In a word, the child-woman had already set up an idol in her heart, an idol never, never, in all the changes and chances of this world, to be thrown from its altar.  Already she unconsciously identified herself with his successes.  He was now the classmate, equal, and competitor of her eldest brother; yet in the literary and scholastic rivalship and struggle between the two, it was not for Walter, but for Ishmael that she secretly trembled; and in their alternate triumphs and defeats, it was not with Walter, but Ishmael, that she sorrowed or rejoiced.

Bee was her mother’s right hand woman in all household affairs; she would have been the favorite, if Mrs. Middleton’s strict sense of justice had permitted her to have one among the children.  It was Bee who was always by her mother’s side in the early morning, helping her to prepare the light, nutritious puddings for dinner.

On these occasions Bee would often beg for some special kind of tart or pie, not for the gratification of her own appetite, but because she had noticed that Ishmael liked that dish.  So early she became his little household guardian.

And Ishmael?  He was now nearly sixteen years old, and thoughtful beyond his years.  Was he grateful for this little creature’s earnest affection?  Very grateful he was indeed!  He had no sister; but as the dearest of all dear sisters he loved this little woman of twelve summers.

But she was not his idol!  Oh, no!  The star of his boyish worship was Claudia!  Whether it was from youthful perversity, or from prior association, or, as is most likely, by the attraction of antagonism, the fair, gentle, intellectual peasant boy adored the dark, fiery, imperious young patrician who loved, petted, and patronized him only as if he had been a wonderfully learned pig or very accomplished parrot!  Bee knew this; but the pure love of her sweet spirit was incapable of jealousy, and when she saw that Ishmael loved Claudia best, she herself saw reason in that for esteeming her cousin higher than she had ever done before!  If Ishmael loved Claudia so much, then Claudia must be more worthy than ever she had supposed her to be!  Such was the reasoning of Beatrice.

Did Mr. and Mrs. Middleton observe this little domestic drama?

Yes; but they attached no importance to it.  They considered it all the harmless, shallow, transient friendships of childhood.  They had left their own youth so far behind that they forgot what serious matters—­sometimes affecting the happiness of many years, sometimes deciding the destiny of a life—­are commenced in the schoolroom.

Ishmael was felt to be perfectly trustworthy; therefore he was allowed the privilege of free association with these little girls—­an honor not accorded to other day pupils.

This “unjust partiality,” as they called the well-merited confidence bestowed upon our boy, greatly incensed the Burghes, and increased their enmity against Ishmael.