The examination was over and school ended for me, before I had
one half hour to spare to go to see Miss Cardigan. The
examination had passed as I could have wished it might; all
had gone well; and I could afford to put by that whole train
of thought, even as I put up my school-books and stowed them
away; being things that I should not immediately want again.
Some time would pass, it was likely, before I would need to
refresh my memory with mathematics or philosophy. My music was
another matter, and I kept that out.
I put my books hastily as well as securely away; and then took
my hat and rushed over to Miss Cardigan's. It was a very warm
June day. I remember now the cool feeling of her marble hall.
Miss Cardigan sat in her matted parlour, busy as always,
looking quiet and comfortable in a white muslin wrapper, and
neat as a pin; also an invariable thing. Something in the
peaceful, settled, calm air of the place impressed me, I
suppose, with a feeling of contrast; of an uninvaded,
undisturbed domain, which changes were not threatening. I had
gone over the street hurriedly; I walked into the room with a
slow step.
"Daisy! my dear child!" Miss Cardigan exclaimed, - "is it you?
and is all over? I see it is. Just sit down, and you shall
have some strawberries; you look tired, my love."
I sat still, and waited, and eat my strawberries.
"Miss Cardigan," I said at length, "what is Christian's
address in Washington?"
"In Washington? I don't know. Did he never give it to you?"
"No, ma'am; nothing except 'Washington.' "
"I suppose that is enough. Haven't you written to him?"
"I have written once. - I have been thinking, Miss Cardigan,
that I must stop the writing."
"Altogether?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"His writing too?"
"Yes. My father and mother do not know - and I cannot ask
them, - and -"
"You are right," Miss Cardigan answered sorrowfully. "And yet
you will let your engagement stand, Daisy?"
"I cannot break my part of it, ma'am. I - nor they - cannot
change what is, and what has been done. The future is in their
hands - or in God's hands, rather."
Miss Cardigan sighed.
"And what then, dear, about the address?" she said.
"Because, Miss Cardigan, I am going there. I am going to
Washington."