“Yes, the Shakespeare prize is to be yours, Gerry,” Miss Winthrop at once explained. “Olive wanted the pleasure of trying for it just to see what she could do, but Madame Van Mater does not wish the prize given her, and of course under the circumstances Olive does not wish it herself.”
Ten minutes later Jean, Frieda, Olive and Gerry were peremptorily borne away by a number of their classmates. Later on from a kind of throne on one of the Primrose Hall verandas Jack and some of her friends witnessed the pretty ceremony of the crowning of Olive as Queen of the day. For several hours afterwards the dancing out on the lawn continued, Olive raising a silver wand as a signal for each dance to begin and then in royal fashion leading it off herself. Four or five times during the afternoon Olive and Donald Harmon had been partners. Once, when Jack had been watching them, she happened to turn to speak to Madame Van Mater, who sat next her. But whatever she may have intended to say she did not, but instead waited to study her companion’s expression.
There was no doubt that Madame Van Mater was looking distinctly pleased at the sight of Olive and Donald together, for there was almost a smile of satisfaction on her face. Watching her, Jack flushed, biting her lips, then she leaned over and spoke:
“You are very good, Madame Van Mater, to be willing to have Olive go home with us to our ranch this summer. I wonder if afterwards you will do something that is kinder still?” she asked.
With distinct approval Madame Van Mater regarded Jack, for there was an air of distinction and aristocracy about her that was very pleasing.
“It was Katherine Winthrop’s idea that I should not interfere with my granddaughter’s liberty at present,” she replied; “but what more would you have me to do?”
For answer Jack, who was growing weary, leaned back on her sofa cushions looking out over the garden and fields to where afar off she could see just a silver line marking the course of the Hudson River.
“I have been shut up inside a hospital for seven months, Madame Van Mater,” she explained slowly, “and until my accident I don’t believe I had ever been indoors twenty-four hours together in my life. And all the time lately I have been thinking and longing for just two things. One to see our beloved ranch again, to get on horseback and ride for miles and miles over the prairie. And then—”
“And then?” old Madame Van Mater repeated with more interest than you would believe she could show.
Jack laughed. “Why then I want to travel as far and as fast as I can. You see, I have been shut in so long and some days I used to think perhaps I should never see much more of the world than just four walls.” Jack shuddered and then braced her shoulders in her old, determined way. “But I am well now and, as the doctors don’t wish me to be in school, I want you to promise to let Olive go to Europe with Jean and Frieda and me next fall?”