the daisy chain, or aspirations-第66章

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provocations；　which　rose　before　him　in　renewed　force。　　〃And　what
would　that　little　humming…bird　think　of　me　if　she　knew　me　disgraced？〃
thought　he。　　〃But　it　is　of　no　use　to　think　of　it。　　I　must　go　through
with　it；　and　as　I　always　am　getting　vain…glorious；　I　had　better　have
no　opportunity。　　I　did　not　declare　I　renounced　vain　pomp　and　glory
last　week；　to　begin　coveting　them　now　again。〃

So　Norman　repressed　the　sigh　as　he　looked　at　the　school　buildings；
which　never　could　give　him　the　pleasures　of　memory　they　afforded　to
others。

The　brake　had　set　out　before　the　carriage；　so　that　Meta　had　to　come
in　and　wait　for　her　governess。　　Before　the　vehicle　had　disgorged　half
its　contents；　Harry　had　rushed　out　to　meet　them。　　〃Come　in；　come　in；
Norman！　　Only　hear。　　Margaret　shall　tell　you　herself！　　Hurrah！〃

Is　Mr。　Ernescliffe　come？　crossed　Ethel's　mind；　but　Margaret　was
alone；　flushed；　and　holding　out　her　hands。　　〃Norman！　where　is　he？
Dear　Norman；　here　is　good　news！　　Papa；　Dr。　Hoxton　has　been　here；　and
he　knows　all　about　itand　oh！　Norman；　he　is　very　sorry　for　the
injustice；　and　you　are　dux　again！〃

Norman　really　trembled　so　much　that　he　could　neither　speak　nor　stand；
but　sat　down　on　the　window…seat；　while　a　confusion　of　tongues　asked
more。

Dr。　Hoxton　and　Mr。　Larkins　had　come　to　callheard　no　one　was　at　home
but　Miss　Mayhad；　nevertheless；　come　inand　Margaret　had　heard　that
Mr。　Larkins；　who　had　before　intended　to　remove　his　son　from
Stoneborough；　had；　in　the　course　of　the　holidays；　made　discoveries
from　him；　which　he　could　not　feel　justified　in　concealing　from　Dr。
Hoxton。

The　whole　of　the　transactions　with　Ballhatchet；　and　Norman's　part　in
them；　had　been　explained；　as　well　as　the　true　history　of　the　affray
in　Randall's　Alleyhow　Norman　had　dispersed　the　boys；　how　they　had
again　collected；　and；　with　the　full　concurrence　of　Harvey　Anderson；
renewed　the　mischief；　how　the　Andersons　had　refused　to　bear　witness
in　his　favour；　and　how　Ballhatchet's　ill…will　had　kept　back　the
evidence　which　would　have　cleared　him。

Little　Larkins　had　told　all；　and　his　father　had　no　scruple　in
repeating　it；　and　causing　the　investigation　to　be　set　on　foot。　　Nay；
he　deemed　that　Norman's　influence　had　saved　his　son；　and　came；　as
anxious　to　thank　him；　as　Dr。　Hoxton；　warm…hearted；　though
injudicious；　was　to　repair　his　injustice。　　They　were　much　surprised
and　struck　by　finding　that　Dr。　May　had　been　aware　of　the　truth　the
whole　time；　and　had　patiently　put　up　with　the　injustice；　and　the　loss
of　the　scholarshipa　loss　which　Dr。　Hoxton　would　have　given　anything
to　repair；　so　as　to　have　sent　up　a　scholar　likely　to　do　him　so　much
credit；　but　it　was　now　too　late；　and　he　had　only　been　able　to　tell
Margaret　how　dismayed　he　was　at　finding　out　that　the　boy　to　whom　all
the　good　order　in　his　school　was　owing　had　been　so　ill…used。　　Kind
Dr。　May's　first　feeling　really　seemed　to　be　pity　and　sympathy　for　his
old　friend；　the　head…master；　in　the　shock　of　such　a　discovery。　　Harry
was　vociferously　telling　his　version　of　the　story　to　Ethel　and　Mary。
Tom　stood　transfixed　in　attention。　　Meta；　forgotten　and　bewildered；
was　standing　near　Norman；　whose　colour　rapidly　varied；　and　whose
breath　came　short　and　quick　as　he　listened。　　A　quick　half
interrogation　passed　Meta's　lips；　heard　by　no　one　else。

〃It　is　only　that　it　is　all　right；〃　he　answered；　scarcely　audibly；
〃they　have　found　out　the　truth。〃

〃What？who？you？〃　said　Meta；　as　she　heard　words　that　implied　the
past　suspicion。

〃Yes；〃　said　Norman；　〃I　was　suspected；　but　never　at　home。〃

〃And　is　it　over　now？〃

〃Yes；　yes；〃　he　whispered　huskily；　〃all　is　right；　and　Harry　will　not
leave　me　in　disgrace。〃

Meta　did　not　speak；　but　she　held　out　her　hand　in　hearty
congratulation；　Norman；　scarce　knowing　what　he　did；　grasped　and　wrung
it　so　tight　that　it　was　positive　pain；　as　he　turned　away　his　head　to
the　window　to　struggle　with　those　irrepressible　tears。　　Meta's　colour
flushed　into　her　cheek　as　she　found　it　still　held；　almost
unconsciously；　perhaps；　in　his　agitation；　and　she　heard　Margaret's
words；　that　both　gentlemen　had　said　Norman　had　acted　nobly；　and　that
every　revelation　made　in　the　course　of　their　examination　had　only
more　fully　established　his　admirable　conduct。

〃Oh；　Norman；　Norman；　I　am　so　glad！〃　cried　Mary's　voice　in　the　first
pause；　and；　Margaret　asking　where　he　was；　he　suddenly　turned　round；
recollected　himself；　and　found　it　was　not　the　back　of　the　chair　that
he　had　been　squeezing；　blushed　intensely；　but　made　no　attempt　at
apology；　for　indeed　he　could　not　speakhe　only　leaned　down　over
Margaret；　to　receive　her　heartfelt　embrace；　and；　as　he　stood　up
again；　his　father　laid　his　hand　on　his　shoulder；　〃My　boy；　I　am　glad；〃
but　the　words　were　broken；　and；　as　if　neither　could　bear　more；　Norman
hastily　left　the　room；　Ethel　rushing　after　him。

〃Quite　overcome！〃　said　the　doctor；　〃and　no　wonder。　　He　felt　it
cruelly；　though　he　bore　up　gallantly。　　Well；　July？〃

〃I'll　go　down　to　school　with　him　to…morrow；　and　see　him　dux　again！
I'll　have　three…times…three！〃　shouted　Harry；　〃hip！　hip！　hurrah！〃　and
Tom　and　Mary　joined　in　chorus。

〃What　is　all　this？〃　exclaimed　Flora；　opening　the　dooris　every　one
gone　mad？〃

Many　were　the　voices　that　answered。

〃Well；　I　am　glad；　and　I　hope　the　Andersons　will　make　an　apology。　　But
where　is　poor　Meta？　　Quite　forgotten？〃

〃Meta　would　not　wonder　if　she　knew　all；〃　said　the　doctor；　turning；
with　a　sweet　smile　that　had　in　it　something；　nevertheless；　of
apology。

〃Oh；　I　am　so　gladso　glad！〃　said　Meta；　her　eyes　full　of　tears；　as
she　came　forward。

And　there　was　no　helping　it；　the　first　kiss　between　Margaret　May　and
Margaret　Rivers　was　given　in　that　overflowing　sympathy　of
congratulation。

The　doctor　gave　her　his　arm　to　take　her　to　the　carriage；　and；　on　the
way；　his　quick　warm　words　filled　up　the　sketch　of　Norman's　behaviour；
Meta's　eyes　responded　better　than　her　tongue；　but；　to　her　good…bye；
she　could　not　help　adding；　〃Now　I　have　seen　true　glory。〃

His　answer　was　much　such　a　grip　as　her　poor　little　fingers　had
already　received；　but　though　they　felt　hot　and　crushed　all　the　way
home；　the　sensation　seemed　to　cause　such　throbs　of　joy；　that　she
would　not　have　been　without　it。




CHAPTER　XXVII。



And　full　of　hope；　day　followed　day；
While　that　stout　ship　at　anchor　lay
　　　Beside　the　shores　of　Wight。
The　May　had　then　made　all　things　green；
And　floating　there；　in　pomp　serene；
That　ship　was　goodly　to　be　seen；
　　　His　pride　and　his　delight。

Yet　then　when　called　ashore；　he　sought
The　tender　peace　of　rural　thought；
　　　In　more　than　happy　mood。
To　your　abodes；　bright　daisy　flowers；
He　then　would　steal　at　leisure　hours；
And　loved　you；　glittering　in　your　bowers；
　　　A　starry　multitude。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　WORDSWORTH。


Harry's　last　home　morning　was　brightened　by　going　to　the　school　to
see　full　justice　done　to　Norman；　and　enjoying　the　scene　for　him。　　It
was　indeed　a　painful　ordeal　to　Norman　himself；　who　could；　at　the
moment；　scarcely　feel　pleasure　in　his　restoration；　excepting　for　the
sake　of　his　father；　Harry；　and　his　sisters。　　To　find　the　head…master
making　apologies　to　him　was　positively　painful　and　embarrassing；　and
his　countenance　would　have　been　fitter　for　a　culprit　receiving　a
lecture。　　It　was　pleasanter　when　the　two　other　masters　shook　hands
with　him；　Mr。　Harrison　with　a　free　confession　that　he　had　done　him
injustice；　and　Mr。　Wilmot　with　a　glad　look　of　congratulation；　that
convinced　Harry　he　had　never　believed　Norman　to　blame。

Harry　himself　was　somewhat　of　a　hero；　the　masters　all　spoke　to　him；
bade　him　good　speed；　and　wished　him　a　happy　voyage；　and　all　the　boys
were　eager　to　admire　his　uniform；　and　wish　themselves　already　men　and
officers　like　Mr。　May。　　He　had　his　long…desired　three　cheers　for　〃May
senior！〃　shouted　with　a　thorough　goodwill　by　the　united　lungs　of　the
Whichcote　foundation；　and　a　supplementary　cheer　arose　for　the　good
ship　Alcestis；　while　hands　were　held　out　on　every　side；　and　the　boy
arrived　at　such　a　pitch　of　benevolence　and　good　humour；　as　actually
to　volunteer　a　friendly　shake　of　the　hand　to　Edward　Anderson；　whom　he
encountered　skulking　apart。

〃Never　mind；　Ned；　we　have　often　licked　each　other　before　now；　and
don't　let　us　bear　a　grudge　now　I　am　going　away。　　We　are　Stoneborough
fellows　both；　you　know；　after　all。〃

Edward　did　not　refuse　the　offered　grasp；　and　though　his　words　were
only；　　〃Good…bye；　I　hope　you　will　have　plenty　of　fun！〃　　Harry　went
away　with　a　lighter　heart。

The　rest　of　the　day　Harry　adhered　closely　to　his　father；　though
chiefly　in　silence；　Dr。　May　had　intended　much　advice　and　exhortation
for　his　warm…hearted；　wild…spirited　son；　but　words　would　not　come；
not　even　when　in　the　still　evening　twilight　they　walked　down　alone
together　to　the　cloister；　and　stood　over　the　little　stone　marked
M。　M。　　After　standing　there　for　some　minutes；　Harry　knelt　to　collect
some　of　the　daisies　in　the　grass。

〃Are　those　to　take　with　you？〃

〃Margaret　is　going　to　make　a　cross　of　them　for　my　Prayerbook。〃

〃Ay；　they　will　keep　it　in　your　mindsay　it　all　to　you；　Harry。　　She
may　be　nearer　to　you　everywhere；　though　you　are　far　from　us。　　Don't
put　yourself　from　her。〃

That　was　all　Dr。　May　contrived　to　say　to　his　son；　nor　could　Margaret
do　much　more　than　kiss　him；　while　tears　flowed　one　by　one　over　her
cheeks；　as　she　tried　to　whisper　that　he　must　remember　and　guard
himself；　and　that　he　was　sure　of　being　thought　of；　at　least；　in　every
prayer；　and　then　she　fastened　into　his　book　the　cross；　formed　of
flattened　daisies；　gummed　upon　a　framework　of　paper。　　He　begged　her
to　place　it　at　the　Baptismal　Service；　for　he　said；　〃I　like　that　about
fightingand　I　always　did　like　the　church　being　like　a　shipdon't
you？　　I　only　found　that　prayer　out　the　day　poor　little　Daisy　was
christened。〃

Margaret　had　indeed　a　thrill　of　melancholy　pleasure　in　this　task；
when　she　saw　how　it　was　regarded。　　Oh；　that　her　boy　might　not　lose
these　impressions　amid　the　stormy　waves　he　was　about　to　encounter！

That　last　evening　of　home　good…nights　cost　Harry　many　a　choking　sob
ere　he　could　fall　asleep；　but　the　morning　of　departure　had　more
cheerfulness；　the　pleasure　of　patronising　Jem　Jennings　was　as
consoling　to　his　spirits；　as　was　to　Mary　the　necessity　of　comforting
Toby。

Toby's　tastes　were　in　some　respects　vulgar；　as　he　preferred　the
stable；　and　Will　Adams；　to　all　Mary's　attentions；　but　he　attached
himself　vehemently　to　Dr。　May；　followed　him　everywhere；　and　went　into
raptures　at　the　slightest　notice　from　him。　　The　doctor　said　it　was
all　homage　to　the　master　of　the　house。　　Margaret　held　that　the　dog
was　a　physiognomist。

The　world　was　somewhat　flat　after　the　loss　of　Harrythat　element　of
riot　and　fun；　Aubrey　was　always　playing　at　〃poor　Harry　sailing　away；〃
Mary　looked　staid　and　sober；　and　Norman　was　still　graver；　and　more
devoted　to　books；　while　Ethel　gave　herself　up　more　completely　to　the
thickening　troubles　of　Cocksmoor。

Jealousies　had　arisen　there；　and　these；　with　some　rebukes　for
failures　in　sending　children　to　be　taught；　had　led　to　imputations　on
the　character　of　Mrs。　Green；　in　whose　house　the　school　was　kept。
Ethel　was　at　first　vehement　in　her　defence；　then　when　str