The Pigeon Pie | Page 7

send her little presents; there was a large garden in which
Diggory Stokes, who had also served her father, raised vegetables for
her use; the cow wandered in the deserted park, and so they contrived
to find food; while all the work of the house was done by Rose and
Deborah. Rose was her mother's great comfort, nursing her, cheering
her, taking care of the little ones, teaching them, working for them, and
making light of all her exertions. Everyone in the village loved Rose
Woodley, for everyone had in some way been helped or cheered by her.
Her mother was only sometimes afraid she worked too hard, and would
try her strength too much; but she was always bright and cheerful, and
when the day's work was done no one was more gay and lively and
ready for play with the little ones.
Rose had more trial than anyone knew with Deborah. Deborah was as
faithful as possible, and bore a great deal for the sake of her mistress,
worked hard day and night, had little to eat and no wages, yet lived on
with them rather than forsake her dear lady and the children. One thing,
however, Deborah would not do, and that was to learn to rule her
tongue and her temper. She did not know, nor do many excellent
servants, how much trial and discomfort she gave to those she loved so
earnestly, by her constant bursting out into hasty words whenever she
was vexed--her grumbling about whatever she disliked, and her
ill-judged scolding of the children. Servants in those days were allowed
to speak more freely to their masters and mistresses than at present, so
that Deborah had more opportunity of making such speeches, and it
was Rose's continual work to try to keep her temper from being fretted,
or Lady Woodley from being teased with her complaints. Rose was
very forbearing, and but for this there would have been little peace in
the house.
Walter was thirteen, an age when it is not easy to keep boys in order,
unless they will do so for themselves. Though a brave generous boy, he

was often unruly and inconsiderate, apt not to obey, and to do what he
knew to be unkind or wrong, just for the sake of present amusement.
He was thus his mother's great anxiety, for she knew that she was not
fit either to teach or to restrain him, and she feared that his present wild
disobedient ways might hurt his character for ever, and lead to
dispositions which would in time swallow up all the good about him,
and make him what he would now tremble to think of.
She used to talk of her anxieties to Doctor Bathurst, the good old
clergyman who had been driven away from his parish, but used to come
in secret to help, teach, and use his ministry for the faithful ones of his
flock. He would tell her that while she did her best for her son, she
must trust the rest to his FATHER above, and she might do so
hopefully, since it had been in His own cause that the boy had been
made fatherless. Then he would speak to Walter, showing him how
wrong and how cruel were his overbearing, disobedient ways. Walter
was grieved, and resolved to improve and become steadier, that he
might be a comfort and blessing to his mother; but in his love of fun
and mischief he was apt to forget himself, and then drove away what
might have been in time repentance and improvement, by fancying he
did no harm. Teasing Deborah served her right, he would tell himself,
she was so ill-tempered and foolish; Diggory was a clod, and would do
nothing without scolding; it was a good joke to tease Charlie; Eleanor
was a vexatious little thing, and he would not be ordered by her; so he
went his own way, and taught the merry chattering Lucy to be very
nearly as bad as himself, neglected his duties, set a bad example,
tormented a faithful servant, and seriously distressed his mother. Give
him some great cause, he thought, and he would be the first and the
best, bring back the King, protect his mother and sisters, and perform
glorious deeds, such as would make his name be remembered for ever.
Then it would be seen what he was worth; in the meantime he lived a
dull life, with nothing to do, and he must have some fun. It did not
signify if he was not particular about little things, they were women's
affairs, and all very well for Rose, but when some really important
matter came, that would be his time for distinguishing himself.
In the meantime Charles II. had been invited to Scotland,