Betty Vivian: A Story of Haddo Court School Page 11

  CHAPTER XI

  A SPECIALITY ENTERTAINMENT

  Certainly it was nice to be a Speciality. Even Fanny Crawford completelyaltered her manner to Betty Vivian. There were constant and earnestconsultations amongst the members of the club in that charmingsitting-room. Betty, of course, was eagerly questioned, and Betty wasable to give daring and original advice. Whenever Betty spoke some onelaughed, or some one looked with admiration at her; and when she wassilent one or other of the girls said anxiously, "But do you approve,Betty? If you don't approve we must think out something else."

  Betty soon entered into the full spirit of the thing, and one and all ofthe girls--Fanny excepted--said that she was the most delightfulSpeciality who had ever come to Haddo Court. During this time she wasbravely trying to keep her vows. She had bought a little copy of JeremyTaylor's "Holy Living," and read the required portion every day, but shedid not like it; it had to do with a life which at one time she wouldhave adored, but which now did not appeal to her. She liked that part ofeach day which was given up to fun and frolic, and she dearly loved therespect and consideration and admiration shown her by the other girls ofthe school.

  It was soon decided that the next great entertainment of theSpecialities was to be given in Betty Vivian's bedroom. Each girl was tosubscribe three shillings, and the supper, in consequence, was to bequite sumptuous. Fanny Crawford, as the most practical member, was toprovide the viands. She was to go into the village, accompanied by oneof the teachers, two days before the date arranged in order to securethe most tempting cakes and pastry, and ginger-beer, and cocoa, andpotted meat for sandwiches. Betty wondered how the provisions could beprocured for so small a sum; but Fanny was by no means doubtful.

  Now, Betty had of worldly wealth the exact sum of two pounds tenshillings; and when it is said that Betty possessed two pounds tenshillings, this money was really not Betty's at all, but had to bedivided into three portions, for it was equally her sisters'. But asSylvia and Hester always looked upon Betty as their chief, and asnothing mattered to them provided Betty was pleased, she gave threeshillings from this minute fund without even telling them that she haddone so. Then the invitations were sent round, and very neatly were theypenned by Susie Rushworth and Olive Repton. It was impossible to ask allthe girls of the school; but a select list from the girls in the upperschool was carefully made, each Speciality being consulted on thispoint.

  Martha West, who was now a full-blown member, suggested Sibyl Ray atonce.

  Fanny gave a little frown of disapproval. "Martha," she said, "I mustsay that I don't care for your Sibyl."

  "And I like her," replied Martha. "She is not your style, Fan; but shejust needs the sort of little help we can give her. We cannot expectevery one to be exactly like every one else, and Sibyl is not half bad.It would hurt her frightfully if she were not invited to the firstentertainment after I have become a Speciality."

  "Well, that settles it," said Fanny in a cheerful tone; "she gets aninvitation of course."

  The teachers were never invited to these assemblies, but there was amurmur of anticipation in the whole school when the invitations wentround. Who were to be the lucky ones? Who was to go? Who was not to go?As a rule, it was so managed by the Specialities that the whole of theupper school was invited once during the term to a delightful evening inone of the special bedrooms. But the first invitation of the season--theone after the admission of two new members, that extraordinary BettyVivian and dear, good old Martha West--oh, it was of intense interest toknow who were to go and who to stay behind!

  "I've got my invitation," said a fat young girl of the name of SarahButt.

  "And I," "And I," "And I," said others.

  "I am left out," said a fifth.

  "Well, Janie, don't fret," said Sarah Butt; "your turn will come nexttime."

  "But I did so want to see Betty Vivian! They say she is the life of thewhole club."

  "Silly!" exclaimed Sarah; "why, you see her every day."

  "Yes, but not as she is in the club. They all say that she is toowonderful! Sometimes she sits down cross-legged and tells them stories,and they get so excited they can't move. Oh, I say, do--do look! lookwhat is in the corner of your card, Sarah! 'After supper, story-tellingby Betty Vivian. Most of the lights down.' There, isn't it maddening! Ido call it a shame; they might have asked me!"

  "Well, I will tell you all the stories to-morrow," said Sarah.

  "You!" The voice was one of scorn. "Why, you can't tell a story to saveyour life; whereas Betty, she looks a story herself all the time. Shehas it in her face. I can never take my eyes off her when she is in theroom."

  "Well, I can't help it," answered Sarah. "I am glad I'm going, that isall. The whole school could not be asked, for the simple reason that theroom wouldn't hold us. I shall be as green as grass when your invitationcomes, and now you must bear your present disappointment."

  Fanny Crawford made successful and admirable purchases. On the nightswhen the Specialities entertained, unless it was midsummer, the girlsmet at six-thirty, and the entertainment continued until nine.

  On that special evening Mrs. Haddo, for wise reasons all her own,excused the Specialities and their guests from attending prayers in thechapel. She had once made a little speech about this. "You will prayearnestly in your rooms, dears, and thank God for your happy evening,"she had said; and from that moment the Specialities knew that they mightcontinue their enjoyment until nine o'clock.

  Oh, it was all fascinating! Betty was very grave. Her high spiritsdeserted her that morning, and she went boldly to Mrs. Haddo--a thingwhich few girls dared to do.

  Mrs. Haddo was seated by her fire. She was reading a new book which hadjust been sent to her by post. "Betty, what do you want?" she said whenthe girl entered.

  "May I take a very long walk all alone? Do you mind, Mrs. Haddo?"

  "Anywhere you like, dear, provided you do not leave the grounds."

  "But I want to leave the grounds, Mrs. Haddo."

  "No, dear Betty--not alone."

  Betty avoided the gaze of Mrs. Haddo, who looked up at her. Betty'sbrilliant eyes were lowered, and the black, curling lashes lay on hercheeks.

  Mrs. Haddo wanted to catch Betty's soul by means of her eyes, and sodraw her into communion with herself. "Betty, why do you want to walkoutside the grounds, and all alone?"

  "Restless, I suppose," answered Betty.

  "Is this club too exciting for you, my child?"

  "Oh no, I love it!" said Betty. Her manner changed at the moment. "And,please, don't take my hand. I--oh, it isn't that I don't want to holdyour hand; but I--I am not worthy! Of course I will stay in the groundsto please you. Good-bye."