“Since you prefer it, I will, mamma,” said Clementina softly. No daughter was more filial and considerate than she — in public.
Mabel was with Allan Thorpe, watching the amusements of the children, when she recognized Mr. Randolph Chester approaching. By his side walked Miss Clementina, a stately figure, overtopping her escort.
“Who is that lady with Mr. Chester?” she asked, in some curiosity.
“Miss Raymond, of Brooklyn,” replied Thorpe. “The Raymonds are at the hotel.”
“She seems to be a young lady of some pretension,” remarked Mabel, rather amused by Clementina’s airs.
“Quite so,” said Mr. Thorpe. “She is a person of very considerable importance — in her own eyes.”
“You may be in danger, Mr. Thorpe; I believe you are fellow boarders.”
“The danger is slight; Miss Clementina regards me as a poor artist, quite unworthy of her attentions. Occasionally she condescends to notice me; but in her eyes, I am an inferior being.”
“I fancy I shall be classed in the same category when she learns that I am the village school mistress.”
“I suspect you are right. Will it materially detract from your enjoyment, Miss Frost, if this proves to be so?”
Mabel laughed merrily.
“I have considerable fortitude,” she replied, “and I hope to bear up under it. See, they are coming this way.” .
Randolph Chester had not failed to notice Mabel, and it caused him a pang of jealousy to see her under the escort of another. He meant that she should see him, and, with Miss Raymond by his side, advanced to where they were standing.
“Oh, this is Miss Frost, the new teacher,” he said. “Let me introduce you.”
“I believe you are a teacher, Miss Frost,” said Clementina, when this formality had been accomplished.
“I teach the grammar school in this village, Miss Raymond,” replied Mabel demurely.
“A very useful vocation,” remarked Miss Raymond patronizingly. “I really feel ashamed of myself when I compare myself with you. I am afraid we fashionable girls are very useless.”
“Not necessarily so. Your means of usefulness are greater,” replied Mabel.
“To be sure. We contribute to charities, and all that, but it isn’t like taking part in the work.”
It would probably be extremely difficult to discover any charities that were materially assisted by Miss Raymond, but it suited her to convey the impression that she gave liberally.
“I agree with you, Miss Raymond,” said Allan Thorpe, speaking for the first time. “It is not enough to give money.”
“I plead guilty, Mr. Thorpe,” said Clementina, ready to charge herself with any sin that was fashionable; “but really, if you only knew how hard society girls find it to give their time — there are so many claims upon us — parties, receptions, the opera. Oh, I know what you will say. We should sacrifice our inclinations, and steal time to do good. I dare say you think so, Miss Frost.”
“It seems to me that it would become a pleasure as well as a duty to do something for others.”
“Excuse me, Miss Frost, but you cannot tell till you are placed as I am.
“Possibly not.”
All this was very amusing to Mabel. She strongly suspected that Miss Raymond’s claims to high social position would not bear examination. It was a novel sensation to be treated as one who had no knowledge of the great world from which she had voluntarily exiled herself, and she had no desire to disturb Miss Raymond in her delusion. Mr. Thorpe also enjoyed the scene. Though he believed her to be in reduced circumstances, he had seen her playing a brilliant part in New York society, and he was equally confident that Miss Raymond was a social humbug.
“Shall we promenade, Mr. Chester?” asked Clementina.
“If you desire it,” said her escort, with a show of devotion intended to create uneasiness in Mabel.
“May I come to your school some day, Miss Frost?” asked Miss Raymond. “I should like to visit a country school.”
“I shall be glad to see you,” said Mabel politely.
“Thank you so much. I will come if I can induce Mr. Randolph Chester to accompany me.”
Mr. Chester has already favored me with a visit,” said Mabel, smiling.