The Pillars of the House; Or, Under Wode, Under Rode, Vol. 1 (of 2)

owt, an' she weant 'a

lad, or summut, an

nys

in a voice that to her reluctant ears, as well as to those of Sister Constance, who followed him, sounded all the more vulgar becaus

s face

at Sister Constance. 'I thought so. Now, b

ot,' sh

No one will punish you; we know

ance, 'this is a pity. Much

very piteously, th

d Mr. Rugg, 'but there's nothing for

olently, and brow and

per tone. 'Miss Geraldine, this is regu

something like 'I won't' came

Sister Constance gently; 'I think she

title, was always barbarously misusing it; 'but the thing must be told. It is do

sobbing violently, not without passion, and the more distressingly because she carefully stifled every sound, and the poor little frame seemed as if it

said he would not hurt me-when he knew he should most terribly. Papa said it was

tell? Don't think about him, think

t with the anger there had been before.

ar mother seems to be too ill and confused to recollect everything herself, and

heaving chest said, 'If Felix says I ought-then

elix,' said Si

, who had just come in to dinner, was summoned. He cam

,' he said, as the loyal little thing gaze

d in her arms-and called to me that I might come and sit with-him, because she was going down to the kitchen to make some beef-tea. And just then sh

eem hurt a

t Bernard go all the time-he did not even scream. She only said, "Now mind, Cherry, do not say one word of thi

string was,' said

orry! Oh! I hope she won't be

said Felix; 'it was onl

e rocked-when Sister Constance returned with the doctor. He spoke without either the anger or the persuasive tone

this mishap. That is some excuse. N

ur steps, I am su

backw

es

nk she stru

he back

nd moved at once, no

. She got up and m

ou began to observe that change of manner-the irritabilit

he had been with A

ttle more about the case; and he went away with Sister Constance, saying to her, 'Mrs. Underwood

ast day or two they had tried to rouse her; papers had been brought to her to sign, and she did so obediently, but she did not follow the subject: she did not refuse, but did not second, any proposal for her beginning to sit up; and this was the more remarkable, as, being a woman of much health and energy in her quiet way, she had always recovered rapidly, and filled her place in the family alarmi

r Constance, when the Curate went down from reading

hey k

d to lay the future on the

ight sun, warming and invigorating, had gone

it, though I knew

he making of me,' sighed M

re is some difference between you and the boyi

of croquet! I trust so! He was very patient and tolerant-made

ance, thoughtfully looking at the much graver and more earnest brow of her husba

thinking of giving up my present lodgings to this Mow

y dear C

eard legends of tw

children. Besides

ly want to occupy these two just yet. I take them, and put in some furniture-live to myself, bu

or the cookery here? Really, some of those children have ap

ust stay at home to look after her mother and the twins; and that is not fit for such a young girl. Now, my coming might enable them to g

word against it. It see

I should be there to help. I coul

ore, Charles. If you d

over; and just at this time the charge must be hea

et for children of their class. I am wanted there this day week, and I cannot say bu

s when their sons are ordained,' he said, laughi

s if she were half rent asunder at the thought of Alda's going. So good for Felix, too. Only she must ask Ma

ll it be

r, you and Sibby and Sister Constance had better talk it over. I do not seem able to consider it. But

like doing things. Besides

added Mrs. Underwood wistfu

nd giving the two downstairs front ones to Mr. Audley, using the back room for the boys and children; she was altogether so

she feared he would be uncomfortable; but she could not reject so great a help for her children. She had even thought of the advantage of keeping Sibby u

and she was as clear-headed as ever. Indeed, it seemed to Sister Constance that she was a little exci

whether she remembered her accident. She thought a little. 'Why-yes-I believe I did sl

rs you gave you

n for some minutes; then said, 'Yes, I see! I am thankful it did not te

did,' said Constance, e

'and he never knew it, so the

her usual state of torpor; but she roused herself to say, 'Wou

es

n it for me. I would not have one of

y. 'Are you sure it ought to be done?' she asked. '

much less helpless. I know how

on, the home of all our lives, he turned to me and said, "Now, Mary, that page is shut for ever. Let us never speak a word to make the children or ou

you were

do! I never knew things could be worse till I saw it was kil

voice that Constance had

exceeding kindness to him,' said Constanc

t Underwood! I did not; but I never could be the companion I was before to him. He was always happy, he did b

taking the weight so

ed to a healthier place; but after that one time, I never could vex him or

rce of silence. She had not weakened his energies by word or look of repining; but while his physical life was worn out by toil and hardship, her mental life had almost been extinguished in care, drudgery, and self-control; and all his sweetness, tenderness, and cheerfulness had not been able to do more than just to enable her to hold out, without manifesting her suffering. Enid had been a very suitable name for her

t be guessed. She herself was greatly roused for the present, dwelt on the necessity of trying t

ll feel that even though Mr. Audley was to live to himse

an, when Wilmet, impatient to have the room clear for Mr. Audley to come for the final decision-as he was to do in the evening-anxious to clear away the intol

did no

lear up that litte

ert?' said Felix, loo

s spread under his works on the table, and s

ow naughty!'

g to mind?' asked Wilm

proper time,' g

eak to your sister,' inter

him defiant

h to give him the complete mastery, for Fulbert was only ten years old; but Wilmet, dreading nothing so much as a scuffl

ds off with exceeding difficulty. 'Little sn

k; his nose is the sh

ck the half-hour, when Clement got up, and taking the slate, where he had been solacing himself with imitating Edgar's caricatures, he was about to make it an impromptu dust-pan, and went down on his knees to sweep

rising to follow his ex

self making such deep bites into a pencil, that he threw it from him wit

coaxingly, 'please go-

t h

, was telling him that Fulbert was in one of his tempers, and would attend to nobody. Fulbe

to the distress of the house! What is it, Fulbert?' he added, layi

e regarded the new-comer as less of an enemy than the rest-'I'd

udley. 'Come, Fulbert, no ship can sail unless the crew obey. No muti

onquered. He took up his tools and his trap, gave a final puff to spr

t temper of us a

autious of provoking

was my fault,'

nate little dog. I wish I was licking h

e biggest,'

much the meekest

on, itself,' observed Edgar. 'I

ar,' said Mr. Audley; 'did you hear of hi

make an unusual ass o

th in putting on his hood, but expressed his doubts as to the correctness of it (never, of course, having seen

in that way at St. Matt

' said Mr. Audley. 'I doubt if Mo

gar; 'just one of my Lady's sort!

remonstra

rs will be snobs, one must have the relief

one's mind as much as might be,' said Mr. Audley, feeling

had better drop talkin

b if you had turned chimney-sweeper, and let Tom Underw

s not the way to keep from it to th

'Really, that boy must be

, opening a crack of the door, called

as shut, 'Never mind, dear Lance, he's in a horrid moo

. 'It is Cherry; she is crying so upstairs,

long operation dependent upon Sibby. Wilmet ran up in haste, and did indeed find poor little Geraldine wit

solitary? Are you missing him? Oh, don't! Yes,

nd fondled her, but the ch

, not that! I

, you can't hav

indeed I ha

ou would only tell me what yo

ie-such things as I said about him to Sister Constance-I m

have been utterly at a loss. And now, she found herself incapable by any argument or caress of soothing her sister's sense of heinous offence; for that rite, of which she had parta

ty between the two girls so much, that for Wilmet to console her as a child was vain; and indeed, her invalid state and constant companionship with her father had rende

ind friend on the way. She whispered her trouble on the stairs, and the Sister was soon kneeling over the little bed; but her

ed sore,' to look forward to-indeed, that the preparation for the interview w

he shoes and stockings, on in no time, and throwing a shawl over all, actually gathered the small light frame up into her arms, and carried her down to the fire in the

so much of her

w she is a C

Sister Constance had taken possession of her, she whispered, 'Yes, thank you. He says I may come on Sunday, and I think it is fo

without you,' sighed Wilmet, as she ca

posed for lodging, board, and attendance were what Felix and Wilmet would have known to be wondrously liberal but for their inexperience, especially as he meant to send in some, at least, of the furn

ong as it was possible, to give up this means of improving herself, as well as lessening the family burthen. To give up her education now would be to sink into a housewifely drudge, who would hardly be able to maintain herself when the younger ones would be getting out into the w

edly. 'Why, you might as wel

ool-always thinking something is going wrong. And Cherry can

feel that the need lies at home; but I think the few hours' change every day-f

ays! She who cares for books a

arning, you can teach her

et; 'Cherry know

the cleverest of u

nge and interest. I do feel strongly convinced, dear Wilmet, that to shut yourself

ade, and was to take effect in ten days' time, when Mr. Mowbray Smith was coming to be second curate, and Si

him, he said, 'Forgive me, Felix; but I am a younger brother myself

spectfully, it was with some little annoyance.

at he may be the sort of boy for whom

de himself quite ill for a week with having to flog Fulbert for disobedience. It settled him; but he is not like the others-Clem and

strength is eq

he will hav

y strength you have lost his confidence, and have no moral power over him? T

all I do, Mr. Audley, when he defies Wilm

at you think needful rule may seem to him domineering. And if necessary, call me. My

being unhappily master of the house, he was unwilling not to be so entirel

ng he had brought himse

eat relief to me. I was afraid you thought you w

the better-said, 'I know I shall always deserve what advice you gi

ome, while Lady Price, Mrs. Thomas Underwood, and all the ladies they could enlist in their service, canvassed desperately, and made the cards of 'Fulbert James and Lancelot Oswald, sons of the Rev. Edward Fulbert Underwood, THIRTEEN children,' a weariness to every friend of a subscriber to clergy-orphan schools. Robina was not quite old enough to stand for the like election; but Sister Constance had negotiated with a lady who h

hands, and that, terrible as the wrench would be between the twins, Wilmet would be freer when it was once over. Poor Wilmet! she had felt as if she could hardly have lived over these weeks save for fondling the younger twins, and waiting on her mother. She was almost passive, and ran up and downstairs, or prepared the wardrobes of the departing children, just as

h him, in which they were probably much less childish than they showed themselves to the outer world. Clement was very grave and unhappy; but seemed to be most distressed at parting with Harry Lamb, a favouri

ck to him, and he was so very miserable the whole day, that he treated every attempt of the others to cheer him as a mere token of their hardness of heart. He went in to see his mother, and was so overcome at finding her no better,

nd as the mention of it always affronted Fulbert deeply, it was plain that he would be no good company. However, Felix had been allowed an hour from his business for that very purpose, and he simply said, 'Nonsen

ing as if there was nothing she cared for in all life, and as if youth, hope, and happiness were gone away from her for ever, and she were as much widowed as her mother. She was even past crying-she could do nothing but lie still. But then her mother's hand came out and stroked her; and presently one of the babies

energy to Felix and Wilmet Underwood as the first excite

acquire modern languages under the care of an Englishman who took private pupils at Louvaine, whence Edgar despatched most amusing letters and clever sketches. Clement was in great favour, both music

the loss of their contemporaries, seemed placed at a point far away from the others, Geraldine was conscious of much loneliness. The twins had always consorted together, a

ong before six o'clock, she always heard the call pass between the eldest brother and sister; and knew that as soon as he was dressed, Felix-it must out-was cleaning the family boo

ighter tasks of the housemaid; leaving the heavier ones to Sibby and Martha, a stout, willing, strong young woman, whom Sister Constance had happil

she was merely tender, placid, and content, mechanically busied about her babies, and responding to what was said, but entirely incapable of any exertion of body, and as inactive in mind as in limb. Wilmet attended to her while Sibby went to her breakfast, returning with that of

e grammar-school, and Wilmet, first to the kitchen, and then to Miss Pearson's, she remained with bowl and cloth to wash up in her own pe

Che

dren slept. Angela appeared first, and did some small lessons, cat-and-dog readings, and easy hymns, then was generally content to sit on the floor in Mamma's room, admiring or amusing the twins. Then Cherry, according to her sense of duty, drew or worked. There was a horrible never-ending still-beginning basket of mending in the family, which Wilmet replenished every Saturday; and though Mrs. Underwood's instinct for piecing and darning had revived as soon as she was taken out of bed, her work now always needed a certain revision to secure the boys from the catastrophe of which Wilmet often dreamt-appearing in public in ragged shirt-sleeves! Geraldine knew that every stitch she left undone would have to be put in by her sister in lat

ela in daring mischief, fight a battle-royal with her, or be violent with and jealous of the twins. The urchin had found out that when once Cherry's crutch was out of her reach she could not get at him; and he had ridden off upon it so often, before committing any of his wo

cupation. Best of all were the proofs of that unfinished comment on the Epistle to Philippi, which was being printed by subscription of the congregation, and the clergy of the diocese. It

en-one unuttered wish of poor Cherry was that Mr. Audley could have

ix helping Geraldine to her seat, Angela trotting after; a large dish of broth, with meat and rice,

d a basin for Bernard. 'We must begin, I sup

ur plate; I'll cut that.-H

now, and haven't made a mistake for a week. Yesterday Bartlett junior came in, he stood like a post before Mr. Fro

did

m-book all little a's and b's.-W

n abstract of t

in their merry blue eyes, burst in, and tumbled on their chairs. 'I say-isn't it a hor

said Grace,'

nd bowed; Fulbert looked g

ashed your hand

s the good?'

ly dirty again dir

decent company in the

late, a skip-jack made of the breast-bone

er him,' cried Fulbert, and Lanc

an you?' bro

ishing out his master!

g is in

x is squ

ted

om the younger than the elder. Indeed, he scarcely durst notice them in Fu

me stuff it is for making a fort!' and he began to sc

'but I've eaten up the best part of m

g it on the other side. 'While I am h

ght struck Lance, who always cared much more for fun than fo

y, almost crying-for this return to savage lif

ormented,' said Felix, be

ything to Cherry,'

ls Cherry's appetite to

time,' said Fulbert. 'Get along,

! The rice is the cannon-

erry; 'no waste-think o

; but Fulbert growled, 'If you bother any more

ela, and Martha at that moment appeared t

more, Cherry?' as

thank you,

boys, seizing on her scarcel

ey left the room, and she laid her head on his sho

on't-at least I ought not t

inches of his life, before he has done. And then there's no one to take me in

into the room where his mother was,

post of confidence for which Felix was training-and being far less aware of his own utter unfitness for it than was Mr. Froggatt, regarded the lad as an interloper; and though he durst not treat him with incivility, was anxious to expose any deficiency or failure on his part. Having a good deal of quickness and dexterity, he could act as a reporter, draw up articles of a certain description for the newspaper, and had, since the death of Mr. Froggatt's eldest son, been absolutely necessary to him in carrying on the business; and now, it was a matter of delicate discretion on the master's part to avoid hurting the feelings of the assistant, whom a little more would have made his tyrant, and a dread of the appearance of favouritism made it needful to keep Felix thoroughly in a subordinate post, till real superiority of min

reation chiefly consisted in choir-practice twice a week. Not that he missed more positive amusement; the cares of life and Edgar's departure seemed to have taken the boyish elemen

s with their fellows, upsetting the nerves of quiet folk-staring contentedly at such shows as required no outlay, or discontentedly at the outside of those that demanded the pennies they never had. They were thorough little street-boys; and all

Audley daily visited the invalid. Mr. Bevan did so twice a week, with a gentle sympathising tone and manner that was more beneficial than Lady Price's occasional endeavours to make her 'rouse herself.' Miss Pearson and a few humbler friends now and then looked in, but Mrs. Underwood had been little

. She had a real taste and talent for teaching, and she and her little class were devoted to one another, while the elder girls loved her much better since Alda had been away. The being with them, and sharing their recreation in the middle of the day, was no doubt the best thi

ased to help Wilmet. The evening hours were the happiest of the day, only they always ended too soon for Cherry, who was ordered up by Sibby as soon as her mother was put to bed, and had, in consequence,

unts-the two young heads anxiously casting the balance-proud and pleased if there were even a shilling below the mark, but serious and sad under such a communication as, 'There's mutton gone up another

hair for Cherry? She will certainly get ill,

, it is wanted towards shoes for Bernard; and Cherry begs

terrible oppression on her spirits. Her father was right. His room had been a hot-bed to a naturally sensitive and precocious ch

scarcely ever at home, hardly knew what wa

tly tell what to do with a girl not fourteen, who

y-that is not

, and melted away behind the handkerch

hat I don't want

careless,' and ther

ot have put the negative sign to that eq

hing. Only

on at this rate, Cherry. Really, we must not h

and the weeping became so piteously violent, that

d help it, if I could-indeed I would.' An

her mother's room on these occasions, for the sight of tears distressed and excited Mrs. Underwood; and the poor child, quite unable, in her hysterical condition, to drag herself alone up that steep stair, had

she had been reluctant to exert herself when wanted. She had scolded fretfully-or snatched things away angrily, when the little ones were troublesome; and every offence of this

ught and studied-tried comfort, and fancied it relaxed her-tried rebuke, and that made it worse; tried the showing her Fran?ois de Sales' admirable counsel to

by the train, to lay the c

when a child never do

romptly answered, 'Give her a glass of port wine

I

are my orders

reproaching her with a ghoul

she

eal of midnight meditation

th her; the tears are not temper, or anything else! Poor Charlie! it is an odd

xcuse for taking her out for a drive now and then; I don't know how to speak

orst. Either they will get their heads above wate

was not a debt; and there was seven-pence over, with which Felix wanted to give Cherry a drive;

n't blame her. How does s

and pets her; though, indeed, she hardly ever breaks down when he is there; but even his Sun

choir and teaching a

is not Mowbray

colleague what

advice before he went away, and it has all been set down to Felix's account! One Sunday, Smith made a complaint of Felix having the biggest boys in the school. It was the consequence of his having taken them whenever his father could not, till it came to his having them entirely. He always took great pains with them, and there was a fellow-feeling between him and them that could

y thankful that he touc

or he had worked the lads well, and we both knew that there would be an end of them. Moreover, Felix has some of the true Briton about him, and he stood out-would give up the class if the Rector ordered him, but wo

the boys

uence, that we should be glad of him if he could not sing a note, and he clings to it with all his heart. I believe music is about the only pleasure

ster Constance suddenly knocked at Mr. Audley's door. She had been talking the matter over with the Superior; and the result was, that she had set off on a mission to see for herself, and if she thought it expedient, to bring Gera

the visitor came in, Sister Constance saw at once that the child's health had deteriorated in these last months. She sat down, and with Angela on her lap, questioned anxiously. Cherry had no complaints-she always was like this in t

e, remembering her horror of the Bexley medical atten

and it only aches a little more now. And if they did find it out, then they woul

tell of the good accounts of Robina from Catsacre, and Clement from Whittingtonia; but when presently Wilmet was so far free as to c

oking ill? She always is poo

ar of her appetite, or h

iful, you know. Please, please

of things d

wanting things. You know we must be

to strike the balance; but somehow your voice sounds to me

stily, 'I am sure Geraldine has everything we can g

d fear is only of being a burden on you. What brought

ilent, a lit

hat her ankle i

erry fancies all sorts of things. She does get into whiny states, and is regularly

experience and sympathy to judge of a thing with a frame like Cherry's. Now, I will tell you what I want to do. I am come to take her back with me

, but how could we do without her? Mamma and the c

hat, Wilmet, and it will do

ilda could have had her way, and taken her instead of Alda, it would hav

, had much rather these operations had been performed before he was called to the consultation in the nursery; but he agreed ins

spring; but I thought she would mend when we could get her out mo

' cried Wilm

comes to any one in our house, and who is such a fatherly old gentleman, that

member my father liked him, but called it waste for himself, only longed fo

she before the holi

u take Angel to school with you? Oh, yes, Miss Pearson will let you. Then Mr.

ls go out walking,' said Wilmet. 'If it is to

trive as she did, and carry out her rule; but Sister Constance feared that a little dryness might be growing on her in consequenc

faces, Wilmet, having made up her practical mind that the going was necessary, only made light of that value at home which was

that Mamma would say she should not go; but Mamma always submitted to the decrees of authority, and Wilmet and Felix were her authorities now. Sister Constance felt no misgiving lest Wilmet were hardening, when she heard the

t Wilmet observed to Geraldine, 'Now, don't you go

the omnibus with Cherry, who was too miserable and bewildered to cry now; not that she was afraid of either the Sister or the Sisterhood,

ne day on the shore; she had sat in the pleasant community-room with the kind Sisters, who talked to her as a woman, not a baby; she had plenty of books; one of the Sisters had given her daily drawing lessons, and another had read Tasso with her; she had been to the lovely oratory constantly, and to the beautiful church on Sunday, and had helped to make

dy coming, or that Bernard was cutting off the heads of the twins with the blunt scissors. And when Dr. Lee's course of treatment was over, and Felix had a holiday to come and fetch her home, it is not easy to say which was happiest. For she was so glad to be at home amid the dear faces, troubling and troublous as they often were, and so comfortable in the old wheel-ruts of car

'the world would rather miss its

lmet says rotates, just about as much as I am going to