"Yes, my daughter, you are grown-up indeed! I never realised it before.
You had better prepare for the duties of chaperon, mother, for I foresee that this young lady will keep us busy. We shall have to take her about, and entertain her friends, and yawn in the corners while they dance half through the night. That's it, isn't it, Rhoda?"
Rhoda looked at him with a start of surprise. By tacit agreement nothing had yet been said of future arrangements, so that this was the first definite hint which she had received of her parents' intention.
Her voice was half regretful, half relieved, as she said:
"Then I am not to go back to school, father? You have decided that it is better not?"
Mr Chester put his hands on her arms and looked at her fondly, a remembrance rising in his mind as he did so of that other evening eighteen months ago, when the prospect of school had been proposed, and the girl had taken up the question and settled it out of hand, in arrogant, youthful fashion. It was a very different tone in which the present question was asked, and he was quick to note the difference.
"What do you say, mother? She doesn't look very much like a school-girl to-night, does she? No, Rhoda, I think those days are ended. You have had a year and a half at school, and it has been a valuable experience for you in many ways, but both your nerves and ours have been overstrained lately, and we will not risk any more separations, but try what travel will do to complete your education. It has always been my dream to go abroad for a year when you were able to come with us, and now that time has arrived. We will plan out a tour that shall be both pleasant and educational, and enlarge our minds by learning something about other countries besides our own."
"Rome for Easter, the Italian lakes and Switzerland in summer, the Riviera and Egypt in winter--Oh, father, how lovely! _How_ I shall enjoy it! How happy we shall be travelling about all together! I could not have told you what I wanted, but this is the very thing of all others I should most enjoy. And mother will like it too? It will not tire you, will it, dear, or worry you to be away from home?"
"My home is where you are. I shall be perfectly happy, dear, so long as we are together," said the mother, who had never been known to oppose her own wishes to those of her family; and in this easy fashion the matter was settled. One moment the project was mooted, the next dates and routes were being eagerly discussed, and the question of wardrobe being taken into account. Presently Mr Chester must needs consult the atlas which was in constant reference in every conversation, and away went the three in happy conclave to turn over the leaves on the library table, while Evie was left to look after them with wistful eyes, and Harold to study her face in his turn. She turned to find his eyes fixed upon her, and struggled hard to speak brightly.
"They all seem so happy--it is good to see them; and how pretty Rhoda looks to-night! It is so interesting to see the girls grow up, and come out as full-fledged young ladies. I've seen two transformations to- day--Rhoda and Tom!"
"Miss Bolderston? Really! Would you call her a transformation?"
queried Harold, raising his eyebrows with an expression which said all that he dare not put into words. "If that is a transformation, one is tempted to wonder what she was like before--"
"Don't!" Evie looked at him pleadingly. "Don't make fun of her, please, because we love her so dearly. Men don't appreciate Tom, and she doesn't show her best side to them, but she is a splendid girl, and the truest of friends. She was so kind to me to-day."
"You were talking to her about your work, and worrying because you could not go back at once!" said Harold shrewdly, and Evie looked at him under raised, apologetic eyebrows, quite overcome at being read in so easy a fashion.
"Well--just a little! I said that I could not go back to Hurst, as I should not be able to take part in games again--"
"And she sympathised with you, and agreed that it was a desperate lot?"
"No, indeed! You don't know Tom! She is far too much of an optimist to see the black side. She only said she was interested to see what would happen next, and that it was like being stopped suddenly in the middle of a story. I thought it was a very cheerful way of looking at it."
She paused, not caring, for some indefinite reason, to say anything of that later proposition, in the carrying out of which she and Tom were to grow old side by side; but the idea lay on her mind, and presently she added dreamily, "But, even if I _am_ lame, my mind is not affected. I can teach just as well as ever. There must be an opening for me somewhere. There are plenty of small schools where they don't go in for sports, plenty of girls who have to be educated at home--delicate girls, backward girls, girls who are, perhaps, like myself! I could teach them still if they would let me try--"
It was a very sweet little voice, and the quiver with which it broke off sounded strangely pathetic in the silence. Harold did not speak, and his head was bent forward so that Evie could not see his face. His hands were clasped and pressed so tightly together that the muscles stood out under the skin, but presently one of them was stretched forward and laid pleadingly over her own.
"Dearest and sweetest," said Harold softly; "teach me instead!"
When Rhoda came rushing into the room ten minutes later it was to find her brother seated by Evie on the sofa, and to meet two pairs of eyes which tried vainly to look calm and composed, but which were in reality so brimming over with happiness that the news was told without need of a single word.
"Oh!" she cried, stopping short and staring in astonishment. "_Oh_!"
and then Evie struggled to her feet and held out wide, welcoming arms.
"Oh, Rhoda, I am never going to be unhappy any more. Harold won't let me. He is going to help me all my life!"
"She is going to help _me_!" corrected Harold firmly. "I'm the happiest fellow in the world, Rhoda, and you must be happy too. Come and kiss your new sister."
Rhoda gave a little sob of joy, and flew into Evie's arms.
"My own sister! And I can take care of you always. I shall have a right, and you will not have to worry any more, or be anxious, or troubled. Evie, Evie, you can forgive me now, you can feel that I have not spoiled your life! You will be happy even if you are lame!"
"Yes, she will be happy--she has found a good man to take care of her!"
said Mrs Chester, coming forward from the background, and taking Evie into a warm embrace. "My dear child, I thought, I hoped, it might come to this! Once upon a time I was afraid I might be jealous of Harold's wife, but not you, dear, not you! That would be impossible. We owe you too much. You are welcome--a thousand times welcome! I am a rich woman indeed, for I have two beautiful daughters instead of one!"
Evie dropped her head on the broad, motherly shoulder and shed a tear of pure happiness and thankfulness.
"Tom was right!" she said to herself softly. "Tom was right--it was too early to judge! Good has come out of evil!"