A Soldier's Son, Page 2

  CHAPTER II.--CAROL'S LETTER.

  "MANOR HOUSE MANDEVILLE.

  "_Dear Cousin Alicia,_

  "It seemed such a long journey before we arrived here. Uncle was sokind and told me about the different places as we passed through. But Ifelt I was getting such a long way from you, as we passed town aftertown. All my cousins were at the station to meet us; but Auntie was notwell enough to be there. I should like to describe them all to you, butI am sure I could not. They are ever so much nicer than any of thechildren I have read about in books. I will only tell you their names.Perhaps you will see them all some day. Edith, Gwendolin, Percy, andFrank, in the school-room; and in the nursery, Sylvia, Estelle, andRosebud. Uncle had never seen Rosebud. She is two years and threemonths old, and is the sweetest little girl. She has such pretty ways.I do love to hear her talk.

  "We walked from the station through the park. Uncle seemed so glad tosee his own home again. The Manor House is very old; such quaint littleoriel windows, and turrets, and gables. I have not learned my way aboutyet, but the school-room and nurseries are quite close together. It wasreturning from Auntie's boudoir to the schoolroom I got lost, and Ifound myself in quite a different part of the house. I opened a door Ithought was the school-room, and it was the housekeeper's room. Then amaid took me to the school-room. Percy and Frank thought it veryamusing, and said they could find their way anywhere blindfold, andRosebud said 'Me tome wiff 'ou, Tarol.' I didn't see Auntie until aftertea. We all had tea together in the school-room, the nursery children aswell. The governess invited them. Her name is Miss Markham, she isvery strict, but I think she is kind too. I am thinking all the time ofthe history of England when she speaks, and wondering what part of itshe belongs to. The elder children are going down to dinner, as it isUncle's first evening at home.

  "Auntie was lying on a couch when I was taken to her room. She seemedso full of grief and sadness. She wept when she held her arms aroundme. But I just knew that Love is everywhere, and sorrow and sadnesscannot be where Love is. In a little while she was quite different, andeven smiled as she talked to me. She said I had comforted her so. Iwould have liked to explain to her what had comforted her, but she doesnot like me to say anything about Christian Science, and asked me not tomention it before Uncle Raymond, because it makes him angry. Auntiethinks I could not have been so ill as the doctors thought, or I shouldnot be quite well and strong now. Please tell me, dear Cousin, will itbe denying Christ, if I do not tell people what healed me? I did sowish I could have told Auntie some of the beautiful things you havetaught me. Will you write to me very often, please? I am going to writenearly every day to you. Auntie says I may--as often as I like. I havesuch a dear little room all to myself, so I shall be able to do theLesson-Sermon every morning before breakfast. Thank you again forgiving me _Science and Health_ for my very own, and the Bible which wasmy mother's. I want to study both books so well that when I am a man Ishall know them better than anything else in the world. I am to studywith Edith and Gwendolin for the present. Frank and Percy go to a largepublic school at H--. I am to go with them when Uncle is quite sure Iam strong enough. He does not understand that I am perfectly well andstrong. I must leave off now. I have to put on my Eton suit fordinner. I do not feel so far away from you as when I was in the train.It is just as if you were in the room with me. I can feel your thoughtslike loving arms around me.

  "Dear Cousin Alicia "Your loving Carol.

  "_P.S._ Bed-time. The post-bag had gone when I had finished my letter.I just want to tell you, Auntie came down to dinner. Every one was sosurprised and delighted and we had such a happy evening. Uncle playedgames with us after dinner, and Auntie looked on. The time went soquickly, we were sorry when Uncle said: 'Bed-time, children. To yourtents: double quick march.' So we all had to scamper away. UncleRaymond came to dinner. He is so grave and stern, so different fromFather. He went into the study whilst Uncle was playing with us."