\"I
shallbegladwhenanyofyouarefitforpromotion,\"proceededMabel.
\"Atfirstitwillbebestfortheclassestoremainastheywereduringthelastsession.\"
Sotheorganizationcontinued.Bynoontheschoolwasreadyforwork;lessonshadbeenassignedingrammar,geography,andarithmetic,andthefirstclasshadread.
\"I
thinkwehavedoneagoodmorning\'swork,\"saidMissMabelFrostastheclockstrucktwelve.\"Ibelieveourafternoonsessioncommencesatone.I
shouldliketohaveyouallpunctual.\"
Inleavingtheschoolroomtogotodinner,MabelpassedBenHadley.\"Youhavebeenofgreatservicetome,Ben,\"saidshewithasmile.\"Ireallydon\'tknowhowIshouldhavegotalongwithoutyou.\"
Benblushedwithgratification.Itwaslongsincehehadfeltsoproudandwellpleasedwithhimself.
\"Howdoyoulikeyournewteacher,Ben?\"askedhisfatheratthedinnertable.
\"She\'satrump,father,\"saidBen,warmly.
\"Thenyoulikeher?\"askedtheSquireinsomeastonishment,forheunderstoodperfectlywellBen\'sschoolreputation.Indeed,morethanoneteacherhadcometohimtocomplainofhissonandheir\'smischievousconduct,andhehadhadmisgivingsthatMissFrostwouldhaveoccasiontodothesamething.
\"Yes,Ido,\"saidBen,emphatically.Sheknowshowtotreatafeller.\"
\"Thentherewasnodisturbance?\"
\"Notaspeck.\"
TheSquirewasgreatlysurprised.
\"I
helpedorganizetheschool,\"proceededBenproudly.
\"YOU!\"exclaimedtheSquire,insmallcapitals.
\"Certainly.Whyshouldn\'tI?
\"I
apprehendthatyoumightneedorganizingyourself,\"saidtheSquire,smilingatwhatheconsideredawittyremark.
\"MaybeIdo,sometimes,\"saidBen,\"butIlikeMissFrost,andI
meantohelpher.\"
\"I
didn\'tseemuchinher,\"saidMrs.Hadley,openingherthinlipsdisapprovingly.\"Inmyopinionshedressestoomuchforateacher.\"
\"I
don\'tseewhysheshouldn\'tifshecanaffordit,\"saidBen,whohadconstitutedhimselfMabel\'schampion.
Shecan\'tafforditonherwages,\"retortedhismother,\"I
guessthat\'sherlookout,\"saidBen,hittingthenailonthehead.
\"Ben\'stakenanuncommonfancytotheschoolmistress,\"saidSquireHadley,afterBenhadreturnedtoschool.
\"Itwon\'tlast,\"saidMrs.Hadley,shakingherhead.\"He\'llsoonbeuptohisoldtricksagain,takemywordforit.Idon\'tbelieveshe\'llsuit,either.Anewbroomsweepsclean.Justwaitawhile.\"
\"Ifitdoeslast——ImeanBen\'sfancy——itwillbesurprising,\"
saidtheSquire.\"He\'sbeenathorninthesideofmostoftheteachers.\"
\"Itwon\'tlast,\"saidMrs.Hadleydecidedly,andtheretheconversationdropped.
Chapter4
BenHadley\'sconversionhadindeedbeensudden,and,asinmostsimilarcases,hefoundsomedifficultyinstayingconverted.WhilehispridewasflatteredbytheconfidencereposedinhimbyMissFrost,thereweretimeswhenhisoldmischievouspropensitiesalmostovercamehim.Onthethirdday,asJohnCottonwaspassingBen\'sdesk,thelattersuddenlythrustouthisfootintothepassagewaybetweenthedesks,andJohntumbledoverit,breakinghisslate.
\"What\'sthematter?\"askedMabel,lookingupfromthebookfromwhichshewashearinganotherclass.
\"BenHadleytrippedmeup,\"saidJohn,rubbinghisshins,andlookingruefullyathisbrokenslate.
\"Didyou,Ben?\"askedMabel.
Benwasalreadysorryandashamed,ashewouldnothavebeenunderanyotherteacher.
Withallhisfaultshewasaboyoftruth,andheanswered\"Yes,\"
rathersheepishly.
\"Youshouldbecarefulnottokeepyourfeetintheaisle,\"saidMissFrostquietly.\"Isupposeyou\'llbewillingtobuyJohnanewslate.\"
\"Yes,\"saidBenpromptly,gladtohavethematterendthus.
\"I
needaslatenow,\"grumbledJohn.
\"I\'lllendyoumine,\"saidBenatonce,\"andbuyyouabetteronethanIbroke.\"
Mabelquiteunderstoodthattheaccidentwas\"doneonpurpose.\"ShedidnotwanttohumiliateBen,butrathertokeephimonhisgoodbehavior.Soshewasasfriendlyandconfidentialasever,andBenpreservedhisselfrespect.
Hekepthispromise,andboughtJohnthemostexpensiveslatehecouldfindinthevillagestore.
Mabelverysoonfoundherselfmistressofthesituation.Experiencegoesforagooddeal,butitdoesnotalwaysbringwithitthepowerofmanagingboysandgirls.Mabelseemedtopossessthisinstinctively.Beforetheweekwasout,allwasrunningsmoothlyinherdepartment,alittletothedisappointmentofMissClarissaBassett,whofeltthattheschoolshouldhavebeenhers.
Mabelstillboardedatthehotel.
Shewasquietlyonthelookoutforamoredesirableboardingplace.
Amongherscholarswasalittlegirlofnine,whosecheapdressindicatedpoverty,butwhopossessedanaturalrefinement,whichinherwasmoremarkedthaninanyotherpupil.Mabelinquiredintohercircumstances,andlearnedthatherfatherhadbeenanofficerinthearmy,whohaddiedsoonafterhismarriage.
Allthathelefttohiswidowwasasmallcottage,andapensionoftwentydollarsamonthtowhichhisservicesentitledher.Onthissmallsum,andalittleadditionalearnedbysewing,Mrs.Kentsupportedherfamily,which,besidesRose,includedaboytwoyearsyounger,whowasinMissBassett\'sschool.OneafternoonMabelwalkedhomewithRose,andintroducedherselftoMrs.Kent.Shefoundheradelicateandreallyrefinedwoman,suchassheimaginedRosewouldgrowtobeintime.Everythinginthehousewasinexpensive,butthereweretracesofgoodtasteaboutthelittleestablishment.
\"I
amgladtoseeyou,MissFrost,\"saidMrs.Kent,withquietcordiality.
\"IhaveheardofyoucontinuallyfromRose,whoisyourenthusiasticadmirer.\"
\"RoseandIareexcellentfriends,\"saidMabel,smilingkindlyonthelittlegirl.\"Shenevergivesmeanytrouble.\"
\"I
haveneverheardofanycomplaintsfromanyofherteachers.OnethingthatI
haveheardsurprisesme,MissFrost.YouhavewonderfullychangedBenHadley,whohadbeenthetormentofpreviousteachers.\"
Mabelsmiled.\"IlikeBen,\"shesaid.\"FromthefirstIsawthathehadmanygoodpoints.Hewasmerelymischievous.\"
\"Merely?\"repeatedMrs.Kentsmiling.
\"Mischiefmaygiveagooddealoftrouble,butthespiritthatleadstoitmaybeturnedintoanotherchannel.ThisIthinkIhavedonewithBen.Ifindhimverybrightwhenheexertshisabilities.
\"Youunderstandmanagingboys,Icanseeclearly.YetIhearthatthisisyourfirstschool.\"
\"I
haveneverenteredacountryschooltillIcommencedteachinghere.\"
\"Yoursuccessiswonderful.\"
\"Don\'tcomplimentmeprematurely,Mrs.Kent.Failuremayyetbeinstoreforme.\"
\"I
thinknot.\"
\"AndIhopenot.\"
\"Youarelivingatthehotel,Ibelieve?\"
\"Onlytemporarily.Iamlookingforapleasantboardingplace.\"
\"Mrs.Breckmightbewillingtotakeyou.Shehasboardedseveralteachersbefore.\"
MabelhadmetMrs.Breck.Shehadthereputationofbeingagoodhousekeeper,butwithalshewasavirago,andherhusbandalongsufferingvictimofdomestictyranny.Shewasathinlittlewoman,withashrewishface,whowasseldomknowntospeakwellofanybody.
\"I
don\'tthinkIshouldenjoyboardingwithMrs.Breck,\"saidMabel.
\"I\'msureIshouldlikeyourhousemuchbetter.\"
Youdon\'tknowhowplainlywelive,\"saidMrs.Kent.\"Ishouldlikeverymuchtohaveyouhere,butmytabledoesn\'tcomparewithMrs.Breck\'s.\"
\"Letmemakeyouabusinessproposition,Mrs.Kent,\"saidMabel,straightforwardly.\"Idon\'tpretendtobeindifferenttoagoodtable,andIknowthesmallamountusuallypaidforateacher\'sboardwouldnotjustifyyouinchangingyourstyleofliving.Ipropose,ifyouwillbekindenoughtoreceiveme,topayyoutendollarsaweekasmyshareoftheexpenses.\"
\"TendollarsejaculatedMrs.Kentinutteramazement.\"Why,Mrs.
Breckonlychargesthree.\"
\"ButIwouldratherpaythedifferenceandboardwithyou.\"
Excuseme,MissFrost,buthowcanyou?Yoursalaryasteachermustbelessthanthat.\"
IseethatImusttellyouasecret,Mrs.Kent.Idependonyournotmakingitpublic.Iamquiteabletolivewithouttouchingapennyofmysalary.\"
\"I
amgladofthat,\"saidMrs.Kent,\"butitseemssoextortionate,myacceptingtendollarsaweek!\"
\"Thendon\'tletanyoneknowhowmuchIpayyou.Itwillimperilmysecretifyoudo.AmItoconsidermyselfaccepted?\"
\"I
shallbeverygladofyourcompany,MissFrost,andIknowRosewillbedelighted.\"
\"Willyoucomehere,reallyandtruly,MissFrost?\"askedRoseeagerly.
\"Sinceyourmotheriswilling,Rose.\"
Roseclappedherhandsindelight,andshowedclearlyhowacceptablethearrangementwastoher.
Mabel\'schoiceofaboardingplaceexcitedgeneralsurpriseinGranville.\"Iwishtheschoolteacherjoyofherboardingplace,\"saidMrs.Breck,tossingherhead.\"Why,WidderKenthasmeatonlyonceortwiceaweek;andonce,whenIcalledaboutsuppertime,Inoticedwhatshehadonthetable.Therewasn\'tnothingbutcoldbreadandbutter,alittleapplesauce,andtea.It\'llbesomethingofachangefromthehotel.\"
\"Shelivesbetternow,\"saidMrs.Cotton.ThiswasseveraldaysafterMabelhadbecomeaninmateofMrs.Kent\'shouse.\"Icalledyesterdayonpurposetoseewhatshehadforsupper,andwhatdoyouthink?Shehadcoldmeat,eggs,preserves,warmbread,andtwokindsofpies\"{sic}
\"ThenallIcansayis,thatthewomanwillberuinedbeforethesummer\'sout,\"
saidMrs.Breck,solemnly.\"Whattheschoolteacherpaysherwon\'tbegintopayforkeepin\'suchatableasthat.It\'smore\'nIprovide,myself,andI
don\'tthinkmytableisbeatbymanyinGranville.Mrs.Kent\'safooltopamperacommonschoolteacherinanysuchway.\"
\"You\'reright,Mrs.Breck;but,poorwoman,Isupposeshehasto.ThatMissFrostprobablyforceshertoit.Ideclareit\'sveryinconsiderate,forshemustknowthewidow\'scircumstances.\"
\"It\'smorethaninconsiderate——it\'ssinful,\"saidMrs.Breck,solemnly.
\"Mrs.Kentcan\'tbeveryprudenttogotosuchexpense,\"saidtheotherpartytothisimportantdiscussion.
\"MissFrostflattersRose,andgetsaroundthemotherinthatway.She\'saveryartfulyoungwoman,inmyopinion.ThewayshepetsthatHadleyboy,theysay,ispositivelyshameful.\"
\"SoIthink.ShewantstokeepontherightsideoftheSchoolCommittee,soastogettheschoolanotherterm.\"
\"Ofcourse.That\'sclearenough,\"chimedinMrs.Breck.\"I
shouldliketoknow,formypart,alittlemoreaboutthegirl.Nobodyseemstoknowwhosheisorwhereshecamefrom.\"
\"SquireHadleyengagedheronMaryBridgman\'srecommendation,Ihear.\"
Mrs.
Brecksniffed.\"MaryBridgmanmayknowhowtocutdresses,\"sheremarked,\"thoughit\'smyopinionthere\'splentybetter;butit\'sanewthingtoengageteachersondressmakers\'recommendations.Besides,there\'sClarissaBassett,oneofourownfolks,wantedtheschool,andit\'sgiventoastranger.\"
MissBassettboardedwithMrs.Breck,andthismayhavewarpedthegoodlady\'sjudgment.
\"I
don\'tknowasI\'minfavorofClarissa,\"saidMrs.Cotton,\"butthere\'sothers,nodoubt,whowouldbegladtotakeit.\"
\"AsforMissFrost,Idon\'tseehowsheisabletodresssowell.Thatgownshewearstoschoolmusthavecosttwoweeks\'salary,andI\'veseenherwithtwootherdresses.\"
\"Andallnew?\"
\"Yes,theydon\'tlookasiftheyhadhadmuchwear.\"
\"Perhapsshe\'sseenbetterdays,andhassavedthemdressesfromthewreck.\"
\"Butyouforgetthattheylooknew.\"
\"Well,Igiveitup.It\'sclearsheputsallhermoneyonherback.A
prettyexampleforourgirls!\"
Suchwerethecommentsofthemothers.Amongthechildren,ontheotherhand,Mabelgrewmoreandmorepopular.Shesucceededininspiringaninterestinstudysuchashadnotbeenknownbefore.SheofferedtoteachaclassinFrenchandoneinLatin,thoughitentailedextralabor.
\"Sheknowsanawfullot,father,\"saidBenHadley.
\"Shewasmyselection,\"saidtheSquirecomplacently.\"Youpredictedshewouldmakeafailureofit,Mrs.Hadley.Thefactiswehaveneverhadabetterteacher.\"
\"Theschooltermisn\'tclosed,\"saidMrs.Hadleyoracularly.
\"Appearancesaredeceitful.\"
ItisrathersingularthatMabelwasfavorablyregardedbythefathers,whilethemothers,toaman,wereagainsther.Thereissomethingwronginthissentence,butletitstand.
Chapter5
InanoldfashionedhousealittleeastofthevillagelivedtheRev.TheophilusWilson,pastoroftheCongregationalChurchinGranville.Thehousewasconsiderablyoutofrepair,andbadlyneededpainting.ItbelongedtoSquireHadley,ofwhomtheministerhiredit,togetherwithanacreoflandadjoining,forseventyfivedollarsayear.Anexpenditureofoneortwohundreddollarswouldhaveimproveditsappearanceandmadeitalittlemorehabitable,andtheSquire,whowasnotameanman,wouldhaveconsentedtothisoutlaybutforthestrenuousoppositionofhiswife.
\"It\'sgoodenoughfortheminister,\"shesaid.\"Ministersshouldn\'tbetooparticularabouttheirearthlydwellings.Ibelieveinministersbeingunworldly,formypart.\"
\"Thehousedoeslookratherbad,\"saidtheSquire.\"Mrs.Wilsonsaystheroofleaks,too.\"
\"A
fewdropswon\'thurtallthefurnitureshe\'sgot,\"saidMrs.Hadleycontemptuously.
Mrs.
Hadleywasratherinconsistent.Sheregardedtheminister\'spoorfurnitureandhiswife\'sworndresseswithscornfulsuperiority;yet,hadeithercomplained,shewouldhavechargedthemwithworldliness.
\"Onecoatofpaintwon\'tcostmuch,\"saidtheSquire,watchinghiswife\'scountenanceforsignsofapprovalortheopposite.
\"Itwilldonogood,\"saidshepositively.\"Itwon\'tmakethehouseanywarmer,andwillonlyconducetothevanityoftheministerandhiswife.\"
\"I
neverthoughteitherofthemvain,\"expostulatedherhusband.
\"Youonlylooktothesurface,\"saidhiswife,inatoneofcalmsuperiority.\"Igodeeper.Youthink,becauseMrs.Wilsoncan\'taffordtodresswell,thatshehasnovanity.Icanreadherbetter.Ifshehadthemeansshe\'dcutadash,youmaydependuponit.\"
\"There\'sonethingIcan\'tunderstand,Lucretia,\"saidherhusband.
\"Whyarethingsworldlyinthemthatarenotinus?\"
\"I
don\'tknowwhatyoumean.\"
\"Youliketodresswell,andIlikemyhousetolookneat.Whydoesn\'tthatshowaworldlyspiritinus?\"
\"BecauseyouarenotaministernorIaminister\'swife.\"
\"Whatdifferencedoesthatmake?\"
\"Youareverydullthismorning,Mr.Hadley,\"saidhiswifescornfully.
\"PerhapsImaybe,butstillIshouldlikeanexplanation.\"
\"Ministersshouldsettheirheartsonthingsabove.\"
\"Shouldn\'twe?\"
\"Notinthesameway.Theyshouldbehumbleandnotselfseeking.Theyshouldsetagoodexampletotheparish.DoesMr.Wilsonpayhisrentregular?\"sheasked,suddenlychangingthesubject.
\"Tolerable.\"
\"Isn\'theinarrears?
\"I
can\'ttellexactlywithoutlookingatthebooks,\"saidtheSquireevasively.
\"I
understand;youdon\'twanttotellme.Idaresayheisowingyouhalfayear\'srent.\"
Thiswasquitetrue,butSquireHadleyneitherconfirmednordeniedit.HecouldquiteunderstandthatMr.Wilson,withawifeandthreechildren,foundithardtokeepevenwiththeworldonhisscantystipend,andhedidnotfeellikepressinghim.
\"I
thinkitshamefulforaministernottopayhisdebts,\"saidMrs.Hadley,inanacidtone.
\"Supposehecan\'t,mydear.\"
\"Don\'tdearme.Iamoutofpatiencewithyou,\"saidtheladysharply.
\"Why?\"
\"Youneedn\'task.Youencouragetheministerinhisshiftlesscourse.\"
\"SupposeIhadthreechildren,andallourclothingandhouseholdexpenseshadtobepaidoutoffivehundredayear.\"
\"Ifyouwasaministeryououghttodoit.\"
\"A
ministercan\'tmakeadollargoanyfartherthanotherpeople.\"
\"Hecangiveupluxuriesandvanities.\"
\"Ourministerindulgesinveryfewofthose,\"saidtheSquire,shrugginghisshoulders.
\"I
don\'tknowaboutthat.IsawSarahWilsoninthestoretheotherdaybuyingsomegranulatedsugar,whenbrownischeaperandwoulddoequallyaswell.\"
\"I
believeweusegranulatedsugar,Lucretia,\"saidSquireHadley,hiseyestwinkling.
\"You\'renotaminister.\"
\"AndIshouldn\'twanttobeifthesinnersaretogetallthegoodthingsofthislife,andthesaintshavetotakeupwiththepoorest.\"
\"Callyourselfasinnerifyoulike,butdon\'tcallmeone,Mr.
Hadley,\"saidhiswifewithsomeasperity.
\"Ain\'tyouasinner?\"
\"Weareallsinners,ifitcomestothat,butIconsidermyselfasgoodasmostpeople.Howmuchrentdidyousaytheministerwasowingyou?\"
\"I
didn\'tsay,\"saidtheSquireshrewdly.
\"Keepitasecretifyouplease.AllIsayisthatit\'sadutyyouoweyourfamilytocollectwhatishonestlydueyou.IwoulddoitifIwereaman.\"
\"I
thinkyouwould,Lucretia.However,topleaseyou,I\'llattendtoitwithinaweek.\"
\"I
amgladyou\'regettingsensible.Youallowyourgoodnaturetorunawaywithyou.\"
\"I
amgladyouallowmeonegoodquality,Lucretia,\"saidherhusbandwithanattemptathumor.
Mrs.
Hadleydidnotfailtoinquireofherhusband,afewdaysafterward,iftherenthadbeencollected,andheardwithsatisfactionthatithadbeenpaiduptothecurrentmonth.
\"I
toldyouhewouldpayitifyoupressedhim,\"shesaidtriumphantly.
Herhusbandsmiled.Hethoughtitbestnottorelatethecircumstancesunderwhichithadbeenpaid.Hehadcalledattheminister\'sstudythedayaftertheconversationabovedetailed,andafterafewremarksonindifferenttopicssaid:
\"Bytheway,Mr.Wilson,inregardtotherent——\"
\"I
regretbeingsomuchinarrears,SquireHadley,\"saidtheministeruncomfortably;\"butreallyitisaveryperplexingproblemtomakemysalarycoverthenecessaryexpensesofmyfamily.Ihopeinafewweekstobeabletopaysomething.\"
Don\'ttroubleyourself,mydearsir,\"saidtheSquiregenially.\"Youmustfinditdifficult,Iamsure.Ifind,bymybooks,thatyouareowingmesixmonths\'rent.\"
\"I
amafraiditisasmuchasthat,\"saidMr.Wilson,sighing.
\"AndIamgoingtohelpyoutopayit.\"
Theministerlookedathisguestinsurprise.SquireHadleytookouthispocketbook,anddrewthere-fromfourtendollarbills.
\"Mr.Wilson,\"saidhe,\"Imakeyouapresentofthis,andnow,perhaps,youwillbeabletopaymetherentdue——thirtysevendollarsanda,half,Ithinktheexactamountis.\"
\"Mygoodfriend,\"saidtheminister,almostovercome,\"howcanI
thankyouforthisgenerosity?\"
\"Bypayingmemyrent,\"saidtheSquiresmiling.\"Iamveryparticulartohavethatpaidpromptly.IfyouwillfurnishmewithwritingmaterialsIwillwriteyouareceipt.Now,Mr.Wilson,\"headded,asherosetogo,\"Iamgoingtoaskyouafavor.\"
\"Onlymentionit,myfriend.\"
\"Letthislittletransactionbeasecretbetweenus.\"
Itishardtopromisethat;Ishouldliketospeaktoothersofyourgoodness.IfI
saynothingaboutit,itwillseemungrateful.\"
\"Ifyoudomentionit,youwillgetmeintohotwater.\"
\"Howisthat?\"inquiredtheminister,insomeperplexity.
\"Thefactismywifeisveryfrugal,andjustaleetlestingy.Shecan\'thelpit,youunderstand.Herfatherwasprettyclosefisted.Shewouldn\'tapproveofmygivingawaysomuchmoney,andmightremonstrate.\"
\"Yes,Iunderstand,\"saidtheminister,whoknew,asallthevillagedid,thatMrs.Hadleywasquiteasclosefistedasherlamentedfather.
\"Sowehadbettersaynothingaboutit.\"
\"I
cantellmywife?\"
\"Yes,youmaytellher,foritmayrelieveherfromanxiety.Ofcourseshewon\'tmentionit.\"
\"Youareafirmfriend,SquireHadley,\"saidMr.Wilson,graspingthehandofhisparishionercordially.\"Youareoneofthosewhodogoodbystealth,andblushtofinditfame.\"
\"No,Iain\'t,\"saidSquireHadleybluntly;\"IshouldbeperfectlywillingtohaveallmygooddeedsknownifitwasnotforMrs.
Hadley.Andthatremindsme,Iwouldwillinglypaintthehouseforyouifshedidnotobject.\"
\"Thatisnotofsomuchconsequence;buttheroofdoesleakbadly,andtroublesmywifeagooddeal.\"
Thatoughttobefixed,\"saidtheSquire.\"HowshallImanageit?\"
Hereflectedamoment,andhisfacebrightenedwithanewidea.