We were not sorry to find ourselves once more in our own pretty room, which we were so soon to leave. We lighted our candles and sat down to our Bible reading as usual.
"Heigh ho! What pleasant times we have had since we came into this little parlor, and how much we have learned!" said I, as we rose to get ready for bed. "I wonder what sort of room we shall have at Highbeck Hall. I don't believe we shall have one as pretty as this, do you?"
"I am sure I don't know, but I doubt it will not be as pleasant in all ways!" answered Amabel. "However, Mrs. Chloe says Mrs. Philippa keeps her own room a good deal, so I hope she will not be in our way, or we in hers. Did you notice, Lucy, that she never spoke to Aunt Deborah once?"
"I saw she did not. Everything had to go through poor Aunt Chloe. But is it not very kind in the ladies to call me niece? It is much more than I expected, I am sure," said I. "I think we may get on with Mrs. Deborah and Mrs. Chloe well enough, and as to Mrs. Philippa, why if we cannot coax her round, we must just let her alone as far as possible. I am glad she likes music."
"Yes, it gives one something to take hold of. Well, we can settle nothing beforehand—we can only wait and see. But, Lucy, if I had not learned something more than we knew in the convent—if I had not learned to trust to my Father in Heaven, and to feel sure that He will order everything that is best for us—I should feel as though we were indeed going into banishment. Good-night, dear!"
The next morning, eight o'clock found us in the sitting-room at the Queen's Head. Neither of the ladies was to be seen, but we heard Mrs. Chloe's voice in the next room.
"We talked about buying a new harpsichord, as the old spinet is out of order, but I don't know—Deborah thinks it will be a good deal of expense and trouble."
"Of course she does, since she knows it would please me!" Mrs. Philippa broke in. "That would be enough to set her against it. Mind, Chloe, I will have a harpsichord for these girls, if I have to go out and buy it myself. You can tell Deborah so if you like. I have always been the sacrifice—always had to give up in everything, but I will have my own way in this matter."
"Well, there, don't excite yourself!" said Mrs. Chloe soothingly. And then Tupper's voice chimed in—"I suppose of course you will get up to breakfast, Mrs. Philippa, since the young ladies are coming?"
"No, that I won't!" was the tart reply. "You ought to know better than to think of such a thing, Tupper. I don't think I shall get up to-day; you can bring me some chocolate and an egg, if a fresh one can be had in this odious place, and some bacon, and jam, and a fresh roll—no, I won't have a fresh roll, I will have some buttered toast, and you may get me out the first volume of Tom Jones. Do go away, Chloe, and let me have my breakfast in peace."