Frederica and her Guardians Part 11

"It would do no good to go to-day, because papa Is away, and mama is not to be troubled. But to-morrow--Has Mrs Glencairn been very much in need of it; Eppie? Why did they not send us away?"

"My dear, that's nonsense! What difference would one, or even two, make in a family like this? She would rather have you here than not, though she were never to see the colour of your father's money. And as for Miss Robina! But the money is safe enough; so just you sit down, and put the thought of it out of your head."

There was not another word said about it, and Mistress Campbell rejoiced in the readiness with which her counsel had been taken. But Frederica had no thought of "putting it out of her head" in the sense that Eppie hoped. The first sudden shock of anger and shame pa.s.sed, but it was followed by a pain and doubt not more easily borne. She had only just been able to shut her lips closely, when the name of Mrs Ascot had risen to them; but as she sat there in silence, seeming to read quietly, her thoughts went beyond Mrs Ascot. They followed her father and his gay friends; away into the sunshine of the pleasant fields, and they went to her mother left solitary and suffering, with only Selina to comfort her, and with Mrs Ascot to vex her with cares which she ought never to know.

"It is not kind of papa," she said, over and over again.

She did not get further than this; for hitherto she had looked at their life and their household ways and cares with the unreasoning eyes of a child. Her father was gay and careless, and apt to forget about things that did not specially concern himself, even a child could see that; but she had never regarded all this as worthy of blame. She had not thought about it in that way at all. But she thought about a great many painful things as she sat with her head bent over her book in Eppie's garret that night.

There was nothing to be said by anybody. Frederica did not even tell Tessie, as she was almost sure to tell anything that vexed her, in the few minutes that were allowed them for talk before silence was commanded for the night. Tessie could not help her to do as she had determined to do, and Tessie was rather apt to exclaim about things, and to take other girls into her confidence, and such a thing was not to be thought of now.

It would not be easy for her to obtain permission to go home next day, she knew, but she determined to go all the same, whether she got permission or not. But something in the girl's face made Robina pause before she answered her in one way or the other.

"Has anything happened, love? You have heard no bad news, I hope," said she kindly.

Frederica did not find it easy to answer.

"Your mama is not worse, I hope."

"She is not better," said Frederica huskily. "Won't you let me go home, Miss Robina? I might go with Nora when she goes to the market, and Dixen will bring me back. Please do, dear Miss Robina, for a little while."

"I am by no means sure that I ought to say 'yes,'" said she; but she kissed the sweet pleading face and said it, notwithstanding.

Frederica did not go home first. She took Nora some distance out of her way to her father's office, and bade her good-bye at the door.

"Thank you, Nora, don't wait. Papa will take care of me now."

Her father looked surprised, and not very well pleased to see her. Not that she was interrupting his business, for she saw that he was only reading the newspaper. She did not give him time to express his surprise in words, nor did she greet him in her usual fashion, but said hurriedly, "I came on business, papa." She did not find it easy to say more for a minute; and something which he saw in her face kept her father silent also.

"Papa, do you know that Mrs Glencairn has not been paid for more than a year and a half? for Tessie and me, I mean."

Her father stared at her in astonishment, not understanding for the moment what she meant.

"What nonsense, Frederica!" said he: "and what have you to do with it?"

"It is quite true, papa, and of course I have to do with it. Mrs Glencairn must be paid."

"And did she send you here to say that to me? She has been paid. I cannot say that I admire either her taste or her judgment. I think we have had almost enough of madam the schoolmistress."

"I think she must have had quite enough of us, papa. But she did not send me. She is not aware that I know about it. I overheard her speaking about it to Mistress Campbell."

"Overheard! and you have been suffering the usual penalty of listeners."

"No, papa, and I did not mean to listen. But I was so shocked. Mrs Glencairn and Miss Robina have been very kind to us, papa, and they must be paid."

"I have not the least doubt that they have been paid, over and over again. Let them alone for that!"

"Did you pay them, papa?"

"No. I did not give the money to them, but I have a distinct recollection of its being provided."

"So have I, papa. Mama was obliged to ask Mr St. Cyr for more money, and she said it was very painful, and she could not do it again."

"All that relates to Mr St. Cyr's connection with our affairs is painful. You are old enough now, Frederica, to understand that it was never with my consent that he had to do with--with our affairs--with your grandfather's property. I can do nothing. If things go wrong, it is not my fault. I protested against such an arrangement at the time, and--and washed my hands of them. And it is a matter with which you can have nothing to do."

"Except about Mrs Glencairn's money, papa. I _must_ have to do with that, you know. Tell me what I must do, papa."

"You can do nothing. There must be some mistake. A year and a half!

It would be a large sum."

"Yes, indeed! But, papa, don't you think it possible that--that Mrs Ascot may have made some mistake?"

"She may certainly have made a mistake. I will see that it is put right. But you can do nothing, and you must not try. You will only make matters worse."

There was silence for some time, and then Frederica said hesitatingly,--

"I am afraid, papa--that Mrs Ascot is not a very good woman."

Mr Vane looked at her without speaking.

"I mean that she is too clever to make mistakes--that she must know if-- if there is anything wrong about the money."

"She is clever, but she is not too clever to make mistakes. She has made one now--she will find."

"I think so, papa. Mrs Glencairn could not have been mistaken. She must know, of course. And, papa--it is not pleasant to speak about--but I don't think Mrs Ascot is nice with mama and Lina. I mean she is not considerate."

"That will do, Fred. We won't discuss Madame Ascot. It was not by my will that she was brought into the house. Your grandfather--but I can't speak to you about all that. Go home, or go back to your school. This matter shall be cleared up and put right."

"To-day, papa? Papa, I shall be ashamed to look at Miss Robina till this money is paid. Can you not give it to me to take back to-day?

Please do, dear papa."

Mr Vane laughed a very unpleasant laugh.

"Don't be foolish, Fred. I have not the money to give you to-day, or any day. I must speak to Mrs Ascot: there must be some mistake. She and your mother have always managed these things, with Mr St. Cyr's help. I can do nothing."

"But, papa--" entreated Frederica.

"Hush, say nothing more. As Mrs Glencairn said nothing to you, you are not supposed to know anything about the matter. Go back to school at once. Or are you going home for the day?"

"I meant to do so, but I don't wish to trouble mama. I might speak to Mrs Ascot."

"Much good that would do," said her father, with his unpleasant laugh.

"No, I will speak to her. Go now, there are people coming in."

As the door opened to admit some one, Frederica pa.s.sed out, but she did not turn her face towards home, nor towards school.

"I will go to Cousin Cyprien," said she to herself. "I cannot trouble mama, and I cannot go back to Mrs Glencairn's without some hope that it will all be set right. Papa so soon forgets."