Spinning-Wheel Story by Louisa M. Alcott
Jerseys; or, the Girl's Ghost
"Well, what do you think of her? She has only been here a day, but itdoesn't take _us_ long to make up our minds," said Nelly Blake, theleader of the school, as a party of girls stood chatting round theregister one cold November morning.
"I like her, she looks so fresh and pleasant, and so strong. I justwanted to go and lean up against her, when my back ached yesterday,"answered Maud, a pale girl wrapped in a shawl.
"I'm afraid she's very energetic, and I do hate to be hurried," sighedplump Cordelia, lounging in an easy chair.
"I know she is, for Biddy says she asked for a pail of cold water at sixthis morning, and she's out walking now. Just think how horrid," criedKitty with a shiver.
"I wonder what she does for her complexion. Never saw such a lovelycolor. Real roses and cream," said Julia, shutting one eye to survey thefreckles on her nose, with a gloomy frown.
"I longed to ask what sort of braces she wears, to keep her so straight.I mean to by and by; she looks as if she wouldn't snub a body;" andSally vainly tried to square her own round shoulders, bent with muchporing over books, for she was the bright girl of the school.
"She wears French corsets, of course. Nothing else gives one such a finefigure," answered Maud, dropping the shawl to look with pride at her ownwasp-like waist and stiff back.
"Couldn't move about so easily and gracefully if she wore astrait-jacket like you. She's not a bit of a fashion plate, but asplendid woman, just natural and hearty and sweet. I feel as if Ishouldn't slouch and poke so much if I had her to brace me up," criedSally, in her enthusiastic way.
"I know one thing, girls, and that is, _she_ can wear a jersey and haveit set elegantly, and _we_ can't," said Kitty, laboring with her own,which would wrinkle and twist, in spite of many hidden pins.
"Yes, I looked at it all breakfast time, and forgot my second cup ofcoffee, so my head aches as if it would split. Never saw anything fit sosplendidly in my life," answered Nelly, turning to the mirror, whichreflected a fine assortment of many colored jerseys; for all the girlswere out in their fall suits, and not one of the new jackets set likeMiss Orne's, the teacher who had arrived to take Madame's place whilethat excellent old lady was laid up with a rheumatic fever.
"They are pretty and convenient, but I'm afraid they will be a trial tosome of us. Maud and Nelly look the best, but they have to keep stiffand still, or the wrinkles come. Kit has no peace in hers, and poorCordy looks more like a meal bag than ever, while I am a perfectspectacle, with my round shoulders and long thin arms. 'A jersey on abean-pole' describes me; but let us be in the fashion or die," laughedSally, exaggerating her own defects by poking her head forward andblinking through her glasses in a funny way.
There was a laugh and then a pause, broken in a moment by Maud, whosaid, in a tone of apprehension:
"I do hope Miss Orne isn't full of the new notions about clothes andfood and exercise and rights and rubbish of that sort. Mamma hates suchideas, and so do I."
"I hope she _is_ full of good, wise notions about health and work andstudy. It is just what we need in this school. Madame is old and letsthings go, and the other teachers only care to get through and have aneasy time. We ought to be a great deal better, brisker, and wiser thanwe are, and I'm ready for a good stirring up if any one will give it tous," declared Sally, who was a very independent girl and had read aswell as studied much.
"You Massachusetts girls are always raving about self-culture, and readyfor queer new ways. I'm contented with the old ones, and want to be letalone and finished off easily," said Nelly, the pretty New Yorker.
"Well, I go with Sally, and want to get all I can in the way of health,learning, and manners while I'm here; and I'm real glad Miss Orne hascome, for Madame's old-fashioned, niminy priminy ways did fret medreadfully. Miss Orne is more like our folks out West,--spry and strongand smart, see if she isn't," said Julia, with a decided nod of herauburn head.
"There she is now! Girls, she's running! actually trotting up theavenue--not like a hen, but a boy--with her elbows down and her head up.Do come and see!" cried Kitty, dancing about at the window as if shelonged to go and do likewise.
All ran in time to see a tall young lady come up the wide path at a goodpace, looking as fresh and blithe as the goddess of health, as shesmiled and nodded at them, so like a girl that all returned her salutewith equal cordiality.
"She gives a new sort of interest to the old treadmill, doesn't she?"said Nelly, as they scattered to their places at the stroke of nine,feeling unusually anxious to appear well before the new teacher.
While they pull down their jerseys and take up their books, we willbriefly state that Madame Stein's select boarding-school had for manyyears received six girls at a time, and finished them off in the oldstyle. Plenty of French, German, music, painting, dancing, anddeportment turned out well-bred, accomplished, and amiable young ladies,ready for fashionable society, easy lives, and entire dependence onother people. Dainty and delicate creatures usually, for, as in mostschools of this sort, minds and manners were much cultivated, but bodiesrather neglected. Heads and backs ached, dyspepsia was a common ailment,and poorlies of all sorts afflicted the dear girls, who ought not tohave known what "nerves" meant, and should have had no bottles in theirclosets holding wine and iron, cough mixtures, soothing drops andcod-liver oil for weak lungs. Gymnastics had once flourished, but thefashion had gone by, and a short walk each day was all the exercise theytook, though they might have had glorious romps in the old coach-houseand bowling-alley in bad weather, and lovely rambles about the spaciousgrounds; for the house was in the suburbs, and had once been a finecountry mansion. Some of the liveliest girls did race down the avenuenow and then, when Madame was away, and one irrepressible creature hadactually slid down the wide balusters, to the horror of the entirehousehold.
In cold weather all grew lazy and cuddled under blankets and aroundregisters, like so many warmth-loving pussies,--poor Madame's rheumatismmaking her enjoy a hot-house temperature and indulge the girls inluxurious habits. Now she had been obliged to give up entirely and taketo her bed, saying, with the resignation of an indolent nature:--
"If Anna Orne takes charge of the school I shall feel no anxiety. _She_is equal to anything."
She certainly looked so as she came into the school-room ready for herday's work, with lungs full of fresh air, brain stimulated by soundsleep, wholesome exercise, and a simple breakfast, and a mind muchinterested in the task before her. The girls' eyes followed her as shetook her place, involuntarily attracted by the unusual spectacle of arobust woman. Everything about her seemed so fresh, harmonious, andhappy, that it was a pleasure to see the brilliant color in her cheeks,the thick coils of glossy hair on her spirited head, the flash of whiteteeth as she spoke, and the clear, bright glance of eyes both keen andkind. But the most admiring glances were on the dark-blue jersey thatshowed such fine curves of the broad shoulders, round waist, and plumparms, without a wrinkle to mar its smooth perfection.
Girls are quick to see what is genuine, to respect what is strong, andto love what is beautiful; so before that day was over, Miss Orne hadcharmed them all; for they felt that she was not only able to teach butto help and amuse them.
After tea the other teachers went to their rooms, glad to be free fromthe chatter of half a dozen lively tongues; but Miss Orne remained inthe drawing-room, and set the girls to dancing till they were tired,then gathered them round the long table to do what they liked tillprayer-time. Some had novels, others did fancy-work or lounged, and allwondered what the new teacher would do next.
Six pairs of curious eyes were fixed upon her, as she sat sewing on somequeer bits of crash, and six lively fancies vainly tried to guess whatthe articles were, for no one was rude enough to ask. Presently shetried on a pair of mittens, and surveyed them with satisfaction, sayingas she caught Kitty staring with uncontrollable interest:--
"These are my beautifiers, and I never like to be without them."
"Are they to keep your hands white?" asked Maud, who spent a good dealof time in caring for her own. "I wear old kid gloves at night aftercold-creaming mine."
"I wear these for five minutes night and morning, for a good rub, afterdipping them in cold water. Thanks to these rough friends, I seldom feelthe cold, get a good color, and keep well," answered Miss Orne,polishing up her smooth cheek till it looked like a rosy apple.
"I'd like the color, but not the crash. Must it be so rough, and with_cold_ water?" asked Maud, who often privately rubbed her pale face witha bit of red flannel, rouge being forbidden except for theatricals.
"Best so; but there are other ways to get a color. Run up and down theavenue three or four times a day, eat no pastry, and go to bed early,"said Miss Orne, whose sharp eye had spied out the little weaknesses ofthe girls, and whose kind heart longed to help them at once.
"It makes my back ache to run, and Madame says we are too old now."
"Never too old to care for one's health, my dear. Better run now thanlie on a sofa by and by, with a back that never stops aching."
"Do you cure your headaches in that way?" asked Nelly, rubbing herforehead wearily.
"I never have them;" and Miss Orne's bright eyes were full of pity forall pain.
"What do you do to help it?" cried Nelly, who firmly believed that itwas inevitable.
"I give my brain plenty of rest, air, and good food. I never know I haveany nerves, except in the enjoyment they give me, for I have learned howto use them. I was not brought up to believe that I was born aninvalid, and was taught to understand the beautiful machinery God gaveme, and to keep it religiously in order."
Miss Orne spoke so seriously that there was a brief pause in which thegirls were wishing that some one had taught them this lesson and madethem as strong and lovely as their new teacher.
"If crash mittens would make my jersey set like yours I'd have a pair atonce," said Cordy, sadly eyeing the buttons on her own, which seemed indanger of flying off if their plump wearer moved too quickly.
"Brisk runs are what you want, and less confectionery, sleep, andlounging in easy chairs;" began Miss Orne, all ready to prescribe forthese poor girls, the most important part of whose education had been soneglected.
"Why, how did you know?" said Cordy, blushing, as she bounced out of herluxurious seat and whisked into her pocket the paper of chocolate creamsshe was seldom without.
Her round eyes and artless surprise set the others to laughing, and gaveSally courage to ask what she wanted, then and there.
"Miss Orne, I wish you would show us how to be strong and hearty, for Ido think girls are a feeble set now-a-days. We certainly need stirringup, and I hope you will kindly do it. Please begin with me, then theothers will see that I mean what I say."
Miss Orne looked up at the tall, overgrown girl who stood before her,with broad forehead, near-sighted eyes, and narrow chest of a student;not at all what a girl of seventeen should be, physically, though aclear mind and a brave spirit shone in her clever face and sounded inher resolute voice.
"I shall very gladly do what I can for you, my dear. It is very simple,and I am sure that a few months of my sort of training will help youmuch; for you are just the kind of girl who should have a strong body,to keep pace with a very active brain," answered Miss Orne, takingSally's thin, inky fingers in her own, with a friendly pressure thatshowed her good will.
"Madame says violent exercise is not good for girls, so we gave upgymnastics long ago," said Maud, in her languid voice, wishing thatSally would not suggest disagreeable things.
"One does not need clubs, dumb bells, and bars for my style of exercise.Let me show you;" and rising, Miss Orne went through a series ofenergetic but graceful evolutions, which put every muscle in playwithout great exertion.
"That looks easy enough," began Nelly.
"Try it," answered Miss Orne, with a sparkle of fun in her blue eyes.
They did try,--to the great astonishment of the solemn portraits on thewall, unused to seeing such antics in that dignified apartment. But someof the girls were out of breath in five minutes; others could not lifttheir arms over their heads; Maud and Nelly broke several bones in theircorsets, trying to stoop; and Kitty tumbled down, in her efforts totouch her toes without bending her knees. Sally got on the best of all,being long of limb, easy in her clothes, and full of enthusiasm.
"Pretty well for beginners," said Miss Orne, as they paused at last,flushed and merry. "Do that regularly every day, and you will soon gaina few inches across the chest and fill out the new jerseys with firm,elastic figures."
"Like yours," added Sally, with a face full of such honest admirationthat it could not offend.
Seeing that she had made one convert, and knowing that girls, likesheep, are sure to follow a leader, Miss Orne said no more then, butwaited for the leaven to work. The others called it one of Sally'snotions, but were interested to see how she would get on, and had greatfun, when they went to bed, watching her faithful efforts to imitate herteacher's rapid and effective motions.
"The wind-mill is going!" cried Kitty, as several of them sat on thebed, laughing at the long arms swinging about.
"That is the hygienic elbow-exercise, and that the Orne Quickstep, amixture of the grasshopper's skip and the water-bug's slide," addedJulia, humming a tune in time to the stamp of the other's foot.
"We will call these the Jersey Jymnastics, and spell the last with a J,my dear," said Nelly; and the name was received with as much applause asthe young ladies dared to give it at that hour.
"Laugh on, but see if you don't all follow my example sooner or later,when I become a model of grace, strength, and beauty," retorted Sally,as she turned them out and went to bed, tingling all over with adelicious glow that sent the blood from her hot head to warm her coldfeet, and bring her the sound, refreshing sleep she so much needed.
This was the beginning of a new order of things, for Miss Orne carriedher energy into other matters besides gymnastics, and no one daredoppose her when Madame shut her ears to all complaints, saying, "Obeyher in everything, and don't trouble me."
Pitchers of fresh milk took the place of tea and coffee; cake and piewere rarely seen, but better bread, plain puddings, and plenty of fruit.
Rooms were cooled off, feather beds sent up garret, and thick curtainsabolished. Sun and air streamed in, and great cans of water appearedsuggestively at doors in the morning. Earlier hours were kept, and briskwalks taken by nearly all the girls; for Miss Orne baited her hookcleverly, and always had some pleasant project to make the wintryexpeditions inviting. There were games in the parlor instead of novels,and fancy-work in the evening; shorter lessons, and longer talks on themany useful subjects that are best learned from the lips of a trueteacher. A cooking class was started, not to make fancy dishes, but theplain, substantial ones all housewives should understand. Several girlsswept their own rooms, and liked it after they saw Miss Orne do hers ina becoming dust-cap; and these same pioneers, headed by Sally, boldlycoasted on the hill, swung clubs in the coach-house, and played tag inthe bowling-alley rainy days.
It took time to work these much-needed changes, but young people likenovelty; the old routine had grown tiresome, and Miss Orne made thingsso lively and pleasant it was impossible to resist her wishes. Sally didbegin to straighten up, after a month or two of regular training; Maudoutgrew both corsets and backache; Nelly got a fresh color; Kitty foundher thin arms developing visible muscles; and Julia considered herself a Von Hillern, after walking ten miles without fatigue.
But dear, fat Cordy was the most successful of all; and rejoiced greatlyover the loss of a few pounds when she gave up over-eating, long naps,and lazy habits. Exercise became a sort of mania with her, and she wascontinually trudging off for a constitutional, or trotting up and downthe halls when bad weather prevented the daily tramp. It was the desireof her soul to grow thin, and such was her ardor that Miss Orne had tocheck her sometimes, lest she should overdo the matter.
"All this is easy and pleasant now, because it is new," she said, "andthere is no one to criticise our simple, sensible ways; but when you goaway I am afraid you will undo the good I have tried to do you. Peoplewill ridicule you, fashion will condemn, and frivolous pleasures makeour wholesome ones seem hard. Can you be steadfast, and keep on?"
"We will!" cried all the girls; but the older ones looked a littleanxious, as they thought of going home to introduce the new ways alone.
Miss Orne shook her head, earnestly wishing that she could impress theimportant lesson indelibly upon them; and very soon something happenedwhich had that effect.
April came, and the snowdrops and crocuses were up in the garden beds.Madame was able to sit at her window, peering out like a dormouse wakingfrom its winter sleep; and much did the good lady wonder at the bloomingfaces turned up to nod and smile at her, the lively steps that trippedabout the house, and the amazing spectacle of _her_ young ladies racinground the lawn as if they liked it. No one knew how Miss Orne reconciledher to this new style of deportment; but she made no complaint,--onlyshook her impressive cap when the girls came beaming in to pay littlevisits, full of happy chat about their affairs. They seemed to take areal interest in their studies now, to be very happy; and all looked sowell that the wise old lady said to herself:--
"Looks are everything with women, and I have never been able to showsuch a bouquet of blooming creatures at my breaking up as I shall thisyear. I will let well enough alone, and if fault is found, dear Anna'sshoulders are broad enough to bear it."
Things were in this promising state, and all were busily preparing forthe May fete, at which time this class of girls would graduate, when themysterious events occurred to which we have alluded.
They were gathered--the girls, not the events--round the table onenight, discussing, with the deep interest befitting such an importanttopic, what they should wear on examination day.
"_I_ think white silk jerseys and pink or blue skirts would be lovely;so pretty and so appropriate for the J. J. Club, and so nice for us todo our exercises in. Miss Orne wants us to show how well we go together,and of course we want to please her;" said Nelly taking the lead asusual in matters of taste.
"Of course!" cried all the girls, with an alacrity which plainly showedhow entirely the new friend had won their hearts.
"I wouldn't have believed that six months could make such a differencein one's figure and feelings," said Maud, surveying her waist with calmsatisfaction, though it was no longer slender, but in perfect proportionto the rest of her youthful shape.
"I've had to let out every dress, and it's a mercy I'm going home, for Ishouldn't be decent if I kept on at this rate;" and Julia took a longbreath, proud of her broad chest, expanded by plenty of exercise, andloose clothing.
"I take mine in, and don't have to worry about my buttons flying off, _ala_ Clara Peggotty. I'm _so_ pleased I want to be training all the time,for I'm not half thin enough yet," said Cordy, jumping up for a trotround the room, that not a moment might be lost.
"Come, Sally, you ought to join in the jubilee, for you have donewonders, and will be as straight as a ramrod in a little while. Why sosober to-night? Is it because our dear Miss Orne leaves us to sit withMadame?" asked Nelly, missing the gayest voice of the six, and observingher friend's troubled face.
"I'm making up my mind whether I'd better tell you something or not.Don't want to scare the servants, trouble Madame, or vex Miss Orne; forI know _she_ wouldn't believe a word of it, though I saw it with my owneyes," answered Sally, in such a mysterious tone that the girls with onevoice cried,--
"Tell us, this minute!"
"I will; and perhaps some of you can explain the matter."
As she spoke, Sally rose and stood on the rug with her hands behind her,looking rather wild and queer; for her short hair was in a toss, hereyes shone large behind her round glasses, and her voice sank to awhisper as she made this startling announcement:--
"I've seen a ghost!"
A general shiver pervaded the listeners, and Cordy poked her head underthe sofa pillows with a faint cry, while the rest involuntarily drewnearer to one another.
"Where?" demanded Julia, the bravest of the party.
"On the top of the house."
"Good gracious! When, Sally?" "What did it look like?" "Don't scare usfor fun,"--cried the girls, undecided whether to take this startlingstory in jest or earnest.
"Listen, and I'll tell you all about it," answered Sally, holding up herfinger impressively.
"Night before last I sat till eleven, studying. Against the rules, Iknow; but I forgot, and when I was through I opened my window to air theroom. It was bright moonlight, so I took a stroll along the top of thepiazza, and coming back with my eyes on the sky I naturally saw the roofof the main house from my wing. I couldn't have been asleep, could I?yet, I solemnly declare I saw a white figure with a veil over its headroaming to and fro as quietly as a shadow. I looked and looked, then Icalled softly, but it never answered, and suddenly it was gone."
"What did you do? quavered Cordy, in a smothered voice from under thepillow.
"Went straight in, took my lamp and marched up to the cupola. Not a signof any one, all locked and the floor dusty, for we never go there now,you know. I didn't like it, but just said, 'Sally, go to bed; it's anoptical illusion and serves you right for studying against the rule.'That was the first time."
"Mercy on us! Did you see it again?" cried Maud, getting hold of Julia'sstrong arm for protection.
"Yes, in the bowling-alley at midnight," whispered Sally.
"Do shut the door, Kit, and don't keep clutching at me in that scaryway; it's very unpleasant," said Nelly, glancing nervously over hershoulder as the six pairs of wide-opened eyes were fixed on Sally.
"I got up to shut my window last night, and saw a light in the alley. Adim one, but bright enough to show me the same white thing going up anddown, with the veil as before. I'll confess I was nervous then, for youknow there _is_ a story that in old times the man who lived herewouldn't let his daughter marry the lover she wanted, and she pined awayand died, and said she'd haunt the cruel father, and she did. Old Mrs.Foster told me all about it when I first came, and Madame asked me notto repeat it, so I never did. I don't believe in ghosts, mind you, butwhat on earth is it, trailing about in that ridiculous way?"
Sally spoke nervously and looked excited, for in spite of courage andcommon sense she _was_ worried to account for the apparition.
"How long did it stay?" asked Julia, with her arm round Maud, who wastrembling and pale.
"A good fifteen minutes by my watch, then vanished, light and all, assuddenly as before. I didn't go to look after it that time, but if I seeit again I'll hunt till I find out what it is. Who will go with me?"
No one volunteered, and Cordy emerged long enough to say imploringly:--
"Do tell Miss Orne, or get the police;" then dived out of sight again,and lay quaking like an ostrich with its head in the sand.
"I won't! Miss Orne would think I was a fool, and the police don'tarrest ghosts. I'll do it myself, and Julia will help me, I know. She isthe bravest of you, and hasn't developed her biceps for nothing," saidSally, bent on keeping all the glory of the capture to themselves if possible.
Flattered by the compliment to her arms, Julia did not decline theinvitation, but made a very sensible suggestion, which was a greatrelief to the timid, till Sally added a new fancy to haunt them.
"Perhaps it is one of the servants moon-struck or love-lorn. Myra lookssentimental, and is always singing:--
"I'm waiting, waiting, darling, Morning, night, and noon; Oh, meet me by the river When softly shines the moon."
"It's not Myra; I asked her, and she turned pale at the mere idea ofgoing anywhere alone after dark, and said cook had seen a bansheegliding down the Lady's Walk one night, when she got up for camphor,having the face-ache. I said no more, not wanting to scare them;ignorant people are so superstitious."
Sally paused, and the girls all tried not to look "scared" or "superstitious," but did not succeed very well.
"What are you going to do?" asked Nelly, in a respectful tone, as Juliaand Sally stood side by side, like Horatius and Herminius waiting for aSpurius Lartius to join them.
"Watch, like cats for a mouse, and pounce as soon as possible. Allpromise to say nothing; then we can't be laughed at if it turns out somesilly thing, as it probably will," answered Sally.
"We promise!" solemnly answered the girls, feeling deeply impressed withthe thrilling interest of the moment.
"Very well; now don't talk about it or think about it till we report, orno one will sleep a wink," said Sally, walking off with her ally ascoolly as if, after frightening them out of their wits, they couldforget the matter at word of command.
The oath of silence was well kept, but lessons suffered, and so didsleep, for the excitement was great, especially in the morning, when thewatchers reported the events of the night, and in the evening, when theytook turns to go on guard. There was much whisking of dressing-gowns upand down the corridor of the west wing, where our six roomed, as thegirls flew to ask questions early each day, or scurried to bed, glancingbehind them for the banshee as they went.
Miss Orne observed the whispers, nods, and eager confabulations, butsaid nothing, for Madame had confided to her that the young ladies wereplanning a farewell gift for her. So she was blind and deaf, and smiledat the important airs of her girlish admirers.
Three or four days passed, and no sign of the ghost appeared. Theboldest openly scoffed at the false alarm, and the most timid began torecover from their fright.
Sally and Julia looked rather foolish as they answered, "no news,"morning after morning, to the inquiries which were rapidly losing thebreathless eagerness so flattering to the watchers.
"You dreamed it, Sally. Go to sleep, and don't do it again," said Nelly,on the fifth day, as she made her evening call and found the girlsyawning and cross for want of rest.
"She has exercised too much, and produced a morbid state of the brain,"laughed Maud.
"I just wish she wouldn't scare me out of my senses for nothing,"grumbled Cordy; "I used to sleep like a dormouse, and now I dreamdreadfully and wake up tired out. Come along, Kit, and let the oldghosts carry off these silly creatures."
"My regards to the Woman in White _when_ you see her again, dear," addedKitty, as the four went off to laugh at the whole thing, though theycarefully locked their doors and took a peep out of window before goingto sleep.
"We may as well give it up and have a good rest. I'm worn out, and soare you, if you'd own it," said Julia, throwing herself down for a napbefore midnight.
"I shall _not_ give it up till I'm satisfied. Sleep away, I'll readawhile and call you if anything comes," answered Sally, bound to provethe truth of her story if she waited all summer.
Julia was soon off, and the lonely watcher sat reading till past eleven;then put out her light and went to take a turn on the flat roof of thepiazza that ran round the house, for the night was mild and the starscompanionable. As she turned to come back, her sharp eye caught sight ofsomething moving on the house-top as before, and soon, clear against thesoft gloom of the sky, appeared the white figure flitting to and fro.
A long look, and then Sally made a rush at Julia, shaking her violentlyas she said in an excited whisper:
"Come! she is there. Quick! upstairs to the cupola; I have the candleand the key."
Carried away by the other's vehemence Julia mutely obeyed, trembling,but afraid to resist; and noiseless as two shadows, they crept up thestairs, arriving just in time to see the ghost vanish over the edge ofthe roof, as if it had dissolved into thin air. Julia dropped down in aheap, desperately frightened, but Sally pulled her up and led her backto their room, saying, when she got there, with grim satisfaction, "DidI dream it all? Now I hope they will believe me."
"What was it? Oh, what could it be?" whimpered Julia, quite demoralizedby the spectacle.
"I begin to believe in ghosts, for no human being could fly off in thatway, with nothing to walk on. I shall speak to Miss Orne to-morrow; I'vehad enough of this sort of fun," said Sally, going to the window, with astrong desire to shut and lock it.
But she paused with her hand raised, as if turned to stone, for as shespoke the white figure went slowly by. Julia dived into the closet, withone spring. Sally, however, was on her mettle now, and, holding herbreath, leaned out to watch. With soundless steps the veiled thing wentalong the roof, and paused at the further end.
Never waiting for her comrade, Sally quietly stepped out and followed,leaving Julia to quake with fear and listen for an alarm.
None came, and in a few minutes, that seemed like hours, Sally returned,looking much excited; but was sternly silent, and, to all the other'seager questions she would only give this mysterious reply:--
"I know all, but cannot tell till morning. Go to sleep."
Believing her friend offended at her base desertion at the crisis of theaffair, Julia curbed her curiosity and soon forgot it in sleep. Sallyslept also, feeling like a hero reposing after a hard-won battle.
She was up betimes and ready to receive her early visitors with an airof triumph, which silenced every jeer and convinced the most skepticalthat she had something sensational to tell at last.
When the girls had perched themselves on any available article offurniture, they waited with respectful eagerness, while Sally retired tothe hall for a moment, and Julia rolled her eyes, with her finger on herlips, looking as if she could tell much if she dared.
Sally returned somewhat flushed, but very sober, and in a few dramaticwords related the adventures of the night, up to the point where sheleft Julia quivering ignominiously in the closet, and, like Horatius,faced the foe alone.
"I followed till the ghost entered a window."
"Which?" demanded five awestruck voices at once.
"The last."
"Ours?" whispered Kitty, pale as her collar, while Cordy, her room-mate,sat aghast.
"As it turned to shut the window the veil fell back and I saw the face."Sally spoke in a whisper and added, with a sudden start, "I see it now!"
Every girl sprang or tumbled off her perch as if an electric shock hadmoved them, and stared about them as Nelly cried wildly, "Where? oh,where?"
"There!" and Sally pointed at the palest face in the room, while her ownreddened with the mirth she was vainly trying to suppress.
"Cordy?"
A general shriek of amazement and incredulity followed the question,while Sally laughed till the tears ran down her cheeks at the dumbdismay of the innocent ghost.
As soon as she could be heard she quickly explained: "Yes, it was Cordy,walking in her sleep. She wore her white flannel wrapper, and a cloudround her head, and took her exercise over the roofs at midnight, sothat no time might be lost. I don't wonder she is tired in the morning,after such dangerous gymnastics as these."
"But she couldn't vanish in that strange way off the house-top withoutbreaking her neck," said Julia, much relieved, but still mystified.
"She didn't fly nor fall, but went down the ladder left by the painters.Look at the soles of her felt slippers, if you doubt me, and see the redpaint from the roof. We couldn't open the cupola windows, you remember,but this morning I took a stroll and looked up and saw how she did itasleep, though she never would dare to do it awake. Somnambulists dodreadfully dangerous things, you know," said Sally, as if her experienceof those peculiar people had been vast and varied.
"How could I? It's horrid to think of. Why did you let me, Kit?" criedCordy, uncertain whether to be proud or ashamed of her exploit.
"Never dreamed of _your_ doing such a silly thing, and never waked up.Sleep-walkers are always quiet, and if I had seen you I'd have been tooscared to know you. I'll tie you to the bed-post after this, and notlet you scare the whole house," answered Kitty, regarding it all as afine joke.
"What did I do when I got in?" asked Cordy, curiously.
"Took off your things and went to bed as if glad to get back. I didn'tdare to wake you, and kept the fun all to myself till this morning.Thought I ought to have a good laugh for my pains since I did all thework," answered Sally, in high glee at the success of her efforts.
"I did want to get as thin as I could before I went home, the boysplague me so; and I suppose it wore upon me and set me to walking atnight. I'm very sorry, and I never will again if I can help it. Pleaseforgive me, and don't tell any one but Miss Orne; it was so silly,"begged poor Cordy, tearfully.
All promised and comforted her, and praised Sally, and plagued Julia,and had a delightfully noisy and exciting half hour before the breakfastbell rang.
Miss Orne wondered what made the young faces so gay and the laughter sofrequent, as mysterious hints and significant nods went on around thetable; but as soon as possible she was borne into the school-room andtold the thrilling tale.
Her interest and surprise were very flattering, and when the subject hadbeen well discussed she promised to prevent any further escapades ofthis sort, and advised Cordy to try the Banting method for the fewremaining weeks of her stay.
"I'll try anything that will keep me from acting ghost and making everyone afraid of me," said Cordy, secretly wondering why she had notbroken her neck in her nocturnal gymnastics.
"Do you believe in ghosts, Miss Orne?" asked Maud,--who did, in spite ofthe comic explanation of this one.
"Not the old-fashioned sort, but there is a modern kind that we are allafraid of more or less," answered Miss Orne, with a half-playful,half-serious look at the girls around her.
"Do tell about them, please," begged Kitty, while the rest looked bothsurprised and interested.
"There is one which I am very anxious to keep you from fearing. Womenare especially haunted by it, and it prevents them from doing, being,and thinking all that they might and ought. 'What will people say?' isthe name of this formidable ghost; and it does much harm, for few of ushave the courage to live up to what we know to be right in all things.You are soon to go away to begin your lives in earnest, and I do hopethat whatever I have been able to teach you about the care of minds andbodies will not be forgotten or neglected because it may not be thefashion outside our little world."
"_I_ never will forget, or be afraid of that ghost, Miss Orne," criedSally, quick to understand and accept the warning so opportunely given.
"I have great faith in _you_, dear, because you have proved yourself sobrave in facing phantoms more easily laid. But this is a hard one tomeet and vanquish; so watch well, stand firm, and let these jerseys thatyou are so fond of cover not only healthy young bodies but happyhearts, both helping you to be sweet, wise, and useful women in theyears to come. Dear girls, promise me this, and I shall feel that ourwinter has not been wasted, and that our spring is full of lovelypromise for a splendid summer."
As she spoke, with her own beautiful face bright with hope andtenderness, Miss Orne opened her arms and gathered them all in, to sealtheir promise with grateful kisses more eloquent than words.
Long after their school days were over, the six girls kept the whitejerseys they wore at the breaking-up festival, as relics of the J. J.;and long after they were scattered far apart, they remembered thelessons which helped them to be what their good friend hoped--healthy,happy, and useful women.