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Winter Cookbook
By
BookSumo Press
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Published by
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LEGAL NOTES
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Transmitted In Any Form Or By Any Means. Photocopying, Posting Online,
And / Or Digital Copying Is Strictly Prohibited Unless Written Permission
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Table of Contents
Buffalo Soup 7
Rustic Style Chicken 10
Savory Garlic Chicken Breast 11
Chicken Breast Dump Dinner 12
American Style Bake Chicken I 13
Spinach Potatoes and Eggs 14
Countryside Baked Chicken 15
Chicken and Waffle Sandwich 16
Sunbelt Quinoa Classic 17
Quinoa Festival 20
Blueberry Breakfast Quinoa 21
Middle Eastern Style Quinoa 22
Cheesy Veggie Quinoa 23
German Style Noodles with Cabbage 24
Lunchtime Noodles 25
Hungarian Noodles 26
Homemade Egg Noodles 27
Family-Friendly Noodle Casserole 30
Onion Soup Roast 32
Roasted Veggies Salad 33
Veggies Roast with Italian Sausage Soup 34
Roasted Garlic Stock 36
Pancakes for Autumn 37
Dutch Style Pancakes 40
Light Pancakes 41
Sourdough Pancakes 42
Potato Pancakes 43
Potato Soup 101 44
Green Onion Cheddar Cheese Potato Soup 45
How to Roast a Turkey 46
Mediterranean Turkey Breast 47
Rosemary Garlic Country Turkey Breast 50
Paprika, Orange, Nutmeg, Spicy Turkey Breast 51
Sage, Green Onion, and Lemon Pepper Turkey Breast 52
Peas Omelet 53
Australian Shrimp Omelet 54
Autumn Stew 55
Texas Style Stew 56
Easy Parisian Stew 57
Buffalo Stew 60
Moroccan Stew 61
Belgium Waffles 101 62
Winter Morning Vanilla Waffles 63
Easy Buttermilk Waffle 64
Waffle III 65
Healthier Wheat Applesauce Waffle 66
Minty Roast Beef With Butter Gravy 67
Spanish Rump Roast Barbecue 70
Mascarpone Russets 71
Rack of Ribs 101 72
Eastern European Style Mashed Potatoes 73
French Style Mashed Potatoes 74
Mashed Potatoes Appetizer 75
Holiday Sweet Mashed Potatoes 76
Chicken and Rice Soup 77
30-Minute 5-Ingredient Store Bought Chicken Soup 80
Creamy Chicken Soup 81
Chicken Soup Clásico 82
Spicier Chicken Soup 83
Saturday Night Chicken Soup 84
Buffalo Prep Time: 25 mins
Ingredients
2 bunches green onions, chopped 1/4-1/2 C. buffalo sauce
3 stalks celery, chopped 4 oz. process cheese
1/4 C. butter 1/2 tsp cayenne
1/4 C. flour 1/2 tsp celery salt
3/4 C. milk 1/2 tsp garlic salt
3/4 C. chicken broth
2 C. diced cooked chicken
Directions
1. Stir fry your celery and onions in butter. Once everything is soft add in the flour and stir
the mix.
2. Now gradually add in your broth and milk.
3. Stir the mix until it is smooth again then add in the: green onions, chicken, chicken sauce,
cheese, cayenne, celery salt, and garlic salt.
4. Stir the mix again and get everything hot.
5. Continue cooking the mix until you find that the cheese is well combined then shut the
heat.
6. Enjoy.
Buffalo Soup 7
RUSTIC STYLE
Chicken
Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
Ingredients
1/4 C. unsalted butter 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
2 bone-in skin-on chicken breasts 1/2 tsp garlic powder
4 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch 1/2 tsp seasoned salt
cubes 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
4 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch salt and ground black pepper to taste
rounds
3 stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 tbsp fresh rosemary
1 tsp fresh lemon thyme leaves
Directions
1. Get your thyme and rosemary and chop it nicely then place it to the side in a bowl. Then
also add to the spice: black pepper, paprika, salt, garlic powder, white pepper, and season
salt.
2. Cook your chicken in butter for 6 mins then turn over the chicken and place the following
veggies around the chicken: celery, potatoes, and carrots.
3. Top everything with the thyme spice mix and put a lid on the pot. Cook for 47 mins with
a medium to low level of heat.
4. Ensure the internal temp of the chicken is 165 before serving.
5. Enjoy.
Ingredients
cooking spray 3/4 C. chicken broth
1 clove garlic, minced 1 tbsp lemon juice
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
salt and ground black pepper to taste
Directions
1. Stir fry your garlic, for 5 mins, in a pan with nonstick spray.
2. Then add in your chicken after coating it with some pepper and salt and cook for 14
mins.
3. Pour in your lemon juice and broth and get everything boiling.
4. Once everything is boiling, place a lid on the pot, set the heat to low, and let the chicken
gently cook for 17 mins.
5. Place your chicken to the side and continue gently cooking your broth mix for about 4
more mins until it has reduced. Then top your chicken with it.
6. Enjoy.
Ingredients
1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breast 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
halves 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
1 (14.5 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
1/4 onion, chopped (optional)
Directions
1. Add your chicken to a crock pot and then pour in: garlic, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and
onions.
2. Let this cook in the slow cooker for 8 hrs. with a low level of heat.
3. Let the contents cool for about 10 mins uncovered and then add in your preferred amount
of pepper and salt.
4. Enjoy with cooked Jasmin rice.
Ingredients
cooking spray 1/4 tsp paprika
8 bone-in chicken thighs with skin 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp onion salt
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp ground thyme
Directions
1. Get a casserole dish and then line it with foil and nonstick spray.
2. Now set your oven to 350 degrees before doing anything else.
3. Get a bowl, mix: pepper, garlic salt, paprika, onion salt, thyme, and oregano.
4. Place your chicken in the dish and top with the spice mix.
5. Cook everything in the oven for 65 mins.
6. Enjoy.
(Tunisian) Fat
Carbohydrates
11.7
11.4
Protein 11.4
Cholesterol 139 m
Sodium 157 m
Ingredients
1/3 C. vegetable oil 1 tbsp butter
2 potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 bunch fresh spinach, washed and
8 oz. diced chicken breast meat chopped
1 large onion, diced 8 eggs
1 tbsp harissa, recipe in appendix 1 C. frozen peas
1 1/2 tsps ras el hanout, recipe in 1/3 C. Parmesan cheese
appendix 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste
1/2 C. water
1 1/2 tbsps tomato sauce
Directions
1. Coat a casserole dish with nonstick spray then set your oven to 400 degrees before doing
anything else.
2. Fry your potatoes in veggie oil for 10 mins then place them to the side.
3. Add in the rest of the oil and begin to fry your chicken in it for 3 mins then combine in
the onions.
4. Keep cooking everything for 7 mins then combine in the butter, harissa, tomato sauce, ras
el hanout, and water.
5. Stir the mix until it is all evenly combined, then get everything boiling.
6. Once the mix is boiling, set the heat to low and place the spinach in.
7. Once the spinach is soft shut the heat and place a lid on the pot.
8. Get a bowl and whisk your eggs in it then combine in the potatoes, parmesan, and peas.
9. Combine this mix with the chicken mix and top everything with some pepper and salt and
place the mix into the casserole dish.
10. Cook everything in the oven for 25 mins.
11. Enjoy.
14 Spinach Potatoes and Eggs
Countryside Prep Time: 30 mins
Ingredients
2 tbsps butter 8 slices turkey bacon
1 (4 lb) whole chicken 2 C. beef broth
salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp dried thyme
2 carrots, cut in chunks
paprika to taste
Directions
1. Set your oven to 450 degrees before doing anything else.
2. Coat your chicken with the following: thyme, butter, paprika, pepper, and salt.
3. Fill the chicken with the carrots and then string the legs together.
4. Place your bacon on top of the chicken and then run toothpicks through it to keep the
bacon in place.
5. Place the chicken in a roasting pan and then pour the broth around the chicken and not
on top of it.
6. Cook everything for 17 mins in the oven then set the heat to 350 and continue cooking
for 80 more mins. Try to baste the chicken at least 4 times while roasting.
7. Now take off the bacon from the chicken and baste it one more before cooking in the
oven again to get the skin brown and crispy. This should take about 10 to 15 more mins.
8. Enjoy.
Ingredients
4 eggs 8 chicken tenders
1/4 C. heavy cream 1 C. mayonnaise
2 tbsps cayenne pepper 1/4 C. maple syrup
1 tbsp salt 2 tsps prepared horseradish
1 tbsp ground black pepper 1 tsp dry mustard powder
2 C. all-purpose flour 12 slices turkey bacon
1 C. cornstarch 8 thin slices Cheddar cheese
1 tbsp salt 8 plain frozen waffles
1 quart peanut oil for frying
Directions
1. Get a bowl, mix: black pepper, beaten eggs, 1 tbsp of salt, cayenne, and cream.
2. Get a 2nd bowl, sift in evenly: 1 tbsp salt, cornstarch, and flour.
3. Coat your chicken, first dip it into the eggs, then into the flour mix. Set chicken to the side
for 25 mins.
4. Get a deep fryer. Heat your oil.
5. With a batch process: fry chicken pieces for 9 mins each or until crisp and fully done.
Remove excess oils. Set aside.
6. Get a 3rd bowl, mix: mustard powder, mayo, horse-radish, and maple syrup.
7. Get a frying pan and fry your bacon until crisp or for 12 mins.
8. Preheat your broiler, to low if possible.
9. Lay out 4 waffles on a broiler safe dish. On each waffle put: 2 chicken tenders, 2 pieces of
cheddar, and 3 bacon strips.
10. Melt the cheese with your broiler. Top each waffle with other waffles. But first add mayo
to each.
11. Enjoy.
16 Chicken and Waffle Sandwich
Sunbelt Prep Time: 10 mins
Ingredients
1/4 C. quinoa 2 tsps lemon juice
3 tbsps olive oil 1/3 C. grated goat gouda cheese
2 tbsps raw sunflower seeds
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 C. fresh spinach leaves
Directions
1. Boil your quinoa in salt and water for 17 mins. Then with a strainer remove all the liquid
and clean the quinoa under cold water.
2. Toast your sunflower seeds in olive oil for 3 mins then add the garlic and cook for 3
more mins.
3. Pour in your quinoa and also the spinach. Stir and heat everything until the spinach is
soft.
4. Now add your lemon juice and some cheese.
5. Continue stirring for a few more mins until the cheese is melted.
6. When serving this dish top with more cheese.
7. Enjoy.
Ingredients
2 tbsps olive oil, or as needed 1 tbsp curry powder, or to taste
1 small onion, diced 1 tbsp ancho chili powder
2 cloves garlic, minced salt and pepper to taste
1 C. quinoa
2 C. chicken broth
Directions
1. Stir fry your garlic and onions in oil for 4 mins then add your quinoa and cook for 6
mins.
2. Add in the broth and get everything boiling. Once the quinoa is boiling, add your chili and
curry powder, place a lid on the pot, and lower the heat. Let the contents cook for 27 mins.
3. Before serving add your preferred amount of pepper and salt.
4. Enjoy.
20 Quinoa Festival
Blueberry Prep Time: 5 mins
Ingredients
1 C. quinoa 1 C. blueberries
2 C. nonfat milk 1 tsps flax seed
1 pinch salt
3 tbsps maple syrup
1/2 lemon, zested
Directions
1. Rinse your quinoa under cold water with a strainer until the water runs clear.
2. Pour your milk into a big pot and warm it for 3 mins.
3. Once the milk is warm add your salt and quinoa.
4. Let the contents lightly boil for 22 mins. Then shut the heat and add: lemon zest, syrup,
and blueberries.
5. Mix everything together to evenly distribute the fruit and syrup.
6. When serving your quinoa add a garnishing of flax seeds.
7. Enjoy.
(Tabbouleh) Fat
Carbohydrates
16.6 g
45.7g
Protein 9.6 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 383 mg
Ingredients
2 C. water 1 cucumber, diced
1 C. quinoa 2 bunches green onions, diced
1 pinch salt 2 carrots, grated
1/4 C. olive oil 1 C. fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 C. lemon juice
3 tomatoes, diced
Directions
1. Add some salt and quinoa to boiling water.
2. Now get the water boiling again with the quinoa in it and place a lid on the pot.
3. Set the heat to low and let the contents gently boil for 17 mins.
4. Now shut the heat and let the quinoa cool down. Once it has cooled stir it with a large
fork.
5. Get a bowl, combine: parsley, olive oil, carrots, sea salt, onions, lemon juice, cucumbers, and
tomatoes.
6. Combine the veggie mix with the quinoa and toss.
7. Enjoy.
Ingredients
2 C. chopped broccoli 1 C. shredded Cheddar cheese
1 3/4 C. vegetable broth salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 C. quinoa
Directions
1. Boil, in a big pot: quinoa, broccoli, and broth.
2. Once boiling place a lid on the pot and lower the heat.
3. Let the quinoa gently boil for 17 mins. Then add your cheese.
4. Cook everything for 4 more mins until the cheese is melted and then add your preferred
amount of pepper and salt.
5. Enjoy.
Ingredients
1 (16 oz.) package egg noodles salt and pepper to taste
1 stick butter
1 medium head green cabbage, chopped
Directions
1. In a large pan of lightly salted boiling water, cook the egg noodles for about 5 minutes.
2. Drain them well and keep everything aside.
3. Meanwhile in a large skillet, melt the butter and cook the cabbage, salt and black pepper,
covered for about 5-7 minutes.
4. Stir in the cooked noodles and cook for about 5 minutes.
Ingredients
8 oz. wide egg noodles 4 oz. baby spinach leaves
1/4 C. butter salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
Directions
1. In a large pan of lightly salted boiling water, cook the egg noodles for about 8 minutes,
stirring occasionally.
2. Drain them well and keep everything aside.
3. Meanwhile in a large skillet, melt the butter and on medium-high heat, sauté the onion
and garlic for about 8 minutes.
4. Add the spinach, salt and black pepper and sauté for about 2 minutes.
5. Remove everything from the heat and immediately, stir in the noodles.
6. Serve immediately.
Lunchtime Noodles 25
HUNGARIAN
Noodles
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Ingredients
4 C. egg noodles salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tbsp butter or margarine
3 C. grated kohlrabi
Directions
1. In a large pan of lightly salted boiling water, cook the egg noodles for about 5 minutes.
2. Drain them well and keep everything aside.
3. Meanwhile in a large skillet, melt the butter and on medium heat and cook the kohlrabi,
salt and pepper for about 7-10 minutes.
4. Stir in the cooked noodles and cook for about 5-7 minutes.
26 Hungarian Noodles
Homemade Prep Time: 40 mins
Ingredients
2 C. Durum wheat flour water as needed
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
3 eggs
Directions
1. In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt.
2. Add the eggs and the required amount of the water and mix till a dough forms.
3. With your hands, knead the dough till sticky.
4. Shape the dough into a ball and then cut it into quarters.
5. Place about 1/4 of the dough onto a floured surface and cut everything into 1/8-inch of
thickness, then roll the dough from one end to the other.
6. Repeat with the remaining dough.
7. Cut each roll into 3/8-inch strips. (About 4-5-inch long)
8. Keep aside the noodles to dry for about 1-3 hours.
9. Cook these noodles in the boiling water till desired doneness.
Ingredients
1 (12 oz.) package egg noodles 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp salt
2 C. fresh sliced mushrooms ground black pepper to taste
1/2 C. chopped green bell pepper 1 tsp white sugar
1 onion, chopped 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced 1 (8 oz.) container sour cream
1 lb. lean ground beef 1/2 C. chopped green onions
1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes 1/2 C. grated Parmesan cheese
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste 1 pinch paprika
1/4 tsp chopped fresh parsley
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp dried oregano
Directions
1. In a large pan of lightly salted boiling water, cook the egg noodles till desired doneness
(about 5 mins).
2. Drain them well and keep everything aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat the oil on medium heat, sauté the bell pepper, mushrooms and onion
for about 5 minutes.
4. Add the beef and cook till browned completely.
5. Drain the excess fat from the skillet.
6. Stir in the tomatoes, parsley, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt
and black pepper and simmer, covered for about 30 minutes, , stirring occasionally.
7. Set your oven to 325 degrees F and grease a large casserole dish.
8. In a bowl, mix together the sour cream, cream cheese, 1/4 C. of the Parmesan and green
onion.
30 Family-Friendly Noodle Casserole
9. Place the cooked noodles in the bottom of the casserole dish evenly, followed by the
tomato mixture, cream cheese mixture and top the mix with the remaining Parmesan and
paprika.
10. Cook everything in the oven for about 45 minutes.
31
ONION SOUP
Roast
Prep Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 8 hrs 45 mins
Ingredients
1 (3 lb) bottom round roast 1 (1 oz) package dry onion soup mix
ground black pepper to taste 5 carrots, peeled and sliced into 1 inch
garlic powder to taste pieces
1 tbsp vegetable oil 6 small new potatoes, halved
2 (10.75 oz) cans condensed cream of
mushroom soup
Directions
1. Sprinkle the garlic powder with salt and pepper over the roast. Heat the oil in a large pot
and place it over medium heat.
2. Cook in it the beef for 6 min for each side.
3. Get a mixing bowl: Add the mushroom and onion soup mix. Stir them well. Spread the
mix in the bottom of a slow cooker. Place on it the carrot and potato followed by the roast.
4. Put on the lid and cook them for 7 h on low. Serve your roast warm.
5. Enjoy.
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil, divided 1/2 C. roasted red peppers, cut into 1-inch
1 large yam, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
pieces 2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large parsnip, peeled and cut into 1 inch 1/4 C. chopped fresh basil
pieces 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 C. baby carrots 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 zucchini, cut into 1 inch slices
1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut
into 1 inch pieces
Directions
1. Before you do anything set the oven to 425 F. Coat 2 oven sheet with olive oil.
2. Toss the carrot with yam and parsnips then spread them on a roasting sheets. Cook them
for 32 min.
3. Toss the asparagus with zucchini and 1 tbsp of olive oil. Spread them on a the second
roasting pan and cook them all for 32 min until the veggies becomes tender.
4. Allow the roasted veggies to lose heat for 35 min.
5. Get a mixing bowl: Stir in it the roasted peppers, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper. Add the
roasted veggies and stir them again. Serve your veggies salad.
6. Enjoy.
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil, divided 6 1/4 C. vegetable broth, or more if
3 carrots, peeled and quartered needed
lengthwise 4 C. finely chopped kale leaves
2 large tomatoes, quartered 3 sprigs thyme
1 large onion, cut into 8 wedges 1 bay leaf
1/2 small butternut squash - peeled, 1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and
seeded, and cut lengthwise into 1/2- drained
inch thick wedges 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and
1 Yukon Gold potatoes drained
6 cloves garlic, unpeeled
salt and ground black pepper to taste
4 (4 oz) links sweet Italian sausage,
casings removed
2 (4 oz) links hot Italian sausage,
casings removed
Directions
1. Before you do anything set the oven to 400 F. Grease a jelly roll pan with some olive oil.
2. Lay in it the carrots, tomatoes, onion, squash, potatoes, and garlic. Pour on it the rest of the
olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper then stir them.
3. Cook the veggies in the oven for 28 min.
4. To make the soup, cook the sausages in a large pan for 10 min. Add the 1/4 C. of broth
and cook them for 8 min. Drain the sausages and place them aside.
5. Slice the carrot with squash into 1/2 inch pieces.
6. Get a food processor: Transfer to it the peeled garlic with roasted tomatoes and onion.
Process them until they become smooth. Transfer the mix to a soup pot.
7. Drain the roasted veggies and place them aside. Pour 1/2 C. of broth into the jelly pan
34 Veggies Roast with Italian Sausage Soup
with the drippings and stir it. Pour the mix into the pot with the onion and tomato mix.
8. Add the rest of the broth with kale, thyme, and bay leaf. Cook the soup until it starts
boiling. Lower the heat and cook the soup for 32 min.
9. Stir in the carrots, potatoes, squash, garbanzo beans, and kidney beans. Cook the soup for
12 min. Discard the bay leaves with thyme sprigs.
10. Adjust the seasoning of the soup then serve it warm.
11. Enjoy.
35
ROASTED
Garlic Stock
Prep Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 3 hrs 5 mins
Ingredients
1 whole head garlic 8 C. water
4 carrots, cut into chunks 1 1/2 tsps dried thyme
4 stalks celery, cut into chunks 1 1/2 tsps dried parsley
3 onions, cut into chunks 2 bay leaves
1 green pepper, quartered
1 tomato, quartered
1/3 C. olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
1. Before you do anything set the oven to 400 F.
2. Slice off the head of the garlic. Lay it in a large baking pan with garlic, carrots, celery,
onion, pepper, and tomato. Toss them with the olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Cook the veggies in the oven for 1 h 10 min while stirring and flipping them each 20 min.
4. Get a stock pot: Mix in it the water, thyme, parsley, and bay leaves. Discard the garlic husk
and add it to the pot with the roasted veggies.
5. Cook the stock until they start boiling. Lower the heat and cook the stock for 1 h 32 min.
Pour the stock through a fine sieve then serve it warm.
6. Enjoy.
Ingredients
1 1/2 C. milk 1 tsp ground allspice
1 C. pumpkin puree 1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 egg 1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 tbsp vegetable oil 1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp vinegar
2 C. all-purpose flour
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
Directions
1. In a bowl, add the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar and beat till well combined.
2. In another large bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda,
allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt.
3. Add the flour mixture into pumpkin mixture and mix till just combine.
4. Heat a lightly greased griddle on medium-high heat.
5. Add about 1/4 C of the mixture into the griddle and cook till browned from both sides.
6. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
7. Serve hot.
Ingredients
3 tbsp butter 1/4 tsp salt
1/2 C. all-purpose flour 1/4 lemon, juiced (optional)
1/2 C. milk 1 tbsp confectioners' sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp white sugar
Directions
1. Set your oven to 425 degrees F before doing anything else.
2. In a 9-inch pie plate, add the butter and place the plate in the preheating oven for about
5-10 minutes.
3. In a bowl, add the flour, milk, eggs, white sugar and salt and beat till well combined.
4. Transfer the mixture into the pie plate over hot butter evenly.
5. Cook in the oven for about 20-24 minutes or till a toothpick inserted in the center comes
out clean.
6. Drizzle the pancake with lemon juice and serve with a sprinkling of the confectioners'
sugar.
Ingredients
1 1/4 C. all-purpose flour 1 1/4 C. water
2 tbsp white sugar 1 tbsp oil
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Directions
1. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
2. In a small bowl, add the water and oil and beat to combine.
3. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.
4. Add the oil mixture into the well and mix till just combined.
5. Heat a lightly greased griddle on medium-high heat.
6. With a large spoonfuls, place the mixture into the griddle and cook till the bubbles form
on the surface.
7. Flip and cook till browned from the other side.
8. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
Light Pancakes 41
SOURDOUGH
Pancakes
Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Ingredients
1 C. all-purpose flour 1 C. Herman Sourdough Starter
3/4 tsp baking soda 1/3 C. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp salt 2 eggs
2 tbsp white sugar 1/2 C. milk
1 tsp baking powder
Directions
1. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, sugar and baking powder.
2. Add the sourdough starter, oil, eggs and milk and beat till well combined.
3. Heat a lightly greased griddle on medium-high heat.
4. Add about 1/4 C of the mixture into the griddle and cook till browned from both sides.
5. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
6. Serve hot.
42 Sourdough Pancakes
Potato Prep Time: 15 mins
Ingredients
5 lb. potatoes, peeled 2 tsp salt
1 onion 1 tsp ground black pepper
3 eggs, beaten 1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 1/2 C. dry pancake mix
Directions
1. In a food processor, add the potatoes and onion and pulse till grated.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the potatoes, onions, eggs, pancake mix, salt and pepper.
3. In a large skillet, heat the oil on medium heat.
4. Add the desired amount of potato mixture and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side.
5. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
Potato Pancakes 43
POTATO
Soup 101
Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 1 hr
Ingredients
6 C. diced potatoes 6 tbsp butter, melted
3 stalks celery, diced 6 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 C. chopped onion 4 cubes chicken bouillon
3 (14.5 oz.) cans chicken broth, divided 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
4 C. half-and-half cream
Directions
1. In a large pan, add the potatoes, celery, onion and 2 C. of the broth and bring to a boil.
2. Cook the potatoes for about 15 minutes.
3. Drain and reserve the liquid.
4. In a pan, mix together the reserved broth and half-and-half.
5. In a bowl, mix together the melted butter and flour.
6. Add the flour mixture into the butter mixture and stir to combine.
7. Add the flour mixture into the half-and-half mixture and mix well on medium heat.
8. Cook, stirring continuously till the mixture becomes thick.
9. Stir in the reserved vegetables, remaining broth, bouillon and pepper and cook till heated
completely.
Ingredients
12 slices turkey bacon, optional 1 C. sour cream
2/3 C. margarine 1 tsp salt
2/3 C. all-purpose flour 1 tsp ground black pepper
7 C. milk
4 large baked potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 green onions, chopped
1 1/4 C. shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
1. Heat a large skillet on medium heat and cook the bacon till browned completely.
2. Transfer the bacon onto a paper towel lined plate to drain and then crumble it.
3. In a soup pan, melt the margarine on medium heat.
4. Slowly, add the flour beating continuously till smooth.
5. Slowly, stir in the milk, beating continuously till thickened.
6. Stir in the potatoes and onions and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
7. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
8. Stir in the bacon, cheese, sour cream salt, and pepper.
9. Cook, stirring occasionally till the cheese is melted.
"I am," murmured Beryl, who had been listening with intense interest to the speaker's
words. "I am willing."
The gentleman heard the child's low response. He was silent for a few minutes, and then
went on with growing earnestness:—
"I heard some one say, 'I am willing,'" he said, not looking at Beryl, but so far beyond her
that she fancied he could not know that she had said the words. "God be praised for one
willing heart! But I trust there are others amongst you ready to become children of the
kingdom; and in order that we may understand what this means, let us try to form some
idea of what the nature of this kingdom really is."
"First, let me say that it is not a kingdom of the future, but a kingdom existing now. Some
people mean heaven, the world of joy and rest, which they believe death will open to
them, when they speak of the kingdom of God."
"But God has a kingdom now, in this world, a kingdom into which we may enter if we will.
The kingdom is not yet perfected, it is true; but it is daily growing and increasing. We
cannot describe its form, for it is an invisible kingdom. Jesus said, 'The kingdom of God
cometh not with observation; neither shall they say, "Lo here!" or, "Lo there!" for behold
the kingdom of God is within you.' And St. Paul, taught of the Spirit, said, 'The kingdom of
God is not meat and drink; but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.'"
"Now do you begin to see something of what the kingdom is? The realm over which our
Father would reign is the hearts of men. It is His by right; He is its lawful ruler; but He
desires to win its loving submission. Wherever there is a heart bowing to the will of its
Father, striving to do His will, struggling to live worthy of its Divine birth, there is the
kingdom of heaven. The Lord Jesus Christ is the door into that kingdom. The man who,
loving Christ, tries to follow His example, living a true, pure, honest life, working his
hardest when work is to hand, and trusting his Father without grumbling when times are
bad, is a child of the kingdom."
"The woman who does her lowly household work as to the Lord, loving her husband, caring
for her children, keeping her home clean and bright, and living peaceably with her
neighbours, is a child of the kingdom. The boy or girl who tries to be like the child Jesus,
obedient, gentle, loving, making the sunshine of glad smiles and the music of happy voices
in this sad earth, is a child of the kingdom."
The gentleman ceased speaking, and looked with searching, though kindly glances at the
people standing about him. Many had listened only with idle wonder; but on some few his
words had made a deep impression.
These now moved forward to shake hands with him and utter their rough but hearty
thanks. Beryl remained beside the gentleman, although she was aware that Lucy, who had
lingered on the outskirts of the crowd, was beckoning to her to come away.
Beryl was determined that she would not move till she had spoken to the stranger, and
perhaps asked him the question she was so anxious to have answered.
CHAPTER VII
BERYL GAINS A FRIEND
BERYL had to wait for some minutes before she could speak to the stranger, whose words
had so interested her.
The gentleman was not unaware of the little figure waiting patiently beside him; but many
persons were just then claiming his attention, and he thought it best not to speak to the
child till he was at leisure to hear all that she might have to say. One by one the strange
congregation dispersed, and, having said the last good-bye, he turned to meet Beryl's
upturned glance.
"Well, my dear," he said, noting with pleasure the pretty flushed face and soft blue eyes of
the child; "I saw you listening to me just now. What is your name, if you do not mind
telling me?"
"Beryl Hollys. We live at Egloshayle House. I dare say you know my papa," said Beryl,
displaying some consciousness of her own importance.
"Yes, I have heard of your father since I have been at Egloshayle," the stranger replied.
"So your name is Beryl—a precious stone. Well, my child, you must make your name good.
You must be a precious stone in the living temple. I heard you say you were willing to be a
child of the kingdom."
"No one can more easily enter the kingdom, my child. The kingdom is yours. Don't you
remember that Jesus said, 'Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for
of such is the kingdom of heaven'? You have only to come to Jesus."
Beryl knew the words well. Lucy had taught them to her when she was a little girl; but now
they seemed to her quite new, as their meaning suddenly flashed upon her mind.
"My child, you can come to Jesus at any moment. He is ever near you. He loves you even
better than your father does. You can lift your heart to Him, and tell Him you will be His."
"But," said Beryl, with a touch of impatience in her tone, "there are so many things I want
to know, and I have no one to tell me. I want to know what the resurrection means. I
asked papa, but he only said I should understand when I was older. But I want to
understand now."
"It is on mamma's grave," said Beryl, "'I believe in the resurrection of the body, and the
life everlasting.'"
"Ah, to be sure," he replied, "I remember seeing those words in the churchyard. And that
was your mother's grave, my little friend? You want to know what that long word
resurrection means?"
"Yes; will you tell me?" asked Beryl eagerly, sure that he could tell her, if only he would.
The gentleman was silent for a minute, thinking how he could put in simplest words what
he knew of the great mystery of the resurrection.
"Beryl," he said gently, "do you know that Jesus said, 'I am the resurrection and the life;
he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and
believeth in Me shall never die'?"
"Yes," said Beryl, "I know; I found those words in the Bible."
"Well, my child, that word resurrection means life from the dead, a returning from the
grave, as it were."
"But no one ever does return from the grave," said Beryl, her face full of wonder and awe.
"Jesus returned from the grave," said her new friend. "Do you not remember? You know
that Jesus died?"
"Yes," said Beryl softly; "He was God's Son, and He died on the cross."
"And after He was dead they laid Him in the grave, a grave made in the rock, and a great
stone was rolled to the mouth of the grave to make it secure. But Jesus could not be the
prisoner of death. The Lord of Life rose from the dead, and when the women who loved
Him came to weep beside the grave, they found the stone rolled away, and the place
where He had lain empty. Then Jesus appeared to Mary and the other disciples, the very
same Jesus whom they had known and loved and mourned as dead. And the disciples were
glad when they saw the Lord, and knew that He had conquered death. And so Jesus is the
Resurrection, the Life from the Dead, because having conquered Death Himself, He can
promise the same victory to all who trust in Him. He has the keys of Death. Our dead are
in His keeping, and He will raise them up at the last day. Can you understand me, my
child?"
"Yes, I think so," said Beryl, but still looking puzzled. "But where do people go when they
die? Where is my mamma? Where is Coral's papa?"
"Many have asked such questions as those, my child, but they cannot yet be answered; we
must wait for fuller knowledge. All we know is that our dead have passed into a region
which is under the control of Christ. They are safe in His keeping. His voice it was which
called them from earth, and His voice it is which will call them forth on the morning of the
resurrection. 'Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.'"
"We know not. The Lord has not revealed the time of His appearing; only we must seek to
be ready for His coming," said the stranger. "But I am afraid I am keeping you too long,
my child. Is that your nurse who is beckoning to you so energetically?"
"Yes, that is Lucy," said Beryl; "and Coral is with her. Won't you come and speak to Coral?"
"Oh no," said Beryl quickly; "but she is going to live with me, and be like my little sister."
And then, in hurried words, she told the story of the shipwreck—of Coral's and her
mother's rescue—and of her father's sad fate.
The gentleman listened with interest to the child's account, though he had already heard
all particulars of the shipwreck. Then, pitying the impatience which Lucy manifested, he
crossed the beach to where she and Coral stood, and proposed that as he was about to
return to the village, they should all walk back together.
The children were very pleased with their new companion, and chattered fast to him as
they passed through the fields. When they reached the stone bench at the top of the hill,
the gentleman paused and looked round.
The sight was indeed worth a long gaze. The sun was sinking in the west, and its crimson
light flushed the water. A bank of purple clouds lay on the horizon, and where they parted
the ruddy rays broke forth in glorious beauty. The whole sky caught the illumination, and
the tiny clouds which floated overhead were of a delicate rose-colour.
"How pretty the sky is!" said little Coral. "It was often like that when we were in the ship.
Papa used to take me on deck to look at it."
"It will be a fine day to-morrow," said Lucy; "it always is when the sun goes down red."
Beryl said nothing, but gazed in silence on the beauty of the sky. She could not have
explained what she thought of it, but somehow, in the child's mind, the glory of that
sunset was entwined with her idea of the kingdom of heaven. It was indeed a symbol of
the happy death unto sin and new birth unto righteousness by which we enter into the
kingdom of God.
They watched till the sun sank into his grave, which yet was no grave, and the pink clouds
grew grey in the fading light. Then Lucy and Coral went on, and Beryl and her new friend
followed. When they reached the village street, he said he must bid her good-bye.
"But I shall see you again some day, shall I not?" asked Beryl wistfully.
"Yes, my child, I hope so. I shall be at Egloshayle a few weeks longer; and, Beryl, if your
father should wish to know my name, you can tell him I am David Gilbank, and I am
staying at the Blue Anchor for a while, in order to do some sketching."
And she bounded away to overtake Lucy, eager to tell her father, or any one who would
listen to her, of the new friend she had gained. But her father was not to be found when
she reached home, and she learned, to her vexation, that he had gone out.
Miss Hollys, as usual at that hour, was reclining on the sofa in the drawing-room; but when
Beryl burst in, eager to tell all that had happened, her aunt, annoyed at her intrusion,
showed no sympathy for the enthusiasm with which Beryl spoke of her new friend.
She chose to consider it an occasion for fault-finding, and scolded Beryl for being so ready
to make acquaintance with an utter stranger, who was not likely to prove a desirable
person to know.
Beryl received her aunt's rebukes more patiently than was her wont. The recollection of
her resolve to be a child of the kingdom helped her to refrain from a rude and angry retort.
Later in the evening, when the children went to Mrs. Despard's room to bid her good-night,
Beryl found the sympathy for which she longed.
Mrs. Despard was sitting up, and looking much better, Beryl thought, because a bright
crimson spot burnt in each cheek, and her eyes were large and brilliant. She began to
question the children about their walk, and soon heard all that Beryl could tell her of the
stranger whose name was David Gilbank.
"I wish you could have heard what he said," the child cried eagerly; "he was speaking
about the kingdom of God, and oh! He made it all so plain—how God is our Father and our
King, and we must all be children of the kingdom. And I am going to be a child of the
kingdom; I said that I would!"
"Ah, it is easy for the young," sighed Mrs. Despard; "but I have never thought much of
religion, and now I fear the door of that kingdom is closed against me."
"But Jesus is the door," said Beryl. "David Gilbank said so; he told me to come to Jesus,
who said,—'Suffer little children to come unto Me.' But then you are not a little child; I
forgot that. I don't know what you must do."
"No, I do not know what I can do," was the sad response.
"But the kingdom is for men and women too. He said that; so I do not see why you should
not come, although you are not a little child," observed Beryl. "If I were you, I should ask
Jesus to let me in."
"Yes; and oh, I asked him the meaning of the resurrection!" exclaimed Beryl eagerly. "And
he explained it all so nicely. But I am afraid I cannot tell you properly what he said.
Resurrection means rising from the dead; and as Jesus rose from the dead, so all those
who trust in Him shall be raised up at last, although they are dead. But it is very difficult to
understand, only it is plain that when we die we shall go to Jesus, and He will take care of
us; so you see that there is nothing really to be afraid of in dying."
"Ah, child, it is easy to say so," said Mrs. Despard mournfully; "but I have been such a
sinner. I cannot expect that the Lord would receive me."
"But I thought Jesus died for every one, whether they were sinners or not," said Beryl,
looking puzzled; "and if any one can go into the kingdom, you can. You've only got to ask
Jesus."
How straight to the point went the childish words! Long after Beryl had left her, the sick
woman lay pondering them, and adding to them all that she could recollect of what she
had learned in her childhood about the Saviour of the world, who by His death upon the
cross and His glorious resurrection has redeemed us from the power of sin and death.
When Lucy came in, Mrs. Despard asked her for a Bible, and from that time, as her
strength permitted, she daily studied the sacred Book, and by the power of the Holy Spirit,
its words brought her life and peace. As she read of Him who is the Way, the Truth, and
the Life, and who died to save His people from their sins, and deliver them from the fear of
death, her spirit grew calm and restful. She looked no longer on her sins, but on the Lamb
of God, who had taken them away. She could trust in God her Saviour, and trusting in Him
with childlike faith, death was robbed of its sting and the grave of its terrors.
Some days passed ere Beryl again saw her friend David Gilbank, for a sudden change in
the weather made it unpleasant to saunter on the beach, and quite impossible to sketch in
the open air. The advance of spring was checked by biting east winds, which brought
showers of sleet and even a slight snowstorm in their train. In place of the bright and
joyous Easter which every one had expected, came a cold, inclement season, which would
have seemed like Christmas but for the opening buds, and the primroses and violets,
which smiled in the face of the cold wind, as if confident that its triumph would be of short
duration, and sunshine and beauty would conquer in the end.
To the invalid's failing strength, the cold, raw weather struck a fatal blow. There was a
rapid change for the worse, and she sank so low that the doctor gave warning that death
might come at any hour.
On Easter Sunday, Beryl went with her father to church, but Coral was left at home in
Lucy's care. The day was cold and showery, but every now and then the sun broke through
the clouds, and smiled an assurance of better things to come. Beryl watched with pleasure
the gleams of sunlight which from time to time lit up the diamond-paned windows, and
sent bright shafts of light athwart the dusky old church. She was pleased to see Mr.
Gilbank at church. He was looking pale and ill, and was much wrapped up, for the east
winds had their perils for him.
Beryl drew her father's attention to the artist, and looked forward to speaking to him when
the service ended.
Beryl was able heartily to enjoy that Sunday morning service. The solemn, sweet anthem,
the bright, exultant hymns stirred the child's heart. She knew now the significance of
Easter Day, with its joyful recognition of a risen Lord. She had learned the meaning of the
long word which had puzzled her, and, however faint and imperfect the child's ideas of the
resurrection may have been, doubtless she, in her childish simplicity, came nearer to the
truth than many of the wise and prudent.
David Gilbank was in the porch as they went out of church, and Beryl addressed him
eagerly, and hastened to make her father acquainted with her new friend. Mr. Hollys spoke
cordially to the artist, and invited him to come some day to Egloshayle House to see some
pictures of which their owner was rather proud.
Beryl was not allowed to go into the sick-room when she returned from church. Mrs.
Despard was too ill to see her, Lucy said. But when bed-time came, she as well as Coral
was allowed to go into the room to say good-night to the weary sufferer. Even to Beryl's
eyes it was clear that a strange, indescribable change had come over the colourless,
wasted face. And it was not good-night but good-bye she said to the children, clinging to
her poor little Coral with a passionate tenderness which brought tears to the eyes of all
who witnessed the farewell.
Some hours later Beryl awoke from her first sleep' to find a candle burning in the room,
and Lucy standing by Coral's bed with red eyes and tear-stained cheeks.
"What is the matter, Lucy?" she asked, springing up. "Is Coral's mamma worse?"
"She is gone, poor lady," said Lucy, wiping her eyes; "she passed away in her sleep as
gently as possible, and now she looks so peaceful and happy."
"Oh, Lucy, do you mean that she is dead?" said Beryl, in a tone of awe and sorrow.
"Yes, Miss Beryl, it is true; her troubles are over now; but don't make a noise and wake
Miss Coral; she will know soon enough, poor dear."
Beryl covered her face with the bed-clothes, and cried bitterly at the thought of little
Coral's loss. It seemed so sad and dark and terrible. But even as she cried, and thought of
the dark grave and the lonely, motherless life, there came to her mind, with some sense of
comfort, the words they had sung that morning in church—
CHAPTER VIII
THE FIRST QUARREL
A FORTNIGHT after Mrs. Despard's death, Mr. Hollys went to London. The children seemed
already to have forgotten their experience of earth's darkest shadow. May dawned so fresh
and beautiful, that it was impossible for thoughts of sorrow to dwell in their childish hearts.
It was delightful to pass the sunny mornings on the beach, hunting for shells and seaweed,
or raising with their spades castles or embankments, which the incoming tide always swept
away. It was warm enough now for Beryl to commence the bathing which she so
thoroughly enjoyed. Beryl's swimming seemed to Coral a wonderful performance. She did
not soon forget the fright Beryl gave her on the morning on which they first ventured into
the water.
"Look, Coral; see what I am going to do!" exclaimed Beryl, as she waded through the
shallow waves towards a rock, which rose high out of the water.
On the other side of the rock, the waves were running high. Coral watched Beryl
wonderingly as she scrambled up the great rocks, and stood on the top, looking a strange
little figure in her pretty scarlet bathing-dress. Coral laughed and clapped her hands to see
her perched there; but her laugh changed to a cry of horror, as she saw Beryl suddenly
raise her hands high above her head, and, springing forward, plunge headlong into the
waves surging around the rock.
Coral screamed with fear, as her friend disappeared from view. She felt certain that Beryl
would be drowned.
"Don't be frightened, my dear," cried Lucy's voice from the shore; "that's only one of Miss
Beryl's venturesome tricks. She's safe enough, for she can swim like a fish. Master had her
taught when she was quite a little girl. Look! There she is again."
And Coral's fears were allayed by seeing Beryl's head appear above the water, and hearing
her laugh merrily as she shook the water from her eyes and head.
"You little goose! Did you think I was drowned?" she cried. "Look how well I can swim.
Come, Coral, I will teach you to swim."
But Coral was cold and nervous, and felt no desire for a swimming lesson.
"I don't want to learn," she said. "I am tired of being in the water; I shall go in."
"Oh, you can't think of going in yet," cried Beryl, who was warmed and exhilarated by her
exercise; "you have been in the water no time. Come, let me dip you."
But Coral screamed and drew back as Beryl laid rather rough hands on her. Beryl, little
used to having her will opposed, lost her temper at this, and the children, who up to this
time had agreed most charmingly, now began to quarrel.
"You silly little thing," said Beryl, in a tone of contempt, "I do believe you are frightened. I
would not be such a coward for something. There, go along with you; I don't want your
company."
Coral ran sobbing to Lucy, and Beryl swam leisurely round the rock, and tried to believe
that she was enjoying herself very much. But in truth she was feeling too angry with Coral
to be very happy.
"Coral was a silly, cross, disagreeable little thing," she said to herself again and again, not
being at all willing to acknowledge that she too had been cross and disagreeable.
"How could you be so unkind to Miss Coral?" said Lucy, when Beryl at length came out of
the water, and went into the garden-house to be dressed. "The poor child has been
sobbing like to break her heart. I wonder at you, Miss Beryl, treating a poor little
motherless girl like that!"
Now, Beryl was already beginning to feel ashamed of herself, but she was not willing to
acknowledge this to Lucy. At her nurse's words her heart grew hard again.
"I don't care," she said defiantly. "Coral was much more cross than I was. She is a horrid
little thing."
"Well, I never! Miss Beryl!" exclaimed Lucy, lifting up her hands in astonishment. "And to
think how anxious you were to have her for a little sister. No one would have thought, to
hear you talk of her then, that you would so soon behave badly to her."
Beryl made no reply; her face wore a sullen, proud look, which it was not pleasant to see.
When she was dressed, she went down to the beach again. Coral had ceased to cry, and
was playing there very contentedly.
Beryl passed her without vouchsafing her even a look, and went to some rocks at a little
distance, where she sat down and stared sulkily at the sea. Beryl was quite conscious of
her own naughtiness, but felt disposed to encourage it and prolong it as much as possible.
Presently Coral, finding it dull to play alone, came timidly to the place where Beryl sat.
"Beryl," she said, trying to appear oblivious of past occurrences, "won't you come and play
with me?"
For a moment Beryl felt inclined to dismiss her vexation and yield to Coral's wish, but pride
and ill-temper reasserted themselves.
"No," she said crossly; "I don't care to play with a stupid little thing like you. You can go
away."
"You ought not to call me stupid," replied Coral, her dark eyes flashing angrily; "you are a
bad girl."
And she raised her hand and struck Beryl.
The blow did not hurt Beryl in the least, but in her present mood it was more than her
pride could endure.
"How dare you!" she cried, turning upon Coral, with her face aglow with passion, and
giving the child such a violent push as made her fall with her face on the rough stones.
Beryl did not wait to see if Coral were hurt, but ran off at full speed along the beach, as if
anxious to get as far away as possible. But run as fast as she might, Beryl could not
escape from the evil self which was the source of her unhappiness. She came to a sudden
halt as she caught sight of a distant figure seated in a quiet nook amongst the rocks, with
easel and paint-box at hand. She had no inclination now to bound forward to greet the
artist. She fancied that Mr. Gilbank would be able to read in her face the secret of her
naughtiness. The very sight of him had the force of a silent reproach.
Hoping that he had not seen her, Beryl turned back, and began slowly to climb one of the
many zigzag paths leading to the top of the cliff. Half-way up, she paused, and stood
looking down on the beach. She was anxious to see Coral, but the child was not in sight.
It was lovely to watch the blue, foam-crested waves breaking on the stones, to gaze
across the beautiful bay, or at the pure white clouds sailing slowly overhead; but these
things were lost upon Beryl. Conscience was awake now, and her unhappiness had taken a
new and better shape.
The sight of Mr. Gilbank had reminded her of her resolve to be a child of the kingdom, and
she felt that she had miserably failed. She saw her conduct in its true light, and wondered
to think how easily she had given way to bad temper. How could she behave so crossly to
poor little Coral, who had lost both her father and mother, and had no one else to love her!
She had meant to be so tender and loving, and to act the part of a good, wise, elder sister
to the child. Beryl really loved Coral, and she now felt heartily sorry and ashamed to think
how she had treated her. She began to fear that Coral must have been very much hurt by
that fall on the sharp stones.
She longed to go in search of her and ask her forgiveness, yet she shrank from doing so.
How could she bear it if she found Coral suffering greatly from the effects of her violence?
The more Beryl thought of all that had happened, the more uneasy she became. At last
she turned to the best source of comfort for our troubles, whether they spring from sin or
not. There is but one voice that can absolve from sin, and one Friend whose sympathy can
reach every sorrow. When Beryl had told her sin and sorrow in the ear of that Friend, she
felt calmer, and started off, determined to lose no time in finding Coral and telling her how
sorry she was that she had been so cross.
She ran down to the beach, and hastened in the direction of home, looking everywhere for
Coral; but the child was not to be seen. Once or twice Beryl called her name, thinking that
Coral might be hiding amongst the rocks; but no answer came, and she hurried on with a
vague sense of fear. Coral was not at the end of the beach, where she had left her, and
Beryl ran up the steps into the garden, hoping to find her there. But no; the garden paths
were quiet and deserted; and, feeling more and more frightened, Beryl hastened into the
house, and ran upstairs to the nursery, meeting no one by the way.
The nursery was empty, but the door of the adjoining room, in which the children slept,
stood ajar, and something prompted Beryl to peep inside. She started and trembled greatly
to see Coral lying on her little bed, looking very pale, with closed eyes, and a white
bandage on her forehead. For a few moments Beryl scarcely dared to move, so alarmed
was she. Then she ventured to creep nearer; but as she did so, Beryl saw to her horror
that there was blood upon the handkerchief which bound Coral's forehead. The sight was
too much for Beryl's self-control, and she uttered a sharp cry of distress. At the sound
Coral's eyes opened, and she looked up at Beryl with a dazed, bewildered glance.
"Oh, Coral, Coral!" sobbed Beryl, quite overcome by emotion. "I thought I had killed you!
What is the matter with your forehead? Is it very bad?"
"The stones cut it," said Coral, "and it bled so, and I was frightened, and cried, so Lucy
carried me in and put me to bed. She said I had better try and go to sleep, and I think I
have been asleep."
"Oh, I am so sorry, Coral," said Beryl; "I can't think how I could be so horrid to you. I can
never forgive myself for knocking you down and hurting you so."
"Don't cry, Beryl; it is better now," said the child; "it only smarts a little."
"I was a cross, bad thing," said Beryl; "can you forgive me, Coral?"
"Oh yes, of course I forgive you," said Coral readily; "please do not cry any more."
But Beryl's tears burst forth anew as she stooped to kiss Coral. She hardly left Coral's side
for the rest of the day, and tried by loving words and actions to atone for her previous
unkindness.
Beryl did not soon forget the lesson she had learned. Though the cut on Coral's forehead
soon began to heal, its scar lingered for many a day to remind Beryl of her ill-temper and
its consequences. This, their first quarrel, was also the last serious disagreement which the
children had.
When Beryl was tempted to give way to passion and pride, she remembered the misery
she had endured that day on the beach, and tried to check her anger, and show the loving,
forgiving spirit of a true child of the kingdom.
After this, the days passed very pleasantly with the two little people. As spring grew into
summer they took long walks and rides along the shore, or they explored the beautiful
woods lying beyond the village.
Andrew was very pleased when he could find leisure to accompany the young ladies, and
lead the pony whilst they rode by turns. In this way, they were able to go a good distance,
and they generally came back from these excursions laden with ferns and wild flowers.
Sometimes Lucy would get her brother to take them for a row in his boat, a treat which
the children thoroughly enjoyed. Beryl planned how, when she was a little older, she would
get her father to give her a boat of her own, which she would learn to row her very self.
Once Mr. Gilbank joined them in one of their boating excursions, and his presence added
greatly to the children's pleasure, for he talked to them and told them stories as they
sailed over the bright rippling water.
The children saw a good deal of the artist in those days; they often sat by his side on the
beach whilst he painted. Their presence did not disturb him, and he was never too busy to
answer the questions they asked.
The only drawback to Beryl's happiness at this time was the thought of the governess, of
whom mention had been made. Beryl fancied that a governess must of necessity be a
disagreeable, cross-looking individual, who would feel it to be her duty to restrict their
pleasures, and scold and punish them as much as possible. She disliked the thought of her
coming. Beryl was beginning to be sensible of her need of instruction, for she had
discovered that Coral, though two years younger, could read and write better, and knew a
great deal more than herself; but she could not regard a governess otherwise than as a
necessary evil.
It was a relief to her to find that her father's letters contained no allusion to his purpose of
seeking a governess, and she began to hope that he had forgotten all about it, and for the
present, they might enjoy unrestrainedly the delights of life at Egloshayle.
CHAPTER IX
A STRANGE SUNDAY SCHOOL
THE children were very sorry when their friend David Gilbank quitted Egloshayle. He had
made a longer stay than he had intended at the Cornish village, and he carried away with
him many beautiful sketches, to be worked up to perfection in his London studio. Not the
least excellent of these was a water-colour sketch of Coral and Beryl, seated side by side in
the shelter of a fisherman's boat, turned keel upwards on the beach. Mr. Gilbank hoped in
time to finish this picture, and make it a worthy memorial of the little friends in whom he
took such interest.
The children missed him sadly when he had gone away. There were no nice talks on the
beach now, no preaching on Sunday afternoons, no friend who could tell them what they
wanted to know. They wandered about listlessly on the Sunday afternoon following his
departure, and found the time long and dull.
Beryl had been unusually silent for some time, and Coral, finding her remarks unheeded,
had also grown thoughtful, when suddenly Beryl exclaimed, "Oh, Coral, I've thought of
such a splendid thing!"
"What is it?" asked Coral, eager to hear any new idea which might brighten the dulness of
their day.
"You know what Mr. Gilbank was saying last Sunday, how we might all help to make the
kingdom grow and spread in the world? You remember that, don't you, Coral?"
"No," said Coral, shaking her head, and speaking in a tone of indifference, as she began to
think that Beryl's grand idea was, after all, nothing very delightful. "No, I don't remember
nothing about it."
"Oh, Coral, and it was so plain!" said Beryl. "Don't you recollect that he said we could be
workers with God, and that even a child could do something for the kingdom?"
"No, I don't," said Coral decidedly. "Is that all you have to tell me?"
"Of course not; but that was what made me think of it. Coral, I've been thinking how nice
it would be if we could keep a little Sunday school."
"Why, don't you know that Mr. Gilbank said, what a pity it was that there was no Sunday
school at Egloshayle, and the children were left to play about on the beach all Sunday
afternoon? Now, I think you and I might keep a sort of school, just for the very little ones,
you know."
"Oh, Beryl, do you really think we could?" exclaimed Coral, delighted, as all children are,
with the idea of keeping school. "But do you think we are big enough? What could we
teach them?"
"Oh, we could teach them something," said Beryl, confidently. "We must know more than
they do;—at least we ought to," she added, with a momentary sense of her own mental
poverty. "Anyhow, we could read to them, and teach them hymns. There's—'Around the
throne of God in heaven,' and 'When mothers of Salem';—I could ask Lucy to lend us her
hymn-book, which has them in."
"Oh yes, that would be very nice," said Coral; "but where could we have the school?"
"We must have it somewhere on the beach," said Beryl; "it would never do to bring the
children into the house. Aunt Cecilia would be in a rage. Oh, I know what, Coral. There's
that cave which runs such a long way back, that would do splendidly. The rock at the
entrance would do nicely to put our books on, and the children could sit on the ground, or
stand. Yes, that is the very thing."
"Yes, when the tide is high," said Beryl; "but it is very often empty, and when it is high
water we must go somewhere else. Come, Coral, let us run and have a look at it, and then
we will try and find some nice little children, and ask them to come to us there next
Sunday afternoon."
The appearance of the cave was considered to be satisfactory, on the whole, for though its
walls were damp and slimy with seaweed, Beryl declared that no one need sit close to
them, and the rock in the middle would do equally well for a table or a seat.
Having decided on the place of meeting, Beryl set to work to form a class. There were a
number of children playing rather noisily at the further end of the beach. She walked
towards them, followed by Coral, and as the young ladies drew near, the rougher children
ceased their play, and stared wonderingly at them. Beryl was always very dignified in her
approaches to the fisher-folk and their children, but at the same time, she was gracious,
and the young people of Egloshayle admired the young lady greatly, though they stood
rather in awe of her.
When Beryl, addressing one of the little ones, began to explain her scheme for a Sunday
class, the child shrank away frightened, and would say nothing but "No" in reply to her
invitation. The others to whom she spoke were just as unresponsive. This was
discouraging, but Beryl, undaunted, proceeded to take the elder sisters into her
confidence, and got them to promise to bring the little ones to the cave on the following
Sunday afternoon. Then, contented with the arrangement they had made, she and Coral
went home.
During the rest of the week, Coral and Beryl talked and thought of little else but the
Sunday class. They did not say a word about it to Lucy, for fear she should oppose their
plans; but whenever they were alone they discussed the matter at great length. They
hunted through the house for books suitable to read to their Sunday scholars, but could
find hardly any that seemed of the right kind. Many a book was thrown aside, because the
words were too long and difficult, and the matter they expressed was often quite beyond
the comprehension of those who were taking upon themselves the work of teachers. At
last, Beryl decided that it would be best to dispense with all books except the Bible and
Lucy's hymn-book, which she lent them readily enough, without asking any questions as to
the purpose for which it was required.
The children watched the sky with some anxiety on Saturday afternoon. How annoying it
would be if rain came and spoiled all!
But Sunday dawned fair and bright, and the children's hearts beat high at the thought of
their grand undertaking. Lucy took them to church in the morning, and she thought she
had never known them so restless and fidgety. Miss Beryl, who had so improved of late,
seemed suddenly to have returned to all her tiresome ways. The fact was the children
were impatient for the long service to be over, and the afternoon to come.
As soon as they could, after dinner, Coral and Beryl escaped from Lucy's care, and went
into the garden. From the garden, they soon made their way to the beach, and hurried
along in the direction of the cave.
Early though they were, their scholars were earlier. There was quite a crowd of children
gathered about the cave. And now Beryl began to feel nervous and doubtful of what she
was going to do, though she would not allow Coral to suspect the least failure of self-
confidence. She was dismayed to see so many great boys and girls in the party.
Summoning her courage, she addressed herself to the little ones, and tried to coax them
to sit down within the cave. This was a difficult matter, for they were shy and frightened,
and seemed to have no notion of sitting still and keeping quiet. If one child was settled for
a minute, another would start up and run away, and as soon as that one was brought back
there would be a fresh defaulter. Beryl grew hot and cross in her endeavours to reduce to
order this unruly school.
To add to her embarrassment, the elder boys and girls hung about the place, and seemed
to derive great amusement from observing what was going on. In vain Beryl told them to
go away. They moved off a few yards in obedience to her command, but had evidently no
intention of going out of sight and hearing of what passed between her and her little
scholars.
At last, after a great deal of trouble, Beryl managed to get the little ones seated in a row
on the ground, with Coral closely guarding them to prevent their escape. Then Beryl began
to read to them out of the Bible the story of Joseph. But Beryl's reading, as she stumbled
over the long words, and paid not the least heed to punctuation, could not attract her
audience.
The ignorant young scholars did not attend to her for a moment; they kicked and writhed,
played the queerest pranks, pinched each other, and laughed and talked as if they had not
the least idea of the purpose for which they were assembled.
"It is of no use, Coral," she said; "we had better try to teach them a hymn."
This attempt was no more successful than former ones. But one child could Beryl persuade
to repeat the words after her, and she only managed to imitate the sounds, and had clearly
not the least notion of the meaning of what she said.
Beryl persevered as long as she could, in spite of a dreary sense of the futility of her
efforts; but at last the attention of her brightest scholar was attracted by the sight of a
sailing boat nearing the shore.
She started up, and, clapping her hands with delight, exclaimed, "Daddy's boat! Daddy's
boat!"
Then darting out of the cave before Coral could stop her, she ran at full speed across the
beach. The children outside also scampered off to meet the incoming boat, and this was
the signal for the sudden break-up of the school.
In a moment, the class was in utter confusion, each child struggling to escape.
"Never mind, Coral; let them go!" exclaimed Beryl, in a tone of disgust, as Coral attempted
to hold back the runaways. "It is of no use trying to teach them anything; they are the
stupidest little things I ever saw."
"Oh, what a pity!" said Coral regretfully. "And I thought that biggest one was just
beginning to learn something."
"I wish I had not tried to keep school," said Beryl, tears of disappointment in her eyes. "I
could not have believed they would be so tiresome. And I did so want to do something for
the kingdom."
Beryl shook her head despondingly. She could not trust herself to speak, for she felt so
inclined to cry, and she could not bear that even Coral should know how keenly wounded
she was.
Without another word she quitted the cave, and with grave, downcast face marched
homewards. Coral, taking up the Bible and hymn-book, which Beryl had forgotten in her
despair, followed at a little distance.
Beryl strode on in silence till she reached the steps leading to the garden. There she
paused, and waited for Coral to come up.
"Well, no one can say that I have not tried to do something for the kingdom," was Beryl's
remark as Coral gained her side.
When they went into the house, Beryl slipped away from Coral and shut herself into their
bedroom. She was there for a long time alone, and when she came down again she looked
brighter and happier, though her eyes were very red, as though she had shed many tears
in the solitude of her room.
"Why, Bible pictures of course," replied Beryl. "We might be able to get one of Joseph in
the coat of many colours, perhaps."
"Oh, I shall write and ask papa to send them to me," was Beryl's ready reply.
On the following day Beryl devoted much time to manufacturing a letter to her father, in
which she begged him to procure her some beautiful coloured Bible pictures, the largest he
could get, and to send them as quickly as possible. The letter, at which she toiled
laboriously, was, when finished, a blurred, ill-written, and atrociously spelled epistle; but
Beryl despatched it with but slight sense of shame. Her father would know what she
meant, and that was enough, she thought.
Mr. Hollys, however, read his daughter's letter with considerable dismay. He forgot to
wonder what had prompted her request in his horror at Beryl's peculiarities of orthography
and penmanship.
"Dear, dear!" he said to himself, "This is a shocking production for a girl of eleven. Cecilia
might have taught her to write and spell. But I must lose no time in finding a governess for
her. I will call on Mrs. Everard to-morrow, and ask her advice on the subject. I dare say
she can tell me how to secure the right person."
CHAPTER X
OVERTAKEN BY THE TIDE
WHEN the next day came, Mr. Hollys was prevented from carrying out his intention of
calling on his old friend Mrs. Everard, and asking her to aid him to find a governess for
Beryl. But he did not forget the request which Beryl's ill-written letter had conveyed to
him, and being in the city that day, he made his way to Paternoster Row, and there
purchased some of the best Scripture pictures that he could see amongst the many
tempting publications displayed in the windows of that narrow but important street. He
ordered the pictures to be sent direct to his home at Egloshayle, and to the children's
delight the packet arrived there by post the very next day.
With the greatest satisfaction, Coral and Beryl unrolled the pretty coloured prints.
They suited Beryl's purpose admirably, and were far larger and prettier ones than she had
expected to get. There was a beautiful picture of the Good Shepherd carrying a lamb in His
arms; a picture of the child Jesus talking to the doctors in the temple; another showing the
tender Saviour taking the little ones in His arms, whilst their mothers stood watching Him
with looks of eager love; and many others, all representing incidents of our Lord's life.
"There is no picture of Joseph after all," said Beryl, when she had examined the whole
collection. "I wish there had been; but these all seem to be taken from the New
Testament."
"I should think they would rather see pictures about Jesus than about Joseph," said Coral.
"I don't know; but I think I would rather," said Coral. "Don't you like that picture of the
Good Shepherd, Beryl? He looks so kind and good."
"Yes, it is a beautiful face," said Beryl. "But I suppose the face of Jesus was really much
more beautiful than that."
"Why, no, Coral, you must know better than that. Don't you remember that Mr. Gilbank
said it was impossible for any one to make a true likeness of the Lord Jesus? He said he
had seen many lovely pictures of Christ, but never one in which he did not feel that there
was something wanting."
Coral shook her head. She did not remember it. Mr. Gilbank's words had not made so deep
an impression on her mind as on Beryl's.
"Perhaps it is better the pictures should be all about Jesus," said Beryl, thoughtfully. "The
children ought to learn about Jesus rather than Joseph; for Jesus is their Saviour, not
Joseph. Still it is very nice about the coat of many colours, and I should like to have seen a
picture of it. I like that picture of Jesus saying, 'Suffer little children to come unto Me, and
forbid them not.' We must tell them about that, Coral. And Mr. Gilbank said that Jesus was
just the same still. Though we cannot see Him, nor hear Him, His arms are opened wide to
receive little children, and He says to them, 'Come unto Me.' Oh, I wish I could tell them
just what Mr. Gilbank said. I do hope they will be quiet and good next Sunday."
Beryl was looking forward with some tremor to her next attempt at keeping a Sunday
school. She had so set her heart upon success, that the thought of disappointment was
most painful to her. Many a childish petition for Divine help went up from the depths of her
heart. She prayed that the weather might be fine, that the children might be good and
orderly, and that she might be able to tell them in words they could understand about the
loving Saviour whose arms were opened to receive them.
When Sunday afternoon came, it was in a very humble mood that Beryl went down to the
beach to meet the children she had undertaken to teach.
The day was fine, and there was no falling off in the attendance of the scholars. Indeed, it
seemed to Beryl that there were more present than on the previous Sunday. Beryl had
very wisely decided to show them only one picture on each occasion, for she judged that
the sight of many at a time might distract their attention from her words, and make them
more unruly than ever. The picture she had chosen to show them to-day was that of Christ
blessing the children.
There was much confusion and jostling in the class when Beryl unrolled the picture and
laid it upon the flat rock. The little ones pressed round her, eager for the pretty sight; and
the elder ones pushed their way into the cave, determined to see the object which was
exciting such cries of admiration.
For a few moments, Beryl found it impossible to preserve order. She was obliged to rescue
the picture from the rude and dirty hands that were laid upon it, and, holding it high above
her head, declare that if they did not instantly sit down, and become quiet, no one should
look at it again. The elder children, quite as eager as the little ones to see the picture,
supported the teacher's authority, and by shakes, and pushes, and many an angry word,
reduced their young brothers and sisters to submission.
Then Beryl arranged that only three children at a time should enter the cave and look at
the picture. This plan answered admirably, and each child had a good look at the picture
without any confusion or uproar. The exhibition of the picture occupied some time. When
they had thus examined it, Beryl contrived by means of some pebbles to prop the picture
up against the wall of the cave, so that all could glance at it.
Then, sitting down, she began to tell the children in simple, childish words, how the Jewish
mothers had ventured to bring their little ones to Jesus, and how the disciples had tried to
drive them back, but Jesus had stretched forth His arms to them in love, and said, "'Suffer
little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of
heaven.'"
Beryl's simple talk was far more effectual than her reading had been. Her quick
imagination gave many a graphic touch to the narrative, and as she pointed every now and
then to the picture, and drew her listeners' attention to its various details, there was
quietness and order in the class.
After awhile, of course, they grew restless and began to fidget, and then Beryl knew that
she had said enough. She now tried to teach the children the first verse of "When mothers
of Salem," and actually a few little ears caught the words and remembered them, and, led
by Coral and Beryl, the scholars sang the verse in a queer, discordant fashion.
Beryl was well pleased with the success of her endeavour this afternoon. Her heart felt
light and happy as, rolling up the picture, she told the children it was time for them to go
home, reminding them, however, that she should hope to see them again on the next
Sunday.
"Oh, Beryl, how nice it has been!" cried Coral, as the last child toddled away, and they
were left alone. "Weren't they good to-day? That picture was splendid."
"Yes, how pleased they were with it!" said Beryl, her face aglow with delight. "I was
dreadfully afraid they would tear it at first; but they were very good afterwards. And I
really believe they understood what I said."
The hearts of the young teachers were glad and thankful as they went home. What a joyful
thing life seemed that summer afternoon! The radiant sunshine, the shining waves, the
bright sky, all spoke to them of love and joy. Even for these children, life was becoming a
grander, more blessed thing, now that they were learning to care for the good of others.
Beryl did not always find her scholars so attentive as they had been on this occasion. As
the pictures lost their novelty, she found them more troublesome, and often had her
patience severely tried. But she persevered in spite of every difficulty, and did her utmost
to make her class pleasant to the little ones.
Sometimes she felt discouraged, and fancied that her efforts were all in vain; but in this
she was mistaken. The scholars, ignorant and untaught though they were, were beginning
to know something of a Saviour's love, and fragments of Beryl's teaching were repeated by
childish lips in homes where hitherto the name of God had been unheard save in
blasphemous utterance. Truths grasped by the mind in childhood are not easily forgotten,
and some of Beryl's little scholars remembered to the end of life what she told them of the
love of the Son of God.
She was but a child herself, much too young, many would have thought, to be a teacher;
but she was growing in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus whilst she was trying to teach
others about him. Coral and Beryl had no one to teach them now Mr. Gilbank was gone;
but the Lord Himself was their teacher; and as they read the Bible, and talked to each
other of its words, His Spirit made things plain to their childish understanding. They found
no difficulties, and fell upon no stumbling-blocks, for truths that are hidden from the wise
and prudent were revealed to these babes in the faith.
Lucy made no enquiries as to the manner in which her young ladies spent their Sunday
afternoons. She saw them go away with their books, and felt relieved to think that they did
not require her attendance, but left her free to spend the time as she liked. She did not
think that her young charges were likely to get into any danger, for Miss Beryl was well
acquainted with the shore, and generally knew the hour at which the tide would turn;
indeed, Miss Beryl was such a clever, shrewd little person, that it would have been absurd
to feel anxious about her when out of sight.
Beryl had hitherto been careful to avoid being overtaken by the tide, which, when high,
filled the cave in which she held her class.
During the few weeks since she began to keep a "Sunday school," the changes of the tide
had suited her convenience tolerably well. But familiarity with danger sometimes
engenders carelessness, and at last Beryl was thus betrayed.
One Sunday afternoon, when the class had been exceedingly interesting, and her scholars
had said their hymns in the most satisfactory manner, she lingered in the cave talking it all
over with Coral, long after the little ones had gone away, quite forgetful of the fact that the
tide had been on the turn when they came down to the beach, and was now coming in
fast. The cave in which the children stood was a large one, running far back under the cliff.
Its extreme end was lost in darkness; but the subdued light sufficed to show a hollow
opening at one side of the cave, just above a shelf of rock which ran around it, about four
feet from the bottom.
"Coral," said Beryl, seized with a new idea, "do you see that hole in the side of the rock?
Let's have a look at it; I fancy it would do nicely for a little cupboard to put our hymn-
books in. It is such a bother having to carry them home every time."
They ran to the spot; but Beryl found that the opening was too high up to make a
convenient cupboard. It was impossible for her standing on the ground to reach it, and she
was planning how she should climb to it, when some words of Coral's startled her with a
sudden reminder of her imprudence in lingering so long in the cave.
"Wouldn't the hymn-books get wet, Beryl?" she asked. "I thought this cave was full of
water at high tide."
"So it is. Oh, Coral! And it must be almost high tide now. What are we thinking of to stay
here so long? Oh, come quickly!"
As she spoke, Beryl darted towards the mouth of the cave; but alas, the warning was too
late! At that very moment there was a roar, a rush, a sudden darkening of the light, as a
huge wave burst into the cave and swept almost to the children's feet, ere it receded, to
be followed by another as mighty.
Coral and Beryl saw their peril at the same instant, and a cry of horror broke from their
lips.
"Oh, we shall be drowned! We shall be drowned!" was all Beryl could say. "There is no
hope for us; none whatever. The cave will be full in five minutes, and no one knows where
we are!"
CHAPTER XI
THE CHILDREN ARE MISSING
BERYL little thought how near her father was to her when she held her class on that
eventful Sunday afternoon. Mr. Hollys had never been known to come home without giving
due warning to his household; but for once, circumstances had led him to depart from his
usual practice in this respect.
Business of an unexpected nature had suddenly called him to Bristol at the end of the
week, and his business being accomplished by an early hour on Saturday, it struck him as
a happy thought, that since he was half-way between London and Egloshayle, he might as
well go on to the latter place, and spend the Sunday there with Beryl.
How surprised the child would be at his unexpected arrival! That it would be a glad
surprise, he felt no doubt. His heart grew warm within him at the thought of seeing his
darling again that evening, and hearing her joyous welcome.
But the plan which Mr. Hollys without further debate determined to carry out did not prove
so happy a one as he deemed it.
The express for Plymouth had started an hour earlier, and the train by which he was
obliged to travel was a slow one, stopping at every station. Mr. Hollys thought he had
never made so tedious a journey, and his patience was severely tried, for, as it was
market-day at almost every town on the line, the train was continually delayed, and when
it reached Plymouth, half an hour after the appointed time, he found to his vexation that
the last train by which he could proceed to Egloshayle had already gone.
Mr. Hollys thought that his plan had been a foolish one, when he learned that there was
not another train that would answer his purpose till noon on the following day. He went to
the nearest hotel, and finding comfortable quarters there, tried to solace himself with the
anticipation of how amusing it would be to see Beryl's astonishment when he suddenly and
unexpectedly presented himself at home in the middle of Sunday afternoon.
Mr. Hollys had ceased to feel any annoyance at the tiresome delay by the time he reached
Egloshayle the next day.
He was in excellent spirits as he alighted from the train at the little country station. There
was no conveyance to take him home, but he did not wish for one. He felt that he should
enjoy the long walk on this bright summer day. He chose the longest path, which skirted
the cliffs, that he might enjoy the strong sea air to be breathed on those heights. He
thought, too, that by going this way he might perhaps surprise the children in some nook
on the beach. But as he climbed the steep hill from the station he saw that the tide was
high, and the waves breaking turbulently at the foot of the cliff. Not a strip of beach was
visible.
"Ah, well, I shall find them in the garden," he said to himself, as he hurried on, eager to
embrace his little Beryl.
Mr. Hollys had some news for Beryl, and he felt rather doubtful how she would receive it.
He had found a governess for her at last, a highly-educated and accomplished young lady,
whom his friend Mrs. Everard could highly recommend. He believed he was doing the right
thing for his child in engaging this governess for her, yet in his foolish fondness, he felt
sorry to think how Beryl's freedom would be curtailed and her actions restrained.
"Naughty little puss, she will not like it, I fear," he said to himself with a smile. "After
running wild like a young gipsy for so long, it will be hard to settle down to regular lessons,
and submit to rules and regulations. But it is high time some one took her in hand. I ought
to have seen to it before; that letter was disgraceful."
Soon Mr. Hollys was within sight of his home. He looked about for the children, but they
were not visible. The house appeared quiet and sleepy, as it stood with every blind closely
drawn, in the glare of the afternoon sun.
He walked round the garden, hoping to find Beryl there; but the place seemed deserted.
Then he entered the house by the glass-door leading into the garden. The Sunday peace of
the house was perfect. Not a sound broke the stillness as he stood in the empty hall, and
listened for the children's voices.
The quietness made him uneasy. He hastily opened the drawing-room door. The children
were not there, and he quietly closed the door again, without rousing his sister, who was
taking her afternoon nap.
Mr. Hollys now ran upstairs to the nursery. Lucy, who sat there reading, was startled at his
unexpected appearance.
"Miss Beryl, sir?" said Lucy, looking scared. "In the garden, I believe, sir."
"No; she is not, for I have just come through the garden," said Mr. Hollys.
"Perhaps they are down on the beach, sir; they often like to sit there on a Sunday
afternoon."
"That is impossible, for it is high tide. Do you mean to say that you do not know where
they are?" demanded Mr. Hollys, with anger in his tone.
"I cannot say exactly where they are, sir," said Lucy, growing more frightened. "Miss Beryl
likes to go away by herself, but I will find them."
Lucy left the room, followed by Mr. Hollys, in whose heart, anger was fast giving place to
fear.
"You do not think they can have lingered in some corner of the beach till they were
overtaken by the tide?" he asked in a low tone.
"Oh no," answered Lucy, white and trembling; "Miss Beryl would know better than that.
She is very careful is Miss Beryl."
"You have no right to trust to her carefulness," returned Mr. Hollys indignantly. "It is your
place to look after them, and you should not have trusted them out of your sight."
They went out of the house. Lucy turned to make further search in the garden, and Mr.
Hollys hastened along the road leading to the village. Presently he met a child, and
stopped to ask her if she had seen Miss Beryl lately.
Yes, the child had seen Miss Beryl; she had something to tell him, but Mr. Hollys, in his
impatience, found it difficult to understand her broad, Cornish speech.
He made her repeat her words again and again, till their meaning grew intelligible. She
had seen Miss Beryl on the beach that afternoon; she had been in the cave with Miss Beryl
and another young lady and several children, and they had all been looking at a lovely
picture.
As he thus made out the sense of her words, Mr. Hollys knew in a moment what had
happened. He turned from her, and ran at full speed towards the group of fishermen who
stood lounging against the low wall below which the waves were beating. Joe Pollard saw
him coming, and stepped forward to meet him.
"Joe," said Mr. Hollys, as he came up white and breathless, "my little daughter is missing. I
fear she has been overtaken by the tide in the long cave. Have you a boat at hand?"
A look of fear and pain crossed Joe's honest face as he heard these words. Mr. Hollys could
understand that look only too well. He knew that Joe thought the children's fate already
sealed, if indeed it was as he feared, and the tide had surprised them in the cave.
"Ay, sir," he replied. "My boat is moored just below, and we can be off in two minutes. But
God grant you be mistaken, and the young ladies safe ashore! I saw the other children
come up from the beach an hour ago, and I made sure the little missies had gone home
too."
Joe led the way down the steps as he spoke, and in another minute they were in the boat.
Mr. Hollys seized an oar, and began to pull with an energy stimulated by heart-sickening
dread. Not a word was spoken as they rounded the rocks, and made for the mouth of the
cave. Already the tide was on the turn, and so strong was the opposing current, that they
had great difficulty in effecting an entrance. When at last the boat shot into the cave, they
saw no sign of life there. The walls, lined with wet and slimy seaweed, showed the height
to which the water had risen. It seemed clear that if the children had been there when the
waves burst in, they must have perished.
"Beryl, Beryl!" cried Mr. Hollys in despair; and the hollow roof mocked him with a dull echo
of his words.
Meanwhile Joe's quick eye had caught sight of a sheet of paper floating on the surface of
the water. He leant forward, and with his oar drew it towards him.
"What is that?" asked Mr. Hollys, as he saw Joe take something from the water.
Joe unrolled the paper, and handed it to him. Wet and stained though it was, Mr. Hollys
recognised it at once as one of the coloured pictures he had purchased at Beryl's request.
The sight of it seemed to confirm his worst fear, and he dropped it with a groan.
"Joe," he said presently, as if clinging to hope in the very face of despair, "Beryl could
swim; is it quite impossible for her to have escaped?"
Joe shook his head. He shrank from the thought of the pain he must give, yet he spoke
what he believed to be the truth. "I canna think her swimming would help her much, sir.
The rocks are sharp and steep here, and she would need to swim a long way to find a dry
footing. Besides, there is a strongish undercurrent just here."
"God help me!" cried her father, shuddering at the thought of his darling Beryl lying cold
and dead in the depths of the sea.
For some minutes neither of them spoke, then Joe said gently, "We can do no good by
staying longer in the cave. Don't you think, sir, I had better row you back to the shore? If
it is as we fear, it is not here that we shall find the young ladies."
And Mr. Hollys knew that Joe meant him to understand that if the children were drowned,
the swiftly-ebbing tide must have carried their bodies far out to sea.
He could not speak; but the boatman took his silence for consent, and without another
word, rowed the still, sorrow-stricken man to the landing-place.
CHAPTER XII
DELIVERANCE
AND what of the children, of whom no trace save the floating picture could be found? Had
the cruel sea indeed borne them away in its winding-sheet to sleep beneath its waves,
leaving a darkened house and a desolate heart to mourn their loss?
It seemed to the terrified children that such must be their fate, as they watched the
hungry waves coming each minute closer to the corner where they crouched.
Beryl had ceased to cry, and was trying to bring all the force of her mind to bear upon the
contrivance of some plan of escape. The only idea which occurred to her was that she
should have recourse to swimming, and try to get to land in time to secure succour for
Coral ere it was too late.
But when she looked at the rough waves, battling together as they forced their way into
the cave, and remembered at what a distant part of the beach the cave was situated, and
how far she would have to swim before she could find a landing-place, Beryl's heart failed
her. She felt that her childish strength would be no match for the pitiless might of the sea's
opposing current. Yet she would have made the attempt, hazardous though it seemed, had
Coral wished it; but her little adopted sister cried out in terror at the mere suggestion of
Beryl's leaving her.
"Oh, Beryl, do not leave me; please do not leave me!" she cried; "I dare not stay alone in
this dreadful place. Let us keep together, whatever happens. If we must be drowned, let us
hold each other tightly, and then, perhaps, it will not seem quite so bad."
The children clung to each other as the waves washed over their feet. How awful seemed
the death which threatened them in that gloomy place! How many persons at Egloshayle
would have hurried to their rescue, had they known of their peril! But here, beneath the
rock, shut in by the relentless waves, they were out of sight and sound of every human
being, and Beryl felt sure that no one would know of their danger till it was too late to help
them.
Her heart sank within her as she thought of her father. Ah, if he, far away in London, could
have known what was his child's position at that hour! But he would know nothing till they
told him she was dead.
Beryl leaned against the rock and sobbed alone, as she thought of what her father's
anguish would be, when he heard that his little daughter was drowned.
Then she remembered that though no human friend knew of their danger, a Father's eye
was upon them, a Father's ear could hear their cry for help. She recalled the words Mr.
Gilbank had spoken concerning the "Father-King, all-mighty and all-loving."
"Coral!" she exclaimed, hope ringing in her voice. "Let us pray to God. We ought to have
thought of that before. He can help us, if no one else can."
"Do you think He really can?" asked Coral sceptically, as with frightened eyes she watched
the progress of the waves.
"IF WE MUST BE DROWNED,
LET US HOLD EACH OTHER TIGHTLY."
"Why, Coral, of course He can," returned Beryl. "Don't you remember how He saved Daniel
in the lions' den, and Moses when he was left by the side of the river in the ark of
bulrushes? And oh! Don't you know the story Mr. Gilbank told us of how God made a path
right through the Red Sea for the Israelites to walk over? I'm sure if He did that, He can
save you and me from being drowned."
"But what will He do?" asked Coral anxiously. "Will He make the waves go back?"
"I can't tell what He will do," said Beryl; "but I know He can save us if He will. And if He
means us to die," she added, her voice suddenly faltering, "let us ask Him to make us
good, and take us to heaven, for Jesus Christ's sake."
And so Beryl prayed in simple, childish words, coming from a heart strong in faith; and
Coral tried to follow, but could not attend for her terror of the quickly advancing waves.
The water was already high about the children, a little longer, and it would sweep them
away to death. As Beryl ended her prayer, her eyes fell upon the ledge of rock above her
head, and the dark hole which she had fancied would make a convenient cupboard. The
thought struck her that if they could climb to that, they would be for a time above the
reach of the waves.
"Coral," she said, pointing out the place to her, "try if you can climb up there. Put your foot
on my knee, and then catch hold of the seaweed, and draw yourself up. There, that's
right; now are you safe?"
Yes, Coral was securely placed on the shelf of rock, and with some difficulty, Beryl
managed to scramble up beside her.
Their courage rose on finding themselves a foot or two above the water, though Beryl felt
pretty sure that it was only a temporary respite, and that ere the tide turned the waves
would sweep over them where they sat. It was dull and melancholy work, sitting still to
watch the rising of the water, and Beryl presently crawled along the ledge till she reached
the hole which had before attracted her attention. It was a much larger opening than it
had appeared from below.
The hollow seemed to extend a long way back, for stooping down and peering into it, Beryl
could see light coming through, as if from an opening at a considerable distance.
Crouching down close to the rock, Beryl found that the aperture was just wide enough to
admit of her crawling through, and having passed the entrance, she found herself in a
larger place, a kind of natural tunnel, leading she knew not whither.
Feeling that she had made a great discovery, Beryl crawled back the way she had come,
and called to Coral to follow her. Coral, being smaller, made her entrance even more easily
than Beryl had done, but she was awestruck at the gloom of the place into which Beryl
introduced her. The rocky passage would have been in utter darkness but for the faint,
weird gleams of light which stole in at either entrance. The walls were so low that the
children were obliged to bend their heads, as they groped their way along; a grown-up
person would have been obliged to creep on all fours. The tunnel seemed to run through
the rock for a great distance, and as they stumbled along, for the path was rough and
uneven, Coral grew frightened and footsore, and began to cry and beg that they might go
back.
But Beryl, who thought that this passage promised them deliverance from the threatening
waves, was resolute in urging her forward, and soon, as they pressed on, the light before
grew larger and clearer, and Coral no longer wished to return to the sea-washed cave. On
they went, till daylight shone bright and beautiful before them, and they saw green leaves
waving against the opening, and caught the gleam of a gull's wing as with a shrill cry of
dismay the bird fled from the strange intruders who had invaded its sanctuary.
Beryl stepped very cautiously through the narrow doorway, half-hidden by low shrubs and
coarse grass, and it was well that she was thus careful, for the tunnel ended on a tiny path
in the face of the cliff, scarce a foot in width, below which the rock shelved off
precipitately. Beryl had not been conscious of ascending as she made her way through the
rough rocky passage, but now she saw to her satisfaction that the sea was far below them.
To her surprise, also, she perceived that they had come through the heart of the rock to
the other side of the cliff, into which the cave penetrated, and were looking down on the
little cove where David Gilbank had been accustomed to meet his band of learners on
Sunday afternoons. The narrow path on which she stood led by sharp zigzags to the
beach, and it would be a comparatively easy matter to descend, when the waves had
receded from the cove.
"Oh, Coral!" cried Beryl, as she clasped her hands in joy and thankfulness. "We are safe!
The waves cannot reach us here; we have only to wait till the tide turns, and then we shall
be able to go home."
How intense was the feeling of relief felt by these children, as they realised their
deliverance from the peril which had seemed so near and awful. Tears came more readily
than words at such a moment, and clinging together they kissed each other fondly, and
cried as only children can cry.
But this violent emotion was soon exhausted, and as they sat in the shelter of the rock
they began to talk over what had happened, and tried to imagine how Lucy would regard
their long absence from home.
"I expect she will be very angry," said Coral; "and oh, Beryl, I am afraid she will never let
us keep Sunday school on the beach again."
"We must try to find a safer place," said Beryl thoughtfully. "That old cave was not very
nice, and now I feel as if I never wanted to see it again. Coral, have you thought how God
has heard our prayer? He has saved us, although He did not make the waves go back. Was
it not strange that I never noticed that hole at the back of the cave until to-day?"
"Yes," said Coral; "but what a nasty, dark place it was. I was so frightened till I saw the
light at the other end. And oh, Beryl, look at my boots!"
"Never mind about boots," said Beryl, surveying her own cut and soaked shoes with the
utmost indifference. "I shall be glad enough to take mine off, though, for my stockings feel
as if they had stuck to my feet. I wish the tide would make haste and go down."
"Another hour, I dare say," said Beryl, as she peered down at the water below. "I say,
Coral, what a good thing it is that papa is not at home! He would have been so frightened
about us."
It seemed a long time to the children ere the tide receded. They watched the sun sink to
rest, curtained by crimson and purple clouds, and not till the glow was beginning to fade
from the summer sky were they able to descend from their lofty crag, and make their way
across the wet, slippery stones to the stile, which commanded the nearest route home.
Beryl started in sudden fear, as she saw a dark figure leaning against the stile. What was
her amazement when the figure turned towards her, and she saw that it was her father!
He had wandered there to look for her, though in his anguish, he believed all search would
be vain, unless, indeed, it should reveal the dead body of his child. One moment he had
been in utter despair, the next he heard a light step on the stones, and turning, saw Beryl
by his side.
"Oh, Beryl, my darling! Is it you?" he exclaimed. "Where have you been all this long time?
Ah, if you knew what your absence has caused me to suffer! Thank God, I see you safe
and sound, my precious one!"
CHAPTER XIII
ANTICIPATED GLOOM
THE children's escape appeared well-nigh miraculous, and when the news of it spread
through Egloshayle, numbers of the villagers flocked down to the beach to inspect the
subterranean passage, of which scarce any one had been aware. Some of the oldest
inhabitants, however, could tell, now that their memories were thus jogged, how in bygone
days they had heard it said that there were two entrances to the long cave. They
remembered that the place had for a long time borne the name of the Smugglers' Cave,
because it was the lurking-place of a desperate band of men, who cunningly enriched
themselves by a contraband trade.
An old man could tell how on one occasion, when the coastguardsmen had surrounded the
cave, convinced that they had the smugglers in their power, they had, after long waiting,
discovered that the culprits had given them the slip, and escaped from the cave, in spite of
their constant watch at its entrance. Their mysterious flight had been a subject of marvel
at the time; now it seemed plain that the hidden passage, discovered by the children,
furnished the key to the mystery. It was strange that the existence of the tunnel in the
rock should have been so long unknown, but doubtless the smugglers had done their best
to keep it secret.
None save a few children could remember having noticed the hole at the back of the cave,
and with them, it was evidently a recent discovery, so that it seemed probable that the
place had only been disclosed of late. Mr. Hollys judged it likely that the rough seas and
gales of March had swept away some barrier of rock or seaweed which had guarded the
opening.
It was some days ere the children recovered from the effects of their strange adventure.
Beryl was the first to shake off its ill consequences, but little Coral was poorly for more
than a week. In her rough climbing, she had bruised her ankle, and the injury, which had
seemed nothing at the time, now proved so troublesome as to oblige her to lie with
bandaged limb on a couch in the nursery; whilst Lucy, full of remorse for the neglect from
which had ensued such disastrous consequences, waited upon her and petted her with
astonishing devotion.
Whilst Coral was thus laid aside, Beryl was her father's constant companion. Mr. Hollys
prolonged his stay at home, for how could he bear to leave at once the child who had been
given back to him from the arms of Death! Though it was the height of the London season,
and he had many engagements in town, he sent excuses to his friends, and lingered at
Egloshayle till he saw Beryl looking strong and bright again, and knew that the horror of
her narrow escape from drowning had faded from her childish mind.
Those were joyous days for Beryl. Her father could not make enough of her, in his
thankfulness for her restoration, and from morning till night his one aim seemed to be to
give her pleasure. So anxious was he to spare Beryl any annoyance, that he made no
mention of the governess who would shortly arrive at Egloshayle. It would be time enough
to name that with other inevitable, though perhaps vexatious, truths, when he was about
to leave home again. If Beryl fretted over them then, as was not improbable, he would at
least be spared the pain of seeing his darling's tears.
One of these sweet June days was Beryl's birthday, and it was the first birthday, as far as
she could remember, on which she had had her father's company. The anniversary of
Beryl's birth had never been celebrated with the joyous festivities that form a bright spot
in most of our memories of childhood. The day was one of gloom for her father, recalling
as it did the darkest shadow that had fallen on his life. He had never cared to spend it at
Egloshayle, and, now that it found him there so unexpectedly, he felt little disposed to plan
a picnic or any such treat as Beryl hinted would be an agreeable way of marking the
occasion.
So he promised the child that they would "keep" her birthday when he came home again in
the autumn, and told her meanwhile to take counsel with Coral, and try to decide what
would be the most delightful way of spending the day.
Beryl was perfectly satisfied with this promise. Her real birthday passed very quietly. The
June roses were blooming in the garden, as on that day long ago when Guy Hollys had
gathered them to place in the cold hands of his young wife. The sunshine was glorious, as
it had been on that morn when its brilliance had struck so cruelly on the heart whose very
light of life seemed gone. But now the healing hand of Time had done its work. That
sorrow was but a memory. The wailing babe, whose presence had been held unwelcome on
that day, had grown into the fine, fair girl whose beauty and grace gladdened her father's
eyes. As Mr. Hollys' gaze rested on his child, he felt how great was his consolation, and his
heart was not untouched by thankfulness to the Giver of all good, who had mercifully
spared to him this precious gift.
Beryl made a wreath of the white roses, and went with her father to place it upon her
mother's grave. She laid some flowers, too, upon the mound beneath which Coral's
parents slept. The churchyard was no gloomy place to Beryl, but a familiar and loved spot,
which she often visited.
"Papa," she surprised him by saying, when they had stood for some minutes beside her
mother's grave, and her eyes were thoughtfully bent on the turf on which the roses made
a spot of whiteness, "Papa, if we had been drowned the other day, Coral and I, where
would you have buried us, do you think?"
"Oh, my dear! How can I tell?" he answered hastily. "What a question to ask!"
"Would you have put me here by mamma's side, and Coral over there with her mother?"
asked Beryl, indicating with her foot the place where she supposed her body would have
lain.
"If it had been so, papa," she asked curiously, "would you have come sometimes to put
flowers on my grave?"
"Oh, my darling! What can I say? You pierce my heart with your questions," he replied in a
tone of pain. "Thank God, I have you with me still, my little jewel. You must never run into
such danger again, Beryl. Promise me that you will take all care in future."
"Yes, I will be very careful," said Beryl, who had already given the promise several times.
"And oh, papa, I am very glad I was saved! I should be sorry to go away, and leave you all
alone. You would miss your Beryl, wouldn't you?"
"Ah, indeed! More than you know," said Mr. Hollys fervently.
The memory of that talk in the churchyard haunted his mind for some time after his return
to London, making him look anxiously for the letters which came to tell him of his child's
welfare.
Two days later, he left home. An hour before he went away, he had a serious conversation
with Beryl, in which he told her of the governess who was coming almost immediately, and
urged her to be a good and industrious girl, and try, by the utmost diligence, to gain
knowledge and make amends for the precious time which had been wasted.
Beryl listened to his words with a long face. The prospect before her seemed a
disagreeable conclusion to the holiday-making of the last few weeks. She had some
difficulty in keeping back her tears; but she managed to do so, for she felt it would be
babyish to cry over such an absolute necessity as education. Mr. Hollys thought she took
the news well, and he told her she was a good child, and would be sure to get on nicely
with her governess.
When she had seen her father drive away from the house, Beryl went upstairs, looking
very grave, to impart to Coral the startling intelligence of the change which was about to
take place in their lives.
"Oh, Coral, I have something so dreadful to tell you!" she cried, bursting into the nursery,
where Coral, still treated as an invalid, was resting in Lucy's rocking-chair.
Coral looked up in alarm, for Beryl's face was so serious, and her tone so tragic, that the
child knew not what to expect.
"Oh, Beryl! What is it? Please tell me quickly!" she exclaimed, as Beryl tried to heighten
the effect of her words by an impressive pause.
"All our nice times are over," said Beryl solemnly; "We shall never be able to play alone
again, or to go on the beach or anywhere without some one to look after us, or to do
anything that we like. The governess is really coming at last, Coral!"
"Is that all?" replied Coral, in a tone of relief; for her imagination had been conjuring up all
kinds of dire possibilities, so that the governess's coming seemed, in comparison, a slight
evil.
"All! I should think it was enough!" said Beryl sharply. "Why, Coral, you don't think how
horrid it will be! I am sure she will be a nasty, cross thing, and I shall hate her;—or, at
least, dislike her very much," she added, feeling that hate was too strong a word to use.
"Did your papa say she was cross?" asked Coral simply.
"Oh no, of course not; he said she was a nice young lady, the daughter of a clergyman;
but I know she will be cross—all governesses are," pronounced Beryl, who had an opinion
of her own upon most subjects, and never allowed the narrow range of her experience to
limit her conclusions. "I expect she will be just such another as Aunt Cecilia; only I dare
say she will know more, for between you and me, Coral, I don't think that aunt knows very
much. You see, it is so long since she was a little girl and went to school, that she must
have forgotten all she learned there."
"When will the governess come?" asked Coral, who was now looking as troubled as Beryl.
"The day after to-morrow," replied Beryl; "is it not dreadfully soon? I wish I had known
before. Fancy, we have only one more day to ourselves."
"We must make the most of it," said Coral, with a sigh.
"There is another thing I must tell you," said Beryl, echoing the sigh. "Papa has made me
promise to have no more Sunday schools on the beach. He laughed when I told him about
it, Coral, as if it were something quite ridiculous. He said it was like the blind leading the
blind, and I had better learn more myself before I tried to teach others."
"Oh, Beryl! What a pity to have to give it up!" exclaimed Coral. "And just as we are getting
on so nicely, and they are beginning to understand about the pictures, and to sing 'When
mothers of Salem' so well."
"Yes; and now they will forget everything we have taught them," said Beryl despondingly,
"and no one will tell them about Jesus. It seems as if everything were against our doing
anything for the kingdom."
"We can ask God to send some one else to teach them," suggested Coral.
This suggestion was not quite to her mind. It was hard to think of the work which was so
dear to her being given to the hand of another. The rest of the day did not pass very
happily for the children. The coming of the governess hung like a dark cloud on their
horizon, and the forebodings which it awakened, made it impossible for them to enjoy the
freedom of the present.
CHAPTER XIV
THE GOVERNESS
THE hour of the governess's arrival came all too soon for Coral and Beryl. The children
wore very grave faces, as, fresh from the hands of Lucy, with clean white frocks and
smoothly brushed hair, they went down to the drawing-room to await the coming of the
stranger, whom they were inclined to regard as their natural enemy.
Tea-things stood ready on the drawing-room table, and Miss Hollys, very handsomely
dressed, sat on a low chair languidly working at some embroidery. In her way, she was as
anxious as the children with respect to the newcomer. The arrangement was one she had
long desired, and from which she hoped to reap advantage. If Miss Burton proved an
agreeable companion, it would be very pleasant to have some one besides the children to
speak to; some one, too, who would be better able to appreciate her pretty dresses and
the costly ornaments on which she prided herself.
Moreover, the presence of the governess in the house would set Miss Hollys free to leave
home as frequently as she wished, and she had already planned a visit she would make as
soon as she had seen Miss Burton comfortably settled with the children. Pleasant and self-
congratulatory as Miss Hollys' reflections were, she was not so absorbed in them as to be
unconscious of the severe shock to her nervous system, conveyed by Beryl's violently
banging the door behind her as she entered the room.
"Oh, Beryl," exclaimed her aunt crossly; "when will you learn to close a door quietly?
Thank goodness, there is a governess coming to teach you manners! If ever a girl needed
to be well taken in hand, you do. I hope Miss Burton is a thorough disciplinarian, and will
keep you in strict order."
Beryl could only guess at the meaning of the word disciplinarian; but she gave it credit for
the most unpleasant significance. She pouted and scowled as she crossed the room to the
side window, which commanded a view of the entrance-gate.
"I have no doubt she will be everything that is horrid," she muttered to herself.
"I hope she will teach you to be better-tempered, and to speak politely to your aunt," said
Miss Hollys, unable to hear her niece's words, but guessing from Beryl's angry face that
they were not of a correct nature.
The speech which trembled on Beryl's lips then was anything but a polite one, and would
certainly have demonstrated her need of instruction in courtesy; but happily, she
remembered how often she had had to repent of her hasty utterances, and checked this
retort in time. As Beryl was quiet, and provoked no further reproof, Miss Hollys turned her
attention to Coral.
"Leave that dog alone, Coral!" she exclaimed, speaking in the severe tone in which she
generally addressed the child whom she regarded as an unwelcome addition to the
household. "I hope Miss Burton will teach you how wicked it is to be cruel to poor dumb
animals. How would you like anybody to treat you in that way?"
Coral thus detected in stealthily pulling the poodle's tail, with a view to rousing him from
his lethargic state, coloured deeply; and finding herself quite unable to imagine what her
feelings would be if she were in the dog's place, tried to escape from the uncomfortable
speculation by running to join Beryl at the window.
But Beryl came to her defence. She could not resist this opportunity of giving her aunt an
indirect hit in exchange for her annoying rebukes.