“So there are of us,” said Pennie, “only Baby doesn’t count because she’s too young to go to things. There isn’t often anything to go to in Easney, but when there is we all five go at once. Dickie wouldn’t be left out for anything.”
By the time the Institute was reached they had become quite confidential, and Pennie had almost forgotten her past sufferings in the pleasure of finding a companion nearer her own age than Miss Unity. She told Sabine all about her life at home, the ages of her brothers and sisters, and their favourite games and pets.
She was indeed quite sorry when the missionary began his address, and they were obliged to be silent and listen to him, for she would have been more interested in continuing the conversation. It was, however, so pleasant to have found a friend that other things did not seem to matter so much; even when the dissolving views turned out to be dull in subject though very dazzling in colour she bore the disappointment calmly, and that evening she added in her diary, “By this we see that things never turn out as we expect them to.”
Miss Unity might have said the same. It was strange to remember how she had dreaded Pennie’s visits, for now it was almost equally dreadful to think of her going home. Little by little something had sprung up in Miss Unity’s life which had been lying covered up and hidden from the light for years. Pennie’s unconscious touch had set it free to put forth its green leaves and blossoms in the sunshine. How would it flourish without her?
Chapter Nine.
Dr Budge.
We must now leave Pennie at Nearminster for a while and return to Easney, where things had been quite put out of their usual order by the arrival of the measles. The whole house was upset and nothing either in nursery or school-room went on as usual, for everything had to give way to the invalids.
There was always someone ill. First Dickie, who took it “very hard,” Nurse said. Then just as she was getting better the baby sickened, and before anxiety was over about her, Ambrose began to complain and shortly took to his bed. Only Nancy and David showed no signs of it, and to their great annoyance had to continue their lessons as usual, and share in none of the privileges of being ill.