The School Queens

“Well, all I want you to do in future – and I believe her mother will consent, for I have seen Mrs. Martin this morning”–

“You went to Laburnum Villa this morning? Tasty place, that, eh?”

“Yes, a very comfortable sort of house. My aunt, Lady Lysle, and I went together.”

“Her ladyship and you?”

“We drove there.”

“I hope the neighbors saw,” said Martin. “They’ll come in shoals to see Little-sing after they’ve peeped at her ladyship’s carriage.”

Aneta could scarcely keep back a smile.

“Mr. Martin,” she said, “if I do what I intend for you – and it lies in my power – will you please not come to Aylmer House to-morrow?”

“Ho, hi! And why not? Ashamed of me, eh?”

“Not at all,” said Aneta. “I am not ashamed of you in your walk in life; but I think it would be best for Maggie if you did not come; therefore I ask you not to do so.”

“But the girl’s my girl.”

“No, she is her mother’s daughter; and, to tell the truth, we all want – I mean, my aunt and I, and others – to have her to ourselves, at least until she is educated.”

“But, come now, miss, that’s all very fine. Who pays for her education?”

“Her father’s money.”

“So she let that out?” said Martin.

“I know about it,” said Aneta. “That is sufficient. Now, Mr. Martin, I ask you to become grocer to my aunt, Lady Lysle, of Eaton Square, and to any friends who she may recommend, on the sole condition that you do not come to Aylmer House, and that you allow Maggie Howland to spend the holidays with us.”

“Oh, my word, I am sure I don’t care,” said Martin,

“You promise, then?”

“Yes, I promise fast enough. If you’re going to take Maggie and bring her up a fine lady she’ll never suit me. All I beg is that she doesn’t come back to me like a bad penny some day.”

“That I can absolutely assure you she will never do. I am exceedingly obliged to you. Will you come with me now and let me say a few words to my aunt; for as you have made your definite promise to leave Maggie alone, my aunt must make a definite promise to you.”

Lady Lysle was much astonished, as she sat wearily in her carriage, when a red-faced, bald-looking, stout grocer accompanied her elegant young niece to the carriage-door.

“Aunt Lucia,” said Aneta, “this is Mr. Martin.”

Lady Lysle gave the faintest inclination of her head.

“Proud to see your ladyship,” said Martin.

“I have been making arrangements with Mr. Martin,” said Aneta, “and on certain conditions he will do what I want. Will you please, in future, get your groceries from him?”

“I will faithfully attend to you, my lady, if agreeable to you. I will come weekly for horders. I will do anything to oblige your ladyship.”

“Please, auntie, you’ve got to do it,” said Aneta.

“My dear, it depends on Watson, my housekeeper.”

“Oh, I’ll manage Watson,” said Aneta, springing lightly into the carriage, her face all beams and smiles. – “It is quite right, Mr. Martin; and you will get your second order this evening. You won’t forget about the tea and currants and sugar for the poor people. – Now, auntie, will you drive me back to Aylmer House, or shall we go straight to Eaton Square?”

“Eaton Square, I think.”

“Good-day, Mr. Martin.”

The carriage rolled out of sight. Martin stood bareheaded in the doorway of his shop. There was not a prouder man than he in the whole of Christendom. When he returned to the sacred precincts of the shop itself he said to Turtle, “Fresh customer, Turtle – West End, Turtle. That’s a fine young lady – eh, Turtle?”

“The most beautiful young female I ever saw,” returned Turtle.

“When I ask you what you think of her personal appearance you can tell me, Turtle. Now, go and attend to the shop.”

Meanwhile Aneta, her heart full of thankfulness, accompanied her aunt to Eaton Square.

“I have got what I want,” she said, “and dear Maggie is practically saved; and you have done it, auntie. You will feel happier for this to your dying day.”

Lady Lysle said that at the present moment she did not feel specially elated at the thought of getting her tea and numerous groceries at a shop in Shepherd’s Bush; but Aneta assured her that that was a very tiny sacrifice to make for so great an end as she had in view.

“It will help Mr. Martin,” she said. “He is not a gentleman, and doesn’t pretend to be, but he’s a good, honest tradesman; and perhaps Mrs. Ward, too, will give him some of her custom.”

“Well, my dear Aneta, if you’re happy, I have nothing to say,” responded her aunt. “But you must tackle Watson, for I really cannot attempt it.”

Aneta did tackle the old housekeeper to some purpose. At first there were objections, protests, exclamations; but Aneta was sure of her ground. Did not Mrs. Watson idolize the girl, having known her from her earliest days?

About tea-time a tired and triumphant girl returned to Aylmer House. She had had her way. The great difficulty was overcome. Maggie, looking pale and tired, was having tea with the others. Aneta sat down by her side. Maggie turned anxious eyes towards the queen of the school whom she used to fear and almost hate. But there was no hatred now in Maggie’s eyes. Far, far from that, she looked upon Aneta as a refuge in the storm. If Aneta could not get her out of her present trouble no one could.

“You will be very busy during the leisure hours this afternoon,” said Aneta when the meal was coming to an end. “But, first of all, I want to speak to you just for a minute or two.”

“Yes,” said Maggie.

“We have done tea now. May Maggie and I go away by ourselves, please, Miss Johnson, for a few minutes?” said Aneta.

Miss Johnson signified her consent, and the two queens left the room together. The other girls looked after them, wondering vaguely what was up.

“Maggie,” said Aneta, “I have managed everything.”

“Aneta – you haven’t”–

“Yes; he isn’t coming to-morrow, nor is your mother; and Aunt Lucia has invited you to spend the Christmas holidays with us. You can see your mother occasionally; but, somehow or other, Maggie dear, you are to be my friend in future; and – oh, Maggie!”

“Oh Aneta! how can I ever, ever thank you?”

“Well, the beginning of the way is a little hard,” said Aneta. “Come now, at once, straight to Mrs. Ward, and tell her every single thing.”