Читать книгу Strangers at the Abbey - Elsie Jeanette Dunkerley - Страница 4

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“There’s one thing I can do,” Joan said suddenly, as she and Joy sat thinking over the situation.

“What’s that? I didn’t think there was anything!”

“I shall ask for Jen to help me.”

“Jen!” Joy exclaimed. “That’s an idea! She’s older than this Rykie; she could deal with her. Jenny-Wren could cope with anybody! But she’s at school; what can she do?”

“She could come and live here and go to school with Rykie every day. They could cycle together; then we wouldn’t need to send them in the car. Rykie couldn’t ride so far alone, but she’d be all right with Jen. I shall go to see Miss Macey; she’ll understand, when I tell her the story.”

“Our dear Head will do a lot for you,” Joy commented. “Oh well! If you can kidnap Jen and hand young Rykie over to her, perhaps I shall be able to bear it.”

Their friendship with Jen Robins was of two years’ standing. Jen, now fifteen, had come to school at the time of Joan’s crowning as May-Queen; she had been fascinated by the ceremonies and the country-dancing, and had become an enthusiastic member of the Hamlet Club. When, a year later, Joan’s maid-of-honour had been chosen Queen, Joan had invited Jen to take her place, and the friendship had become still deeper and more real. Jen had spent much time with the Shirley girls, both for week-ends during term and longer periods in the holidays, when the illness of her father had kept her from going home to Yorkshire; she looked on Mrs. Shirley as an unofficial aunt, and she was always welcome at the Hall and loved every corner and every stone of the Abbey.

Jen was obviously the one to help to entertain Rykie Reekie, but she was a boarder at school, so her mother and the headmistress had to be consulted.

“I’ll write to Mrs. Robins to-day, and to Belle,” Joan said. “Then I’ll go down to school and ask Miss Macey if she’ll take Rykie and if she’ll let us have Jen.”

“We’ll have the car,” Joy suggested. “We’ll take Billy to drive, if you’d like it better, but you really would be quite safe with me. I’ve passed my tests and I’m considered a very good driver.”

“I’ll trust you. I know you don’t want to smash up the new car.”

“Oh, I don’t want to smash you either! You’d better get used to driving with me. I promise to be careful.”

The new car, larger than the tiny runabout which had been her first venture, was Joy’s greatest treasure, so Joan felt fairly safe, even though Joy insisted on forsaking Billy, who had driven the small car, and on being her own chauffeur. She drove carefully, knowing that any accident or recklessness would mean perpetual anxiety for Mrs. Shirley. Joy adored her aunt, who had been the only mother she could remember, and would make any effort or sacrifice to give her ease of mind.

“Are you coming in to see Miss Macey?” Joan asked, as they neared the town.

“I thought I’d run out to see Cicely and pick you up to take you home.”

“Give my love to Cicely, but don’t call for me. I’ll come back by train.”

“Had enough of me and the car?” Joy grinned.

“Not a bit. But I want to take Jen to lunch at the dairy. I told Mother I’d be out.”

“Oh, good! The kid will love that. Right! I’ll leave you to find your own way home.”

Jen, coming from her last class of the morning, gave the shriek of joy which was characteristic of her and rushed to fling herself on Joan.

“Joan! You’ve come to see us! How lovely of you! It’s marvellous to have you here!”

She was fifteen now, tall and long-legged, with a very short blue tunic and flying green girdle, blue-eyed and with long yellow plaits on each side of her face.

“I believe you’ve grown, Jenny-Wren. You look taller every time I see you,” Joan scolded. “You’re going to be a regular lamp-post.”

“Maypole,” Jen pleaded. “I can’t help it. I don’t do it on purpose. Is everybody quite well, Joan? Aunty Shirley and the cats? Joy’s always all right!”

“Everyone’s very fit; the cats are full of life. I’ve come for something more than just to see you, my dear.”

“Oh, Joan, what? Tell me quickly!”

“To take you out to lunch at the dairy. I want to talk to you.”

“Oh, cheers! You are an angel! I’ll fetch my coat and change my shoes. I love a dairy lunch!” and she was gone, racing to the cloakroom.

Joan laughed and waited for her, greeting various girls as they appeared. “Hallo, Beetle!—Beatrice, I mean! Congratulations, Nesta! You’ll be a good Queen. Jen has been sure you would be chosen.”

Nesta, one of Jen’s classmates, coloured in pleasure. “It’s lovely of the girls to want me. I’ll try, Joan. Beetle’s going to be a jolly maid.”

“Beetle has had practice.” Joan smiled. “She’s been quite a good maid for me, when Jen was busy with cricket.”

Beetle, a short round person with a good-natured expression, grinned up at her. “You’ve trained me as a maid. I’ll do my best for Nesta. She’s going to look lovely in her silver train.”

The crowning of the May-Queen was due to take place two days later, for this was the beginning of the summer term. Joan had not seen the new robe yet, but she had heard its details from Jen.

“Silver honesty pennies on a purple border to a silver train; Jen told me. It will look most effective, Nesta. It’s a good choice; Nesta-Honesty will be a jolly Queen, I’m sure.”

“You’re not asking Nesta and Beetle as well, are you?” Jen came flying back, wearing her coat and cap. “You little pigs haven’t been butting in, have you?”

“I haven’t asked them,” Joan said quickly. “Don’t worry! This is a private lunch, just for you and me.”

“Oh, are you taking Jen out to lunch?” Beetle asked wistfully. “Can’t we come too, Joan?”

“Come on! We aren’t wanted.” Nesta took her future maid-of-honour by the arm and drew her away. “You know what Jen’s like about Joan!”

“Sorry, Beetle! But I really do want to talk to Jen,” Joan called after them.

Nesta nodded over her shoulder. “Of course. She’s your maid; you must consult her about things. Come along, Bee!”

“Was I a stingy pig, Joan?” Jen pleaded, as they crossed the playground. “I really did want you to myself. I don’t see a lot of you now. I couldn’t bear to share you with Nesta and Beetle!”

“I don’t call that being a stingy pig,” Joan assured her. “I’d invited you; I hadn’t asked them. Cheer up, Jenny-Wren! You’re going to see a lot of me presently. I hope it won’t be more than you want!”

“It couldn’t be. Joan, what do you mean?” Jen stood and gazed at her.

“I can’t tell you till we’re safely in the dairy. We may be interrupted here.”

“Come on!” Jen gave a shout. “Those kids are coming to ask if you think Nesta will be a good Queen. Run, Joan!”

Joan caught her hand and they raced to the gate and out into the road.

“Saved!” Jen cried dramatically. “I saw they were going to mob you!”

Joan checked the wild rush. “Walk decently!” she commanded. “I can’t go galloping through the streets like a wild infant.”

Jen grinned. “Is Joy coming too? Did she drive you in? How’s the new car?”

“Very comfortable and runs beautifully. Joy’s gone to see Cicely; I’m going home by train. Here we are! Which is your favourite corner?”

“This one! Do you remember how you jawed me a year ago, about being sporting and helping with cricket, and we sat in this very spot?”

“I never jawed you! What a horrible expression! I never even lectured you,” Joan protested. “I was most sympathetic and kind.”

“Yes, you were, but it came to the same thing. I had to go and play cricket and let Beetle be your maid. That won’t happen again, you know. I’ve bullied Kath till her bowling’s quite decent enough for any team.”

“I’m glad. I missed you a lot last summer. But I can’t quite believe Kathleen is as good as you were.”

“Not as good, perhaps,” Jen said candidly. “But she gets wickets and that’s what matters. I couldn’t go on giving up all my summers and losing my dancing. Kath’s had to work; I’ve seen that she did! Now she’s panting to be the team’s chief bowler, so they don’t need me any more. If Kath breaks her arm or has measles, the Head says they may fall back on me; I’m a sort of unofficial reserve. But I’m not playing regularly, so I can be your maid properly, Joan.”

“That’s a good thing, for I want your help,” Joan said, as she turned to the waitress to give her order.