Chapter 15 A Girl in Ten Thousand by L. T. Meade
They all sat down to dinner, which Effie further noticed was a greatdeal more luxurious than when she held the purse strings. There was anice little joint of roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, and one or twovegetables. This course was followed by an apple tart and custard; andthen the board was graced with some russet apples and walnuts and abottle of port wine.
Effie felt such a sense of consternation that she could scarcely eatthis pleasant food. But Mrs. Staunton, George, Lawson, and the youngerchildren enjoyed the dinner thoroughly. When the beef was taken away,there was very little left on the joint; and as to the fruit tart, itvanished almost as soon as it was cut. Effie could not help wondering toherself how £150 a year could meet this lavish style of living.
Lawson talked very pleasantly during dinner. After glancing toward Effieseveral times, he suddenly remarked:
"I cannot help feeling that I know your face," said he. "Where and whenhave we met before?"
"I saw you last night," said Effie, with a smile.
"You saw me last night! What in the world do you mean?"
"Yes," said Effie. "Don't you remember No. 17, in B Ward? You came in tostop that terrible hemorrhage from the lungs from which she wassuffering."
"B Ward at St. Joseph's?" exclaimed Lawson.
"Oh, my dear Effie, now I beg of you not to allude to horrible things atdinner," exclaimed Mrs. Staunton.
"No, mother; I am sorry I mentioned it." Effie colored up.
"What have you to do with St. Joseph's?" said Lawson.
"I am a probationer in B Ward, under Sister Kate."
"Never! how extraordinary! Now I remember, you are the girl who held thebasin. So you really are a probationer! A fresh one! Have you been therelong?"
"Just a week."
"Well, let me congratulate you on one thing, you held that basin withoutshaking it; I expect you have got plenty of nerve. Of course, I knew Imust have seen you before; I never forget a face."
Lawson presently went out with George for a walk. Agnes dressed thechildren and took them with her to the Sunday school, and Effie wasalone with her mother.
"Come and sit by me, darling," said Mrs. Staunton. "It is so very niceto have you home again; I miss you very much, my dear daughter. But I amreally getting better. George wants me to consult Dr. Davidson at St.Joseph's Hospital. He thinks that your dear father may have beenmistaken about my heart, and that it may get quite strong and wellagain."
"If you feel better, I don't think I would consult anyone," said Effie,trembling a little.
"Well, dear, well, there's no hurry about it. But I always notice,Effie, and it distresses me not a little that any suggestion ofGeorge's you are likely to pooh-pooh; now, surely that is scarcely fairto him, dear fellow? You must notice, my love, how cheerful and pleasantwe have made this room. George insisted on my getting new curtains--onlywhite muslin, you careful child. They cost really very little, but theydo make such a difference in the effect. Then he has also determinedthat I shall live better, plenty of meat and a little port wine. It is amost _false_ economy, my dear, not to attend to one's diet. There'snothing else keeps up the health."
"Yes, mother, I know all that; but good, expensive, nourishing thingshave to be paid for."
"Now, Effie, don't let me hear you begin that dismal plaint. Do youreally mean to insinuate that I, your mother, would go into debt forthings?"
"Oh, no, dear mother! how could I think that?"
"You imply it, my love, by your manner."
Effie sighed.
It was hopeless to argue or remonstrate. She felt as if the little home,so different from the beloved one in Whittington, was in realityconstructed over a volcano--any day it might collapse. The weight ofsorrow which pressed against her heart as she thought of this, of herfather, of the old life, quite crushed the brave spirit for the moment.Where was George's honor? How dared he lead his mother into theseextravagances, when he knew, too, when he knew----
Effie clasped her hands tightly together. She restrained her emotionswith an effort, and turned the conversation to indifferent matters.
Mrs. Staunton was certainly in better spirits. There was a little colorin her cheeks, and some of the old sweet brightness in her eves.
When George had been absent about an hour, she grew restless and_distraite_; she left her seat by Effie's side, and, going to thewindow, looked up and down the street.
"I hope the rain isn't coming on," she said; "he forgot to take anovercoat."
"Who, mother?"
"George."
"But really, mother dear, he isn't sugar; he won't melt."
"There you are again, Effie, making little of your brother. It sohappens that he has a nice new coat on to-day, and I don't want it toget shabby at once."
"A new coat! How did he buy it?"
"I lent him a little money for the purpose; he didn't go into debt, soyou need not think it."
"I wonder you were able to spare the money."
"Oh, yes; some of my dividends fell due, and were paid on Monday. I lentGeorge three pounds; I think he has got a wonderful coat for the money.He will pay me back as soon as he gets his own salary. Ah! and there heis, dear fellow, and that nice-looking young man, Mr. Lawson. Effie, nowdo ring the bell; Mrs. Robinson ought to have tea on the table."
With a great effort Effie kept from making remarks which she knew wouldonly irritate her mother.
She said to herself, "There's no help for things to-day. The person totalk to is George; he ought not to allow mother to rush through hermoney in this way. I wonder if I am doing wrong in giving up myhome-life to the hospital; but no, I don't think I am. Mother would haveinsisted on managing the money in any case."
Mrs. Robinson appeared with the tea-tray. There was a little jug ofcream and a shilling Madeira cake; there was also a great plate ofthick bread and butter for the children. The tea-tray was placed on thetable, and George and Lawson took their tea standing. Effie helped them.Lawson looked at her once or twice, and thought what a wonderfully niceface she had, how true her eyes were, how good she seemed altogether.
"She's altogether of different metal from her brother," thought theyoung man. "I wish with all my heart he were like her; but althoughthere is something lovable about him, and we are chums, of course, yet Inever feel quite sure of myself when in his company."
The meal which followed was quite merry. Phil and Marjory had gone up tothe top of their class in Sunday school; Agnes was promoted to teach aclass of very little children; Katie was going in for the Junior Cambridge Examination, and eagerly consulted Effie about some bookswhich she was obliged to procure. Effie promised to give her the moneyout of her first month's salary.
"But that will be some time off," she said, "for I am only going throughmy month's trial now, so you must be patient, Katie."
"I'll lend you the money," said George, stroking his sister's hair.
He looked so affectionate and handsome, and so manly and good-humored,that it was impossible not to feel pleased with him. Mrs. Staunton'seyes quite beamed as she glanced at her eldest son.
"Now, mother, I am going to sit near you," he said. He drew his chairclose to his mother, and began to talk to her in a low tone.
Effie and Lawson exchanged a few words over hospital work. He would makean enthusiastic doctor some day! he loved the profession and thought itthe noblest in the world. He reminded Effie a little of her father.
The quick hours flew all too fast. Effie's time was up. She went back tothe hospital with a curious sense of uneasiness, but equally also ofrest and refreshment. It was nice to think that George had such a goodfriend as Fred Lawson.