Boarding Round/Chapter 11

In the Corner district, the sewing society was a sort of clearing house. Here accounts were brought, a balance was struck, or, at least, attempted, and a new beginning made along certain lines of human interest and effort. The meaning of what had been experienced, or witnessed in the life of others, was often sought out. It was, therefore, a place to come to mutual and helpful understanding of past events, as well as to plan for the future. It was also a place of enjoyment in the contemplation of life as it really is. Notice had been given from the pulpit of a meeting at the house of Mrs. Ordway. The men were asked to come in the evening.

The schoolmaster had received a special invitation. Accordingly, he started to walk the two miles. The snow was deep, and there was only a path for the sleighs, in the middle of the road. Mr. Sears was trudging on in that path, having not a few thoughts anticipatory ​of the evening's enjoyment. In his rear he began to hear sleigh-bells, which seemed to him much like those to which he became accustomed during his recent famous ride to the Hotel Cragin. As these sounds rapidly grew more and more distinct, he took the precaution to step out one side, and so escape being run over. The sleigh came to a standstill squarely against him. And a familiar voice:

"Why, Mr. Sears, are you really walking in this deep snow! What a shame! If I had had my thoughts about me, I should have sent you word, and saved you all this. Raise that buffalo, Thomas, and give Mr. Sears a seat."

"Thank you, Mrs. Aikin. You are always just in time to help some poor fellow like me."

"No, Mr. Sears, I'm not in time. That's the worst of it. It's a great pity somebody didn't have grace of accommodation enough, to keep you from walking in this deep snow."

Mrs. Aikin and her daughter were on the back seat. In a few minutes the fleet horse stood before Mrs. Ordway's front door. The three passed through the hall and up stairs, where they were to deposit their wraps; and, if they wished, to look at their faces in the glass, to see that all which surrounded their smiling countenances was in proper order to meet the assembly in the parlors. These three last comers went down together. Imagine, if you can, indulgent reader, the feelings—ranging all the way from great intensity to a slight ​ruffling of the sensibilities—that were attempted to be concealed by the two or three men, and the great many women, who made up that assembly! No one seemed ready to speak, but some looked this way, and some looked that way, and some didn't look any way. Good evening was said in a formal manner, and hands were extended as if in welcome. Some words were exchanged in regard to the snow, the cold weather, and other equally interesting news. As a matter of course, there had been a good deal of talk concerning the sleighride, and various opinions had been expressed. The comforting conclusion had been reached—although with some troublesome doubts remaining—that the schoolmaster had been a victim of circumstances, rather than otherwise; but when he came into the house in company with Mrs. Aikin and her daughter, they were ready to give it up, and to believe that he had been caught in that snare. They were amazed, chagrined, and some of them—if they would acknowledge it—on the verge of cherishing a feeling akin to anger. There had also been much discussion in regard to what they should try to accomplish for the benefit of mankind in general, and one or two had mentioned foreign missions, but it was soon evident that that proposition had lost much of its peculiar charm. Work at home had risen in importance. They were agreed on the propriety of appointing committees to ​visit the outlying districts, as had been before suggested. And they were unanimous in opinion that Mr. Sears should be chairman of the first of these committees. They believed that if there was really a troublesome magnet beginning to draw him away from such benevolent work, giving him a first place at once would serve as a healthful counteracting influence. There had been more difficulty in selecting two ladies to go with the teacher. All agreed that these should not be taken from his scholars. They were too young, and it might occasion a little jealousy among their associates. They should be careful to avoid troubles of that kind, and keep their work on a strictly disinterestedly benevolent basis. So it was decided that two of the young ladies that would have gone to school this year, had they known how things were going to be, should first attempt to begin this work among the poor. They were well acquainted with all the outlying neighborhoods, and could point out to Mr. Sears where it would be best to go first. Thus it was that this preparatory arrangement had been completed with as good a degree of harmony as could be expected. But how in a moment had these good plans been frustrated! How were their bright visions turned to blackness! If Mr. Sears had, at that moment, brought "Phrene" Aikin into their very presence, what more was to be said! What could they accomplish anyway? It was ​bad enough for the heathen to be left to perish, but this! Who would have expected it?

But as these thoughts were passing through the minds of the good ladies—exasperated as good people sometimes are—Mrs. Aikin opened her purse, and taking out a ten-dollar bill, deposited it in the treasurer's box on the table. This was not the first time that she, a Congregationalist though she was, had assisted the ladies of the Methodist sewing society in this generous fashion. Such an act, however, just at this moment, came as a surprise. No one, at first, seemed to know how to express their proper appreciation of the gift; but soon Miss Delano had gathered up her thoughts.

"I move a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs. Aikin for her most generous remembrance of us, and that this vote be put in our records." All approved by rising. No one felt like disputing the generosity. Yet, after all, some did have a kind of "feeling," that the rich woman, in securing a first mortgage on the schoolmaster, could really afford to be generous. But there was no hinting of any such impression. Mrs. Aikin was unanimously accorded the place of honor. "Phrene" kept quietly in the background, as she had been taught to do on such occasions.

But the young ladies present—and practically all were present—had "a kind of feeling" that they didn't know how very well to ​entertain the schoolmaster that evening. They got off up stairs together long enough to talk the matter over a little. It was suggested that they introduce the sleighride as a subject of conversation. To tell the truth, they felt a little irritated, and a good deal disappointed. But could they introduce the subject? Some contended that they could not do it. How did they know? Perhaps things were not as they seemed. Miss Delano said that she was not afraid to try it. If they said nothing about the sleighride, it would appear that they didn't dare to. That would be worse still. Miss Haggleton was of the same opinion, and she expressed it still more emphatically. She had been one of the young ladies so long that what she said ought to have weight. And for that matter, Miss Delano also could claim the privilege of being heard. It was agreed that these two young ladies should put themselves in the foreground. Then they should, in talking with the master, bring up the sleighride, and that would test him, and afterwards they should perhaps know better the truth of things, the reality or the unreality of appearances. They went down prepared for a vigorous, though pleasantly conducted, campaign. The two of more experience were first to reconnoiter, and try to get a correct impression of the stronghold that they were to scale.

"Why, good evening, Mr. Sears! We ​ought to be thankful that you could brave the cold and the snow, to be with us this evening." But to herself: "I hope he doesn't know that I know how he had a nice ride after Mrs. Aikin's horse."

"Yes, it is cold, and the snow is deep; but I don't mind it."

"Why should he mind it—in a sleigh?"—such her thought.

"Not quite so cold as it was when you had the sleighride the other night," added Miss Haggleton.

"Well, not much difference, I think."

"Your ride to Hotel Cragin must have been very enjoyable."

"Sleighrides are always enjoyable, are they not?"

"Yes, I suppose so."

"Is it so long since you have taken one that you cannot be sure?" was the thought of the schoolmaster.

After a pause, in which she seemed to be hesitating, Miss Haggleton continued, "It makes a world of difference what company you have."

"Yes, it does."

The sprightly, bright-eyed inquisitor, in her most showy dress, continued her attack, as advanced guard, until it seemed prudent to fall back upon the main force, and report her discoveries.

​"Good evening, Mr. Sears."

It was Miss Delano's turn now.

"This is a very pleasant evening," was the response.

"But cold; it's almost as cold as the evening of the sleighride. I'm sure you must have enjoyed that."

"I did, very much."

"I suppose it was confined to your scholars?"

"Why, yes; it was for them especially."

"Oftentimes one or two outsiders will try to crowd in. I'm glad if you weren't troubled in that way."

"The scholars managed the whole thing. They wished me to go because I was their teacher."

"You must have appreciated that. It shows their good will. But I think the teacher should have the privilege of taking a lady from outside his school. It usually makes trouble if he takes one of his scholars."

"I can conceive that it might do so in some cases." As Mr. Sears made this reply, he saw a young lady standing at his side, and who had evidently come up for an introduction.

"Excuse me, Mr. Sears, have you met Miss Leland?"

"I am happy to see you, Miss Leland. I think you were at our Saturday exercises."

​"Yes, I was." Then after a slight pause, the young lady added timidly, "It's cold to-night."

"Yes, it is quite so."

"I hope you enjoy cold weather, Mr. Sears. You must have had a nice time when you took the sleighride the other night."

"Very nice indeed."

The master was strictly truthful in his statements, but, like all other folks, he was obliged to put in something of some sort, when otherwise there would be an embarrassing blank space in conversation. So he added: "Sleighrides are always very nice, and it could hardly be that this should have been an exception."

Miss Leland was a slender, delicate, and rather attractive girl, being one of those who were sorry that they had not continued to go to school one year more. In coming to speak with Mr. Sears, she had brought with her Miss Susie Crosby, who had been her classmate, and who also shared, with her, regret at leaving the school so young. She was a tall, vigorous, very capable young woman, and withal desirous of making herself useful, so she had been selected as one of the committee to visit the poor. But that benevolent action, just taken by the ladies, had come to fall, temporarily, into a secondary place in their minds. So Miss Crosby, if she had, for the moment, forgotten it, was not, more than her associates, ​carelessly neglectful of her opportunities. She was not to be blamed, therefore, if she did, as her first remark to Mr. Sears, say, "It is cold to-night."

He also, by this time, having become comfortably assured that he was making no mistake regarding atmospheric conditions that winter evening, said, "Yes, it is cold."

She added, "It has been pretty cold lately."

He, too, feeling that his memory was not betraying him, spoke up promptly, "It has been cold."

She next said, "It was pretty cold the night when your school took their sleighride."

The schoolmaster immediately assented to the truthfulness of the statement, so she could go on: "You must have suffered from the cold, I think. It's quite a long ride to Hotel Cragin."

"Oh, it makes a great difference what company you have."

Miss Crosby was taken aback by this reply. She was not prepared for such a cool abandonment to the logic of facts, anticipating her in what might have been a cautious approach to the same idea. She instantly began scanning her mental horizon to find something for further contribution to the conversation, so interestingly begun, when her friend approached,—Miss Delia Sweet, the third member of the committee of which Mr. Sears was chairman. However much Miss Crosby ​wished to put in some kind of rejoinder to his bold remark, there was nothing other that she could do, so she said: "I think, Mr. Sears, that you have met Miss Sweet."

"I have had the pleasure of meeting Miss Sweet. I remember that she got crowded in between two rough boys, at our general exercises. I am glad, Miss Sweet, that you can make a part of our happy company here this evening."

"Thank you, Mr. Sears. I am always glad to attend these meetings of the sewing society. But it is rather cold, coming out to-night."

"Yes, quite cold."

"We have had it cold right along for some days now," said the fair young lady.

"Yes, but I like the cold weather pretty well."

"I, too, can get along with it, if it is not severely cold. I've wondered if you didn't have quite enough of it when you went on your sleighride the other night."

"Oh, no, indeed. When you have good company, you forget the cold."

Mr. Sears had been curious to see what reply Miss Crosby would make to the same sentiment from him, but as she had no opportunity to say anything, he thought he would throw down the gauntlet to another fair antagonist, if such she should prove to be. He was not so dull as not to perceive what were in the thoughts of those who were entertaining him. ​And he was not surprised. It was what he had expected. Neither did he blame any one in the least. He was sure his own happiness was stored away in a very secure place. He would make all the rest happy too.

It suddenly seemed best to Miss Sweet to change the subject of conversation.

"We have been put on a committee, Mr. Sears."

"On a committee, what committee?"

"To visit the poor."

"Who has appointed us?"

"This society has. We are a home missionary committee. We are to look up the poor, who need help, and report."

"Do you really mean it?"

"Most surely I do. Miss Crosby is with us,—we three."

"I can attend to it Saturdays when I don't have school."

"We will be ready to go with you."

"Nothing would suit me better."

"Nothing would suit us better."

But another young lady, who was sorry that she was not in school, now shows her eagerness to talk with the teacher. He was glad to meet her. She was glad to meet him, although she did not say so. She started off at once to talk about the weather. She found that Mr. Sears confirmed her idea of it, and she assented without hesitation to his conclusions.

After these more formal introductions, and ​conversations, the young people, including Miss Haggleton and Miss Delano, had games and plays. Miss Aikin didn't care to join them. Among those who had conversed with the master there was much private talk. It was evident that hope had risen a good many degrees. If it had not been that Mr. Sears had come there that evening with Mrs. Aikin! Then, behold! she, with "Phrene," takes him, as they are about to break up, into her sleigh, and they go home together! It looked as if there was something, after all. Yet "nothing would suit him better" than engaging with them in the work of their society. They were perplexed.

After Mrs. Aikin had left, the more elderly women returned to their earlier thoughts. They began:

"Did you ever!" "My senses alive!" "Who would have thought it?" "Well, money does have a mighty influence." "Goodness' sake! Money—what is money?" "Will a promising young man throw himself away for a few glittering jewels?" "It does seem as if he was hitched on there." "If 'twas nothin' but the sleighride—there!—but he's come here with her to-night, right afore our face an' eyes! Didn't he s'pose we s'd think somethin'?" "Why, that girl, she's just simplicity incarnate. What are furs, and feathers, and diamonds, if they're not on somebody?" "We thought Mr. Sears was a splen​did young man, and he is—but—well, there's nothing to be said."

So one and another interjected her thoughts, till nearly all had "freed their minds." Mrs. Hale gave better advice; it was to wait and see. She told them that every young man's life is his own. It was not at all certain that Mr. Sears had done anything to forfeit their respect.

Helen Porter enjoyed the evening most intensely. She had a keen sense of the ridiculous.