Dorothy at Oak Knowe Read online

  CHAPTER II

  UNFORTUNATE BEGINNINGS

  Even the most cultured Lady Principals do not enjoy being roused fromtheir slumbers, an hour after midnight, by the tooting of a motor carbeneath their bedroom windows. It was annoying to have to dress againand descend to a dimly-lighted reception room to receive a new pupilwho had missed a train, on the route, and misdirected her telegram.Nor was there anything prepossessing about this especial girl, whoseclothes steamed with moisture and whose travel-soiled cheeks werestreaked by raindrops and tears. So it was small wonder that Dorothy'sreception by Miss Muriel Tross-Kingdon was decidedly cool and crisp.

  "This is really unprecedented, Miss Calvert. I cannot understand howany young lady, whose friends consider her intelligent enough totravel alone, could have made such stupid blunders, as you have. Atthe point where you knew you were to change trains, why did you notkeep watch and inquire for direction?"

  "Well, you see there was a military parade and the soldiers looked soqueer in their red uniforms and their funny little caps on the sidesof their heads that--that--that I forgot. I mean the timetable toldthe right hour, course, but the first train was behind and so--andso--"

  It was a very lame excuse and Dolly knew it. But it was the truth andas such she gave it.

  Miss Tross-Kingdon made no reply. Inwardly she was commenting uponDorothy's pronunciation of certain words, which was wholly at faultaccording to English custom, and realizing that here was the firstfault to be corrected in her new pupil.

  Dorothy's heart sank. Uncle Seth's last advice to her had been:

  "Whenever you feel blue, just wave your flag of high courage and marchahead. Don't stop to think! March, march, march--toward the bettertime that will surely come."

  But that high-courage flag hung limply now and she felt she couldnever again wave it at all. But, fortunately, the Lady Principal nowrose to terminate the interview. Touching an electric bell for themaid on night duty, she said:

  "It is very late and you are tired. Dawkins will show you to yourcubicle and assist you in undressing. You may omit your bath,to-night, and are allowed an extra hour of sleep in the morning. Whereare your suit case and hand bag?"

  Dorothy rose, as the lady did, but a fresh feeling of guilt made hereyes fall as she murmured:

  "I--don't--know."

  "Don't know!" echoed the Lady Principal, in amazement. Then directingDawkins to supply what was needed, she returned to her interruptedrepose, while Dorothy wearily followed the stern-faced maid; beingcautioned, meanwhile:

  "Do not dare to make a noise and arouse the young ladies."

  Yet arrived at the cubicle, or small division of the great dormitorywhich had been assigned her, Dorothy realized that Dawkins was kinderthan she looked. For presently she was being undressed, her face andhands sponged with cool water, and herself reclothed with the freshestof gowns. Then she was bodily lifted into the dainty little bed as ifshe were a baby.

  This unexpected gentleness touched her heart and, flinging her armsabout the maid's neck, she sobbed:

  "Oh! do be good to me! I am so desolate!"

  "Whist, child! We must no be wakin' the troublesome girls around. Andsure the lonesomeness'll pass, like the dew afore sun, once you get agood sleep and meet up with your mates. Good night, child, and sleepwell."

  Then, since there was nobody to witness her unusual demonstration,maid Dawkins stooped and kissed the tired eyes of her new charge, andwent quietly away.

  But there had been one observer of this caress. Peeping from her owncompartment stood a girl whose keen eyes had noticed everything, andwho felt she could scarcely wait until morning to spread the news.Creeping back to her own bed, she lay long awake, thinking the matterover. For this schoolgirl, who rejoiced in the title of the HonorableGwendolyn Borst-Kennard, had a deal of curiosity that was whollyroused now.

  "Never saw old Dawkins kiss anybody. Dawkins, of all creatures! Neverknew a new girl come at this time of night--and she certainly was new.And she hadn't any clothes, I know, because that was one of the schoolhampers Dawkins had. Must be somebody very poor. I wonder who!Maybe--for goodness sake! Maybe she's some relation to old Dawk! Elsewhy should she kiss her? Humph! I thought this was a school for youngladies, not for the poor relations of servants. There's one thingcertain, mamma will never allow me to remain where there are paupers.Never in this world. Neither would Lord Christopher let Marjorie. No,indeed. So will Miss Tross-Kingdon find out. Why! one charity pupil atOak Knowe would ruin it! Anyhow, I mean to hurry round in the morningand warn all my set against noticing the beggar and what our set doessurely goes. Mamma gets odd notions about things, sometimes, likesaying I must sleep in this old dormitory instead of having a privateroom, and that I have silly feelings about rank. Wanted the LadyPrincipal to make me more democratic: but even she couldn't wish me tosleep among paupers. Heigho! I wish it was morning! But I'll take anap now and that will pass the time."

  Exhausted by the long journey she had taken, and by the startlingevents of the night, unconscious Dorothy slept calmly on, littledreaming of Gwendolyn's fancies about her; nor did she wake till longafter all her dormitory mates had dressed and gone below to breakfast.When she did arouse it was to wonder about this strange place in whichshe found herself and at an elfish-looking child perched on the footof her little bed, staring at her with wide eyes and keen impatience,and who greeted her first movement with the exclamation:

  "Well, old sleepy-head, I thought you never would wake up! Who areyou, anyway, and what makes you stay in cubicle so long afterbreakfast? Won't you catch a lecture, though! I wouldn't be in yourshoes for a sovereign!"

  "Don't believe you could be in them. You're so small they'd fall off,"answered Dorothy laughing.

  "No, they wouldn't. I'd tie them on. If I wanted to. Who are you?When'd you come? How dare you stay in bed so?"

  Dolly laughed again. She had fallen asleep convinced that she couldnever laugh again, so tired and homesick had she been. But now,refreshed by rest and with the sunlight streaming through the windows,the world seemed a very different place. Besides, there was somethingso winning about this inquisitive little maid, that the stranger'sheart was comforted that she had found a friend already.

  "Well, dearie, I suppose I dare because Miss Tross-Kingdon--"

  "Did she say you could? Isn't that odd! She's my aunt. I haven't anyfolks 'cept her, I'm a norphan. I'm Millikins-Pillikins, my brotherHugh calls me; and the girls, too. But I'm not, really. I'm GraceAdelaide Victoria Tross-Kingdon. That's my truly name. Nobody couldcall me all that, could they? Wouldn't be time. Auntie Princie callsme just plain 'darling' or 'dear.' I'm a Minim. I don't have to dolessons and things. I'm in the 'kindy.' Auntie Princie doesn't approveof a kindergarten in this School for Young Ladies; but it's asperiment the Board of Directioners wanted to try. Them's thegentlemen auntie has to mind. Fancy! My great big grown-up AuntiePrin having to mind them, same's I have to mind her! My Lord Bishop,he's the head Directioner, but he's the jolliest! I just love him! Heknew my papa and mamma before they got drowned in the sea. My brotherHugh lives with the Bishop and writes things for him. They call him aseckeratary. He gets money for doing it. Think of that! Sometimes hegives me pennies and even six-pences. Sometimes--not often. You see hewants to earn enough to buy a cottage for him and me. I'm to be thelady of it--the mistress! Fancy! But Auntie Princie says I have lotsto learn before then. I will have to make his bread, 'cause he won'thave money enough to keep me and a cook, too. I'll have to have ahousemaid to help me, but you know housemaids never do the cooking.But say, girl, you haven't told me your name yet?"

  Dorothy sat up in bed and drew the child toward her:

  "My dear, you haven't given me a chance yet, you've been so busytelling me who you are. But I've enjoyed it and I thank you for comingto wake me up. Now I must get up and dress. Maybe you will show me tothe bathroom, though I don't like to go about in this way."

  "That's a school nightie you've got on. Where's your bath robe?"

 
"In my trunk."

  "Where's your trunk?"

  "I suppose it's at John Gilpin's house. That is, if he didn't throw itout of the cart with the empty barrels."

  "Why did he throw out the barrels?"

  "To make a place for Robin to lie on."

  "What Robin?"

  "The messenger boy who was hurt. He was bringing my telegram and hefainted and fell and the motor car--but I mustn't stop now to talk. Imust get dressed."

  "Couldn't you talk without stopping? I could."

  "I believe you, child. Will you show me?"

  "Of course--if you'll tell the rest. Wait. If you want a robe I'll getGwendolyn's. It's right yonder."

  So it happened that the first act of the supposed charity pupil was toborrow a garment of the very girl who had so misjudged her, and whoentered the dormitory just as Dorothy was leaving it for the lavatory.

  Curiosity had sent Gwendolyn and Laura Griswold, her chum and"shadow," back to this apartment at this unusual hour, but at sight ofDorothy disappearing toward the bath wearing Gwendolyn's robe, itsowner forgot her curiosity in indignation. Stopping short, midway thegreat room, she clasped her hands in a tragic manner and demanded ofLaura:

  "Did you ever in your life see anything so cool as that? The impudentgirl! How dare she? I wonder what else she's taken! And thatmischievous little Pill with her. That child's the nuisance of thisschool. Even if she is Lady Principal's niece, she shouldn't be giventhe liberty she has. But I'll report."

  "Yes, indeed, I'd report!" echoed Laura. "First, have to sleep in theschool things; then help herself to yours. It's simply outrageous. Whynot go right away? It's recess and Miss Tross-Kingdon has no class."

  "She has worse. The Bishop's in the reception-room, and Dr. Winston,too. They were all talking very fast and I wanted to stop and listen.But I didn't quite dare, for she was facing the door and might see me.But I did hear the Bishop say that if she was a Calvert she couldhardly fail to be all right. She came of good stock--none better. Iwondered who he meant; but Lady Principal saw me looking in and askedme if 'I wished anything?' Hateful woman! She has the mostdisagreeable manners!"

  "Never mind. Anyway, let's go tell her!" advised Laura, and the pairdeparted.

  However, the electric bell rang just then, announcing that recess wasover and the telling had to be postponed to a better season. A fewmoments later a maid came to say that as soon as Dorothy was ready theLady Principal would receive her in the west parlor. But she mightstop in the breakfast-room on the way, where a dish of cereal and abowl of hot milk was awaiting her. The maid added to the "LittlePill":

  "As for you, Miss Grace, the Minims are ready for their calisthenicsand your teacher wants you."

  "But I don't want her. I want to go with Dolly."

  "You're too big a girl for dolls, Miss Grace, and quite big enough toobey orders."

  Grace's sharp little face darkened and she made a mocking grimace tothe maid, retorting:

  "You don't know anything, Dora Bond! You don't know that the Dolly Iplay with is this new girl. I shall go with her. I hate themexercises. They make my back ache. I'm excused to-day, anyhow. I heardAuntie Princie tell a lady how I wasn't a bit strong and that she hadto indulge me a lot. I shall do as I please. I shall go where I like.I shall, so, old Bondy! So there!"

  Dorothy was surprised by the unpleasant expression which hadsettled on the little girl's face, but said nothing. FollowingBond's direction, she hurried through a long hall to a sunshinybreakfast-room and the simple meal prepared for her. She hastilydrank the milk, but had no appetite for the cereal. Her heart was in aflutter of anxiety about the coming interview with Miss Tross-Kingdon.She had at once disliked and feared that lady, on the night before,and felt that her present appearance, in a rain-spotted frock and withher hair so hastily brushed, must only add to the sternness of thisunknown Lady Principal.

  However, the clinging hand of Millikins-Pillikins gave a littlecomfort. She didn't feel quite so lonely and timid with the childbeside her and, as she made her graceful curtsey at the open door, allher fear vanished and she became once more the self-possessed Dorothyof old. For, rising and crossing the room to meet her was heracquaintance of the night, who had brought her to Oak Knowe in his owncar from John Gilpin's cottage.

  With extended hands he grasped hers and, turning to Miss Muriel,remarked:

  "Any time you need a nurse, madam, just call upon this little lady.She was the best helper I had last night. Quick and quiet andintelligent. She must train herself for that vocation when she isolder."

  The color flew to Dorothy's cheeks and she flashed him a gratefulsmile, for the kind words that so soothed her homesick heart.

  The other gentleman in the room did not rise, but held out abeckoning hand and, with another curtsey to Doctor Winston, Dorothyexcused herself to him and obeyed the summons. This other was avenerable man with a queer-shaped cap upon his white head and wearingknee breeches and gaiters, which made the young American remember somepictures of old Continental statesmen.

  "So this is my old friend Betty Calvert's child, is it? Well, well!You're as like her as possible--yet only her great-niece. Ha, hum!Little lady, you carry me straight back to the days of my boyhood,when my parents came from England--strangers to your Baltimore. But wewere not strangers for long. There's a distant blood relation betweenour house and yours and we youngsters found in beautiful Bellevieu asecond home. So you must remember that, since your aunt has done methe honor to send you away up here to this school of mine--of ours, Ishould say--you have come to another home just as I did then. Dearlittle Betty! What a mischief she was! Are you mischievous, too, Iwonder?"

  Then he turned to the Lady Principal, warning her:

  "Look out for this little miss, Miss Tross-Kingdon! She looks as meekas a lamb, just now, but blood will tell and she'll bear watching, Ibelieve."

  The dear old man had drawn Dorothy close to his side and was smilingupon her in a manner to win the heart of any girl and to cure her ofher homesickness--at least for the time being. When he released her,he rose to depart, resuming for a moment the business talk with theLady Principal, which Dorothy's entrance had interrupted. Both she andthe doctor also arose and stood respectfully waiting till the Bishopdisappeared. Then said Dr. Winston:

  "You'll like to hear about your boy patient, I suppose, Miss Calvert.Well, I think he's all right, or will be as soon as his bonesand bruises mend. What I suspect is that the brave lad is abouthalf-starved--or was. He's in danger of being overfed now, since hehas fallen into Dame Gilpin's hands."

  "Half-starved, sir? How dreadful!" cried Dorothy, while MissTross-Kingdon exclaimed: "Can that be possible!"

  "Quite possible, indeed. His mother is a widow and very frail, oldJohn tells me. Her husband was a carpenter who worked in town and wastrying to pay for the little place he'd bought out here in thesuburbs, hoping the open-air life might cure her. She'd gone intochicken and flower culture, thinking she could help in the payment.They were proud of Robin, the 'brightest, merriest, best boy in theGlen,' John claims, and had somehow got a second-hand bicycle for himto ride into school for the 'grand eddication' they wanted he shouldhave. Then the father died and Robin got a position as messenger boy.Every cent he earned he gave his mother and she took in sewing. Theyate just as little as they could and the result has been disastrous. Agrowing boy can't work all day and half the night, sometimes, on adiet of bread and water. So last night he fainted on his trip and felloff his wheel in the middle of the road. Then I came speeding alongtoward home and smashed them both up. But it's an ill wind that blowsnobody good and the lad's accident may turn out his blessing. Dorothyand I and the Dame have mended a collar bone and a couple of ribsand my ambitious young 'Mercury' is laid up for repairs. John'step-and-fetched' the mother, Mrs. Locke, and she, too, will get somerest and nourishment. She's worrying a good deal, but has no need.Plucky little Robin will soon be chirping again, 'fine as silk.'Maybe, after school hours, Miss Tross-Kingdon will permit me to takeDorothy with me in
the car to visit her patient. May I, Madam?"

  The Lady Principal did not look pleased. The Bishop's and the doctor'streatment of the new pupil had really softened her heart toward thegirl, but she was a stickler for "rules" and "discipline," andremembered that this was not the day on which her "young ladies" wereallowed to pay visits.

  "Thank you, Doctor Winston, but I am obliged to decline the invitationfor to-day. She has entered Oak Knowe some time after the opening ofterm and must pass examination, that I may understand for which Formshe is best fitted. Nor have I yet been advised of such houses as herguardians desire her to visit. Commonly, the young ladies of Oak Knowedo not consort with laborers and messenger boys. But I thank you foryour courtesy toward her; and, as that is the bell for my class inGreek, I must beg you to excuse me and I wish you good morning, Dr.Winston. Come, Miss Calvert, I will have your examination begin atonce. Make your obeisance to the doctor."

  Dolly's heart sank. Why should she be made to feel so guilty andinsignificant? Still, as she turned to follow the teacher, sheobediently saluted the physician and, glancing up into his face,saw--was it possible that he winked?

  Though she felt as she were going to be tried for her life, this sightso surprised her, that she giggled hysterically and thus irreverentlyfollowed the haughty instructress out of the room. So doing, she addedone more to the list of misdemeanors that lady had already placedagainst her account.