Rachel Ray

o start soon after dinner, so as to reach the working room before three o’clock, and there she would remain till nine, or as long as the dayl

t do this because of the distance, she remained with Miss Pucker, paying for such refreshment as she needed. In this way there came to be a

ur that she was mistress of the entertainment. And then Rachel greatly disliked Miss Pucker. She disliked that lady’s squint, she disliked the tone of her voice, she disliked her subservience to Mrs Prime, and she especially disliked the vehemence of her objection to — young men. When Rachel had

Rachel had with determination opposed her sister’s request on this special Saturday. And the refusal ha

it, and I think that you ough

her not co

pleasure to your duty — that you boldly declare yourself

any such thing

t you will know it

o to Miss Pucker’s this aftern

Dorothea’s view of the case, Rachel should do as she was bidden. But then how was Rachel to be made to do as she was bidden? How was her sister to enforce her attendance? Obedience in this world depends as frequently on the weakness of him who is governed as on the strength of him who governs. That man who was going to the left is ordered by you with some voice of command to go to the right. When he hes

her part of England like it. The lanes are low and narrow, and not a breath of air stirs through them. The ground rises in hills on all sides, so that every spot is a sheltered nook. The rich red earth drinks in the heat and holds it, and no

her she or Rachel were idle because they remained at home. They both had their needles in their hands, and Rachel was at work,

Rachel, “or I would have carried it for her as far as the

she was exactly

ry angry. I know by her way

rry because you wou

o tea, and I don’t like drinking tea there.” Then there was a little pause. “You don’t want me to

nded her and comforted her. No word had been said on a subject so wicked and full of vanity, but Mrs Ray knew that her evening meal would be brought in at half past five in the shape of a little feast — a feast which would not be spread if Mrs Prime had remained at home. At five o’clock Rachel would slip away and make hot toast, and would run over the Green to Farmer Sturt’s wife for a little thick cream, and there would be a batter cake, and so there would be a feast. Rachel was excellent at the preparation of such b

rything to her child’s welfare, but she did not know what special sacrifice she was at this moment called upon to make. Would it be well that she should leave this matter altogether in the hands of Mrs Prime, and thus, as it were, abdicate her own authority? Mrs Prime would undertake such a task with much mor

Baslehurst this even

— that is if you don’t want me. I tol

t want you.

l, m

o begin, so as to introduce the subject of the young man without shocking her child and showi

ood-natured, and one likes to know somebod

id like Miss Pucker

e, and you want to lecture me, only you haven’t got the heart. Isn’t that it, mamma?” Then she put down her work, and coming clo

r child’s soft smooth hair. “I don’t want to scold you

you do

me something which

who are

d me, and Miss P

ness will be over.” Then Rachel rose from her knees and began to look angry, whereupon her mother w

for having introduced a subject so disagreeable. “Dorothea says that on Wednesday even

s turned first pale and then red — pale with fear and red with shame. As soon as she had spoken them she wished the words unsaid. Her dislike to Miss Pucker amounted almost to hatred. She felt bitterly

and what else?

aps you are going into Bas

uppose

it was clear to Mrs Ray that she was expected t

be raised as to the propriety or impropriety of the proceeding. She was by no means prepared to show why it was so very terrible and iniquit

ld me; only as she did tell me I thought I ought to mention it. Oh dear, oh dear! I hope

on’t. Don’t th

did, my

t to walk with Mr Rowan — for

ar; I never heard th

does belong to the brewery. He is related in some way to the Tappitts, and was a nephew of old Mrs Bungall’s. He is th

ar!” said

does not come back till Monday, so that it is impossible that I should meet him in Baslehurst this evenin

did not logically draw any conclusion from these premises, but she became uncomfortably assured that there did exist a considerable intimacy between Mr Rowan and her daughter. And how had it come to pass that this had been allowed to form itself without any k

o those nasty rag

don’t speak

ut scandal all the time they are there, and speak any ill they can of the poor young g

y that she did not object to her daughter’s acquaintance with Mr Rowan. “B

little that there has been nothing to tell — at least next

isn’t anything particular between him and you

and we had all been together, and when they went in, of course I was obliged to come home. I couldn’

my d

ame across, and again knelt at her mother’s fee

hter did not mean to tell her anything further at that time. Rachel, when she had received her mother’s promise, embraced her warmly, caressing her and petting her as was her custom, an

ng comfortable for her mother, and never more eager in her coaxing way of doing honour to the good things which she had prepared; but, through it all, her mother was aware that everything was not right; there was something in Rachel’s voice which betrayed inward uneasiness — something in the vivacity of her movements that was not quite true to her usual nature. Mrs Ray felt that

hat nothing should be hurried — that there should be no apparent anxiety on her part to leave her mother quickly. And even when all was done, she w

don’t want you

ess is f

dear; you have

t all; but I will be g

l trus

take a walk with these three girls across the church meadows. They

ou to turn your

ot to know any

. Then Rachel had finished tying

a staff on which her weaker mother might lean with security. But then she was so stern — and her very strength was so oppressive! Rachel was weaker, more worldly, given terribly to vain desires and thoughts that were almost wicked; but then it was so pleasant to live with her! And Rachel, though weak and worldly and

rust by making any special request on this occasion, and had therefore said nothing on the subject as Rachel went; but she had carefully watched the clock, and had become uneasy as the time came round for Mrs Prime’s appearance. Exactly at half past nine she entered the house, bringing with her the he

e home yet, of cour

he is with the

pitts:” and her voice, as she said these

ht she was. Do you

e is? Half an hour sinc

young man from the brewe

nd Rachel were standing alone together beneath the elms in t