The Carved Cupboard

untr

st read a lesso

ainting, and thy

oods and hi

ok that Nature w

sale had taken place, as they only took enough furniture for their smal

belongings, 'that Nannie does not expect to see any of us again. She has given us her d

road, and the sisters were all doing their best to be cheerful. They had sent down two young maids the day before to get things comfortable, and b

sserted Elfie. 'I feel quite exci

place,' Agatha said. 'I am

reatened instant destruction to open umbrellas. A fly was found, and they were soon driving along th

day, and what m

won't be damp,' Ag

wen la

wet days in London. If Jane and Martha have done their work

nd darkness had set in when they

d when they saw the cheerful little dining-room with its blazing fire and wel

th the quaintness of it all, and Clare grew qui

claimed. 'How could he go off

he details of comfort, were quite habitab

at is what I object to,' said Clare, leaning back in her chair, and looking at her sisters rather meditati

ny point,' said Gw

there must be some people to know; it is only just

needn't count upon many friends in our own class of life. The big houses round here w

villages contained a clergyman and family, a d

bleton. There is a vicarage, but I do

said Clare, shivering slightly, as a fresh blas

it! It seems like a bad omen to ha

your head under the clothes. Of course we notice

bedroom. There was a bright fire burning, and some of her own pretty things were already bei

istress, and Miss Gwendoline is always catching up one and taking one's breath away. Miss Elfrida is very pleasant, but she's always the same. Now Miss Clare's never two days alike; she's that gentle and appe

e presently. 'We couldn't have had a more

n imagine! My home is in the country, so I don't mind it. I never could abear London with its fog a

down by the fire. She rarely checked Jane's flow of

ind of

the quarrel last autumn was about Major Lester's son, who is missing somewhere abroad, and who Mr. Tom Lester hates. And did you hear about the cupboard downstairs? Mrs. Tucker says she never has been inside it herself, for Mr. Lester only used to open it late at night, and he's gon

' said Clare a little shortly. I think if Mrs. Tucker is such a gossip

I says to Martha that her tongue runned away with her, we could hardly get in a word, she talks so; but sh

fire. At last with a little sigh she took hold of her Bible, to have her usual evening reading o

rd, and wait pa

ember when first Hugh spoke to me, and we were engaged, I hoped I should be perfectly satisfied and happy, but in some ways he has disappointed me. He is so-so humdrum and easily pleased, and wrapped up in his profession. I wish he were more intellectual. I do love him, of course I do, but he hasn't filled my life as I thought he would. He doesn't un

r thoughts came back to

btful venture coming down to a place where we know no one. Perhaps in the summer it will be better. I will try and not be discontented, but I feel to-night as if evil is coming u

irst thing, she saw a cloudless blue sky, and the green meadows and pine woods in the distance, all lying in still bright sunshine. She opened her casement, and the fresh s

plore the garden. Is it as well stocked with fruit a

ucker assures me a nephew of hers always worked for Mr. Lester, and would be glad to come

ked a litt

. There is so much to do in the house. I hope you will all h

vote we all take a holiday this lovely day, and explore our surr

' said Gwen. 'I promise that I'll work like a horse all t

ing up curtains, hanging pictures, superintending the carpets and rugs being laid

olded, and joked in turn, and Agatha was the only one

to their luncheon

make it look really comfortable,' said Clare, 'a

was her forte, and she declared she would never sit down in com

arden, and Gwen declared her intention of tak

thing about it,' s

luxury here, as you will soon discover. Our two maids wi

did a lot in Germany. I'll send you in the most delicious tea-cakes and biscuits for

' exclaimed Clare. 'Make us the tea-cakes, but leave the vegetables a

, with a large yew tree inside the old lych gate. The door was open, so they went in, and, though plain and rather bare in appearance, it possessed a beautiful stained window at the east end, several old tombs, and a ha

whispered; 'do blow

Handel were soon filling the church. Clare was wandering dreamily round lis

s given you permissio

ponded, coolly, gazing in astonis

ctacles, and a large shawl flung round her, stood

ould keep a chained bulldog inside! Nothing else will keep you tourists in your place. And here am I without a bonnet, defying St. Paul's command, and getting a fr

now turned round and

e the old lady, but rather se

ignorance, but we are strangers in this part. Perhaps you can tell us a little

d her stick and tapped her sl

an, and don't try to make me

e, and Elfie and Gwen joined them.

the organ that I could not resist trying it. Please for

he spoke that the old lady

y, disappearing through a little wicket gate at the end of the churchyard, and making Gwen exclaim, 'She