CHAPTER XXXI

THE TEABERRY GOWN IS DONNED

When Miss Panney had driven herself away from Cobhurst and Dr. Tolbridge’s cook had finished her conference with Mrs. Drane and had gone out to the barn to look for her carriage, Miriam Haverley was left with an impression upon her mind.  This was to the effect that there was a good deal of managing and directing going on in the house with which she had nothing to do.

Miss Panney went into her kitchen to talk to Molly Tooney, and when she did not want to talk to her any more she sent her upstairs, in order that she might talk to Dr. Tolbridge’s cook, which latter person had come into her kitchen, as Molly had informed her after La Fleur’s departure, for the purpose of finding fault with the family cooking.  Whether or not the old woman had felt herself called upon to instruct Mike in regard to his duty, she did not know, but when Miriam went into the orchard for some apples, she had seen her talking to him at the barn gate, and when she came out again, she saw her there still.  Even Ralph took a little too much on himself, though of course he did not mean anything by it, but he had told Molly Tooney that she ought to have breakfast sooner in order that Miss Drane and he might get more promptly to their work.  While considering her impression, Molly Tooney came to Miriam, her face red.

“What do you think, miss,” said she, “that old bundle of a cook that was here this mornin’ has been doin’?  She’s been bringin’ cauld vittles from the docther’s kitchen to that nager Mike, as if you an’ Mr. Haverley didn’t give him enough to eat.  I looked in at his winder, a wonderin’ what he wanted wid a fire in summer time, an’ saw him heatin’ the stuff.  It’s an insult to me an’ the family, miss, that’s what it is.”  And the irate woman rested her knuckles on her hips.

Miriam’s face turned a little pink.

“I will inquire about that, Molly,” she said, and her impression became a conviction.

Toward the close of the afternoon, Miriam went up to her room, and spreading out on the bed the teaberry gown of Judith Pacewalk, she stood looking at it.  She intended to put on that gown and wear it.  But it did not fit her.  It needed all sorts of alterations, and how to make these she did not know; sewing and its kindred arts had not been taught in the schools to which she had been sent.  It is true that Miss Panney had promised to cut and fit this gown for her, but Miriam did not wish Miss Panney to have anything to do with it.  That old lady seemed entirely too willing to have to do with her affairs.

While Miriam thus cogitated, Cicely Drane passed the open door of her room, and seeing the queer old-fashioned dress upon the bed, she stopped, and asked what it was.  Miriam told the whole story of Judith Pacewalk, which greatly interested Cicely, and then she stated her desire to alter the dress so that she could wear it.  But she said nothing about her purpose in doing this.  She was growing very fond of Cicely, but she did not feel that she knew her well enough to entirely open her heart to her, and tell her of her fears and aspirations in regard to her position in the home so dear to her.