Dorothy at Oak Knowe

by Evelyn Raymond

  CHAPTER V

  THE FRIGHT OF MILLIKINS-PILLIKINS

  For another moment there was utter silence in the cottage. Even theDame's calmness forsook her, the absurd performance of her bald-headedhusband making her ashamed of him. She had seen the Lady Principalpassing along the road beyond the lane but had never met her soclosely, and she felt that the mistress of Oak Knowe was high abovecommon mortals.

  However, as the flush died out of Miss Tross-Kingdon's face Mrs.Gilpin's ordinary manner returned and she advanced in welcome.

  "You do us proud, madam, by this call. Pray come in and be seated."

  "Yes, yes, do!" cried John, interrupting. "I'll just step-an'-fetchthe arm-chair out o' Robin's room. 'Twas carried there for his motherto rest in. She--"

  The mortified old fellow was vainly trying to put back the smock hehad so recklessly discarded and without which he never felt fullydressed. He hated a coat and wore one only on Sundays, at church. Buthis frantic efforts to don this garment but added to his owndiscomfiture, for he slipped it on backwards, the buttons behind,grimacing fiercely at his failure to fasten them.

  One glance toward him set all the young folks laughing, he looked socomical, and even the dignified caller was forced to smile.

  "Don't see what's so terrible funny as to send ye all into atee-hee's-nest! but if so be _you_ do, why giggle away and get shut ofit!" testily cried the poor old man. To have been caught "making afool of himself" was a "bitter pill" for him to swallow; having alwaysprided himself upon his correct deportment.

  It was, as usual, the portly Dame who came to his relief, reminding:

  "There, husband, that will do."

  Then she quietly drew the smock over his head and slipped it back inproper guise. With this upon him his composure returned, and heapologized to Miss Tross-Kingdon as any gentleman might have done.

  "Sorry to have kep' you standing so long, lady, but I'llstep-an'-fetch--"

  However he was spared that necessity. Dorothy had heard andunderstood that the best chair in the house must be placed at thecaller's service and had as promptly brought it. For a moment MissTross-Kingdon still stood as if she would decline, till, seeingthe disappointment on her host's face, she accepted it with:

  "Thank you. My errand could easily have been done without so troublingyou. I came to see if you have any more of that variety of apples thatyou sent us last time. The _chef_ declares they are the finest yet.Have you?"

  "Yes, lady, I've got a few bar'ls left. Leastwise, my Dame has. Shecan speak for hersel', if so be she wants to part with 'em. I heardher say she meant to keep 'em for our own winter use. But--"

  "That will do, John. Bring a pan from the further bin and show MissTross-Kingdon. Maybe she'll like them just as well."

  "All right, wife. I'll step-an'-fetch 'em to oncet."

  So this obedient husband went out, his lame foot once more draggingheavily behind him, and he managing as he departed to pass by Dorothyand firmly clutch her sleeve, as he hoarsely whispered:

  "Did you ever see the beat! In your mortal 'arthly life, did ye? Well,I'm ashamed to the marrer of my bones to be caught cavortin' roundlike the donkey I was. Come on down suller with me and I'll getthe apples. But carry 'em back--I shan't. Not this night. Thatwoman--lady, I mean--has got eyes like gimlets and the less she bores'em into old John Gilpin the better he'll like it. Worst is, what'lldame think? She won't say much. She's a rare silent woman, dame is,but she can do a power of thinking. Oh! hum!"

  So it happened that Dorothy returned to the kitchen, fairly staggeringunder the weight of the biggest pan of apples that the farmer couldfind. Mrs. Gilpin took them from her and showed them to the LadyPrincipal, who was inwardly disappointed at the failure of her visit.But the business was speedily concluded and, rising, she bade Mrs.Gilpin good evening. The only notice she bestowed upon her runawaypupils was to offer:

  "If your visit is ended, young ladies, you may return to Oak Knowe inmy carriage."

  Dorothy did not yet know how serious an offense she had committed andmerely thought that the Lady Principal was "stiffer" even than usual;not once speaking again until the school was reached. Then, as shemoved away ignoring Winifred entirely, she bade Dorothy:

  "Go to your dormitory, take a warm bath, and dress yourself freshlyall through. Your luggage has been unpacked and arranged in yourwardrobe. Put on one of your wool gowns for the evening, and come toAssembly Hall. We are to have a lecture and concert, beginning ateight. Punctual attendance required."

  "She acts and looks as if we had done something dreadful, but I can'tguess what," said Dorothy, perplexed.

  "Lucky for you that you can't! Your ignorance of school rules may saveyou this time, but it can't save me. One of the hardest things aboutit is, that you and I will be prohibited each other's 'society' fornobody knows how long. I'm a wild black sheep, who's led a littlelamb--that's you--astray. It was fun--_was_ fun, mind you, but--butit's all over for Winifred!"

  "Win, you darling, what do you mean?" demanded Dolly, throwing herarms about her new friend's neck in great distress.

  "I mean exactly what I say. I'm an old offender, I've been therebefore and ought to know better. I did like you so! Well, never mind!The milk is spilled and no use crying about it!"

  Dorothy was surprised to see tears suddenly fill Winifred's eyes andto feel her clinging arms gently loosened. Under all her affectedindifference, the girl was evidently suffering, but as evidentlyresented having sympathy shown her; so the new pupil made no furthercomment, but asked:

  "Do we have supper before that lecture? and should I dress before thesupper?"

  "Huh! There'll be no supper for you nor me this night! And I'm justravenous hungry! Why was I such a fool as to dance that jig instead ofeating that pudding and beans? Yorkshire pudding's just delicious, ifit's made right, and the Dame's looked better even than our _chef's_.If one could only look ahead in this world, how wise one would be,'specially in the matter of suppers! Well, good-by, Queenie, withaching heart from you I part; when shall we meet again? Ah! me! When?"

  With a gesture of despair, half-comical, half-serious, the older girldashed down the corridor and Dorothy turned slowly toward her ownlittle room. There she found her luggage unpacked, her frocks andshoes neatly arranged in the wardrobe, underclothing in the smallbureau, her toilet things on the tiny dressing table, and the freshsuit she had been asked to put on spread out upon the bed.

  It was all very cosy and comfortable, or would have been if she hadn'tbeen so hungry. However, she had hardly begun undressing beforeDawkins appeared with a small tray of sandwiches and milk, explaining:

  "Supper's long past, Miss Dorothy, but the Principal bade me bringthis. Also, if there's time before lecture, you are to go to herprivate parlor to speak with her. I'll help you and 'twill make thetime seem shorter."

  "Thank you, Dawkins, that's sweet and kind of you; but--but I don'tfeel any great hurry about dressing. Maybe Miss Tross-Kingdon'll bebetter-natured--I mean not so cross--Oh! dear, you know what I mean,don't you, dear Dawkins?"

  "Sure, lassie, I know you have a deal more fear of the Lady Principal'an you need. She's that just kind of a person one can always trust."

  "I reckon I don't like 'just' people. I like 'em real plain _kind_.I--I don't like to be found fault with."

  "Few folks do so like; especially them as deserves it. But you willlove Miss Muriel better 'an anybody at Oak Knowe afore the year's out.Only them that has lived with her knows her. I do know. A better womannever trod shoe leather, and so you'll find. Now, you've no time towaste."

  Nor was any wasted, though Dorothy would gladly have postponed thePrincipal's further acquaintance till another day. She found the ladywaiting and herself welcomed by a gracious word and smile. Motioningto a low seat beside her own chair, Miss Muriel began:

  "You are looking vastly improved, Dorothy, since you've taken off yourrain-soaked clothes. I hope you haven't taken cold. Have you felt anychill?"

  "Thank you, Miss Tross-Kingdon,
none at all. Winifred says I will soonget used to rain, and she doesn't mind it in the least. She says shelikes it."

  The Lady Principal's expression altered to one of sadness rather thananger, at the mention of the other girl, but she did not criticise herin words.

  "My dear little Dorothy, I sent for you to explain some things aboutOak Knowe which you do not understand. We try to make our rules as fewand lenient as possible, but such as do exist we rigidly enforce.Where there are three hundred resident and day pupils gathered underone roof, there is need for regular discipline, and, in general, wehave little trouble. What we do have sometimes comes from ignorance,as in your case to-night. Your taking so long a walk without achaperon, and paying a social visit without permission, was a directtrespass upon our authority. So, to prevent any future mistakes, Ihave prepared you a list of what you may and may not do. Keep thislittle notebook by you until you have grown familiar with Oak Knowelife. Also, you will find copies of our regulations posted in severalplaces upon the walls.

  "And now that we have finished 'business' for the present, let us talkof something pleasanter. Tell me about that 'Aunt Betty' of yours,whom our good Bishop lauds so highly."

  Vastly relieved that the dreaded "scolding" had been so mild and MissTross-Kingdon so really kind, Dorothy eagerly obeyed, and wasdelighted to see a real interest in this wonderful aunt showing inthe teacher's face.

  But her enthusiastic description of Mrs. Calvert was rudelyinterrupted by a childish scream and little Millikins-Pillikins flyingwildly into the room, to spring into Miss Muriel's lap and hide herface on the lady's shoulder, begging:

  "Don't you let him! Don't you let him! Oh! Auntie, don't you!"

  "Why, darling, what is this? What sent you out of bed, just in yournightgown? What has frightened you?"

  "The debbil!"

  "Grace! What wicked word is that you speak?"

  "It was, _it was!_ I seen him! He come--set on my feet--an'--an'--Oh!Auntie Prin, you hold me close. 'Cause he was a talkin' debbil. Hecome to cotch me--he said it, yes he did."

  Miss Tross-Kingdon was as perplexed as horrified. That little Grace,her orphan niece and the dearest thing in life to her, should speaklike this and be in such a state was most amazing.

  For a few seconds she did hold the little one "close" and in silence,tenderly stroking the small body and folding her own light shawl aboutit, and gradually its trembling ceased, the shuddering sobs grewfainter and fewer and the exhausted little maid fell fast asleep. Justthen the clock on the mantel chimed for eight and Miss Muriel's placewas in assembly, on the platform with the famous lecturer who had cometo do her great school honor. She must go and at once.

  Dorothy, watching, saw the struggle in the aunt's mind depicted on herface. With a tender clasp of the little one she put her own desireaside and turned to duty; and the girl's own heart warmed to thestately woman as she had not believed it ever could.

  Dawkins had prophesied: "You'll love Miss Muriel, once you know her,"but Dorothy had not believed her. Yet here it was coming true already!

  "Dorothy, will you please ring for a maid to look after Grace? Wakeup, darling, Auntie Prin must go."

  The child roused as her aunt spoke, but when she attempted to put herdown and rise, the frantic screams broke out afresh, nor would shesubmit to be lifted by the maid who promptly came. Miss Muriel's bellwas not one to be neglected!

  "No, no, no! I shan't--I won't--the deb--"

  "Not that word, sweetheart, never again!" warned the Lady Principal,laying her finger on Grace's lips. "Go nicely now with Dora, and makeno trouble."

  "No, no, no!" still screamed Grace: her flushed face and feverishappearance sending fresh alarm to her aunt's heart.

  "Why, look here, Millikins! I'm Dorothy. The 'sleepy-head' you came towake up this morning. Won't you go with _me_, dear? If Auntie Prinsays 'yes,' I'll take you back to bed, and if you'll show me where."

  Millikins looked long and steadily at Dolly's appealing arms, thenslowly crept into them.

  "Pretty! Millikins'll go with pretty Dorothy!"

  So they went away, indeed a "pretty" sight to the anxious aunt.Dorothy's white gown and scarlet ribbons transformed her from therain-and-mud-bespattered girl of a few hours before, while her lovinginterest in the frightened child banished all fear and homesicknessfrom her own mobile face.

  Little Grace's room was a small one opening off from Miss Muriel's,and as soon as the lecture was over and she was free, she took Dr.Winston with her to see the child. Her dark little face was still veryflushed, but she was asleep, Dorothy also. The girl had drawn a chairclose to the child's cot and sat there with an arm protectingly thrownover her charge: and now a fresh anxiety rose in the Lady Principal'sheart.

  "Oh! Doctor, what if it should be something contagious? I don't seewhy I didn't think of that before. Besides, I sacrificed MissCalvert's opportunity to hear the lecture for Grace's sake. How couldI have been so thoughtless!"

  "Well, Madam, I suppose because you are human as well as aschoolma'am, and love for your niece stronger than training. But don'tdistress yourself. I doubt if this is anything more than a fit ofindigestion. That would account, also, for the imaginary visit of agoblin, which terrified the little one. However, it might be well toisolate Miss Dorothy for a day or so, in case anything seriousdevelops."

  By that time Dorothy was awake and sat up listening to thisconversation; and when the doctor explained to her that this isolationmeant that she must live quite apart from the schoolmates she sodesired to know, she was bitterly disappointed.

  "I haven't been here more than twenty-four hours, yet it seems as ifmore unpleasant things have happened than could anywhere else in alifetime," she complained to Dawkins, who had come to arrange anothercot for her to use and to bring the needed articles from her ownlittle cubicle.

  "Ah, lassie! When you've lived as long as me you'll learn 't a'lifetime' is a goodish long spell: and if so be you can't mix withyour mates for a little few days, more's the blessing that's yours,alongside as you'll be of the Lady Principal. Now, say your prayersand hop into this fine bed I've fixed for you, and off to NoddleIsland quick as wink. Good night and sleep well."

  Surely our Dorothy had the gift of winning hearts, and other Oak Knowegirls with whom Dawkins exchanged scant speech would have beenastonished by the kindly gossip with this newcomer. Also, the maid'sbelief that Dorothy's intercourse with the Lady Principal would bedelightful was well founded. Miss Muriel was grateful to her pupil forher patience with troublesome Grace, and regretful that her isolationfrom her mates had come about in just this wise.

  However, Dr. Winston had been right. Millikins-Pillikins had beenallowed the run of the house and, like most children, found itskitchen its most attractive place. There her sharp tongue and amusingcapers furnished amusement for the servants, who rewarded her with allsorts of "treats" and sweetmeats. The result was natural, but what wasnot so natural was her persistent declaration that she had beenvisited by an evil spirit.

  "I did so see him, Auntie Princie! He had big whitey eyes, and hishead was all red--"

  "No more, darling. Say no more. Just play with your blocks. See whatsort of house you can build, or--"

  "Auntie Prin, I do _hate_ blocks! And you don't believe me. DidMillikins ever tell you a wrong story in her whole life?"

  "No, darling, not to my knowledge. I'm proud to know you are a verytruthful little girl. But even such can _dream_ queer things. AskDorothy to play for you and me. You know this is the last day she'llbe shut up here and I'd like to hear some music."

  Dorothy laid down her book and went to fetch her violin, but theself-willed Grace would have none of that. Stamping her foot, sheimperiously cried:

  "No, no, no! She shall come with me and seek that old debbil. Sheshall so. He had hornses and his face--"

  "Grace Adelaide Tross-Kingdon! if you disobey me again by mentioningthat subject, I shall send for the Bishop and brother Hugh and seewhat they can do with you. Do you want to be disgraced bef
ore them?"

  The little girl pondered that question seriously. She could notunderstand why telling the truth should disgrace anybody. She lovedthe Bishop and fairly idolized her big brother Hugh. Her Aunt Murielwas more angry with the child than ever before in her short life andMillikins fully realized this fact.

  "I'm sorry, Auntie Prin. I'm sorrier than ever was. I hate them twoshould think I was bad and I wish--I wish you wouldn't not for to tell'em. I isn't bad, you only think so. 'Cause it's the truthiest truth,I _did_ see him. He had--"

  Miss Tross-Kingdon held up a warning hand and her face was sternerthan any pupil had ever seen it. Such would have quailed before it,but Millikins-Pillikins quailed not at all. Rising from the carpet,where she had been sitting, she planted her sturdy legs apart, foldedher arms behind her and unflinchingly regarded her aunt. The midget'sdefiant attitude made Dorothy turn her head to hide a smile, while thelittle girl reiterated:

  "I did see him. I have to tell the truth all times. You said so and Ihave to mind. I did see that debbil. He lives in this house. When mybrother Hugh comes, he shall go with me to hunt which room he livesin, and the Bishop shall preach at him the goodest and hardest he can.This isn't no badness, dear, angry Auntie Prin; it is the truthiesttruth and when you see him, too, you'll believe it. If Hugh wouldcome--"

  Miss Tross-Kingdon leaned back in her chair and threw out her hand ina gesture of despair. What made her darling so incorrigible?

  "Oh! I wish he would come, I certainly wish he would! This thing isbeyond me or anything in my experience. I almost begin to believe thatBible days have returned and you are possessed of the evil spirit."

  Millikins-Pillikins returned to her play in supreme indifference. Sheknew what she knew. Couldn't a body believe one's own eyes? Didn'tthe _chef_ often say that "Seeing is believing," when the scullerymaid stole the raisins and he found them in her pocket? She couldn'thelp Auntie Prin being stupid; and--

  "Oh, oh, oh! Hughie's come! Hughie's come! Oh! you darling brotherboy, let's go and seek that debbil!"

  The youth who entered and into whose arms his little sister hadsprung, held her away from him and gasped. Then answered merrily:

  "That gentleman doesn't belong in good society, kiddie. It's not goodform even to mention him. I'd rather go the other way."

  Then he set her gently down and turned to acknowledge his aunt'sintroduction to Dorothy. He was well used to meeting the Oak Knowegirls, but wondered a little at finding one at this hour in the LadyPrincipal's private parlor. As he opened his lips to address somecourteous remark to her, a shriek of utter terror rang through thehouse and a housemaid burst unceremoniously in, white and almostbreathless, yet managing to say:

  "Oh! Ma'am, I'm leavin'--I'm leavin' the now! Sure, 'tis a hauntedhouse and Satan hisself dwells in it!"