Janet's Love and Service Part 32

Sometimes they went in the early boats to the other side of the river, a pleasure to be scorned by none on lovely summer mornings; and they would return home with appet.i.tes ready to do honour to the efforts of Nelly and Miss Beecher. Sometimes when a holiday came, it was spent by the whole family, Nelly and all, at Lachine or the Back River, or on the top of the mountain. All this may seem stupid enough to them who are in the habit of searching long, and going far for pleasure, but with the help of books and pencils, and lively conversation, the Elliotts were able to find a great deal of enjoyment at such holiday times.

They had pleasures of another kind, too. Arthur's temporary connection with one of the city newspapers, placed at their disposal magazines, and a new book now and then, as well as tickets for lectures and concerts, and there was seldom a treat of the kind but was highly enjoyed by one or other of them.

They had not many acquaintances at this time. In Janet's estimation, the averseness of Graeme to bring herself in contact with strangers, had been a serious defect in her character. It was easier to avoid this in the town than it used to be in the country, Graeme found. Besides, she had no longer the sense of parish responsibilities as a minister's daughter, and was inclined for quietness. Once or twice she made a great effort, and went with an acquaintance to the "sewing meetings" of the ladies of the church which they attended; but it cost her a great deal of self-denial to very little purpose, it seemed to her, and so she compromised the matter with her conscience, by working for, and being very kind indeed, to a family of little motherless girls, who lived in a lane near their house, and stayed at home. She was by no means sure that she did right. For everybody knows, or ought to know, how praiseworthy is the self-denial which is willing to give up an afternoon every week, or every second week, to the making of pincus.h.i.+ons, and the netting of tidies, which are afterwards to appear in the form of curtains or pulpit covers, or organs, or perhaps in the form of garments for those who have none. But then, though the "sewing-circle" is the generally approved and orthodox outlet for the benevolent feelings and efforts of those dear ladies who _love to do good_, but who are apt to be bored by motherless little girls, and other poor people, who live in garrets, and out of the way places, difficult of access, it is just possible that direct efforts in their behalf may be accepted too. One thing is certain, though Graeme did not find it easy for a while to satisfy herself, as to the "moral quality" of the motive which kept her at home, the little Finlays were all the happier and better for the time she conscientiously bestowed on them and their affairs.

They made some acquaintances that summer, and very pleasant ones, too.

Arthur used sometimes to bring home to their six o'clock dinner, a friend or two of his clients from the country, or a young lawyer, or lawyer's clerk, to whom the remembrance of his own first lonely days in the city made him wish to show kindness. There were two or three gay French lads of the latter cla.s.s who, strange to say, had taken a great liking to the grave and steady Arthur, and who often came to pa.s.s an evening at his pleasant fireside. Graeme was shy of them for a while, not being clear as to the principles and practice of the French as a people, and as for Rose, the very sight of these polite moustached gentlemen suggested historical names and events, which it was not at all comfortable to think about. But those light-hearted Canadian lads soon proved themselves to be as worthy of esteem as though English had been their mother tongue. Very agreeable visitors they were, with their nice gentlemanly manners, their good humour, and their music; and far better subjects for the exercise of Rosie's French than the old market women were, and in a little while they never came but they were kindly welcomed.

This was a busy time, too. Graeme taught Rosie English, and they studied together French and German, and music; and were in a fair way, Harry declared, of becoming a pair of very learned ladies indeed. Very busy and happy ladies they were, which was a matter of greater importance. And if sometimes it came into Graeme's mind that the life they were living was too pleasant to last, the thought did not make her unhappy, but humble and watchful, lest that which was pleasant in their lot should make them forgetful of life's true end.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

"It is just three years to-night since we came to M. Did you remember it, Arthur?" said Graeme, looking up from her work.

"Is it possible that it can be three years?" said Arthur, in surprise.

"It has been a very happy time," said Graeme.

Rose left her book, and came and seated herself on the arm of her brother's chair. Arthur took the cigar from his lips, and gently puffed the smoke into his sister's face. Rose did not heed it.

"Three years!" repeated she. "I was quite a child then."

The others laughed, but Rose went on without heeding.

"It rained that night, and then we had a great many hot, dusty days.

How well I remember the time! Graeme was ill and homesick, and we wished so much for Janet."

"That was only at first, till you proved yourself such a wonderful nurse and housekeeper," said Graeme; "and you were not at all homesick yourself, I suppose?"

"Perhaps just a little at first, in those hot, dreary days," said Rose, gravely; "but I was not homesick very long."

"I am afraid there were a good many dreary days about that time--more than you let me know about," said Arthur.

Graeme smiled and shook her head.

"I am afraid you had a good many anxious days about that time. If I had known how hard you would have to work, I think I would have stayed in Merleville after all."

"Pooh! Nonsense! Hard work is wholesome. And at the very worst time, what with one thing and another, we had a larger income than my father had in Merleville."

"But that was quite different--"

"Did I tell you that I have got a new client? I have done business for Mr Stone before, but to-day it was intimated to me, that henceforth I am to be the legal adviser of the prosperous firm of 'Grove & Stone.'

It will add something to our income, little woman."

Rose clapped her hands, and stooping down, whispered something in her brother's ear.

"Don't be planning any extravagance, you two, on the strength of 'Grove & Stone.' You know any superfluous wealth we may have, is already appropriated," said Graeme.

"To the Merleville visit. But this is not at all an extravagance, is it, Arthur?" said Rose.

"That depends--. I am afraid Graeme is the best judge. But we won't tell her to-night. We must break the matter to her gently," said Arthur.

"Graeme is so dreadfully prudent," sighed Rose.

Graeme laughed.

"It is well there is one prudent one among us."

"I don't believe she would at all approve of your smoking another cigar, for instance. They are nicer than usual, are they not?" said Rose, inhaling the fragrance from her brother's case.

"Yes. I treated myself to a few of the very best, on the strength of Grove & Stone. They are very nice. Have one?"

Rose took it with great gravity.

"Suppose we take a little walk first, and smoke afterwards," said she, coaxingly.

Arthur made a grimace.

"And where will you beguile me to, when you get me fairly out?"

"There is no telling, indeed," said Rose. "Graeme, I am going to put on my new hat. When Mr Elliott honours us with his company, we must look our very best, you know."

"But, Arthur, you have an engagement to-night. Don't you remember?"

asked Graeme.

"To Mrs Barnes'," said Rose. "Miss Cressly brought home my dress to-day, and she told me all about it. Her sister is nurse there. The party is to be quite a splendid affair. It is given in honour of Miss Grove, who has just come home. I wish I were going with you."

"You may go without me! I will give you my invitation. It is a great bore, and I don't believe I shall go. I don't see the good of it."

"But you promised," said Graeme.

"Well, I suppose I must go for a while. But it is very stupid."

"Just as if you could make us believe that. It must be delightful. I think it's very stupid of you and Graeme, not to like parties."

"You forget. I was not asked," said Graeme.

"But you might have been, if you had returned Mrs Barnes' call soon enough. How nice it would have been! I wish I were Miss Grove, to have a party given for me. She is a beauty, they say. You must notice her dress, Arthur, and tell me all about it."

"Oh! certainly," said Arthur, gravely. "I'll take particular notice.

But come, get your hats. There is time enough for a walk before I go.

Haste, Rosie, before the finest of the evening is past. Are you coming, Will? Man! you shouldna read by that light. You will blind yourself.

Put away your book, you'll be all the better for a walk."

They lingered a moment at the gate.