Volume I Part 3 (2/2)
she said, half aloud, ”I will go and tell her so.” But on turning round there stood Nurse Hopkins.
”It's a lovely place, miss, isn't it? such a many trees; you were looking at it from the window, wern't you, miss? And then all those fields do look so green and beautiful; and the lake, too; I declare it looks every bit like silver s.h.i.+ning among the trees.”
”It is indeed lovely; but, Nurse, I was not thinking of that when you came.”
”No, miss? Still it does not do to sit mopy like, it makes one dull. Now I've lived here many a year, and yet, when I think of my old home, I do get stupid like.”
”Where is your home Nurse?”
”I've no home but this Miss, now.”
”No home? But you said you had a home once.”
”Yes Miss, so I had, but it's pa.s.sed away long ago--some one else has it now; such a pleasant cottage as it was, with its sanded floor and neat garden; my husband always spent every spare hour in planting and laying it out, and all to please me. I was so fond of flowers. Ah! me,” sighed she, ”many's the time they've sent from the Park here to beg a nosegay--at least, John, the gardener has--when company was coming.”
”Your cottage was near here, then?”
”Yes Miss, just down the lane; why you can see the top of it from here, right between those two tall trees yonder.”
”Yes. I can just catch a far off glimpse of it.”
”You've pa.s.sed it often too, Miss. It's the farm as belongs to Farmer Rackland.”
”I know it well. But why did you give it up?”
”My husband, or old man, as I used joke like to call him, died,” and Nurse's voice trembled, ”he was young and hearty looking too when he was took away; what a happy woman I was Miss, before that! and so proud of him and my children.”
”How many children have you?”
”I had three Miss; two girls and a boy. I seem to see them now playing about on the cottage floor; but others play there now just every bit as happy, and I've lost them all. I'm all alone,” and Nurse wiped her eyes with the corner of her white ap.r.o.n.
”Not all alone Nurse,” said Amy, compa.s.sionately.
”True Miss; not all alone; I was wrong. Well, I sometimes wish those days would come again, but there, we never knows what's best for us. I'm getting an old woman now and no one left to care for me. But I wasn't going to tell you all about myself and my troubles when I began; but somehow or other it came out, and I shall like you--if I may be so bold to say so--all the better for knowing all about me; but I want, begging your pardon, Miss, to give you a piece of advice, if so be as you won't be too proud to take it from me; you see I know as well as you can tell me, that you and the Madam have fallen out; and if it's about Miss Alice, which I suppose it is, why don't be too strong handed over her at first; she will never abide by it, but'll scream till her Mamma hears her, and then Madam can't stand it no how; but'll be sure to pet her more than ever to quiet her.”
”But Nurse, I do not mean to be strong-handed with Miss Alice, that is, if you mean severe; but she is at times naughty and must be punished.”
”Well Miss, we should most of us be sorry to lose you: you are so quiet like, and never interferes with n.o.body, and they do all downstairs agree with me, that it ain't possible to cure Miss Alice altogether at first; you must begin by little and little, and that when Madam isn't by.”
”But that would be wrong, and I cannot consent to punish Miss Alice without Mrs. Linchmore's free and full permission; neither can nor will I take charge of any of the children unless I am allowed to exercise my own judgment as to the course I am to pursue. I am not I hope, harsh or severe towards your late charge; but I must be firm.”
”I see Miss, it's no use talking, and I hope Madam will consent to let you do as you wish; but I fear--I very much fear--” and nurse shook her head wisely as she walked away.
”Well, I've done all I could, Mary,” said she to the under housemaid, as she went below, ”and all to no purpose; there's no persuading Miss Neville, more's the pity; she thinks she's right about Miss Alice, and she'll stick to it. I wish I'd asked her not to go near Madam to-day.
I'm positive sure she was going when I surprised her after pa.s.sing Mrs.
Linchmore in the pa.s.sage. _She_ came from the school-room too, I know, and vexed enough she was, or she'd never have had that hard look on her face. Well, I only hope the Master will be by when they do meet again, or there'll be mischief, mark me if there isn't.”
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