Janet's Love and Service Part 77

"She spoke about it, I know; but I don't think she really cares for one.

At any rate, she has made up her mind to do without one."

"Of course, it would be foolish to care about what she could not get,"

said f.a.n.n.y, wisely. "But she would like it, all the same, I am sure."

The velvet jacket had been discussed between these two with much interest; but Rose had given up all thought of it with great apparent reluctance, and nothing had been said about it for some days. Judging from what her own feelings would have been in similar circ.u.mstances, f.a.n.n.y doubted the sincerity of Rose's resignation.

"I believe it is that which has been vexing her lately, though she says nothing," continued she.

"Vexing her," repeated Graeme. "What do you mean, f.a.n.n.y? What have you seen?"

"Oh! I have seen nothing that you have not seen as well. But I know I should be vexed if I wanted a velvet jacket, and could not get it; at least I should have been when I was a young girl like Rose," added f.a.n.n.y, with the gentle tolerance of a young matron, who has seen the folly of girlish wishes, but does not care to be hard on them. The others laughed.

"And even later than that--till baby came to bring you wisdom," said her husband.

"And it would be nice if Rosie could have it before the Convocation,"

continued f.a.n.n.y, not heeding him. "It would just be the thing with her new hat and grey poplin."

"Yes," said Graeme, "but I don't think Rosie would enjoy it unless she felt that she could quite well afford it. I don't really think she cares about it much."

"I know what you mean, Graeme. She would not like me to interfere about it, you think. But if Arthur or Harry would have the sense to make her a present of it, just because it is pretty and fashionable, and not because she is supposed to want it, and without any hint from you or me, that would be nice."

"Upon my word, f.a.n.n.y, you are growing as wise as your mamma," said Harry. "A regular manager."

f.a.n.n.y pouted a little for she knew that her mamma's wisdom and management were not admired. Graeme hastened to interfere.

"It is very nice of you to care so much about it, f.a.n.n.y. You know Rose is very determined to make her means cover her expenses; but still if, as you say, Harry should suddenly be smitten with admiration for the jacket, and present it to her, perhaps it might do. I am not sure, however. I have my misgivings."

And not without reason. Rose had an allowance, liberal enough, but not too liberal; not so liberal but that taste, and skill, and care were needed, to enable her to look as nice as she liked to look. But more than once she had failed to express, or to feel grat.i.tude to f.a.n.n.y, in her attempts to make it easier for her, either by an appeal to her brothers, or by drawing on her own means. Even from Graeme, she would only accept temporary a.s.sistance, and rather prided herself on the little shifts and contrivances by which she made her own means go to the utmost limit.

But there was no difficulty this time. It all happened naturally enough, and Rose thanked Harry with more warmth than was necessary, in his opinion, or, indeed, in the opinion of Graeme.

"I saw one on Miss Roxbury," said Harry, "or, I ought to say, I saw Miss Roxbury wearing one; and I thought it looked very well, and so did Charlie."

"Oh!" said Rose, with a long breath. "But then you know, Harry dear, that I cannot pretend to such style as Miss Roxbury. I am afraid you will be disappointed in my jacket."

"You want me to compliment you, Rosie. You know you are a great deal prettier than little Amy Roxbury. But she is very sweet and good, if you would only take pains to know her. You would win her heart directly, if you were to try."

"But then I should not know what to do with it, if I were to win it, unless I were to give it away. And hearts are of no value when given by a third person, as n.o.body should know better than you, Harry, dear. But I shall do honour to your taste all the same; and twenty more good brothers shall present jackets to grateful sisters, seeing how well I look in mine. It is very nice, and I thank you very much."

But she did not look as though she enjoyed it very much, Graeme could not help thinking.

"Of course, she did not really care much to have it. She does not need to make herself fine. I daresay she will enjoy wearing it, however. It is well she can enjoy something else besides finery."

They all went to the Convocation, and Rose wore her new jacket, and her grey poplin, and looked beautiful, the rest thought. The ladies went early with Arthur, but he was called away, and it was a little tedious waiting, or it would have been, only it was very amusing to see so many people coming in, all dressed in their new spring attire. f.a.n.n.y enjoyed this part of the affair very much, and Rose said she enjoyed it, too, quite as much as any part of the affair; and, by and by, f.a.n.n.y whispered that there was Harry, with Miss Roxbury.

"I thought Harry was not coming," said she.

"I suppose, he was able to get away after all," said Graeme, and she looked round for Mr Millar. He was not to be seen, but by and by Harry came round to them, to say that there were several seats much better than theirs, that had been reserved for the Roxbury party, because Mr Roxbury had something to do with the College, and Mrs Roxbury wanted them to come round and take them, before they were filled.

"Oh! how charming!" said Rose. "If we only could. We should be quite among the great people, then, which is what I delight in."

"I thought you were not coming, Harry," said Graeme.

"I was afraid I could not get away, but I made out to do so. No, not at Charlie's expense. There he is now, speaking to Mrs Roxbury, and looking about for us, I daresay."

"Well, f.a.n.n.y, you go on with Harry, and Graeme and I will follow," said Rose. "It would not do to separate, I suppose? Are you sure there is room for all, Harry?"

"Quite sure. No fear; we will make room."

So Harry gave his arm to f.a.n.n.y, and Graeme rose to follow them, though she would much rather have stayed where she was. When she reached the other end of the long hall, she turned to look for her sister, but Rose had not moved. She could not catch her eye, for her attention was occupied by some one who had taken the seat beside her, and Graeme could not linger without losing sight of Harry and f.a.n.n.y, for the people were crowding up, now, and only the seats set apart for the students were left vacant. So she was obliged to hasten on.

"I will send Harry back for her," said Graeme, to herself. "Or, perhaps, when Arthur returns, she will cross the hall with him. We have made a very foolish move for all concerned, I think. But Rosie seemed to like the idea, and I did not care. I only hope we are not separated for the whole affair."

But separated for the whole affair they were. Arthur returned, but it was not easy for him to get through the crowd to the place where he had left his wife and sisters, and when he reached it, he saw that it would not be easy to get away again. So as he could see and hear very well where he was, and as Rose seemed quite satisfied with her place, and with the companionship of her little friend, Miss Etta Goldsmith, he contented himself where he was.

Miss Goldsmith had come to town to see her brother take his diploma as doctor of medicine, and she was in a fever of anxiety till "dear d.i.c.k,"

had got his precious bit of parchment in his hands. And after that, till he had performed his duty as orator of his cla.s.s, and had bidden farewell to each and all, in English so flowing and flowery, that she was amazed, as well as delighted, and very grateful to his cla.s.smates for the applause, which they did not spare. Rose sat beside the eager little girl, so grave and pale, by contrast, perhaps, that Arthur leaned over, and asked her if she were ill, or only very tired of it all. Then she brightened.

"There is great deal more of it, is there not? I must not be tired yet.

Why don't you find your way over to f.a.n.n.y and Graeme?"

"Where are they? Ah! yes, I see them over there among the great folks-- and Harry, too, no less, and his friend and partner. And that bonny little Amy is not far-away, I'll venture to say. No. I shall stay where I am for the present."

Miss Goldsmith did not feel bound to be specially interested in anybody or anything, except her big brother and his bit of parchment. And so, when he had given her a nod and a smile, as he came down from the dais, crumpling his papers in his big hands, she was ready to look about and enjoy herself. And to the unaccustomed eyes of the country girl, there was a great deal worth seeing.

"How beautifully the ladies are dressed! How pretty the spring fashions are! I feel like an old dowdy! Who is that lady in blue? What a love of a hat! And your jacket! It is a beauty!"

It was through such a running fire of questions and exclamations that Rose listened to all that was going on. There was a good deal more to be said, for the law students were addressed by a gentleman, whose boast it seemed to be, that he had once been a law student himself. Then they had some Latin muttered over them, and their heads tapped by the Princ.i.p.al, and some one else gave them their bits of parchment, and then their orator spoke their farewell in flowing and flowery English. And "will it ever be done?" thought Rose, with a sigh.

It was not "just the thing," all this discussion of hats and fashions; but little Miss Goldsmith spoke very softly, and disturbed no one, breathed her questions almost, and Rose answered as silently, with a nod, or a smile, or a turn of the eye; and, at any rate, they were not the only people who were thus taking refuge from the dullness of the Dean, and the prosing of the Chancellor, Rose thought to herself; as she glanced about. Arthur whispered that the Chancellor surpa.s.sed himself on the occasion, and that even the Dean was not very prosy, and Rose did not dissent, but she looked as if it was all a weariness to her? She brightened a little when it was all over, and they rose to go.

"Go and find f.a.n.n.y and Graeme," said she to her brother. "Dr Goldsmith will take care of his sister and me."

Dr Goldsmith was nothing loth, and Rose was so engaged in offering her congratulations, and in listening to his replies, and in responding to the greetings of her many friends as she came down into the hall, that she did not notice that Graeme and Mr Millar were waiting for her at the head of the stairs. There was a little delay at the outer door, where there were many carriages waiting. The Roxbury carriage was among the rest, and Miss Roxbury was sitting in it, though Rose could not help thinking she looked as though she would much rather have walked on with the rest, as Harry was so bold as to propose. They were waiting for Mr Roxbury, it seemed, and our party lingered over their last words.

"I will walk on with the Goldsmiths. I have something to say to Etta,"

said Rose, and before Graeme could expostulate, or, indeed, answer at all, she was gone. The carriage pa.s.sed them, and Miss Roxbury leaned forward and bowed and smiled, and charmed Miss Goldsmith with her pretty manner and perfect hat. In a little, Harry overtook them. Rose presented him to Miss Goldsmith, and walked on with the Doctor. At the gate of the college grounds, their ways separated.

"Mr Elliott," said Miss Goldsmith, "your sister has almost promised to come and visit us when I go home. I do so want papa and mamma to see her. Brother d.i.c.k goes home to-morrow, but I am going to stay a day or two, and then I want Rose to go with me. Do try and persuade Miss Elliott to let her go."

Harry promised, with more politeness than sincerity, saying he had no doubt Graeme would be happy to give Rose the pleasure, and then they got away.

"Papa, and mamma, and brother d.i.c.k. I declare it looks serious. What are you meditating, now, Rosie, if I may ask?"

"My dear Harry, if you think by chaff to escape the scolding you know you deserve, you will find yourself mistaken. The idea of your taking Graeme and f.a.n.n.y away, and leaving me there by myself! I don't know what I should have done if Arthur had not come back. To be sure I had Etta Goldsmith, who is a dear little thing. I don't think her big brother is so very ugly if he hadn't red hair. And he must be clever, or he would not have been permitted to make that speech. His papa and mamma must be delighted. But it was very shabby of you, Harry, to go and leave me alone; was it not, Arthur?"

"But, you might have come, too," said f.a.n.n.y. "I thought you were following us."