Frederica and her Guardians Part 4

"Very glad, love. You have quite a colour already."

"And so have you, mama," said Frederica, glancing round. "When were you out last?"

"Not for a long time--not since we went in a sleigh," said Selina, answering for her. "We thought the roads could not be quite good yet.

And mama is afraid of the cold."

"Not since sleighing!" exclaimed Frederica: "you don't know your privileges. Dixen, I am surprised at you."

"It has no' been my fault, Miss Frederica, I can a.s.sure you," said Dixen gravely.

"I have not felt inclined to go out," said Mrs Vane; "and, indeed, there is little pleasure in going when one has to be so m.u.f.fled from the cold."

"But, mama, you thought you could not come to-day. You thought it would be too much for you, and now you enjoy it. It is just what you need, and Selina too. You want me to be at home to take care of you both."

"And indeed, Miss, that's a true word of yours," said Dixen in a whisper.

Frederica looked up quickly.

"Mama, I am going to ask Dixen. He is a man of sense. Dixen, don't you think it is quite time that I should be considered a grown-up young lady? I am fifteen, and mama needs me at home. I am very little, I know," added she, deprecatingly, as the old man let a queer glance rest on her. He answered with great gravity, however.

"Good gear is ay in small bundles; and one does not need to be a giantess to be a comfort to one's mother."

"Just so," Said Frederica, nodding well pleased. "I am fifteen, and one ought to have some sense at fifteen. Mama, are you keeping your promise? You know you are only to think of pleasant things. You are sure you are glad you came?"

"Very glad, dear."

"And not all for Lina's sake?"

"No," said her mother, laughing; "a little for your sake."

"Oh, I hope it will be fine every day while we are at home. We shall drive every day. Do you like it, Lina?"

"Yes," said Selina softly. Selina's "yes" said more than other people's protestations.

It was very pleasant to them all. It was not in appearance only that Mrs Vane had put away all unhappy thoughts; she had really put them away. It was not that she had much hope that her cousin could put everything right, as Frederica had said, or that she had much faith in her little daughter's "good sense." But she had great faith in her loving heart and happy temper, and it was a wonderful break in the dull life led by her and Selina to have the merry little creature with them, and she yielded entirely to the charm of her lively loving ways, and for the time was well and happy. They only reached home in time for their two o'clock dinner, which they enjoyed all the more for their drive, and then Mrs Vane and Selina were left to rest, while Frederica went out with Tessie and the children.

"It will not be too much for Jack and Jill, I hope," said Frederica, as she stood stroking the ponies before they set off.

"Not if you drive gently," said Dixen. "And I think, Miss Frederica, the mistress would be more at her ease if I were to go with you. Not that there's any need of it, but she's nervous-like, you know."

"And can you be spared? You seem to be in such demand."

"We'll no' ask," said Dixen. "If you're wanting me, that is all that need be said. Duty doesn't call two ways at once, they say; and if it's for pleasure, why should not I have a holiday as well as the rest? And madame's no' here to hinder or to try it even."

Frederica laughed.

"And besides, Miss," continued Dixen, "it is more seemly for a young lady like you to have your servant with you. It may do for children and common folk to go here and there by themselves, but a young lady like you--"

Frederica opened her eyes. This was a new light to see the matter in; she was by no means sure that it was a pleasant one. But if it pleased Dixen to be responsible for her dignity and propriety, she would not object, at least on this occasion.

So away they went through the streets first, and then round the mountain, to the great enjoyment of them all. Not one of them enjoyed it less, and Dixen I am a.s.sured enjoyed it all the more, that they met Mrs Ascot not far from the house, and knew by the look she gave them that she would have liked to turn them back.

"Her smile was out of the wrong side of her mouth," muttered Dixen. He knew that she had ordered the carriage for herself at four, and they could not go for her pleasure that afternoon.

"I only hope she will not disturb mama till we come home," said Frederica.

The drive was charming, but even Frederica confessed to being a little tired when they reached home. It was five and after. Madame Ascot met them at the door. It puts the best-tempered people out to be kept waiting, and her face was not an agreeable one to see at the moment.

"Did you not understand that I said four?" asked she sharply.

"Miss Frederica," began Dixen, touching his hat to the young lady.

"Did I not say four?" repeated Mrs Ascot.

"But, madame, it would have been quite impossible. We did not leave home till nearly three," said Tessie.

"Don't let it happen again," said Mrs Ascot; taking no notice of the child.

Frederica was patting her favourites, calling them, all sorts of pet names. She turned as Mrs Ascot attempted to pa.s.s her.

"It is a pity, madame. You should have sent, for a carriage. It is quite impossible that the ponies should be taken out again to-night, you know," she added as Mrs Ascot seemed to be preparing to enter the carriage. It is likely madame would have proved it quite possible, had not Mr Vane entered the garden at the moment Tessie ran down the steps to meet him.

"Oh, papa, we are to have a whole week of holidays. Are you not glad?"

"Papa, I am so sorry we did not drive round by the office and take you up. I thought you must have been home. Yes, they are rather warm, and tired too, but they will be none the worse, will they, Dixen? And I am to drive mama every fine day and you must come too, papa. I shall be charmed to drive you."

Mr Vane laughed.

"My neck is too valuable," said he:

"Not more valuable than mama's; and we can take Dixen if you are afraid.

Now you must be kind to them, Dixen, and rub them well down," added she, as the old man prepared to lead them away.

"Never fear, Miss Frederica," said Dixen.

"But I thought Mrs Ascot was going out;" said Mr Vane.

"It is too late now," said that lady angrily.

"Quite too late, and the ponies are tired. It is quite impossible,"

said Tessie, with irritating dignity.

"All right," said Mr Vane, indifferently.

"Papa, we are going to have a party in the drawing-room to-night. We are all going, and mama and Selina and you must come too, just after dinner. Will you come, papa?" pleaded both girls, hanging on his arms.

"Certainly, with great pleasure," said their father, pleased to be thus entreated; "but you must let me go now."