 13. A few minutes later, Julia Cloud watched them go off into the dusk to the Christian Endeavour meeting. She was to follow them in a little while and meet them for the evening service. She wondered as she saw them disappear into the shadows of the long, maple-lined avenue, whether perhaps she was not overdoing the matter a little in the way of meetings, and was almost sorry she had not suggested staying home from the evening service. It would not do to make them weary of it all on this first Sunday. 14. As they walked along together, the brother and sister were thinking deeply. Say, Alison, isn't this the very funniest thing we ever did, going off like this to a prayer meeting alone? What did we do it for? asked the sister. 15. Well, I guess just because Cloudy wanted it, replied the brother. She's given up her home and everything for us. We ought to. 16. But say less. There's a whole lot in what Cloudy was reading this afternoon. 17. If it's all true, it's a wonder more people don't try it. I've often wondered why we were alive, anyway, haven't you? There doesn't seem much sense to it unless there's something like this. 18. Oh, I don't know, Alison. It's nice to be alive. But of course we never will feel quite as if this is the only place since mother and dad aren't here anymore. 19. Aren't things queer, anyway? I wish there was some way to be sure. 20. Well, I suppose the Bible claims to be sure. Perhaps we could find out a lot if we read it. 21. We're likely to read it quite a good deal, don't you think? asked the sister archly. But really, now it was interesting, and isn't Cloudy a dear. If Christians were all like that, I'd believe in them. Perhaps they are real Christians. Perhaps the ones we mean aren't anything but shams. Well, there's a good many shams, then. 21. The big noisy bell began to bang out a tidy summons now. But the two young people did not feel the same antipathy toward it that they had felt the night they heard at first. It seemed somehow to have a homely, friendly sound. As they neared the open door, they grew suddenly shy, however, and drew back, lingering on the corner, watching the few stragglers who walked into the pathway of light that streamed from the doorway. Some bunch growled, Alison. I should say they did need waking up, but I don't think they could have done that. 22. They slipped in and followed the sound of voices through a dimly-lighted hall, smelling of moldy ingrained carpet into a wide, rather pleasant chapel room. There were branches of autumn leaves about the walls, reminiscent of some recent festivity, and a bunch of goldenrod and a vase on the little table by the leader's chair. Two girls were turning over the hymn-book, picking out hymns for the evening, and a tall, shy, girlish young fellow was making fancy letters on a blackboard up in front. Three more girls, with their arms about one another, had surrounded him, and were giggling and gurgling at him after the manner of that kind of girl. Another plain-faced, plainly dressed young woman sat halfway up at one side, her hands folded, and a look of quiet waiting on her face. That was all that were in the room. Alison and Leslie found a seat halfway up on the other side from the plain-faced girl and sat down. No one noticed them say, for furtive glances, and no one came near them. The three giggling girls began to talk a little louder. One with her hair bobbed, and a long view of vertebrae above her blue dress collar began to prattle over dance the night before. I thought I'd die, she choralled. Bob had me by the arm, and here was my dress caught on Archie's button, and he not knowing, and whirling off in the other direction, and the georgette just ripped and tore to beat the band, and me trying to catch up with Archie, and Bob hanging on to me, honest, you'd have croaked if you could have seen me. Oh, but mother was mad when she saw my dress. She kept blaming me, for she knew I hated that dress and wanted a new one. But me, I'm glad. Now I'll get after Dad for a new one. Say, when's Mary surprised? Is it true it's put off till next week? I'm going to have a new dress for that, and Silva Slippers declared the girl next to her, teetering back and forth under little high-heeled pumps. Say, Will, that letter's cock-eyed. What are you giving us? What's the old topic anyway? I don't see any use in topics. They don't mean anything. They never can find a verse with the words in. I just always ask for a hymn, and half the time I give out any old number without knowing what it is, just to see what it'll turn out. Oh, say, did you hear Chauncey Cramer singing last Sunday night, broke out the third girl with a side glance at the strangers? He was perfectly killing. He was twisting the words all around in every hymn. He had girls' names and fellers all mixed up, and made it rhyme in the neatest way. I thought I'd choked laughing, and Dr. Tarrant was just coming in, and looked at me as if he'd eat me. Oh, my goodness, there he comes now. We'd better beat it, Hattie. Come on, Mabel. Let's sit back in the last row. The three girls toppled down the aisle on their high-heeled pumps, and rustled into the back row, just as the pastor entered, and looked about the room. His eyes brightened when he saw the brother and sister, and with a pleasant good evening to the three whispering misses in the back seat, he came over to shake hands with Allison and Leslie. But when he expressed a most cordial hope that the two would come in and help in the young people's work, Allison was wary. He said they would have to see how much time they had to spare after college opened. It was all together likely that they would be exceedingly busy with their college work. The minister watching their bright faces wistfully, and knowing their kind sighed, and thought how little likelihood there was that his Christian Endeavor Society would see much of them. A few more people straggled in, and one of the girls who had been picking out hymns went and sat down at the piano. The other girl sat near her. The young man at the blackboard took his place at the little table in front of the desk, and the elaborate colored letters which he had just made were visible as a whole for the first time. The great companion, how to live with him. There was something startling and solemn in the words as they stood out in blue and gold and crimson and white on the little blackboard. Allison and Leslie looked and turned wonderingly toward the young leader. He had corn colored hair, light, ineffective blue eyes, and a noticeably weak chin. He did not look like a person who would be putting forth a topic of that sort, and attempting to do anything about it. His face grew pink, and his eyelashes seemed whiter in contrast, as he stood up to give out the first hymn. It was plain that he was painfully embarrassed. He glanced now and then deprecatingly toward the visitors, with an anxious gasp as he announced that they would open the meeting by singing number 29. The two young strangers opened their hymn books and found the place, marveling how such a youth had ever been persuaded to get himself into such a trying situation. Allison found himself thinking that there must be some power greater than the ordinary influences of life that made him do it. He seemed so much out of his element, and so painfully shy. All to Jesus I surrender, chirp the little gathering gaily. They had good voices, and the harmony was simple and pleasing. Allison and Leslie joined their beautiful voices in with the rest, and liked it. Felt almost as if they were on the verge of doing something toward helping on the kingdom of heaven. They sang another hymn, and more young people came in until there were 24 in the room. Then the leader called upon Tom Forbes to read the scripture, and a boy about 14 years old read in a clear voice the story of the walk to Emmaus. To the brother and sister whose Bible knowledge was limited to the days of their very young childhood, it was most interesting. They listened intently, but were surprised to notice a tendency to whisper on the part of some, especially the girls in the back seat, who had been joined by three young fellows of about their own age and caliber. Leslie, glancing over a shoulder at the whispers, saw they had no thrill over the story, no interest save in their own valuable conversation. A story went on to the point where Jesus at the table blessed the bread, and the two men knew him, and he vanished out of their sight. Without an interruption in the whispering, the great companion had come into the room and gone, and they had not even known it. The leader rose and cleared his voice with courage, and then in a tone of diffidence he recited the few words he had learned for the occasion. Our topic tonight is the great companion, how to live with him. It seems hard to realize that Christ is still on the earth, that he is with us all the time. We ought to realize this. We ought to try to realize it. It would make our lives different if we could realize that Christ is always with us. I expect some of us wouldn't always feel comfortable if we should find him walking along with us, listening to our talk. We ought to try to live so we would feel all right if we should find Christ walking with us some day. And I heard a story once about a boy who had been a cripple, and he had been a great Christian, and when he came to die they asked him if he was afraid, and he said no. He wasn't afraid that it was only going into another room with Jesus. And I think we ought to all live that way. We will now listen to a solo by Main Beecher, after which the meeting will be open, and I hope that all will take part. It was a crude little speech, haltingly spoken, and the speaker was evidently relieved when it was over. Yet there had been amazing truth in what he had said, and it came to the two visitors with the force of newness. As he mopped his perspiring brow with a large handkerchief and sat down, adjusting his collar and necktie nervously, they watched him, and marveled again that he had been willing to be put in so trying a position. There had been a genuineness about him that brought conviction. This young man really believed in Christ, and that he walked with men. Allison, always ready to curl his lips over anything sysified, sat watching him gravely. Here was a new specimen. He didn t know where to place him. Did he have to lead a meeting? Was he a minister s son or something? Or did he just do it because he wanted to? Because it seemed his duty to do it. Allison could not decide. He knew that he himself could have made a much better speech on the subject, but he would not want to. He would hate it. Talking about sacred things like that out to the world. Yet he was frank enough to see that a better speech might not have been so acceptable to God as this halting one full of repetition and crudities. The girl up by the piano was singing the soul. Why did she let herself be called maim in that common way? She was a rather common-looking girl with loud colors in her garments, and plenty of powder and evidence on her otherwise pretty face. But she had a good voice, and sang the words distinctly. In the secret of his presence, how my soul delights to hide. Oh, how precious are the lessons which I learn at Jesus s side. The words were wonderful. They somehow held you through to the end. The girl named maim had that quality of holding attention with her voice and carrying a message to a heart. There were two lines that seemed particularly impressive. And when ere you lead the silence of that happy meeting place, you must mind and bear the image of the master in your face. Leslie found herself looking around the room to see whether anyone present bore that image, and her eyes lingered longest on the quiet girl in the plain garments over on the other side of the room. She had a face that was almost beautiful in its repose. If it had not worn that air of utter reticence, there was a long pause after the soloist was done, and much whispering from the back row, which at last terminated in a flutter of Bible leaves, and the reading of three Bible verses containing the word companion, without much reference to the topic. From the three girls on the back seat, passing the Bible in turn, with much adieu to find their respective places. Another hymn followed, and a prayer from a solemn looking boy in shell-rim spectacles. It was a good prayer, but the young man were also that air of reticence that characterized the girl on the other side of the room, as if he were not a part of these young people, had nothing in common with them. Allison decided that they were all dead, and surely did need someone to wake them up, but the task was not to his liking. What had he in common with a bunch like that? In fact, what had any of them in common that they should presume to form themselves into a society? It was rank nonsense. You couldn't bring people together that had nothing in common, and make them have a good time. These were his thoughts during another painful pause, during which the pastor in the back seat half rose, then sat down and looked questioningly toward the two visitors. The young leader seemed to understand the signal, for he grew very red, looked at Allison and Leslie several times, cleared his throat, turned over his hymn book, and finally said with painful embarrassment, We should be glad to hear from our visitors tonight. We'd like to know how you conduct things in your society. He lifted agonized eyes to Allison and broke down in a choking cough. Allison chilled with amazement, filled with a sudden strange pity, looked around with growing horror to see whether it was really true that he had been called upon to speak in meeting. Then with the old nonchalance that nothing ever quite daunted, he rose to his feet. Why I, he began looking around with a frank smile, I never was in a Christian endeavor meeting before in my life, and I don't know the first thing about it. My sister and I only came tonight because somebody wanted us to, so I can't very well tell about any other society. But I belong to a college frat, and I suppose it's a good deal the same thing in the long run. I've been reading that pledge up there on the wall. I suppose that's your line. You've got good dope all right, if you live up to that, you're going some. I remember when I first went to college the fellows began to rush me. I had bids from two or three different frats, and they had me going so hard I got bewildered. I didn't know which I wanted to join. Then one day one of the older fellows got hold of me, and he saw how it was with me, and he said, you want to look around and analyze things. Just you look the fellows over and see how they size up in the different frats. Then you see what they stand for and how they live up to it, and lastly you look up their alumni. So I began to size things up, and I found that one frat was all for the social doings, dances, and dinners, and always having a good time. And another was pretty wild, had the name of always getting in bad with the faculty, and had the lowest box in college. Three fellows had been expelled the year before for drunkenness and disorderliness. Then another one was known as ranking highest in scholarship, and having the most athletes in it. I looked over their alumni too, for they used to come around a good bit and get in with us boys, and you could see just which were making good out in the world, and which were just in life for what they could get out of it. And I made my decision one day, just because of one big man who had been out of college for ten years, but he had made good in the world, and was known all over as being a successful man and a wonderful man. And he used to come back to every game and everything that went on at the college, and sit around and talk with the fellows and encourage them. And if anybody was falling down on his job, he would show him where he was wrong and how to get into line again, and even help him financially if he got in a tight place. And so I thought with men like that back of it, that frat was a pretty good thing to tie up to, and I joined it, and found it was even better than I expected. And I was thinking as I looked at the blackboard and heard you talking about the great companion, it was something like that man. If all that's true that you've been reading and saying tonight, why you've got pretty good things back of you with an alumnus like that nodding toward the blackboard, and a line of talk like that pledge, you sure ought to have a drag with the world. All you've got to do is to make everybody believe that it is really so, and you'd have this room full. For, believe me, that's the kind of dope everybody wants, especially young people, whether they own it or not. Elson sat down abruptly, suddenly realizing that he had just made a religious speech and had the interest of the meeting in his hands. His speech seemed to set loose something in the heart of the young leader. For he arose eagerly, alertly, his embarrassment departed, and began to speak. I'm glad our friend has spoken that way. I guess it's all true what he has just said. We've got the right dope, only we aren't using it. I guess it looks mighty like to the world as if we didn't really believe at all, the way we live. But believe me, I'm going to try to make things different in my life this week, and see if I can't make at least one person believe we have something here they want before next Sunday. He seemed about to give out another hymn, but the plain girl spoke up and interrupted him. She was sitting forward in her chair, an almost radiant look upon her face had quite changed it, and she spoke rapidly, breathlessly, like a shy person who had a great message to convey. She was looking straight at Allison as if she had forgotten everyone else in the room. I've got to speak, she said earnestly. It isn't right to keep still when I've had such a wonderful experience, and you spoke as if it might not all be true about Christ being our companion every day. In spite of himself, Allison met her eyes as though they were talking alone together, and waited for what she should tell. I've always been just a quiet Christian, she went on, and I don't often speak here except to recite a Bible verse. I'm sort of a stranger myself, but you all ought to know what Christ has done for me. When my people died and everything in my life was changed, and troubles came very thick and fast, there wasn't anybody in the world I could turn to for everyday help and companionship but Jesus. And one day it came to me how my mother used to feel about him, and I just went to him and asked him to be my companion, as he used to be hers. I didn't have to believe he would when I asked him, but I was so hurt and alone I had to do something. And I found out it was all true. He helped me in so many little everyday ways you wouldn't believe it, perhaps unless you could have lived it out yourself. I guess you really have to live it out to know it after all. But I found that I could go to him just as if I could see him, and I was so surprised the first day when he answered a prayer in a perfectly wonderful way. It all came over me, why he loves me, and at first I thought it was just happening. But I tried it again and again, and every day wonderful things began to come into my life, and it got to be that I could talk with him and feel his answer in my heart. If it were not for him I couldn't stand life sometimes, and I'm sure he'll talk with anyone that way who wants him enough to try and find him. She finished, and then suddenly conscious of herself, she sat back, white and shy again with trembling lips. The meeting closed then, but while they were singing the last hymn, Allison and Leslie were watching the face of the quiet girl with the wholly uplifted light on it. I think she is lovely, don't you? whispered Leslie after the benediction, as they turned to go out. I'd like to know her. Hmm, the Synod Allison. Cloudy would like her, I guess. I mean to find out who she is, declared Leslie. The minister came up just in with cordial greeting and urgent appeal that the young people would at once join their Christian endeavor. That was a great talk you gave us tonight. He said with his hand resting admiringly on Allison's shoulder. We need young blood. You are the very one to stir up the society. But I'm not a Christian, said Allison, half- laughing. I don't belong here. Oh, well, answered the smiling minister. If you take hold of the endeavor, perhaps you'll find you're more of a Christian than you think. Come, I want you to meet some of our young people. The young people were all gathered in groups, looking toward the strangers, and came quite willingly to have a nearer glimpse of them. Last of all, and by herself, came the plain-faced girl, and the minister introduced her as Jane Bristol. He did not speak to her more than that, and it occurred to Allison that she seemed as if she came more at the instigation of some higher power than at the call of her pastor. But she passed quietly on again in a pleasant dignity, and did not stop to talk and joke with her pastor, as some of the other young people had done. Who is she, asked Allison, hardly aware that he was asking? Why, she is the daughter of a forger who died in prison. Her mother, I believe, died of a broken heart. Sad experience for so young a girl. She seems to be a good little thing. She is working at housework in town, I believe. I understand she has an idea of entering college in the fall. You are entering college here? That would be delightful. My wife and I will take pleasure in calling on you as soon as you are ready to receive visitors. Leslie's eyes were on Jane Bristol as she moved slowly toward the door, lingering a moment in the hall. None of the other girls seemed to have anything to do with her. With her usual impulsiveness Leslie left Allison and went swiftly down the aisle till she stood by Jane Bristol's side. We are going to meet my aunt and stay to church. Would you come and sit with us tonight? She asked eagerly. I'd like to get acquainted with you. Jane Bristol shook her head with a wistful smile. I'm sorry, she said, I wish I could, but I take care of a little girl evenings and I only get off long enough for Christian endeavor. It's dear of you to ask me. Well, you'll come and see me when I get settled in my new home, won't you? Jane looked at her thoughtfully and then gave her a beautiful smile in answer to Leslie's brilliant one. Yes, if you find you want me when you get settled, I'll come, she answered, and giving Leslie's little gloved hand an impulsive squeeze, she said, good night, and went away. Leslie looked after her a minute, half understanding, and then turned to find her brother beside her. She thinks I won't want her because she works, she said, but I do, I shall. Sure you will, kid, said her brother. Just tell Clowdy about her. She'll fix things. That old party. I mean the Reverend Gentleman. Look out, Allison. That isn't any better, and there comes Clowdy. Don't make her feel bad again. Well, Parson, then, doesn't seem to have much use for a person who's had the misfortune to have her father commit forgery and her mother die of a broken heart. Or is it because she has to work her way through college? He may be all right, sister, but I'd bank on that girl's religion over against his any day in the week, Sundays included. Then Julia Cloud came up the steps, and they went into a rather dreary evening service with a sparse congregation in a bored-looking choir who passed notes and giggle during the sermon. Allison and Leslie sat and wondered what kind of a shock it would be to them all if the great companion should suddenly become visible in the room. If all that about his being always present was true, it certainly was a startling thing. End of Chapter 13, recording by James O'Connor, Randolph, Massachusetts, March 2011 Chapter 14 of Cloudy Jewel This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by James O'Connor Cloudy Jewel by Grace Livingston Hill Chapter 14 The next morning dawned with a dull, dreary drizzle coming noisily down on the red and yellow leaves of the maple by the window. But the three rose joyously, and their atta was not damped. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, quoted Allison at the breakfast table. Cloudy, we've got to hustle. You mind if it does rain? We've got our car. But Julia Clouds smiled unconcernedly. I should worry, she said, with a gay imitation of Leslie's inimitable toss of the head. And the two young people laughed so hilariously that the other staid couples already in the dining room turned in a maze to see who was taking life so happily on a day like this. They piled into the car and hide themselves to town at once, chattering joyfully over their list as to which things they would buy first. Let's begin with the kitchen, said Leslie. I'm crazy to learn how to make cookies. Cloudy, you'll teach me how so I can make some all myself, won't you? And waffles, said Allison from the front seat. I remember Cloudy's waffles and buckwheat cakes. We're going to have everything for the kitchen to make things easy, so that when we can't get them made, Cloudy won't be always overdoing, said Leslie. Guardy told me especially about that. He said we were to get every convenience to make things easy, so the cook wouldn't leave, for he'd rather pay any amount than have Cloudy work herself to death and have to break down and leave us. So it was the house furnishing department of the great store to which they first repaired. And there they hovered for two hours among tins and aluminum and woodenware, discussing the relative charms of white enamel refrigerators and gas ranges, vacuum cleaners and dishwashers, the new ideas against the old. Julia Cloud was for careful buying and getting along with few things. The children were infatuated with the idea of a kitchen of their own and wanted everything in sight. They went wild over a new kind of refrigerator that would freeze its own ice, making ice cream in the bargain and run by an electric motor. But here Julia Cloud held firm. No such expensive experiment was needed in their tiny kitchen. A small white old-fashioned kind was good enough for them. So the children immediately threw their enthusiasm into selecting the best kind of ice cream freezer. When they finally went to the tea room for lunch, everything on Julia Cloud's list was carefully checked off by Allison with its respective price. And while they were waiting to be served, he added the column twice to make sure he was right. We're shy, five dollars yet, of what we plan to spend on our kitchen cloudy, he announced radiantly. What did I tell you? But where would you have been if I had let you get that refrigerator, she retorted. Well, there were a lot of things we didn't really need, he answered. Such as what? Oh, clothespins and, well, all those pens. Did you need so many? He answered helplessly. They laughed his masculine judgment out of countenance and chatted away about what they should do next until their order arrived. They were like three children as they ate their lunch. Recalling now and then some purchase, which gave them particular pleasure. Suddenly Julia Cloud lifted her hands and mocked distress. I know what we've forgotten, dish towels, she said. Dish towels, why sure. We have to have a lot so we can all wipe dishes when the cook goes out. Will five dollars buy them cloudy? Asked Leslie distressingly. Well, I certainly should hope so, said Julia Cloud laughing. The idea, five dollars worth of dish towels. Well, we'll go and get them at once, said Leslie, and after that we'll do the bedrooms. Five o'clock found them winding their way home with once more tired but happy. Now tomorrow, said Julia Cloud, leaning back on the soft cushions, I think we had better stay at home and receive the things. The house must be cleaned at once, and then we can put things right where they are going to belong. Alison knew ought to be able to get a man to wash windows. I'll ask the chambermaid about a woman to help clean, and Leslie and I will make curtains while you put up the rods. They were so interesting a trio at their table in the in dining room that night that people around began to ask who were those two charming young people and their beautiful mother. Little ripples of query went around the room as they entered, but they were indeed noticeable anywhere. The young people were bubbling over with life and spirits and kindness, and Julia Cloud in her silvery robes and her white hair made a pleasant picture, but they were so wholly wrapped up in their own housekeeping plans that they were utterly unaware of the interest they excited in their fellow-borders. Just at present, they had no time to spare on other people. They were playing a game, just as they used to play house when they were little with their aunt, and they wanted no interruption until they should have completed the home and were ready to move in and begin to live. After that, other people might come in for their attention. The next morning, brightened early, Allison was up and out, hunting his man, and announced triumphantly at the breakfast table that he was found and would be down at the house and ready for work in half an hour. Breakfast became a brief ceremony after that, but Julia Cloud also had not been idle and had procured the address of a good woman to clean the house. Allison rushed off after the car, and in a few minutes they were on their way, first to leave Julia Cloud and Leslie at the house to superintend the man and then to hunt the woman. He presently returned with a large colored woman sitting imposingly in the back seat. Her capable hands folded in her lap a look of intense satisfaction on her ample countenance. Julia Cloud had thoughtfully brought from home a large bundle of cleaning rags and a little canned alcohol heater presently supplied hot water. Leslie made a voyage of discovery and purchased soap and scarring powder, and soon the whole little house was a hive of workers. Now, said Julia Cloud, opening the bundle of curtain material, where shall we begin? Right here, said Leslie, looking around the big white living room with satisfaction. I'm just longing to see this look like a home, and you must admit, Cloudy, that this room is the real heart of the house. We'll eat and sleep and work and study in the other rooms, but here we'll really live, right around that dear fireplace. I'm just crazy to see it made up and burning. Oh, won't it be great? Busy hands and shining scissors went to work, measuring, cutting, turning hems, and presently a neat pile of white curtains. The hems all turned ready for stitching, lay in the wide back window seat. Then they went at the other rooms, the sun porch room and the dining room. But before that was quite finished, a large furniture truck arrived, and behold, the sewing machine had come. Leslie was so eager to get at it that she could hardly wait until the rest of the load was properly disposed. She was not an experienced sewer, but she brought to her work an enthusiasm that stood loyally beside her aunt's experience, and soon some of the curtains were up. They could not bear to stop and go back to the inn for lunch, so Allison ran down to the pie shop with the car and brought back buns cut into halves and buttered, with great slices of ham in them, pail of hot sweetened coffee, a big coconut pie, a bag of cakes and a basket of grapes, and they made a picnic of it. Our first meal in our own house, isn't it great? cried Leslie, dancing around with a roll sandwich in one hand and a wedge of pie in the other. By night every clean little window in that mini windowed house was curtained with white drapery, and in some rooms also with inner curtains of soft silk. The house began to look cozy in spite of its emptiness, and they could hardly bear to leave it when sunset warned them that it was getting near dinnertime, and they must return to the inn to freshen up for the evening. Another day at the little house completed the cleaning and curting, and by this time all the furniture, so far purchased, had arrived, and they had no need to be there to watch for anything else. So another day of shopping was agreed upon. And I move we pick out the piano, first of all, said Leslie, I'm just crazy to get my fingers on the keys again, and you don't know how well Allison can sing, Cloudy, you just ought to hear him, oh boy! Julia Cloud smiled adoringly at the two, and agreed that the piano was as good a place as any to begin. That day was the best of all the wonderful shopping to Julia Cloud, to be actually picking out wonderful mahogany furniture, such as she had seen occasionally in Houses of the Rich, such as she had admired in pictures, and read of in magazine articles, seen too wonderful to be true. For the first time in her life she was to live among beautiful things, and she felt as if she had stepped into at least the anti-room of heaven. It troubled her a little to be allowing the children to spin so much, even though their guardian had made it plain that they had plenty to spin. For it did not seem quite right to you so much on one's self, when so many were in need. But gradually her viewpoint began to change. It was true that these things were only relative, and what seemed much to her was little to another. Perhaps coming directly from her experience, to another, perhaps coming directly from her exceedingly limited sphere, she was no fit judge of what was right and necessary. And, of course, there was always the fact that good things lasted, and were continually beautiful if well chosen. Also much good might be done to a large circle of outsiders by a beautiful home. So Julia Cloud, because the matter of expenditure was not, after all in her hands, decided just to have a good time, and enjoy picking out these wonderful things. Interfearing only where she thought the article the children selected was not worth buying, or was foolish and useless. But on the whole they got along beautifully, and agreed most marvelously about what fitted the little pink and white stone villa, as Leslie had named it. Loud villa. That's what we'll call it, she cried one day in sudden inspiration, and so it was called thereafter in loving jest. Two days more of hard work, and their list was nearly finished. By this time they were almost weary of continually trying to decide which thing to get. A bewildering jumble of French gray bedsteads, and mahogany tables and dining room chairs swung around in their minds when they went to sleep at night, and smilingly met their waking thoughts. They were beginning to long for the time when they could sit down in the dining room chairs, and get equated with their beds and tables, and feel at home. I wish we could get in by Sunday, grumbled Allison, its fierce hanging around this hotel with nothing to do. Well, why not, assented Julia Cloud as she buttered her breakfast muffin. The bedding was promised to come out this morning, and I don't see why we couldn't make up the beds and sleep there tonight, although I don't know whether we can get the gas range connected in time to do much cooking. Well, we can come back here for our meals till next week, declared Leslie. Then we'll have time to get the dishes unpacked and washed, and put in that lovely china closet. Perhaps we'll be able to get at that today. The curtains are every blessed one up inside and out now, and if we succeed in getting that maid that you heard of, why, we'll be all fixed for next week. I do wish those California things would arrive, and we could get the rugs down. It doesn't look homey without rugs and pictures. And sure enough, they had not been at work ten minutes before the newly acquired telephone bell rang, and the freight agent announced that their goods were at the station, and asked whether they wanted them sent up today, or he wanted to get the car out of his way. In two hours more the goods arrived, and right in the midst of their unloading, the delivery wagons from the city brought a lot more articles, and so the little pink and white house was a scene of lively action for some time. When the last truck had started away from the house, Allison drove the car up. Now, Cloudy, you jump in quick, and we're going back to the inn for lunch. Then you lie down and rest a whole hour and sleep, or I won't let you come back, he announced. I saw a tired look around your eyes, and it won't do. We are not going to have you worked out, not if we stay in that old inn for another month, so there. He packed them in and whirled them away to the inn in spite of Julia Cloud's protest that she was not tired and wanted to work. But when they came back at two o'clock, they all felt rested and fit for work again. Now, I'm the man, and I'm going to boss for a while, said Allison. You two ladies go upstairs and make beds. Here, which are the blankets and sheets? I'll take the bottles right up there, and you won't have any running up and down to do. These? All of them? All right. Now, come on up, and I'll be undoing the rugs and boxes from California. When you come down, they'll be all ready for you to say where they shall go. Leslie and her aunt laughingly complied, and had a beautiful time unfolding and spreading the fine white sheets, plumping the new pillows into their cases, laying the soft, gay-boarded blankets and pretty white spreads, till each bed was fair and fit for a good night's sleep. And then at the foot of each was plumped in a puff of beauty, the bright, saddened eiderdowns that Leslie had insisted upon. Rose color for Julia Clouds, Robyn's egg blue for Leslie's, and orange and brown for Allison's, who had insisted upon mahogany and quiet colors for his room. Leslie's furniture was ivory white, and Julia Cloud's room was furnished in French gray enamel with insets of fine canework. She stood a moment in the open doorway and looked about the place. Soft gray walls with a trellis of roses at the top, filmy white draperies with a touch of rose, a gray couch luxuriously upholstered with many pillows, some rose, some gray, a thick gray rug under her feet, and her own little gray desk drawn out conveniently when she wanted to write. Overall a flood of autumn sunshine, and on the wall a great watercolor of a marvelous sunset that Leslie had insisted belonged in that room, and must be bought or the furnishing would not be complete. It filled Julia Cloud's eyes with tears of wonder and gratitude to think that such a princess as a bold should have come to be her abiding place after her long years of barren living in dreary surroundings. She lifted her eyes to the sunset picture on the wall, and it reminded her of the evening when she had stood at her own home window in her distress and sorrow, looking into the gray future, and had watched it break into rose color before her eyes. But just an instant after Leslie had run downstairs, she closed her door and dropped upon her knees beside the lovely bed to thank her Lord for this green and pleasant pasture where he had led her tired feet. Allison had all the rugs spread out on the porch and lawn, and he and Leslie were hard at work giving them a good sweeping. They were wonderful rugs, just such as one would expect to come from a home of wealth where money had never been a consideration. Julia Cloud looked at them almost with awe, recognizing by instinct the priceless worth of them, and almost afraid at the idea of living a common daily life on them. But Julia Cloud had read about rugs. She knew that in foul lands poor peasant people, old families sometimes wove their history into them for a mere pittance, and they had come to mean something almost sacred in her thoughts. But Allison and Leslie had no such reverence for them, and they swept away gaily and slammed them about familiarly in a happy hurry to get them in place. So presently the big blue Chinese rug covered the living room almost literally, for it was an immense one, and left very little margin around it. A handsome Kermanshah in old rose and old gold, with pencilings of black, was spread forth under the mahogany dining table, and a rich dark red and black focara runner fitted the porch room as if it had been bought for it. The smaller rugs were quickly disposed here and there, and a lovely little rose-colored silk prayer rug being forced upon Julia Cloud for her bedroom, as just the finishing touch it needed, and Leslie took possession of two or three smaller blue rugs for her room. Then they turned their attention to pictures, bits of jade and bronze, a few rare pieces of furniture, a wonderful old bronze lamp with a great dragon on a sea of wonderful blue enamel, with a shade that casts an amber light, brass and irons and fender, and a lot of other little things that go to make a lovely home. Now said Allison, when we get our books unpacked and some magazines thrown around, it will look like living. Cloudy, can we sleep here tonight? Why surely, said Julia Cloud, with a childlike delight in her eyes, what's to hinder? I feel as if I was in a dream, and if I didn't go right on playing it was true, I would wake up and find it all gone. So they rolled back to the inn for their supper, hurried their belongings into the trunk, and moved bag and baggage into the new house at nine o'clock on Saturday night. While Leslie and Herat were upstairs putting away their clothes from the trunk into the new closets and bureau draws, Allison brought in a few kindlings and made a bit of a fire on the hearth, and now he called them down. We've got to have a housewarming the first night, Cloudy, he called, come down and see how it all looks in the firelight. So the two came downstairs, and all three sat together on the deep blue velvet settee in front of the fireplace. Julia Cloud in the middle, and a child on either side. They were all very tired and did not say much, just sat together happily watching the wood blaze up and flicker and fall into embers. Presently both children nestled close to her and put down a head on each of her shoulders. So they sat for a long time quietly. Now, said Julia Cloud, as the fire died down in the room grew dusky with shadows, it is time we went to bed. But there is something I wish we could do this first night in our new home. Don't you think we ought to dedicate it to God, or at least thank God for giving it to us? Would you be willing to kneel down with me? And we might just all pray silently, if you don't feel like praying out loud. Would you be willing to do that? There was a tender silence for a moment while the children thought. Sure, growled Alison huskily, you pray out cloudy, we'd like it. Yes, whispered Leslie, nestling her hand in her odds. And so trembling, half fearful, her heart in her throat. But bravely, Julia Cloud knelt with the child on either side, hiding, wondering, embarrassed, but loyal faces. There was a tense silence while Julia Cloud struggled for words to break through her unwilling lips. And then quite softly she breathed. Oh, dear Christ, come and dwell in this home and bless it. Help us to live to please thee. Help me to be a wise guide to these dear children. She paused, her voice suddenly giving away with a nervous choke in her throat. And two young hands instantly squeezed her hands in sympathy. Then a gruff young voice burst out on one side. Help me to be good and not hurt her or make it hide for her. And Leslie gasped out, and me too, dear God. Then a moment more, and they all rose, tears on their faces. In the dying firelight they kissed Julia Cloud fervently and said, Good night. End of Chapter 14, Recording by James O'Connor, Randolph, Massachusetts, March, 2011. Chapter 15 of Cloudy Jewel. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Anne D. Cloudy Jewel by Grace Livingston Hill. Chapter 15 Leslie and Allison did not go to the Christian Endeavour meeting that second Sunday. They were tired out and wanted to stay at home all the evening, and Julia Cloud felt that it would be unwise to urge them. So they sat around the fire and talked. Leslie sat down at the new piano and played softly old hymns that Julia Cloud hummed, and they all went to bed early having had a happy Sabbath in their new home. But, Monday evening, quite early, just after they had come back from supper and were talking about reading a story aloud, there came a knock at the door—their first caller. And, behold, there stood the inefficient-looking young man who had led the Christian Endeavour meeting, the boy with the goggles who had prayed, and the two girls who had sat by the piano. We're a committee," announced the young man, quite embarrassed. My name's Hericot, Joe Hericot. I'm President of our Christian Endeavour Society, and this is Roy Bryan, he's the Secretary. This is Main Beacher. I guess you remember her singing. She's Chairman of our Social Committee, and Lila carries our pianist and Chairman of the Music Committee. We've come to see if you won't help us. Come in, said Alison Cordily, but with a growing disappointment. Now, here were these dull people coming to interrupt their pleasant evening, and there wouldn't be many of them, for college would soon begin, and they would be too busy then to read stories and just enjoy themselves. Leslie too frowned, but came forward politely to be introduced. She knew at a glance that these were not people of the kind she cared to have for friends. We're a committee, repeated young Hericot, sitting down on the edge of a chair, and looking around most uncomfortably at the luxurious apartment. He had not realised it would be like this. He was beginning to feel like a fish out of water. As for the rest of the committee, they were overawed and dumb, all except the little fellow with the tortoise-rimmed glasses. He was not looking at anything but Alison, and was intent on his mission. When he saw that his superior had been struck dumb, he took up the story. They appointed us to come and interview you, and see if you wouldn't give us some new ideas how to run our society, so it would be a success, he put in. They all liked your speech so much the other night, they felt you could help us out of the rut we've got into. Me! asked Alison, laughing in credulously, why, I told you I didn't know the first thing about Christian endeavour. But we've got to have your help, said the young secretary earnestly. This thing's got to go. It's needed in our church, and it's the only thing in the town to help some of the young people. It's just got to go. Well, if you feel that way, you'll make it go, I'm sure, encouraged Alison. You're just the kind of a fellow to make it go. You know all about it, not I. I never heard of the thing till last week, except just in a casual way. Don't know much about it yet. Well, suppose it was one of your frats, and it wasn't succeeding. What would you do? You saw what kind of a dead and alive meeting we had, only a few there, and nobody taking much interest. How would you pull up a frat that was that way? Well, said Alison, speaking at random, I'd look around and find some of the right kind of fellows and rush them. Get in some new blood. That's all right, said Brian Doggedly. I'm rushing you, how do you do it? I never went to college yet, so I don't know. Alison laughed now. He rather liked this queer boy. He's a nut, he said to himself, and entered into the talk in earnest. Why, you have parties, and rides, and good times generally, and invite a fellow, and make him feel at home, and make him want to belong, see? I see, said Brian, with a twinkling glance at the rest of his committee. We have a party down at my house Friday night. Will you come? Alison saw that the joke was on him, and his reserve broke down entirely. Well, I guess it's up to me to come. He said, yes, I'm gay. I'll come. Brian turned his big goggles on Leslie. Will you come? Why, yes, if Alison does, I will, agreed Leslie dimpling. That's all right, said Brian, turning back to Alison. Now, what do you do when you rush? You'll have to teach us how. Well, said Alison thoughtfully, we generally pick out our best rushes, the ones that can talk best, and put them wise. We never let the fellow that's rushed know what we're doing. Oh, if he has brains, he always knows, of course. But you don't say you're rushing him in so many words. At college we meet a fellow at the train, and show him around the place, and put him on to all the little things that will make it easy for him, and we invite him to eat with us, and help him out in every way we can. We appoint someone to look after him specially, and a certain group have him in their charge, so the other frats won't have a chance to rush him. I see. The other frats being represented by the devil, I suppose, said the round-eyed boy keenly without a smile. Alison stared at him, and then broke into a laugh again. Exactly, he cried. You've got on to the idea. It's your society over against the other things that can draw them away from what you can stand for, see? And then there's another thing. You want to have something ready to show them when you get there. That's where our alumni come in. They often run down to college for a few days, and help us out with money and influence and experience. If you've got good working alumni, you're right in it, you see. We generally appoint a committee to talk things over with the alumni. You mean, said Brian, drawing his brows together in a comical way behind his goggles, you mean—pray, I suppose. Why, said Alison, flushing, I suppose that would be a good idea. I hadn't thought of it just in that way. You called Christ our alumnus the other night, reminded the literal youth solemnly. So I did acknowledge Alison embarrassedly. Well, I guess you're right. But I don't know much about that kind of line. I'm afraid there don't many of us put in the bashful president. I wouldn't hardly know who to appoint on such a committee. There's only two or three like-to-pray-ed-out meetings. There's Brian—we always ask him, because he doesn't mind. And I—well, I do sometimes when there's no one else. But it comes hard. And there's old Miss Furby, but she always prays so long, and gets in the president and all the missionary stations. I should think you'd ask that Jane Bristol spoke up Leslie earnestly. I know she must be able to. She talked that way. I suppose she would, responded the president hesitatingly, looking toward the two ladies of the committee with a half apology. What do you girls think about it? Oh, I suppose she could pray, said the girl called Mame, with a shrug. She does, you know, often in meeting. Then with a giggle toward Leslie, she added as if in explanation, she works out, you know. It must be very hard for her, said Leslie, purposely ignoring the inference. Well, you know she isn't in our set. Nobody has much to do with her. Why not? I think she's very unusual, said Leslie, with just the least bit of auteur. Well, it wouldn't be wise to get her into things. It might keep some others out if we made her prominent, put in Lila Carey with some asperity. We must have some social distinction, you know. In our frat, one fellow is as good as another, if he has the right kind of character, remarked Alice and Riley. That girl sounded to me as if she had some drag with your alumni. But, of course, you know her better than I. She is a good girl, all right, and real religious, hastened Lila to amend. I suppose she'd be real good on a prayer committee, and would help to fill up there as you haven't many. Well, I'll tell you one thing, said Allison. If you really want to succeed, you've got to pull together every member of you, or you won't get anywhere. And I should think that you'd have to be careful now at first whom you get in. Of course, after you're pretty strong, you can take in a few just to help them. But if you get in too many of that lame kind, your society'll go bad. The weak kind will rule, and the mischief will be to pay. I shouldn't think it would help you any just now to get in any folks that would feel that way about a good girl just because she earns her living. Main Beecher and Lila Carey looked at each other in alarm, and hastened to affirm that they never felt that way about Jane Bristol. They thought she was a real good sort, and had always meant to get acquainted with her, only she always slipped out as soon as meeting was over. Back in the dining-room behind the rose-lined blue velvet hangings, Julia Cloud lingered and smiled over the way her two children were developing opinions and character. How splendid of them to take this stand! And who was Jane Bristol? Assuredly she must be looked up and helped if that was the way the town felt about her poor child. Well, said Brian, in a business-like tone, I'm Secretary—Joe, you call that prayer committee together Thursday night at your house at half-past seven—and I'll send a notice to each one. You make Jane Bristol, Chairman, and I'll be on the committee, and I'll go after her and take her home. Now, who else are you going to have on it? The President assented readily. He was one not used to taking the initiative, but he eagerly did, as he was told, when a good idea presented itself. We want you on it, he said, nodding to Alison, and then looking shyly at Leslie at it. And you? Oh! said Leslie, flushing in fright. What would we have to do? I never prayed before anybody in my life. I'm not sure, I even know how to pray, only just to say thank you to God sometimes. I think you could find somebody better. We've got to have you this time, said the President, shaking his head. You needn't pray if you don't want to, but you must come and help us through. But I couldn't go and be a sort of slacker, said Leslie, her cheeks quite beautifully red. That's all right, you come, said Brian, looking solemnly at her. When the visitors finally took themselves away, Alison, polite to the last, closed the door with a courteous good-night, and then stood frowning at the fire. Julia Cloud came softly into the room, and went and stood beside him with loving question in her eyes. He met her gaze with a new kind of hardness. Now you see what you let me in for, Cloudy, when you made me go to that little old dull Christian endeavour. But I won't do it. That's all there is to it. You needn't think I'm going to, the idea. Why, what did we come here to college for, to run an asylum for six Sunday schools I'd like to know? Was if I had time to monkey with their little old society, it's ranked nonsense anyhow. What good do they think they can do, a couple of sissies, and two or three kid vamps, setting up to list religion? It's ridiculous! He was working himself up into a fine frenzy. Julia Cloud stood and watched him, an amused smile growing on her sweet lips. He caught the amusement and fired up at it. What are you looking like that at me for, you Cloudy? You know it is, you know it's all foolishness, and you know I couldn't help them anyhow. Come now, don't you. What are you looking like that for, Cloudy? I believe you're laughing at me. You think I'll go and get into this thing, but I'll show you, I won't, and that's an end of it. Cloudy, I insist on knowing what you find to laugh at in this situation. Why, I was just thinking how much you reminded me of Moses, said Julia Cloud sweetly. Of Moses? screamed Alison half angrily. Why, he was a meek man, and I'm not meek, I'm mad, out and out mad, Cloudy, what do you mean? Oh, no, he wasn't always meek, said his aunt thoughtfully, and he talked just as you were doing when God called on him first to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. He said he couldn't, and he wouldn't, and he shouldn't, and made every excuse in the calendar, and finally God had to send along Aaron to help him, although God had said he would be with him, and make him perfectly able alone to do what he wanted done. I suppose I'm Aaron, sighed Leslie, settling into a big chair by the fire, but I don't like those girls one bit, and I don't care if they stay in seven Egypt's. Now look here, Cloudy Jewel, pleaded Alison, you're not going to get me into any such corner as that, the idea that God would call me to do any of his work when I never had anything at all to do with the church in my life, and I don't want to. How should I know what to do? Why should he ever call me, I'd like to know, when I don't know the first thing about churches? You're all off, Cloudy, think again. Why, I'm not even what you'd call a Christian. He surely wouldn't call people that haven't. Well, what you'd call enlisted with him, would he? He might, answered Julia Cloud reflectively. She was sitting on the end of the big blue couch, and the firelight played over her white hair with silvery lights, and cast a lovely rose-tint over her sweet face. There were several instances where he called people who had never known him at all, who in fact were worshiping idols and strange gods, and told them to go and do something for him. There was Paul, he was actually against him, and there was Abraham. He lived among regular idol-worshippers, and God called him to go into a strange land, and founded a new family for him, the beginning of the peculiar people, through whose line was to come Jesus, the saviour of the world, and Abraham went. Oh, nonsense, Cloudy! That was in those times. Of course there wasn't anybody else, I suppose, and he had to take someone. But now there are plenty of people who go to church all the time, and like that sort of thing. How do you know, Allison? Perhaps you were the only one in this town, and God has sent you here just to do this special work. Well, I won't, and that's flat, Cloudy, so you can put the idea right out of your head. I won't, not even for you. Anything that has to do with your personal comfort, I wouldn't say that about, of course. But this belongs entirely to that little old ratty church, and I haven't anything at all to do with it, and I want you to forget it, Cloudy, for I'm not going to do it. Why, Allison, you're mistaken about me. It isn't my affair, and I don't intend to make it so. I didn't get this up. It's between you and God. If God really called you, you'll have to say no to Him, not to me. I don't intend to make it puces to God for you, child. You needn't think it. And, besides, there's another thing you're very much mistaken about, and that is that you haven't anything to do with the church. When you were a little baby, six months old, your father and mother brought you home to our house, and the first Sunday they were there, they took you to the old church, where all the children and grandchildren had been christened for years, and they stood up and assented to the vows that gave you to God, and they promised for themselves that they would do their best to bring you up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, until you came to years and could finish the bond by giving yourself to the Lord. I shall never forget the sweet, serious look on the face of your lovely girl mother when she bowed her head in answer to the minister's question. Do you thus promise? Allison had stopped in his angry walk up and down the room, and was looking at her interestingly. Is that right, Cloudy? Was I baptized in the old sterling church? I never knew that. Tell me about it." And he seated himself on the other end of the couch, while Leslie switched off the light and nestled down between them, sending a story. Wasn't I too, Cloudy? she asked hungrily. No, dear, I think you were baptized in California, in your mother's church, and I'm sorry to say I wasn't there to see, so I can't tell you about it. But I remember very distinctly all about Allison's christening, for we were all so happy to have it happen in the East. And he was the first grandchild, and we hadn't seen your father for over two years, not ever seen his young wife before, so it was a great event. It was a beautiful bright October day, and I had the pleasure of making the dress you wore, Allison, every stitch by hand, hemstitching and embroidery and all, and right in the midst of the ceremony, you looked over your father's shoulder and saw me sitting in the front seat and smiled the sweetest smile. Then you jumped up and down in your father's arms and spattered your little pink hands together and called out, ah, ja! That's what you used to call me then, and everybody all over the church smiled. How could they help it? Gee! I must have been some kid, said Allison, slipping down into a comfortable position among the pillows. Say, Cloudy, I knew a good thing when I saw it even then, didn't I? You know, Allison, that ceremony wasn't just all on your father's and mother's part. It entailed some responsibility upon you. It was part of your heritage, and you've no right to waste it any more than if it were gold or bank stock or houses and lands. It was your title to a heavenly sonship, and it gave God the right to call upon you to do whatever he wants you to do. It's between you and God now, and you'll have to settle it yourself. It's not anything I could settle for you either way, much as I might want it, because it is you who must answer God, and you must answer him from the heart either way. So nobody else has anything to do with it. Oh, good night! Cloudy, you certainly can put things in an awkward way. Oh, hang it! Now this whole evening spoiled. I wish I hadn't gone to the front door at all. I wish I'd turned out the lights and let them knock. There was that story you were going to read, and now it's too late. Why, no, it's not too late at all, said Julia Cloud, consulting her little watch in the firelight. It's only quarter to nine, and I'm sure we can indulge ourselves a little tonight and finish the story before we go to bed. Turn the light on and get in the magazine. With an air of finality, Julia Cloud put aside the debated question, and settled herself in the big willow chair by the lamp with her book. Leslie went back to her chair by the fire, and Allison flung himself down on the couch with a pillow half over his eyes. But anybody watching closely would have seen that his eyes were wide open, and he was studying the calm, quiet profile of his aunt's sweet face. As she read in a gentle, even tone, paragraph after paragraph, without a flicker of disturbance on her brow. Allison was not more than half listening to the story. He was thinking hard. Those things Julia Cloud had said about obligations, and Moses, and Abraham, and Paul, stuck hard in his mind, and he couldn't get away from them. End of Chapter 15 Recording by Andy Clifton Beach, Tasmania Chapter 16 of Cloudy Jewel This is a Leverbox recording. All Leverbox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Leverbox.org Recording by Rick Cornwall Cloudy Jewel by Grace Livingston Hill, Chapter 16 Julia Cloud said nothing more to her boy about that Christian endeavor society, but she said much to her lord, praying continually that he might be led to see his duty and want to do it, and that through it he might be led to know Christ. In the meantime, she went sonnily about setting the new home to rights, and getting the right maid to fit into their household regime. Julia Cloud had never had a maid in her life, but she had always had ideas about one, and she put as much thought and almost as much care into preparing the little chamber the maid was to occupy, as she had put upon the other rooms. To begin with, the room itself was admirably adapted to making the right maid feel at home and comfortable. It had three rooms looking into gardens on the next block, and a blaze of salvia and cosmos and geraniums would greet her eyes the first time she looked out from her new room. Then it had a speck of a bathroom all its own, which Julia Cloud felt would go a long way toward making any maid the right maid, for there would be no excuse for her not being clean and no excuse for her keeping her toothbrush down on the edge of the kitchen sink or taking a bath in the laundry tubs, as she had heard that some of her neighbor's maids had done at various times. The windows were shrouded with white curtains of the same kind as those all over the house, and within were draperies with bright flower borders. The bureau was daintly fitted out, and the bed was spotless and inviting looking. A cushioned rocking chair stood beside a small table, with a dainy work basket on the shelf below, and against the wall were some shells with a few interesting books and magazines. A drop light with a pretty shade gave a home-like air, and the room was attractive as any other in the house. Any maid might think her lines had fallen in pleasant places, who was fortunate enough to occupy that room. As a last touch Julia Cloud laid a neat coarse-print testament on the table, and then knelt beside the rocking chair and asked God to make the unknown-comer a blessing to their house, and help them all to be a blessing to her. Then she went down to the car and let Allison take her out to the addresses that had been given her. As a result, by Wednesday the little gay chamber halfway up the stairs was occupied by a pleasant-faced, sturdy-colored girl about 18 years old who rejoiced in the name of Cherry, and was at once adopted as part of the new household, with the same spirit with which everything else had been done. Perhaps if every household would go about it in the same way, it would go far towards settling the much-mooted servant question. When Cherry was introduced in her bed-chamber, the look on her face was worth seeing. It was in the early evening when she arrived, riding on the front seat of the wagon that brought her trunk. And when she was ushered in by Julia Cloud, with Leslie in the offering to see what the new-comer would say to it, the girl stepped in, gave a wild glance around, then backed off, and rolled her eyes at her new mistress. This ain't—you all ain't putting me into this here fine bedroom, she explained, in a kind of horror. Yes, this is your room, said Julia Cloud, kindly, stepping in and moving a chair a little further from the bed, that there might be room for the girl's trunk. You can put your trunk right here, I should think, and here is your closet. Swinging open the closet door and showing a plenitude of hooks and hangers. And that is your bathroom. She pushed back the crash curtain that shut off the tiny bathroom and stood back smiling. But the girl was not looking at her. She had cast one wild look around, and then her eyes had been riveted on a little base on her bureau, containing a single late rose that Leslie had found blooming in the small garden at the rear, and put there for good luck, she said. Could it be that anyone cared to pick a flower for a servant's room? Her eyes filled with tears. She dropped her bundles on the floor, and came over to where her new mistress stood. Oh, she said, in a choked voice. If you all is going to treat me like company, I just going to work my fingers to the bone for yous. After the advent of cherry, things began to settle down into something like routine. The inn was abandoned entirely, and each meal was a festive occasion. Cherry took kindly to the cooking lessons that Julia Cloud knew well how to give. Light, wonderful white bread came forth from the white enamel gas-range oven. Sweet, rich, nutty loaves of brown bread, even more delectable. Waffles and muffins and pancakes vied with one another to make one meal better than another. Apple-dumpling, cherry pie, and blackberry-rolly-poly, buried with chocolate-steamed pudding, lemon-custard, and velvet whip made the desserts an eagerly-awaited surprise. Leslie hovered over everything new that was made, and wanted to have a hand in it. Each day she learned some new and wholesome fact about housekeeping, and seemed to take to the knowledge readily. Her first attempt at real cooking was learning to make bread, and when she succeeded so well that Allison thought it was his aunt's baking, she declared her intention of making it once a week just to keep her hand in it. Allison had said no more about Christian endeavor, and when Thursday afternoon came, he asked his aunt to ride to the city after a few little articles that were still needed to make the house complete. They had a pleasant trip, and Julia Cloud entirely forgot that the young people had been asked to attend the committee meeting that evening. Perhaps Allison was waiting for her to speak about it, for he looked at his watch uneasily several times, and glanced back at his aunt suspiciously. But she sat serenely, enjoying the ride, and said nothing. At last, just as they were nearing home, he burst forth with, Cloudy, do you really think we ought to go to that blooming thing tonight? Julia Cloud lifted quiet eyes and smiled. I didn't say you ought to go, did I, dear? Well, yes, you sort of did, Cloudy. Julia Cloud shook her head. I don't think I did. I said it wasn't a matter for me to meddle with. Well, don't you? No, Allison, not unless you feel that God has called you, and you're willing to do what he wants you to do. If you just went because you thought I wanted you to go, I don't believe it would be worthwhile, because you wouldn't be working with the right spirit. But as I said before, there is something you have got to account for to God, not to me. Allison drew his brows in a frown and said no more. But he was almost silent at supper and ate with an abstracted air. At quarter to eight, he flung down the magazine he had been reading and got up. Well, I suppose I've got to go to that blooming thing, he said half-angerly. Come on, kid, you going? Leslie hurried into her hat and cape, and they went off together, Allison grumbling in a low, half-pleasant voice all the time. Julia Cloud sat, apparently reading, watching the little by-play, and praying that God would strengthen the young heart. Dear Moses, she murmured, with a smile on her lips, as the front door banged behind the children and she was left reading alone. Two hours later, they two returned, full of enthusiasm. Leslie was brimming over. Oh, Cloudy, we're going to give this sleepy old town the surprise of a lifetime. We're going to have a grand time tomorrow night, just getting all the members together and doping it out what to do. And you ought to hear Allison talk. He's just like a man. He made a wonderful speech telling them how they ought to get together, and everybody do teamwork and all that, like they do in football. And they ask him to make it over again tomorrow night, and he's going to. Leslie's eyes were shining with pride, and she looked at her brother lovingly. He flushed embarrassedly. Well, what could you do, Cloudy? They were sitting there like a lot of boobs, and nobody knowing what to do except that Jane Bristol. She's the only sensible one of the bunch, and they don't listen to her. They made me mad, ignoring her suggestions the way they did. So I had to speak up and say she was right, and I guess I got a lot more when I got started, because she really had the right dope, all right, and they ought to have enough sense to know it. She's been in this work before, and been to big state conventions and things. Say, Cloudy, that Christian endeavor stuff must be a pretty big thing. It seems to have members all over the world, and it's really kind of an international fraternity. I rather like their line. It's stiff, all right, but that's the only way if you're going into a thing like that. And how did the praying go, asked Julia Cloud, watching her boy's handsome, eager face as he talked. All right, he evaded reticently. He prayed, Cloudy, announced Leslie Proud. It was regular. Well, what could a fellow do, said Allison apologetically, as if he had done something he was half ashamed of? That poor girl prayed something wonderful, and then they all sat and sat like a parcel of boobs until you could feel her cheeks getting red, and nobody opening their mouths. So I started in. I didn't know what to say, but I thought somebody ought to say something. I did the best I knew how. It was regular, Cloudy, repeated Leslie with shiny eyes. Well, it got him started anyhow, said Allison. That was all that mattered. Julia Cloud, with lips trembling joyously into a smile of thanksgiving, listened, and felt her heart glad. Somehow she knew that her boy had yielded himself to the call of his God to lead this band of young people out of an Egypt into a promised land. And she saw, as by faith, how he himself would be led to talk with God on the mount before the great work was completed. It really was regular, Cloudy, reiterated Leslie. I didn't know my brother could pray like that, or talk, either. After he prayed, everybody prayed, just a sentence or two, even that little baby doll Lily that was there on the other night. They didn't say much, but you could see they wanted to do the right thing and be right in it. But everybody was in earnest. They really were, Cloudy. That Jane Bristol is wonderful. The president had told her she was chairman and all about the meeting. And she read some verses out of the Bible about Christ being always in a meeting where there were just two or three, and about two or three agreeing to ask for something and always getting it. I never knew there were such verses in the Bible, did you? Well, and after that it seemed awfully solemn, just as if we had all come into God's reception room, and were waiting to ask him as a big favor to help this little Christian endeavor society to be worth something in his kingdom. Those aren't my words, Cloudy. You needn't look surprised. That's the way Jane Bristol put it. And it made me feel queer all down my back when she said it. As it did the first time, I went to hear some great music. And why after that you couldn't help praying just a little, so the promise would hold good. It wasn't square not to help them out, you see. And we're not going to have anybody tomorrow night, but the regular members, until we get them all to understand and be ready to help, went on, Allison. Yes, they asked Allison to take charge and help plan it all. And Allison is going to hunt up some of the big Christian endeavor people in the city, and get them to come out one or two at a time to our meetings. Julia Cloud noted the pronoun hour with satisfaction, and stir things up on Sundays, and we'll drive in and get them, and bring them to our house to supper maybe, and put them wise as things so that they'll know best how to help. And then we'll drive them home after church that night, see. And Allison suggested that we have pretty soon a series of parties or receptions, just for the young people to get together, and bring new ones in one at a time, just as the boys in college have rushing parties, you know. We'll have a reception, a real formal, with regular eats from a caterer, and flowers, and invitations, and everything for the first one. And a Halloween party for the October meeting, and a banquet for the November meeting, just about Thanksgiving time, you know. Oh, it's going to be lots of fun, and cloudy, I told them we'd make a hundred sandwiches for tomorrow night. You don't mind, do you? We can buy the bread, and it won't take long to make them. I know how to cut them in pretty shapes, and I thought I'd tie them with ribbons to match the lemonade. Julia Cloud with radiant face entered into the plants eagerly, and to have heard them talk, one would never have imagined that twenty-four hours before these two young people had been exceedingly averse to having anything to do with the little dying Christian endeavor young people's society. And cloudy, that Jane Bristol is real pretty. She had on a charming collar tonight, and her hair fixed all soft around her face. She has beautiful hair. I think they were all surprised at the easy way she talked. I don't believe she's a day older than I am, either, and she's going to college. I'm awfully glad, for I want to get to know her. We'll invite her down here sometimes, won't we? I want you to know her, cloudy. You'll like her, I'm sure. So Julia Cloud went to her pretty gray bed that night, and laid marveling at the goodness of God to answer her prayers. As for the children, they could hardly settle down to sleep, so full of plans were they for reviving of that Christian endeavor society. They kept calling back and forth from room to room, and after everything had been quiet for a long time, and Julia Cloud was just dropping off to sleep, Leslie woke them all up, calling to know if it wouldn't be a good plan to have the Halloween party there at the house, and have everybody come in costume. Then they had to begin all over again, and decide what they would wear, and who they would be. Allison discovered he was going to be a firecracker. He had a dandy costume for it in California, and he could write tomorrow morning to the housekeeper to look it up. Leslie wanted to have a candy pool, with apples and nuts and raisins for refreshments. Julia Cloud began to wonder whether it was just acceptable to God to have play mixed up with the religion as these children were doing it. You must look out that your festivities don't get ahead of your righteousness, she warned half laughingly, but Allison took her in earnest. You're right there, Cloudy. That's one of the things we have to look out for in frats. We have to see we don't have too many social things. If we do, the marks suffer, and right away we lose ground. We'll have to keep those Sunday meanings up to the mark, see kid? Or the other things will only bring in a lot of dead wood that won't count. They must come to the Sunday meetings, or they won't get invited to the parties. That's the way we'll fix them. There's no use saying must, said Wesley Liesely. If you don't have your meanings interesting, they won't come, anyhow you fix it. That's a girl for you, scorned Allison. No loyalty in the whole bunch. They've got to like everything. Now the real spirit is to come and make the meetings good. Just because they're your meanings, see kid? Yes, I see, snap Leslie, but I won't come to your old meetings at all if you're going to talk that way about girls. I guess I've always been loyal to everything, especially you, and I won't stand for that. Oh, I don't mean you kid. I was talking about girls in general, soothe the brother. You are right, of course, but those little fluffy ruffles that sit in the back seat. Now you'll have to teach them what loyalty means, see? Finally, the household settled to sleep. The next day the little house saw little else done save the making of marvelous dainty sandwiches in various forms and shapes. Even Cherry entered into the work with zest, and Julia Cloud proved herself rich in suggestion for different fillings, till great platters of the finished product reposed in the big white refrigerator, neatly tucked about with damp napkins to keep them from drying. All that day Allison flew hither and yon in his car, carrying some member of the committee on errands connected with the evening social. Never had such a stir been made about a mere church social in all the annals of the society. Every remotest member was hunted out and persuaded to be present, and Allison agreed to go around in the evening and pick up at least a dozen who professed their inability to get there alone. So the big blue car was enlisted in Christian and dead for service, and the young people were as busy and as happy as ever as they had been in getting their little new home settled. They drove away about seven o'clock after a hasty supper, with their platters of sandwiches safely guarded on the back seat, and Julia Cloud watched them and smiled and was glad. She wondered whether this work would get such a hold upon them that they would last after they had started their college work, and fervently hoped that it might, so that there would be another link to bind them to God's house and his work. She sighed to think how many things there would likely be to draw them away. About ten o'clock Leslie telephoned. She wanted to bring Jane Bristol home for the night, as the people where Jane was living were away, and she would otherwise have to stay alone in a big house. Julia Cloud readily assented, and she and Cherry had a pleasant half-hour putting one of the guest rooms in order. It was while she was doing this that she began to wonder seriously what Jane Bristol would be like. Who was brought intimately into their new home might mean so much to her two children. And in this room, too, after Cherry had gone to bed, she knelt and breathed a consecrating prayer. Then she went downstairs to wait for the coming of her children, building up the fire and lighting the porch lights so that all would be Cherry unattractive for them and their guests. Only a little lonesome child who did housework for her living, but it was good to be able to give her a pleasant welcome. In a few minutes the car arrived and the two girls came chattering in, while Allison put the car away. At least Leslie was chattering. I think you look so lovely in that soft blue dress, she was saying. It is so graceful, and the color just fits your eyes. It's only some old accordion pleaded chiffon I had, answered the guest half ashamed. I had to wash it and dye it and make it myself, and I wasn't sure the pleats would iron out, or that it would do it all. You know, I don't have much use for evening dresses, and I really couldn't afford to get one. That's the reason I hesitated at your suggestion about having receptions and parties. But I guess you have to have them. You don't mean to say you made it all yourself, why, you're a wonder, isn't she, Clowdy? Just take her in and look for yourself. She made that dress all herself out of old things that she washed and dyed. Well, it looks like an imported frock. Doesn't it look like one, Clowdy? And that girl is darling, all sheared that way. That was Julia Cloud's introduction to the guest, as she stood in the open door and watched the two trip along the brick terrace to the entrance. Leslie snatched away the long dark cloak that covered Jane Bristol's dress, and she stood forth and barest in the firelight, clad in soft pale blue chiffon, and simple straight lines blending into the white throat in a little round neck, and draping the white girlish arms. The firelight and lamp light glimmered and flickered over the softly waved brown hair, the sweet, serious brow, the delicate, refined face. And Jane Bristol lifted two earnest, deep blue eyes, and looked at Julia Cloud. Then between them flashed a look of understanding and sympathy, and each knew at once that she liked the other. Isn't she a dear, Clowdy Jewel, demanded Leslie? She is, responded Julia Cloud, and put her arms softly around the slender blue clad shoulders. Then she looked up to see the eyes of Allison, resting upon them with satisfaction. They turned down the light and sat before the fire for a little while, telling about the success of the evening, and talking of this and that, just getting acquainted. And when they finally took Jane Bristol up to the pretty guest room, it was with a sense that a new and lasting friendship had been well begun. Julia Cloud, as she lay down to sleep, found herself wondering whether her children would always show so much good sense in picking out their friends, as they had done this time. End of Chapter 16. Reading by Rick Cornwall Chapter 17 of Clowdy Jewel This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Rick Cornwall Clowdy Jewel by Grace Livingston Hill, Chapter 17 The day when college opened was a great day. The children could hardly eat any breakfast, and Allison gave Leslie a great many edifying instructions about registering. Now kid, if you get stuck for anything, just you hunt me up. I'll see that you get straightened out. If you and Jane Bristol could only get together, you could help each other a lot. I'll get some dope from some of the last year fellows. That's the advantage I get from finding a chapter of my frat here. They'll put me wise as to the best course advisors, and you stick around near the entrance till I give you the right dope. It doesn't pay to get started wrong in college. Leslie meekly accepted all these admonitions, and they started off together in the car with an abstracted wave of goodbye to Julia Cloud, who somehow felt suddenly left out of the universe. To have her two newly acquired children suddenly withdrawn by the power of a great educational institution, and swept beyond her horizon, was disconcerting. She had not imagined she would feel this way. She stood in the window, watching them, and wiped away a furtive tear, and then laughed to herself. Old fool, she said softly to the window pane, the trouble with you is you'd like to be going to college yourself, and you know it. Now put this out of your mind, and go to work planning how to make home doubly attractive when they get back. So they will want to spend every minute possible here instead of being drawn away from it. They love it, now keep them loving it. That's your job. When the two came back at noon, they were radiant and enthusiastic as usual, albeit they had many a growl to express. One would have thought to hear Allison that he had been running colleges for some fifty years, the way he criticized the policy and told how things ought to be run. At first Julia Cloud was greatly distressed by it all, thinking that they surely had made a mistake in their selection of a college. But it gradually dawned upon her that this was a sort of superior attitude maintained by upperclassmen toward all institutions of learning, particularly those in which they happened to be studying, that it was really only an indication of growing developing minds keen to see mistakes and trying to find out remedies, and as yet inexperienced enough to think that they could remedy the whole sick world. The opening days of college were turbulent days for Julia Cloud. Her children were so excited they could neither eat nor sleep. They were liable to turn up unexpectedly at almost any hour of the morning or afternoon, hungry as bears and always in a hurry. They had so many new things to tell her about, and no time in which to talk. They mixed things terribly and gave her impressions that took months to write, and they could not understand why she looked distressed at their flightiness. They were both taken up eagerly by the students and invited hither and yon by the various groups and societies, which frequently caused them to be absent from meals, while they were being dined and luncheon'd and breakfasted. Of course Julia Cloud reflected two such good-looking, well-dressed, easy-mannered young people with a home in the town where they could invite people, a car in which they could take friends out, and a free hand with money would be popular anywhere. Her anxiety grew as the first week waxed toward his end and finished up Saturday night with invitations to two dances and one weekend party at a country house ten miles away. Leslie rushed in breathless about six o'clock Saturday evening and declared she was too much in a hurry to eat anything. She must get dressed at once and put some things in her bag. She rattled on about the different social functions she was expected to attend that evening until Julia Cloud was in a hopeless confusion and could only stand and listen and try to find the things that Leslie in her hurry had overlooked. Then Allison arrived and wanted some supper. He talked with his mouth full about where he was going and what he was going to do, and at the end of an hour and a half Julia Cloud had a very indefinite idea of anything. She had a swift mental vision of church and Sabbath and Christian endeavor all slipping slowly out of their calculation and the world in large letters taking the forefront of their vision. You're going to a dance, she said, in a white, stricken way she had when an anxiety first bewildered her. To two dances? Oh, my dear Leslie, you dance, then? I hadn't thought of that. Sure, I dance, said Leslie Gailey, drawing up the delicate silk stocking over her slim ankles and slipping on a silver slipper. You ought to see me. And Allison can dance, too. We'll show you sometime. Don't you like dancing, Cloudy? Why, Cloudy? You couldn't mean you don't approve of dancing. Not really. But where would we be? Everybody dances. Why, there wouldn't be anything else to do when young people went out. Oh, do you suppose Cherry would press out this skirt a little bit? It's got horribly must in that drawer. Julia Cloud had dropped into a chair with an all-gone feeling and a lightness in the top of her head. She felt as if the world, the flesh, and the devil had suddenly dropped down upon the house and were carrying off her children bodily, and she was powerless to prevent it. She could not keep the pain in it out of her eyes, yet she did not know what to say in this emergency. None of the things that had always seemed entirely convincing in forming her own opinions seemed adequate to the occasion. Leslie turned suddenly and saw her stricken face. What's the matter, Cloudy? Is something wrong? Aren't you well? Don't you like me to go to a dance? Why, Cloudy, do you really object? I have no right to object, I suppose, dear, she said, trying to speak calmly. But Leslie, I can't bear to think of you dancing. It's not nice. It's too intimate. My little flower of a girl. Oh, but we have to dance, Cloudy. That's ridiculous. And you aren't used to dances, or you wouldn't say so. Can't you trust me to be perfectly nice? Julia shuddered and went to the head of the stairs to answer a question Allison was calling up to her. And when she came back, she said no more about it. The pain was too great, and she felt too bewildered for her argument. Leslie was enveloped in rose-colored tool with touches of silver and looked like a young goddess with straps of silver over her slim shoulders and a thread of pearls about her throat. The white neck and back that the wisp of rose-color made no attempt to conceal were very beautiful and quite childish. But they shocked the sweet soul of Julia Cloud inexpressibly. She stood aghast when Leslie whirled upon her and demanded to know how she liked the gown. Oh, my dear gasperiant, you're not going out before people, men, all undressed like that? Leslie gave her one glance of hurt dismay, whirled back to her glass, and examined herself critically. Why, Cloudy, her voice was almost trembling, and her cheeks were rosier than the tool with disappointment. Why, Cloudy, I thought it was lovely. It's just like everybody else's. I thought you would think I looked nice. The child drooped, and Julia Cloud went up to her gently. It's beautiful, darling, and you are exquisite. But dear, it seems terrible for my little girl to go among young men so sort of nakedly. I'm sure if you understood life better, you wouldn't do it. You're tempting men to wrong thoughts, undressed that way, and you're getting on common view the intimate loveliness of the body God gave you to keep holy and pure. It is the way cheap women have of making men love them in a careless, physical way. I don't know how to tell you, but it seems terrible to me. If you were my own little girl, I never, never would be willing to have you go out that way. You've said enough, almost screamed Leslie, with a sudden frenzy of rage, shame, and disappointment. I feel as if I never could look anybody in the face again. And with a cry, she flung herself into the jumble of bright garments on her bed, and wept as if her heart would break. Julia Cloud stood over her in consternation, and tried to soothe her, but nothing did any good. The young storm had to have its way, and the slim pink shoulders shook in convulsive sobs, while the dismayed elder sat down beside the bed with troubled eyes upon her, and waited, praying quietly. In the midst of it all, Allison appeared at the door. What in thunder is the matter? I've yelled my head off, and nobody answers. What does it matter with you, kid? It's time we started, and you're doing the baby act. I never thought you'd get hystericy. Leslie lifted a wet and smeary face out of her pillow, and addressed her brother defiantly. I've good reason to cry, she said. Cloudy thinks I'm not decent to go out in this dress, and she won't believe everybody dresses this way, and I'm not going. I'm never going anywhere again. I'm disgraced. And down went her head in the pillow again, with another long convulsive sob. Her brother strode over to her, and lifted her up firmly but gently. There, kid, quit your crying and be sensible. Stand up and let's look at you. He stood her upon her feet, and she swayed there, quivering, half ashamed. Her hands to her tear-stained face, her pink shoulders heaving, and her soft pink chest, quivering with sobs, while he surveyed her. Well, kid, I must say I agree with Cloudy, he said half reluctantly at last. The dress is a peach, of course, and you look like an angel in it. But if you could hear the rotten things the fellows say about the way the girls dress, you wouldn't want to go that way. And I don't want them to talk that way about my sister. Couldn't you stick in a towel or an apron or something and make a little more waste to the thing? I'm sure you'd look just as pretty, and the fellows would think you a whole lot nicer girl. I don't want you to get the nickname of the freshman vamp. I couldn't stand for that. Poor Leslie sank into a chair and covered her face for another cry, declaring it was of no use. It would utterly spoil the dress to do anything to it, and she couldn't go and wouldn't go and wear it. But at last Julia Cloud came to the rescue with needle and thread and soft rose drapery, made from a scarf of Leslie's that exactly matched the dress. And presently she stood meek and sweet, and quite modest, blooming purtily out of her pink, misty garments like an opening apple blossom in spite of her recent tears. But when are you coming back? asked Julia Cloud in a sudden dismay. Her troubles returning in full force as she watched them going out the door to the car. Allison carrying two bags and telling Leslie to hurry for all she was worth. The two children turned then and faced their aunt with a swift, comprehending vision of what this expedition of theirs meant to her. It had not occurred to them before that they were deliberately planning to spend most of the night, Saturday night, in Murth, and stay over Sunday at a house party where the Sabbath would be a thing unknown. Nobody had ever talked to them about these things before. They had accepted it as part of the world of society into which they had been born, and they had never questioned it. They were impatient now that their tried and true friend and comrade did not comprehend that this occasion was different from most, and that it must be an exception. They were willing to keep the Sabbath in general, but in this particular they felt they must not be hampered. The whole idea shone plainly in their faces, and the pain and disappointment and chagrin shone clearly, emphatically in Julia Cloud's eyes as she faced them and read the truth. Why, we don't know just for sure, Cloudy. Allison tried to temper ice. You see, they usually dance to all hours. It's Saturday night and no classes tomorrow, and this is an unusual occasion. It's a weekend party, you know. Then you won't be back tonight. You're not going to church tomorrow. You will spend the Sabbath at a party. She said these things as if she were telling them to herself so that she could better take in the facts and not cry out with the disappointment of it. There was no quality of fault-finding in her tone, but the pain of her voice cut to the heart of the two young culprits. Therefore, according to the code of loving human nature, they got angry. Why, of course, chirped Leslie. Didn't you expect that? That's what weekend parties are. Oh, cut this out, Leslie, cried Allison. We've got to beat it. We're way late now. Cloudy, you can expect this when we get here. Don't bother about anything. There's no need to. We'll telephone you later when we expect to come back. Nighty night, Cloudy, you go to rest yourself. You look tired. He gave her a hurried, deprecatory kiss, and swept his sister out into the night. Julia Cloud heard the purring of the engine, saw the lights of the car glide away from the door down the street and out of sight. They were gone. She felt as though a piece of herself had been torn away from her and flung out for the world to trample upon. For a long time she stood staring from the window into the darkness, unshed tears burning behind her eyes and throat, trying to steady the beating of her heart and get used to the gnawing trouble that somehow made her feel faint and weak. It came over her that she had been a fool to attempt to fill the place of a mother to these two modern young things. Their own ideas were fully made up about all questions that seemed vital to her. She had been a fossil in a back country place all of her life, and of course they felt she did not know. Well, of course she did not know much about modern society and its ways, save to dread it, and to doubt it, and to wish to keep them away from it. She was prejudiced, perhaps. Yes, she had been reared that way, and the world would call her narrow. Would Christ the Lord feel that way about it? Did he like to have his children dressing like abandoned women and making free with one another under the guise of polite social customs? Did he want his children to spend their sabbaths in play? However innocent the play might be. She turned with a sigh from the window. No, she could not see it any other way. It was the way of the world, and that was all there was to it. Leslie had made it plain when she said they had to do it or be left out. And wasn't that just what it meant to be a peculiar people unto the Lord? To be willing to give up doubtful things that harm people for the sake of keeping pure and unspotted from the world? If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateeth you. Came the familiar old words. Well, and what should she do now? It wouldn't do to rave and fuss about things. That never did any good. She couldn't say she wouldn't stay if they danced and went away over the sabbath. Those were things in which she might advise, but had no authority. They were old enough to decide such matters for themselves. She could only use her influence and trust the rest with the Lord. Yes, there was one thing she could do. She could pray. So Julia Cloud gave her quiet orders to cherry, and went up to her rose and gray room to kneel by the bed and pray, agonizing for her beloved children through the long hours of that long, long evening. It was a quiet face that she lifted at last from her vigil, where it bore the brightness of a face-to-face communion with her Lord. And she rose and went about her preparations for the night. Then, just as she had taken down her hair and was brushing it in a silver cloud about her shoulders, she heard a car drive up. A moment more, a key turned in the latch and someone came in. Julia Cloud stood with the hairbrush poised halfway down a strand of hair and listened. Yes, the car had gone on to the garage. What could have happened? End of Chapter 17 Recording by Rick Cornwall Chapter 18 of Claudette Jewel This is a Librebox recording. All Librebox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librebox.org Recording by Anna Simone Claudette Jewel by Grace Winston Hill Chapter 18 It was all still below stairs. Then a soft, stealthy, silken movement cautiously coming up stairs. Julia Cloud went quickly to the hall door and switched on the light. Unlearning stood Leslie, lovely and flushed, with her hair slightly ruffled and her velvet evening cloak thrown back, showing the rosy mess of her dress. She stood with one silver slipper poised on stairs, a sweet, guilty look on her face. Oh, Claudette, I thought you were asleep and I didn't want to awaken you. She said, penitently. But haven't gone to bed yet, have you? I'm glad. We wanted you to know we were home. Is anything the matter? Julia Cloud asked, with a stretch of emotion in her throat. No, only we got tired and we didn't want to stay to their old party anyway and would rather be home. Leslie sprang upstairs and caught her aunt in her arms with one of her sweet, violent kisses. Oh, my dear, was all Julia Cloud could say. And then they heard Alice and closing the door softly below, and creaking across the floor and upstairs. Oh, you woke her up. He said, brushfully, as he caught sight of his sister in Julia Cloud's arms. No, you're wrong. She hadn't even gone to bed yet. I knew she wouldn't, said Leslie, nestling closer. Say, Claudette, we're not going to trouble you that way again. It isn't worth it. We don't like their old dancing anyway. I couldn't forget the way you looked so hurt. And things you said. Won't you please come down to the fire awhile? We want to tell you about it. Done on the couch, with Alice and steering up the dying embers, and Leslie nestled close to her, Julia Cloud heard bits about the evening. It wasn't bad, Claudie. Did it wasn't. They dance a lot nicer in colleges than they do other places. I know for I've been to lots of dances, and I never let men get too familiar. Alison taught me that when I was little. That's why what you said made me so mad. I've always been a lot carefuler than you'd think, and I never dance with anybody second time if I don't like the way he does its first time. And everybody was real nice and dignified tonight, Claudie. The boys are all shy and bashful anyway. Only I couldn't forget what you had said about not liking to have me do it, and it made everything seem so, so, well, not nice. And I just felt uncomfortable. And one day I sent the boy for a glass of water for me, and I just set it out. And when Alison saw me, he came over and said, Let's beat it. And so I flipped up to the dressing room and got my cloak, and we just ran away without telling anybody. Wasn't that perfectly dreadful? But I'll call the girl up after a while and tell her we had to come home and we didn't want to spoil their fun telling them so. They sent for an hour talking before the fire, the young people telling her all about their experiences of the last few days, and letting her into their lives again with old sweet relation. Then they drifted back again to the subject of dancing. I don't give a whoop whether I dance or not, Claudie, said Alison. I never did care much about it, and I don't see having my sister dance with some fellows either. Only it does cut you out of lots of fun, and you get in bed with everybody if you don't do it. I expected we'd have to have dances here at house too sometimes. And but if you don't like it, we won't, and that's all there is to it. Well, dear, that's beautiful of you. Of course I couldn't allow you to let me upset your life and spoil all your pleasure, but I'm wondering if we couldn't try an experiment. It seems to me that there ought to be things that people would enjoy as much as dancing, and why couldn't we find enough of them to love the evenings and make them forget about the dancing? There'll be some that won't come, of course, said Leslie. But we should worry. They won't be the kind we'll like anyway. Jane Bristol doesn't dance. She told me so yesterday. She said her mother never did, and brought her up to feel that she didn't want to either. She's some girl, said Alison, irrelevantly. She entered the sophomore class with credits she got for studying in the summer school and some night work. Did you know that, kid? I was in the office when she came in for her car, and I heard the profs talking about her and saying she had some bean. Those chums in the village will find out some day that girl that despised is worse more than a whole lot of them put together. Julie Club leaned forward and touched lightly and affectionately the hair that waved back from the boy's forehead and spoke tenderly. Dear boy, I'll not forget you're leaving your friends and coming back to me and to the Sabbath and church and all that. It means a lot to me to have my children observe those things. I hope someday you'll do it because you feel you want to please God instead of me. Sure, said Alison, try not to look embarrassed. I guess maybe I care about that, too, a little bit. To tell the truth, Claudie, I couldn't see staying away from that Christian Indie for meeting after I've worked hard all the week to get people to come to it. It didn't seem square. The moment was tense with it feeling, and Julie Cloud could not bring herself to break it by words. She brought the boy's hand up to her lips and pressed it close, and then, just as she was about to speak, the telephone rang sharply again and again. Alison sprang up and went to answer. Hello? Yes? Oh, Miss Bristle. What? Are you sure? I'll be there at once. Lock yourself in a room till I get there. He hung up the receiver excitedly. Call up the fire department quick, Leslie. Tell them to hurry. There's someone breaking into Johnson's house, and Jane Bristle is there alone with the children. It's Park Avenue, you know. Hustle. He was out the door before they could exclaim, and Leslie hastened to the telephone. He went without his overcoat. Said Julie Cloud, hurrying to the closet for it. It'll be very cold driving. He ought to have it. Leslie hung up the receiver and flung her velvet cloak about her hurriedly, grabbing the overcoat. Give it to me, Cloudy. I'm going with him. She cried and dashed out the door as the car slide out of the carriage. Oh Leslie, child, you ordered to go. She cried, rushing to the door, but Leslie was already climbing into the car, moving as it was. It's all right, Cloudy, she called. There's a revolver in the car, you know, and the car rolled away down the street. Julie Cloud stood casping after them. The horrible thought of a revolver in the car did not cheer her, as Leslie had evidently hoped it would. What children they were, after all, plunging her from one trouble into another. Yet what dear tender hearted loving children. She went in and found the heavy cloak and went out again to listen. Then it came to her that perhaps Leslie had not made the operator understand. So she went back to the telephone to try and find out whether anyone had been sad. Suppose those children should try to face a burglary alone. There might be more than one for all they know. Oh, Leslie should not have gone. Children's anxiety took possession of her, and she tried to pray as she worked the telephone hook up and down and waited for the operator. Then into the quiet of the night there came the loud clang of the fire bell, and the moment later heard calls and voices in the distance, sounding through the front door that Julie Cloud had left open. For an instant she was relieved, and then she reflected that this might be a fire somewhere else, and not a call for the Johnson House at all. So she kept on trying to call the operator. At last a snappy voice snarled into her ear. We don't tell where the fire is, we're not allowed any more. And snap, the operator was gone again. But I don't want to know where the fire is. Called Julia Cloud in dismay. I want to ask a question. No answer came, and the embossed of the wire sounded empty back to her anxious ear. At last she kept it up, and went out to the street to look up and down, if she only knew which way was Park Avenue. She could hear the engine now, clattering along with the hook and ladder behind, and dark, hurrying forms crossed the street just beyond the next corner, but no one came by. She hurried out to the corner, and called the boy who was passing, and he yelled out, Don't know where the, a Park Avenue somewhere. Then the street grew very quiet again, and all the noise centered the way in the distance. A shot rang out, and voices shouted, and her heart beat so loud she could hear it. She hurried back to the house again, and tried to get the telephone operator. But nothing came of it, and for the next twenty minutes she vibrated between the streets and the telephone, and wondered where she ought not to wake up Cherry and do something else. It seemed perfectly terrible to think of those two children handling a burglar alone, and yet what could she do? Pretty soon, however, she heard the fire engine returning with the crowd, and she hurried down to the corner to find out. It wasn't no fire at all, Lady, and it was a boy whom she questioned. It was just two men breaking into a house, but they catched them both, and are taking them down to lock up. Now, Lady, there was nobody killed. There was some shooting shore, a girl done it, some college girl in the car. She see the guy coming to make a getaway in her car seat, and she let go with him, and picked him off to her skull, got him through the knee. And by the time the fire company got there, and cinched them both, she saw some girls she is. Julie Cloud felt her head whirling, and hurried back to the house to sit down. She was strumming from head to foot. Was it Leslie who had shot the burglar? Leslie, her little pink and silver butterfly, who seemed so much like a baby yet in many ways. Oh, what a horrible danger she had escaped. If she had escaped, perhaps the boy did not know. Oh, if they would not come, it seemed hours since they had left. The midnight train was just pulling to the station, how exasperating that the telephone did not respond. Something must be out of order with it. Hark, was it the car? It surely was. End of Chapter 18 Recording by Anna Simon from Portugal