The Heart of Una Sackville | Page 4

whip, and I sat up straight and said
proudly--

"Nearly nineteen. I begged to stay on another half year, you know,
because of the exam, but I failed again in that hateful arithmetic: I'm a
perfect dunce over figures, father; I hope you don't mind. I can sing
very well; my voice was better than any of the other girls, and that will
give you more pleasure than if I could do all the sums in the world.
They tried to teach me algebra, too. Such a joke; I once got an equation
right. The teacher nearly had a fit. It was the most awful fluke."
"I don't seem to care much about your arithmetical prowess," father
said, smiling. "I shall not ask you to help me with my accounts, but it
will be a pleasure to hear you sing, especially if you will indulge me
with a ballad now and then which I can really enjoy. You are older than
I thought; but keep as young as you can, child. I don't want to lose my
little playfellow yet awhile. I've missed her very badly these last years."
I liked to hear that. It was sad for him, of course, but I simply love
people to love me and feel bad when I'm gone. I was far and away the
most popular girl at school, but it wasn't all chance as they seemed to
think. I'm sure I worked hard enough for the position. If a girl didn't
like me I was so fearfully nice to her that she was simply forced to
come round. I said something like that to Lorna once, and she was quite
shocked, and called it self-seeking and greed for admiration, and all
sorts of horrid names. I don't see it at all; I call it a most amiable
weakness. It makes you pleasant and kind even if you feel horrid, and
that must be nice. I felt all bubbling over with good resolutions when
father said that, and begged him to let me be not only his playmate but
his helper also, and to tell me at once what I could do.
He smiled again in that sad sort of way grown-up people have, which
seems to say that they know such a lot more than you, and are sorry for
your ignorance.
"Nothing definite, darling," he said; "an infinite variety of things
indefinite! Love me, and remember me sometimes among the new
distractions--that's about the best you can do;" and I laughed, and
pinched him again.
"You silly old dear! As if I could ever forget!" and just at that moment

we drove up to the porch.
If it had been another girl's mother, she would have been waiting at the
door to receive me. I've been home with friends, so I know; but my
mother is different. I don't think I should like it if she did come! It
doesn't fit into my idea of her, some way. Mother is like a queen--
everyone waits upon her, and goes up to her presence like a
throne-room. I peeped into the mirror in the hall as I passed, and tucked
back some ends of hair, and straightened my tie, and then the door
opened, and there she stood--the darling!--holding out her arms to
welcome me, with her eyes all soft and tender, as they used to be when
she came to say "good night." Mother is not demonstrative as a rule, so
you simply love it when she is. She looks quite young, and she was the
beauty of the county when she was a girl, and I never did see in all my
life anybody so immaculately perfect in appearance! Her dresses fit as
if she had been melted into them; her skirts stand out, and go crinkling
in and out into folds just exactly like the fashion-plates; her hair looks
as if it had been done a minute before--I don't believe she would have a
single loose end if she were out in a tornado. It's the same, morning,
noon and night; if she were wrecked on a desert island she would be a
vision of elegance. It's the way she was born. I can't think how I came
to be her daughter, and I know I'm a trial to her with my untidiness.
We hugged each other, and she put her hands on each side of my face,
and we kissed and kissed again. She is taller than I am, and very dark,
with beautiful aquiline features, and deep brown eyes. She is very
slight--I'm sure my waist is about twice as big--and her hands look so
pretty with the flashing rings. I'm awfully proud of my mother!
"My darling girl! How rejoiced I am to have you back. Sit down