As we have once before observed, Anna was a great favorite with the
captain, who had petted her until John Jr. teased her unmercifully,
calling him her gray-haired lover, and the like. This made Anna
exceedingly sensitive, and now when the captain called for her to ride,
as he frequently did, she refused to go unless the invitation was also
extended to ’Lena, who in this way got many a pleasant ride around the
country. She was fast learning to like Kentucky, and would have been
very happy had her aunt and Carrie been a little more gracious. But the
former seldom spoke to her, and the latter only to ridicule something
which she said or did.
Many and amusing were the disputes between the two girls concerning
their peculiarities of speech, Carrie bidding ’Lena “quit her Yankee
habit of eternally _guessing_,” and ’Lena retorting that “she would
when Carrie stopped her everlasting _reckoning_.” To avoid the remarks
of the neighbors, who she knew were watching her narrowly, Mrs.
Livingstone had purchased ’Lena two or three dresses, which, though
greatly inferior to those worn by Carrie and Anna, were still
fashionably made, and so much improved ’Lena’s looks, that her manners
improved, also, for what child does not appear to better advantage when
conscious of looking well? More than once had her uncle’s hand rested
for a moment on her brown curls, while his thoughts were traversing the
past, and in fancy his fingers were again straying among the silken
locks now resting in the grave. It would seem as if the mother from her
coffin was pleading for her child, for all the better nature of Mr.
Livingstone was aroused; and when he secured the services of Mr.
Everett, who was highly recommended both as a scholar and gentleman, he
determined that ’Lena should share the same advantages with his
daughters. To this Mrs. Livingstone made no serious objection, for as
Mr. Everett would teach in the house, it would not do to debar ’Lena
from the privilege of attending his school; and as the highest position
to which she could aspire was to be governess in some private family,
she felt willing, she said, that she should have a chance of acquiring
the common branches.
And now Mr. Everett was daily expected. Anna, who had no fondness for
books, greatly dreaded his arrival, thinking within herself how many
pranks she’d play off upon him, provided ’Lena would lend a helping
hand, which she much doubted. John Jr., too, who for a time, at least,
was to be placed under Mr. Everett’s instruction, felt in no wise eager
for his arrival, fearing, as he told ’Lena that “between the ‘old man’
and the tutor, he would be kept a little too straight for a gentleman
of his habits;” and it was with no particular emotions of pleasure that
he and Anna saw the stage stop before the gate one pleasant morning
toward the middle of November. Running to one of the front windows,
Carrie, ’Lena, and Anna watched their new teacher, each after her own
fashion commenting upon his appearance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account