Dwell Deep | Page 7

start a Sunday School herself next Sunday, and I
expect she hopes to enlist some of us as teachers. Will you go, Gates? I
will back you up.'
'Oh, I will go as a scholar,' said Captain Gates readily.
'I think, Kenneth, you are letting your tongue run on too fast,' said Mrs.
Forsyth gently; 'I am quite sure Hilda has no such intentions.'
I felt myself getting vexed under all this chaffing, but it has always
been my way to speak out, and so, turning to Mrs. Forsyth, I said,--
'He is not representing it fairly, Mrs. Forsyth. Mrs. Walters was telling
us she wished she could send Roddy to Sunday School, and I said how
much I wished I could have him to teach. It was Mr. Kenneth who
suggested my having a Sunday School. I certainly liked the idea, and
meant to speak to you about it, but not now.'
Kenneth laughed. 'You meant to have a private confabulation with the
mater and the parson, but we like everything above board here. We
haven't much to amuse us, and so every one likes to know every one
else's business. I can see you have an eye for reform, so think it just as
well to warn others about you.'

'Hilda,' said Mrs. Forsyth, who evidently wished to change the subject,
'Lady Walker has invited you to go to some theatricals next Wednesday
with the girls. I told her you had no engagement; you will enjoy it, I
hope. They live a little distance off in a beautiful old abbey, and are
very nice people.'
There was silence; I felt that difficulties were all round me this
afternoon, and perhaps being so tired helped to make me less willing to
assert my views. I sipped my cup of tea before replying, and then said
quietly,--
'It was very kind of her to ask me.'
'It will be great fun, Hilda. The Walkers are awfully good at that kind
of thing, and they are going to have the stage out of doors. I wish I was
going to take part in it, but we shall finish up with a dance after, so I
shall keep myself for that.'
Silently I put up a prayer for courage, and then replied,--
'I don't think I shall go, Nelly; I do not care about theatricals nor
dancing.'
'I have accepted for you,' said Mrs. Forsyth quickly and decidedly, 'for
General Forsyth wishes you to go. I am afraid you must keep your likes
and dislikes in the background whilst with us about matters like this.'
And taking up her work she left us and went towards the house, whilst I
felt my cheeks burn, as I realized how displeased she was at my speech.
Nelly began laughing and talking with Captain Gates, Constance and
Mr. Stroud soon strolled away, and I sat on, conscious that Kenneth's
eyes were upon me, yet feeling so uncertain of myself that I dared not
speak. I think I was very near tears. Presently Nelly turned to me: 'Have
you finished your tea, Hilda? will you come and get some flowers for
the dinner-table?'
I jumped up, tired though I was, and when we were out of hearing of
the others, Nelly put her hand caressingly on my arm:--

'You poor little thing, you have been having a hot time of it since you
came back from your walk. I feel awfully sorry for you. Mother is
vexed, of course, but she will have forgotten all about it by the time she
next sees you. She is never angry for long. Captain Gates said to me
just now that you were not wanting in courage or straightforwardness;
you spoke up well, Hilda; but I have warned you beforehand, you had
much better, as mother says, keep your likes and dislikes to yourself.
As Captain Gates was saying, if a person feels in a foreign element, the
only cure is to adapt themselves to it. He is taking quite an interest in
you, Hilda; he told me you had a true ring about you. But it is awfully
funny to me, your standing out against all innocent pleasure.'
'I will talk to you about it another day, Nelly,' I said, trying to speak
gently; 'don't think me disobliging if I leave you now. I am so tired that
I feel I cannot walk another step. You don't mind getting the flowers by
yourself, do you?'
'Of course I don't. Go up to your room and have a nap; you will have a
quiet time till dinner.'
I left her, for I felt I must be alone; and when I reached my room I took
my Bible, and sitting down in the low window seat turned over its
leaves for comfort