was theirs, so filled with pleasant duties and pastimes, so surrounded with an atmosphere of tender parental care and love, that their young hearts seemed brimming over with happiness, and even Gracie’s face grew round and rosy with health.
Violet, too, was very happy, gay and light-hearted as a child: the captain sometimes said that he felt as if he were renewing his youth; at which Violet would laugh and say, “That is not so very strange, my dear; for you are some years younger than mamma—whom we all indignantly refuse to consider old—and you have neither gray hairs nor wrinkles.”
Max and Lulu had not given up their fret and scroll sawing and carving, but usually found atleast a few minutes to devote to them every day. They had been for weeks engaged upon some pretty things for Grace, to be presented upon her birthday, which was now near at hand.
It was a secret between themselves, known to no one else except their father, from whom they seldom desired to conceal any thing. It was a dear delight to both that he was always ready to receive their confidences, listen with interest and give hearty sympathy and help also, if it were needed.
Going into their workroom one morning, he found them there, both busily plying their tools.
“You seem to be very industrious,” he remarked with a pleased smile. “Are you not nearly done?”
“Yes, papa,” they answered, “we have only a little more to do, but we must make haste with that, for to-morrow is Gracie’s birthday.”
“I have not forgotten that,” he said. “I shall have a gift for her too.”
“What, papa?” cried Lulu eagerly. “May we know?”
“You may know to-morrow,” he answered pleasantly. “This is very pretty, Lulu,” taking up some of her work and examining it critically.
“Yes, papa; and this is the last piece I’mdoing now. Then I’ll fasten them together and the cradle will be done, all but putting in the pink satin lining I have ready for it. It will just fit Kitty, Gracie’s largest doll, and I’ve made such a sweet little pillow and spread for it; both of pink satin covered with lace. Oh, I’m sure Gracie will be delighted! particularly because I’ve made every thing myself.”
“I haven’t a doubt that she will,” he said. Then, looking at his watch, “You have still fifteen minutes before school time.”
“I think I can get done the carving in that time, papa,” she said, “and this afternoon I can put in the lining. Maxie, you are nearer done than I, aren’t you?”
“Perhaps just a trifle,” he answered. “Papa, what do you think of this clock-case now?”
The captain examined and admired, then bidding them be punctual in coming to their lessons, went out and left them.
They were careful to obey. Lulu entered the schoolroom with flushed cheeks and shining eyes.
“I’m done, papa,” she said to him in a low aside, “and so is Maxie.”
“I congratulate you both,” he answered, with a look of interest and a kindly smile.
Lessons over, Lulu hastened back to the work-room to gather up the bits of carved wood upon which she had expended so much time and labor.
On the threshold she was met by a little negro boy coming out with a hatchet in his hand.
“Dick! how dare you go in there? What have you been doing with that hatchet?” she asked in tones of mingled anger and alarm.
“Nuffin, Miss Lu,” he answered, running off at full speed, while she hurried into the room and to the table where she had left her treasures laid together in a neat pile.
It had disappeared, but on the floor beneath lay a heap of broken bits and splinters of wood which one horrified glance showed her were all that Dick’s hatchet had left of her beautiful work.
With a cry of grief and dismay she dropped into a chair, then laying her head on the table she began to sob in a heart-broken way.
Presently a hand was laid on her shoulder and her father’s voice asked in tenderly sympathizing tones, “My darling, what is the matter? What can have happened to distress you so?”
“Look, papa, look! Dick did it with his hatchet,” she sobbed, pointing to the tell-tale heaps on the floor.
“Dick?” he exclaimed. “He is not allowed to come in here, and should never be permitted to have a hatchet. I shall take measures to prevent a repetition of such mischievous doings.”
“But he’s destroyed them all, papa; everyone, and I haven’t time to make any more for Gracie’s birthday.”
“No, dear child, and I am very sorry for you. What can I do to comfort you?” he asked, sitting down and taking her in his arms. “Will it console you a little to know that I am much gratified to find that you have borne this severe trial of patience without flying into a passion.”
“Yes, papa, it does comfort me some. But I hope Dick will keep out of my way for a while; because I’m afraid I might fly at him and box his ears.”
“I shall see that he does not come near you,” the captain said, gravely. “And I must find some way to help you to get another present for Gracie. We will try to think of something to buy which she would be sure to like.”
“But it won’t be my work, papa!”
“No, of course not; but when we can not do what we wish, we must try to be content with doing the best that we can.”
He petted and caressed her for a few moments, then led her out into the grounds, and tried to direct her mind from her loss by calling her attention to the growth and beauty of the plants and flowers.
It was the day for her music lesson; the hour for taking it was shortly after leaving the dinner table.
She had not learned to like Mr. Morgan, and still esteemed it quite a trial to have to take lessons from him. His stock of patience and forbearance was hardly larger than hers, but the captain’s presence had been a restraint upon them both, and hitherto there had been no decided outbreak of temper on the part of either.
But to-day Mr. Morgan was testy and unreasonable, from some cause known only to himself, while Lulu, in consequence of her loss and disappointment, was not in a frame of mind to endure it even as well as she might at another time.
He scolded, called her stupid, asked how much time she had devoted to practicing her lesson, and on being told “an hour every day,” said he did not believe it.
“I don’t tell lies, Mr. Morgan!” cried Lulu indignantly. “Please ask papa if my word is not to be trusted.”
“It is, sir; fully,” said the captain, leaving the easy chair he had been occupying on the opposite side of the room, and taking his stand near the piano, where he could look directly into the faces of both teacher and pupil.
“Doubtless you think so, sir; but I fancy you may be deceived, like many another doating parent,” returned the Englishman, in a sneering tone.
The captain received the taunt in dignified silence, not even changing color; but Lulu flushed hotly, flashed an angry glance at the speaker, then sent an entreating one up into her father’s face.
“Yes, you may go,” he said. “Go to the school-room,” and she made haste to obey.
“Sir!” exclaimed Morgan, angrily, “I can not have my pupils interfered with in this manner.”
“The child is mine, sir,” replied the captain, “and I decline to have her subjected to such a trial of temper as your captious fault-finding and unjust accusations have forced upon her to-day.”
“I repeat that I shall allow no interference between myself and a pupil,” returned Morgan, growing pale with rage, “and if this thing is to go on, sir, you may look out for another instructor for your daughter after the expiration of the present term.”
“There is no need to wait for that,” said the captain in a calm, quiet tone. “Walk into the library and I will draw a check for the full amount of your charge for the term; nor ask you to give another lesson.”
Lulu had gone to the school-room quivering with excitement and indignation, feeling as if the very thought of taking another lesson from Mr. Morgan was quite unendurable: hopingthat her father was not disposed to blame her for her angry rejoinder to the man’s rudely expressed doubt of her truthfulness, yet fearing that he might; so that when he presently came in, it was with some apprehension that she glanced up into his face, asking tremulously, “Are you displeased with me, papa?”
“Come here,” he said, seating himself.
She obeyed instantly, though still in doubt of what was awaiting her.
He drew her to his knee, put his arm round her, and pressing his lips to her cheek, said, “No, daughter, I am not displeased with you; I think you have had sore trials of patience to-day, and have borne them well.”
“O papa, do you? oh thank you for saying it! it makes me so glad, so happy!” she said with a half sob, her arm round his neck, her cheek laid lovingly to his. “But oh I—I wish I never had to see that man any more.”
“You need not. I have dismissed him and shall not again engage a male music teacher for you: without consulting you,” he added in a playful tone, and smiling affectionately into her eyes.
“O papa, how good in you!” she cried, hugging him close.
“Now,” he said, “the next thing in order is to think what you can buy as your present to Gracie. How would you like to drive into thecity with me this afternoon and select a gift for her?”
“Oh, very much indeed, papa!”
“Then go and get ready as quickly as you can, for we must start directly, in order to return by tea time. Your mamma will go with us, and if Gracie chooses, we will take her as far as Ion and leave her there until we return.”
“O papa, how nice!” she cried: then hurried away to do his bidding.
Grace was well pleased with her share of the drive, nor thought of any special reason for dropping her at Ion, further than that her father deemed it best.
Lulu came back in gayest spirits, accounting for them by saying that papa had been so very, very kind and had promised never to bid her take another lesson from Mr. Morgan.
It was Grace’s turn the next morning, when on awaking, she found a small table by her bedside, quite loaded with pretty gifts from near and dear ones.
Lulu’s was a lovely Paris doll, with a trunk full of ready-made clothes. Max’s a clock in a beautifully carved case. Papa, mamma, Grandma Elsie and other friends had given her books and toys.
She was greatly pleased, and very happy in her quiet way, especially when her father camein, kissed her fondly, and wished her many happy returns of the day.
But the most joyful surprise was when after breakfast and family worship, he led her and Lulu out to the verandah and showed them two pretty Shetland ponies, asking, “What do you think of those little fellows, children?”
“Oh! oh! what darlings!” cried Lulu. Then half breathlessly, “Papa, are they for—? Whose are they?”
He smiled at her wistful, eager, half-hopeful, half-doubtful look.
“The larger one, called Fairy, is for a little girl who seems to have gained pretty good control over a fiery temper,” he made answer; “the other, Elf, is for a birthday gift to Gracie; both from papa, who hopes his darlings will find much enjoyment in riding their small steeds.”
Before he had nearly finished the long sentence they were in his arms, hugging, kissing, and thanking him in a rapture of delight.
He returned their caresses as warmly as they were given, then helped them to mount their ponies, and gave Grace a lesson in managing hers.
Lulu seemed quite at home in the saddle, and it pleased him to perceive it.
They went round the grounds several times; then he had them dismount and go into the house.
“Your mamma has something to show you,” he said, and led them to their sitting room, where they found Violet and Alma waiting to fit each little girl with a handsome riding habit.
Alma had been making them, measuring by some of their dresses, and they were so nearly done that she said she could have them both finished by dinner time. There was a dainty hat to match each habit, and when tied on they were pronounced very becoming.
“This is to be a holiday in Gracie’s honor,” their father said, “and this afternoon several of her little friends of her own age, are coming to help her to celebrate her birthday.”
Gracie’s eyes sparkled with pleasure. “I’m glad, and very much obliged to you, papa,” she said. “Can Elf come to the party too?” she asked with a gleeful laugh.
“Yes; he may attend and have a share in entertaining the company by letting them take turns in riding him about the grounds,” replied her father, looking fondly down into the sweet, fair young face upturned to his.
“I’m ever so glad for you, Gracie,” remarked Lulu heartily. “Will you invite Fairy and me to your party?”
“Why yes, of course,” said Gracie. “I couldn’t enjoy it without my big sister that’s always so kind to me, and if Fairy comes thegirls can ride two at a time. Can’t they, papa?”
“Yes; and when Lulu has her birthday party she can make a return by inviting you and Elf.”
“Oh, papa, am I to have one too?” exclaimed Lulu, jumping for joy.
“Yes; if nothing happens to prevent. And Max shall have one on his birthday, if he wishes.”
“If nothing happens to prevent?” repeated Lulu, sobering down. “I suppose that means if I’m good and obedient and don’t get into a passion?”
“A failure in that line would certainly be something to prevent,” answered her father, “but there might be something else, sickness for instance.”
Going close to his side, “Papa, if I should get into a passion would I have to lose my pony?” she asked in an under tone.
“Yes; for a time; ought you not to, since he is given you as a reward for controlling your temper?”
“Yes, sir; that’s just and right; but oh, I hope I shan’t have to!”
“So do I. I should be very sorry to deprive you of her even for a day.”
Grace’s guests arrived in due time. It was a lawn and garden party, and a complete success,the ponies contributing largely to the enjoyment.
The captain stayed with the children constantly to assist in supplying amusement for them, and to guard them against possible accident in mounting and riding the ponies, though the little fellows were almost as gentle and quiet as lambs.