Tom and Some Other Girls | Page 4

the new experience."
"We will tell her about it, and see what she says," said Mr Chester; and
at that very moment the door opened and Rhoda walked into the room.
CHAPTER TWO.
WHAT RHODA THOUGHT.
Father, mother, and brother looked at Rhoda, and felt a pardonable
pride in her appearance. Her white evening frock showed off the fair
complexion and golden locks, and she carried herself with an erect,
fearless mien which made a pleasant contrast to the stooping backs and
shambling gait of most growing girls. If she were not regularly pretty,
her air of assurance forced onlookers to think her so, despite their better
judgment, and there was about her a breezy atmosphere of health and
youth. She looked from one to the other of the watching faces, and
smiled in a good-humoured, tolerant manner, which showed a dimple
in the round cheek.
"Hatching mischief!" she cried, nodding her head sagely. "The way in
which your voices ceased as I entered the room was highly suspicious.
Never mind--I'll go to bed soon, and then you can talk at your ease. It is
awkward when birthdays are drawing near! ... Chain bracelets are very
nice, with turquoises set here and there, and I rather like that new
edition of Shakespeare with a lot of dear little books fitted into a case. I

don't object to brooches either, or ornaments for my room--"
"But, strange to say, we were not thinking of giving you anything! We
were talking of a much more serious consideration than a birthday. We
were talking of your Future Education," said Mr Chester, solemnly. He
spoke so impressively, and with such very large capitals to the last two
words, that Rhoda was startled into attention, and turned her eyes upon
him in wonder.
"My--future--education? Why, what do you--what am I going to do?"
"We have been considering the advisability of sending you to school.
You are nearly sixteen, and have been educated at home all your life,
and now that Fraulein cannot return I feel strongly that it would be for
your good to spend a couple of years at school among girls of your own
age. Your mother naturally dreads the parting, and fears that you would
be unhappy, but Harold thinks that you would enjoy the experience.
What is your own impression? Do you dislike the idea, or feel inclined
towards it?"
Rhoda meditated, and her mother watched her with wistful eyes. At the
first mention of the word "school" the girl had started with surprise, and
her eyes had looked wide and puzzled, but now as she stood
deliberating, it was not dismay, but rather pleasure and excitement, that
showed in her face. The eyes gleamed complacently, the dimple dipped,
the fair head tilted itself, and Rhoda said slowly--
"I think I should--like it! It would be a--change!"
Alas for Mrs Chester, and alas for every mother in that sharp moment
when she realises that the nestling which she has been keeping so safe
and warm is already beginning to find the nest too narrow for its
ambitions, and is longing to fly away into the big, wide world! Two salt
tears splashed on to the satin gown, but no one saw them, for the girl
was engrossed in her own feelings, while Mr Chester was saying
brightly--
"That's my brave girl! I knew you would be no coward."

Harold watched his sister with mingled pity and amusement.
"They'll take it out of her! They'll take it out of her! Poor little Ro!
Won't she hate it, and won't it do her good!" he said to himself,
shrewdly. "And, after the first, I shouldn't wonder if she became a
prime favourite!"
Rhoda seated herself on a crimson plush chair, and folded her hands on
her knees, in an attitude of expectation. She was an impetuous young
person, and could brook no delay when once her interest was aroused.
School having been mentioned as a possibility of the future, it became
imperative to settle the matter off-hand.
Which school? When? Who would take her? What would she have to
buy? What were the rules? When were the holidays? How long would
they be? Where would she spend them?--One question succeeded
another in breathless succession, making Mr Chester smile with
indulgent amusement.
"My dear child, how can I tell? So far it is only a suggestion. Nothing is
settled. We have not even thought of one school before another--"
"If she goes at all, I should like her to go to Miss Moorby's, at
Bournemouth," said Mrs Chester quickly. "She only takes ten girls, and
I'm told it is just like a home--hot bottles in all the beds, and beef- tea at
eleven--"
"Mother!" cried Rhoda, in a tone of deep reproach. Her eyes flashed,
and