Come early! Yes, Rachel might come, but what was the use of that when
Fanny was at the mercy of so many claimants? She looked much better
than the day before, and her sweet, soft welcome was most cordial and
clinging. "Dear Rachel, it is like a dream to have you so near. I felt
like the old life come back again to hear the surge of the sea all
night, and know I should see you all so soon again."
"Yes, it is a great satisfaction to have you back in your old home,
under our wing. I have a great deal to tell you about the arrangements."
"Oh yes; thank you--"
"Mamma!" roared two or three voices.
"I wanted to explain to you--" But Fanny's eye was roaming, and just
then in burst two boys. "Mamma, nurse won't undo the tin box, and my
ship is in it that the Major gave me."
"Yes, and my stuffed duck-bill, and I want it, mamma."
"My dear Con, the Major would not let you shout so loud about it, and
you have not spoken to Aunt Rachel."
The boys did present their hands, and then returned to the charge.
"Please order nurse to unpack it, mamma, and then Coombe will help us to
sail it."
"Excuse me, dear Rachel," said Fanny, "I will first see about this."
And a very long seeing it was, probably meaning that she unpacked the
box herself, whilst Rachel was deciding on the terrible spoiling of the
children, and preparing a remonstrance.
"Dear Rachel, you have been left a long time."
"Oh, never mind that, but, Fanny, you must not give way to those
children too much; they will be always--Hark! was that the door-bell?"
It was, and the visitor was announced as "Mr. Touchett;" a small, dark,
thin young clergyman he was, of a nervous manner, which, growing more
nervous as he shook hands with Rachel, became abrupt and hesitating.
"My call is--is early, Lady Temple; but I always pay my respects at
once to any new parishioner--resident, I mean--in case I can be of any
service."
"Thank you, I am very much obliged," said Fanny, with a sweet, gracious
smile and manner that would have made him more at ease at once, if
Rachel had not added, "My cousin is quite at home here, Mr. Touchett."
"Oh yes," he said, "so--so I understood."
"I know no place in England so well; it is quite a home to me, so
beautiful it is," continued Fanny.