按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
her papa； talking to him of Raphael's Madonnas； and looking out at
the stars； and thinking how the heavenly beauty of those faces that；
in the prints she had been turning over； seemed to be connected with
the glories of the dark…blue sky and glowing stars。 〃As one star
differeth from another star in glory；〃 murmured she； 〃that was the
lesson to…day； papa；〃 and when she felt him press her hand； she knew
he was thinking of that last time she had heard the lesson； when he
had not been with her； and her thoughts went with his； though not
another word was spoken。
Flora hardly knew when they ceased to talk。 She had musings equally
engrossing of her own。 She saw she was likely to be very intimate
with Meta Rivers； and she was roaming away into schemes for not
letting the intercourse drop； and hopes of being admitted to many a
pleasure as yet little within her reachparties； balls； London；
itself； and； above all； the satisfaction of being admired。 The
certainty that Mr。 Rivers thought her pretty and agreeable had
gratified her all the evening； and if he； with his refined taste；
thought so； what would others think？ Her only fear was； that Ethel's
awkwardness might make an unfavourable impression； but； at least； she
said to herself； it was anything but vulgar awkwardness。
Their reflections were interrupted by the fly stopping。 It was at a
little shop in the outskirts of the town； and Dr。 May； explained that
he wanted to inquire for a patient。 He went in for a moment； then
came back to desire that they would go home； for he should be
detained some little time。 No one need sit up for himhe would let
himself in。
It seemed a comment on Ethel's thoughts； bringing them back to the
present hour。 That daily work of homely mercy； hoping for nothing
again； was surely the true way of doing service。
CHAPTER XXI。
WATCHMAN。 How； if he will not stand？
DOGBERRY。 Why； then； take no note of him； but let him go。
Much Ado about Nothing。
Dr。May promised Margaret that he would see whether the black…hole of
Cocksmoor was all that Norman depicted it； and； accordingly； he came
home that way on Tuesday evening the next week； much to the
astonishment of Richard； who was in the act of so mending the window
that it might let in air when open； and keep it out when shut；
neither of which purposes had it ever yet answered。
Dr。 May walked in； met his daughter's look of delight and surprise；
spoke cheerfully to Mrs。 Green； a hospital acquaintance of his； like
half the rest of the country； and made her smile and curtsey by
asking if she was not surprised at such doings in her house； then
looked at the children； and patted the head that looked most fit to
pat； inquired who was the best scholar； and offered a penny to
whoever could spell copper tea…kettle； which being done by three
merry mortals； and having made him extremely popular； he offered
Ethel a lift； and carried her off between him and Adams； on whom he
now depended for driving him； since Richard was going to Oxford at
once。
It was possible to spare him now。 Dr。 May's arm was as well as he
expected it ever would be； he had discarded the sling； and could use
his hand again； but the arm was still stiff and weakhe could not
stretch it out； nor use it for anything requiring strength； it soon
grew tired with writing； and his daughters feared that it ached more
than he chose to confess； when they saw it resting in the breast of
his waistcoat。 Driving he never would have attempted again； even if
he could； and he had quite given up carvinghe could better bear to
sit at the side than at the bottom of the dinner…table。
Means of carrying Margaret safely had been arranged by Richard； and
there was no necessity for longer delaying his going to Oxford； but
he was so unwillingly spared by all； as to put him quite into good
spirits。 Ethel was much concerned to lose him from Cocksmoor； and
dreaded hindrances to her going thither without his escort； but she
had much trust in having her father on her side； and meant to get
authority from him for the propriety of going alone with Mary。
She did not know how Norman had jeopardised her projects； but the
danger blew over。 Dr。 May told Margaret that the place was clean and
wholesome； and though more smoky than might be preferred； there was
nothing to do any one in health any harm； especially when the walk
there and back was over the fresh moor。 He lectured Ethel herself on
opening the window； now that she could； and advised Norman to go and
spend an hour in the school； that he might learn how pleasant peat…
smoke wasa speech Norman did not like at all。 The real touchstone
of temper is ridicule on a point where we do not choose to own
ourselves fastidious； and if it and been from any one but his father；
Norman would not have so entirely kept down his irritation。
Richard passed his examination successfully； and Dr。 May wrote
himself to express his satisfaction。 Nothing went wrong just now
except little Tom； who seemed to be justifying Richard's fears of the
consequence of exciting his father's anger。 At home； he shrank and
hesitated at the simplest question if put by his father suddenly； and
the appearance of cowardice and prevarication displeasing Dr。 May
further； rendered his tone louder； and frightened Tom the more；
giving his manner an air of sullen reserve that was most unpleasant。
At school it was much the samehe kept aloof from Norman； and threw
himself more into the opposite faction； by whom he was shielded from
all punishment； except what they chose themselves to inflict on him。
Norman's post as head of the school was rendered more difficult by
the departure of his friend Cheviot； who had always upheld his
authority； Harvey Anderson did not openly transgress； for he had a
character to maintain； but it was well known throughout the school
that there was a wide difference between the boys； and that Anderson
thought it absurd； superfluous； and troublesome in May not to wink at
abuses which appeared to be licensed by long standing。 When Edward
Anderson； Axworthy； and their set； broke through rules； it was with
the understanding that the second boy in the school would support
them； if he durst。
The summer and the cricket season brought the battle of Ballhatchet's
house to issue。 The cricket ground was the field close to it； and
for the last two or three years there had been a frequent custom of
despatching juniors to his house for tarts and ginger…beer bottles。
Norman knew of instances last year in which this had led to serious
mischief； and had made up his mind that； at whatever loss of
popularity； it was his duty to put a stop to the practice。
He was an ardent cricketer himself； and though the game did not； in
anticipation； seem to him to have all the charms of last year； he
entered into it with full zest when once engaged。 But his eye was on
all parts of the field； and especially on the corner by the bridge；
and the boys knew him well enough to attempt nothing unlawful within
the range of that glance。 However； the constant vigilance was a
strain too great to be always kept up； and he