CHAPTER XXIX
The Arrival
NELL’S departure had been so hasty that there had been no time for explanations before she left. She had merely told Gertrude that she was going to Goat’s Gulch to see a sick man, and that Mrs. Peters would come and stay at the house while afternoon school was on.
But Gertrude knew of some of the sad passages of Nell’s past, and guessed that this hurried excursion might be accounted for in that way, so she concerned herself only in seeing what she could do to ease the domestic burdens before school commenced.
Leaving Flossie and the boys to get the dinner cleared away, she betook herself to the room Nell had been cleaning, and, setting herself to work, got it arranged in good order, the bed made up with fresh, sweet linen, clean curtains at the window, and everything in the nicest fashion, before she left for school.
Mrs. Peters came along just as she was putting the finishing touches to the few ornaments the room contained.
The station-master’s wife had a baby in her arms, and two more trotting by her side, but she looked happy and comfortable, so plainly she was not to be pitied, despite her family cares.
“Miss Hamblyn wanted me to catch hold whilst she was away and you were in school, so I just brought the children and came over,” announced Mrs. Peters, remembering with gratitude the many occasions on which Nell had come into her house and “caught hold” for her in times of domestic tribulation.
“It is very good of you to come,” said Gertrude, thankfully. “Ours is such an awkward house to shut up; some one would be sure to want something, and Flossie is too young to leave.”
“Poor little girl! yes, I should think she is. But what is there to do?” asked Mrs. Peters, looking round with an air of tremendous energy, as if she were simply yearning for work.
“Nothing, except to keep the kitchen fire going, and to see that the soup does not boil over. I have got the finishing touches put to Miss Alfreton’s room, though I don’t suppose she will be here for a few days yet, even if she decides to come at all. Nell cleaned the room early this morning, so I had only the nice part to do.”