The Trial [18]
shame-faced, sister-hating, commonplace creature that the collective boy thinks it due to himself to be in society,' said Ethel, 'and me from an enjoying sister, into an elderly, care-taking, despised spinster--a burden to myself and the boys.' 'But why, Ethel, can't you enjoy yourself!' 'My dear Richard, just imagine turning loose a lot of boys and girls, with no keeper, to enjoy themselves in some wild sea place! No, no: the only way to give the arrangement any shade of propriety, will be to be elderly, infuse as much vinegar as possible into my countenance, wear my spectacles, and walk at a staid pace up and down the parade, while my two sons disport themselves on the rocks.' 'If you really think it would not be proper,' said Richard, rather alarmed, 'I could run after my father.' 'Stuff, Richard; papa must have his way; and if it is to do the boy good, I can sacrifice a crab--I mean myself--not a crustacean. I am not going to be such a selfish wretch as to make objections.' 'But if it would not be the correct thing? Or could not you get some one to stay with you?' 'I can make it the correct thing. It is only to abstain from the fun I had hoped for. I meant to have been a girl, and now I must be a woman, that's all; and I dare say Aubrey will be the happier for it-- boys always are.' 'If you don't like it, I wish you would let me speak to papa.' 'Richard, have you these five years been the safety-valve for my murmurs without knowing what they amount to?' 'I thought no one complained unless to get a thing remedied.' 'Exactly so. That is man! And experience never shows man that woman's growls relieve her soul, and that she dreads nothing more than their being acted on! All I wish is, that this scheme may die a natural death; but I should be miserable, and deserved to be so, if I raised a finger to hinder it. What, must you go? Rule Daisy's lines if she writes to Meta, please.' 'I did so. I have been trying to make her write straighter.' 'Of course you have. I expect I shall find her organ of order grown to a huge bump when she comes home. Oh! when will our poor remnants be once more a united family? and when shall I get into Cocksmoor school again?' When Dr. May came home, his plan was in full bloom. Henry had gratefully accepted it, and answered for his brother being able to travel by the next Monday; and Dr. May wanted Ethel to walk with him to Bankside, and propose it there--talking it over with the sister, and making it her own invitation. Ethel saw her fate, and complied, her father talking eagerly all the way. 'You see, Ethel, it is quite as much for his spirits as his health that I wish it. He is just the age that our Norman was.' That was the key to a great deal. Ethel knew that her father had never admitted any of the many excuses for the neglect of Norman's suffering for the three months after his mother's death; but though it thrilled her all over, she was not prepared to believe that any one, far less any Ward, could be of the same sensitive materials as Norman. To avoid answering, she went more than half-way, by saying, 'Don't you think I might ask those poor girls to come with him?' 'By no manner of means,' said the Doctor, stopping short. 'It is just what I want, to get him away from his sister. She minds nothing else; and if it were not for Mary, I don't know what the little ones would do; and as to Henry, he is very good and patient; but it is the way to prevent him from forming domestic tastes to have no mistress to his house. He will get into mischief, or marry, if she does not mind what she is about.' 'That must come to an end when Leonard is well, and goes back to school.' 'And that won't be till after the holidays. No, some break there must be. When he is gone, Mary can put her into the way of doing things; she is anxious to do right; and we shall see them do very well. But this poor boy--you know he has been always living at home, while the others were away; he was very fond of his mother, and the first coming out of his room was more than he could bear. I must have him taken