‘One is quite enough,’ said Mr. Harefield. ‘I’ll tell him to send one of his girls to play with Beatrix.’ Writing to his agent on some business matter that evening, Christian Harefield added this postscript,-- ‘Oblige me by sending the quietest of your girls to play with my daughter every afternoon at three.’ The request was somewhat curtly put, but the Scratchells saw in it the opening of a shining path that led to the temple of fortune. From that hour Isabella was exalted above all her sisters and brothers. She was like Joseph with his coat of many colours. All the other sheaves bowed down to her sheaf. She had better raiment than the others, that she might be presentable at the Water House. She never had her boots mended more than once. After the second mending they were passed on to Clementina, whether they fitted or not. Clementina protested piteously. Beatrix received her new companion, and absolutely her first playfellow, with open arms, and a heart overflowing with love that had run more or less to waste hitherto, or had been squandered on ponies, dogs, and guinea-pigs. Miss Scales, the governess, was not lovable. One might as well have tried to love the Druid stones on the moor above Little Yafford. Christian Harefield wrapped himself in gloom as in a mantle, and lived apart from all the world. So Isabella’s coming was like the beginning of a new life for Beatrix. She was enraptured with this little fair-haired girl, who knew how to play at all manner of nice games which Beatrix had never heard of, and which Miss Scales condemned as vulgar. Happily Isabella had been so well drilled in the needy, careful home, that she behaved with a propriety in which even Miss Scales could find no flaw. When questioned by Mr. Harefield, the governess reported favourably, though with a certain condescending reserve, of the young guest, and, from coming for an hour or two every afternoon, Isabella came almost to live at the Water House, and to receive a share of Miss Scales valuable instructions, that lady’s acquirements being of a solid and unornamental character which Mr. Harefield approved. ‘I shall have your girl carefully educated,’ said Christian Harefield to his man of business. ‘I am bound to make some return for her services as my daughter’s companion. But if you want her taught music and dancing, you’ll have to get that done elsewhere. My girl learns neither.’ As well as these educational advantages Isabella received other benefits which her youthful mind better appreciated, in the occasional gift of a silk frock or a warm winter jacket, purchased for her by Miss Scales at Mr. Harefield’s desire; and when Beatrix grew up and had plenty of pocket-money, she was always giving Bella presents. ‘It’s like having a fairy godmother,’ said Flora, the third of the Scratchell daughters, with a pang of envy.