In a word, the child-woman had already set up an idol in her heart, an
idol never, never, in all the changes and chances of this world, to be
thrown from its altar. Already she unconsciously identified herself with
his successes. He was now the classmate, equal, and competitor of her
eldest brother; yet in the literary and scholastic rivalship and
struggle between the two, it was not for Walter, but for Ishmael that
she secretly trembled; and in their alternate triumphs and defeats, it
was not with Walter, but Ishmael, that she sorrowed or rejoiced.
Bee was her mother's right hand woman in all household affairs; she
would have been the favorite, if Mrs. Middleton's strict sense of
justice had permitted her to have one among the children. It was Bee who
was always by her mother's side in the early morning, helping her to
prepare the light, nutritious puddings for dinner.
On these occasions Bee would often beg for some special kind of tart or
pie, not for the gratification of her own appetite, but because she had
noticed that Ishmael liked that dish. So early she became his little
household guardian.
And Ishmael? He was now nearly sixteen years old, and thoughtful beyond
his years. Was he grateful for this little creature's earnest affection?
Very grateful he was indeed! He had no sister; but as the dearest of all
dear sisters he loved this little woman of twelve summers.
But she was not his idol! Oh, no! The star of his boyish worship was
Claudia! Whether it was from youthful perversity, or from prior
association, or, as is most likely, by the attraction of antagonism, the
fair, gentle, intellectual peasant boy adored the dark, fiery, imperious
young patrician who loved, petted, and patronized him only as if he had
been a wonderfully learned pig or very accomplished parrot! Bee knew
this; but the pure love of her sweet spirit was incapable of jealousy,
and when she saw that Ishmael loved Claudia best, she herself saw reason
in that for esteeming her cousin higher than she had ever done before!
If Ishmael loved Claudia so much, then Claudia must be more worthy than
ever she had supposed her to be! Such was the reasoning of Beatrice.
Did Mr. and Mrs. Middleton observe this little domestic drama?
Yes; but they attached no importance to it. They considered it all the
harmless, shallow, transient friendships of childhood. They had left
their own youth so far behind that they forgot what serious
matters--sometimes affecting the happiness of many years, sometimes
deciding the destiny of a life--are commenced in the schoolroom.
Ishmael was felt to be perfectly trustworthy; therefore he was allowed
the privilege of free association with these little girls--an honor not
accorded to other day pupils.
This "unjust partiality," as they called the well-merited confidence
bestowed upon our boy, greatly incensed the Burghes, and increased their
enmity against Ishmael.