Chapter V.

A Humble Friend

The last week of the Misses Melville’s stay at Cross Hall had begun before Jane heard of the result of her application for the matronship of the ----- Institution.  Mr. Rennie then wrote to her that the directors had appointed a widow, very highly recommended, and apparently very well qualified.  Miss Melville’s letter had received careful attention, and had favourably impressed all the directors; but her youth and her being unmarried were great objections to her, while the kind of housekeeping she had conducted at her uncle’s was not likely to be the best school for the management of an establishment of this kind.  Mr. Rennie was very sorry for Miss Melville’s disappointment, but he could not suggest any other situation likely to suit her.

Elsie jumped for joy when she heard of Jane’s rejection, and kissed her sister over and over again.  “We shall not be parted, darling; you will not go to slave among strangers and to be terrified by mad people.  I cannot—­really, I cannot do without you—­you are my muse and my critic, as well as my best friend and adviser.”

Jane was not quite so much exhilarated by her failure as her sister; but Elsie’s extravagant delight comforted her not a little.  While they were talking over this matter, Jane was called away to receive the linen from the laundress for the last time, and to bid her good-bye.  Peggy Walker was somewhat of an authority in the district—­a travelled woman, who had been in Australia and back again, and was now living with a family of orphan nephews and nieces, and an old man, their grandfather.  Public rumour pronounced her a niggardly woman, for though she had property she worked as hard as if she had nothing, and took the bread out of other folk’s mouths; but as she was really an excellent laundress, she had the best custom in the neighbourhood, and her honesty, her punctuality, and her homely civility, had made her a great favourite with Jane Melville.

“I fear it must be good-bye this time, Peggy,” said she; “next week’s washing must be given to other hands.”

“Eh, now, Miss Jean, ye dinna say so.  I heard the new man was coming to the Hall, but no just so very soon as that.  But ye are no going out of the place for good?”

“For good or ill, Peggy, we leave Cross Hall next Thursday.”

“And where are you going to?”

“I wish I knew.”

“Preserve us, Miss Jean!  Are you and Miss Elsie, poor bit thing, unacquainted with where you are going to?”

“It is only too true.”

“Well, I am going to leave the place too; but I ken well where I am going, and that is to Edinburgh.”

“Why are you leaving Swinton?  I thought you were doing very well here.”