Hollowmell | Page 6

when lessons were over, and needlework began, she sat in her usual place beside Mabel, but both appeared to be deeply interested in their work, and did not exchange a word, although talking was quite allowable during that time, and the privilege was usually taken advantage of fully by Minnie.
This circumstance was construed by some to indicate that a quarrel had taken place between the two friends, and was preying upon Minnie's mind, which hypothesis, however, was quickly annihilated when the two walked off together as usual, apparently on their usual terms, and in their usual spirits.
Next day things stood in exactly the same position, and the girls were beginning to get impatient for a solution of the mystery, but no solution was forthcoming. Then came Saturday, on which day school was not held, and the two friends were at liberty to discuss their project in full.
They had arranged that the discussion was to take place at Mabel's home, as Minnie's brothers were all at home on Saturday, and would be likely to interfere with their intention of keeping the matter private.
Mabel was an only child, her father being a business man with whom the world had not dealt too kindly. Her mother was dead, which circumstance had first drawn Minnie towards her, for she also was motherless.
A sister of Mr. Chartres kept house for him, so that Mabel was at liberty to spend as much time with her friend as she thought proper. She would often have felt more comfortable if her aunt would have allowed her to remain at home and render her some assistance with her household duties, but her aunt was immoveable in her determination to allow no interference with what she considered her special department, declaring indeed that she could not perform her duties to her own satisfaction, or her brother's comfort, if her mind was disturbed by having anyone to direct or issue orders to. Thus it was that when Minnie appeared, directly after breakfast, Mabel was at liberty to devote herself entirely to her. They chatted on various topics of general interest until Miss Chartres disappeared into the "lower regions" (as Minnie was wont to designate the kitchen floor) on housekeeping duties intent, and then they were free to bring forth the matter which was uppermost in each of their thoughts.
"Well?" Interrogated Minnie, after a short silence.
"Well?" Repeated Mabel in the same tone.
Minnie laughed.
"Now, don't tease, Mabel!" she exclaimed, "you know I am in earnest, so I won't have teasing--and please don't be so awfully cautious: one would think you delighted to make a wet blanket of yourself for my especial discomfort and confusion."
"Not this 'one,' though," asserted Mabel, slipping her arm round Minnie, who tried to get up a terrible frown but failed ignominiously.
"Well, then, tell me the result of your cogitations--you are to be Prime Minister, you know."
"Then you must be Queen!" laughed Mabel.
"O, no, I am going to be Chancellor of the Exchequer, thank you, quite a high enough post for me."
"My Right Honourable Friend is easily satisfied, truly, but I don't think if I had the power of appointment I should entrust such an office to you," Mabel remarked.
"You are pleased to be complimentary," returned Minnie, with a ludicrous attempt at genteel sarcasm--and then, suddenly dropping her assumed stiffness, she continued. "But you don't know what a genius I am going to turn out in the region of finances, and I can assure you, you will be astonished when I bring forward my first Budget."
"I am certain I shall, one way or other; you are continually astonishing one with your ingenuity in various ways."
"Well, to my usual task then--for I have framed several astonishing resolutions, which only await your sanction to become law--you see this is quite a different form of government from any presently existing, so you must not be astonished at the manner of its conduct."
"So I perceive," observed Mabel demurely.
"In the first place, then, you must tell me whether your further consideration has confirmed your decision of Wednesday night?"
"Well, I must confess, that the more I thought of the thing, the more difficult it seemed, and yet I am convinced more than ever of the necessity of our taking it in hand as nobody else seems inclined to do so. But how are we to begin?"
"That is just what we intend to consider."
"Of course, education does not seem to have wrought any great result yet, for the children are compelled to go to school, yet they don't seem to be influenced in any great degree morally by it. I suppose the reason of that is that they don't know how to take advantage of it."
"I'll tell you what it is," said Minnie energetically, "Education is just what they require, and the sort they get just now