human
What is it, dear St. Cecilia?
gpt
I am anxious about Betty,
human
Sit down, dear, won't you? Emma, I have been also anxious. I cannot understand why that notice was put up on the blackboard, and why Betty has left the club. Have you any clue, dear?
gpt
None whatsoever, was Miss Symes's answer.
human
Of course I, as a teacher, cannot possibly question any of the girls, and they are none of them willing to confide in me.
gpt
We certainly cannot question them, said Mrs. Haddo.
human
But now I wish to say something to you. Betty has been absent from evening prayers at the chapel so often lately that I think it is my duty to speak to her on the subject.
gpt
I have also observed that fact, replied Miss Symes.
human
Betty does not look well. There is something, beyond doubt, weighing on her mind. She avoids her fellow-pupils, whereas she used to be, I may almost say, the favorite of the school. She scarcely speaks to any one now. When she walks she walks alone. Even her dear little sisters are anxious about her; I can see it, although they are far too discreet to say a word. Poor Betty's little face seems to me to grow paler every day, and her eyes more pathetic. Mrs. Haddo, can you not do something?
gpt
You know, Emma, that I never force confidences; I think it a great mistake. If a girl wishes to speak to me, she understands me well enough to be sure I shall respect every word she says; otherwise, I think it best to allow a girl of Betty Vivian's age to fight out her difficulties alone.
human
As her teacher, I have nothing to complain of, said Miss Symes.
gpt
She is just brilliant. She seems to leap over mental difficulties as though they did not exist. Her intuition is something marvellous, and she will grasp an idea almost as soon as it is uttered. I should like you to hear her play; it is a perfect delight to teach her; her little fingers seem to be endowed with the very spirit of music. And then that delightful voice of hers thrills one when she recites aloud, as she does twice a week in my recitation-class. As a matter of fact, dear Mrs. Haddo, I am deeply attached to Betty; but I feel there is something wrong just now.
human
A turning-point, said Mrs. Haddo.
gpt
How often we come to them in life!
human
God grant she may take the right turning!
gpt
It is not like you, Emma, to be so despondent,
human
I cannot help feeling despondent, for I think there is mischief afoot and that Betty is suffering. I wonder if----
gpt
Come in,
human
Ah, said Mrs. Haddo,
gpt
I have come, he said,
human
How strange! said Mrs. Haddo.
gpt
Miss Symes and I were talking about Betty only this very moment. Can you throw any light on what is troubling her?
human
No, said Mr. Fairfax.
gpt
I came here to ask if you could.
human
What do you mean?
gpt
Well, you know in my capacity as chaplain different things come to my ears; but I am under a promise not to repeat them. I am, however, under no promise in this instance. I was walking through the shrubbery half-an-hour ago--I was, in fact, thinking out the little address I want to give the dear girls next Sunday morning--when I suddenly heard a low sob. I paused to listen; it was some way off, but I heard it quite distinctly. I did not like to approach--you understand one's feeling of delicacy in such a matter; but it came again, and was so very heartrending that I could not help saying, 'Who is there? Is any one in trouble?' To my amazement, a girl started to her feet; she had been lying full-length, with her face downwards, on the damp grass. She came up to me, and I recognized her at once. She was Betty Vivian. There was very little light, but I could see that she was in terrible distress. She could scarcely get out her words. 'It is lost!' she said--'lost! Some one has stolen it!' And then she rushed away from me in the direction of the house. I thought it my duty to come and tell you, Mrs. Haddo. The girl's grief was quite remarkable and out of the common. The tone in which she said, 'It is lost--lost!' was tragic.
human
Would you rather speak to her, or shall I?
gpt
Under the circumstances, said Mr. Fairfax,
human
And what did you say about evening prayers?
gpt
I said that was a matter between her own conscience and God. I could not get anything further out of her; but since then you may have observed that she has hardly attended chapel at all.
human
I certainly have noticed it,
gpt
Thank you, Mr. Fairfax; I am deeply obliged to you for having come to me and taken me so far into your confidence. Emma, will you ask Betty to come to me here? If she resists, bring her, dear; if she still resists, I will go to her. Dear Mr. Fairfax, we must pray for this child. There is something very seriously wrong; but she has won my heart, and I cannot give her up. Will you leave me also, dear friend, for I must see Betty by herself?