New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-07-23
A WISE LITTLE WOMAN.

A WISE LITTLE WOMAN.
Our morning, studies with Scot were over
and /, Charles Brett, was lying down for M
hours rest before luncheon. Pennle wa
leaning, with folded arms, on the back o
nv sofa, provoking Scot as industriously al
she could, while he slowly closed and pu
away the books she had left in confusion OF
the table. This room in which we studied
was no regular schOolroom, but the pretty
morning room, which Pennie-sOle mistress
and sole daughter in the house-insisted Oh
my appropriating; and opposite where lay
the wall was mirrored between the two low
windows. In this mirror / could see just
then sunny, bright reflection of us all; and
the contrast in our three faces struck me
almost as it had never struck me before.
Pennies came first lone could hardly help
noticing Pennie first, in whatever group one
saw herr; small, brilliant, piquant face,
with merry, mischievous lips, and laughing,
dark blue eyes, that seemed to know no
sorrow and no pain. Yet, though no one
else in all the house had seen the gay eyes
melt to infinite tenderness, or the arch
curved lips culver with sympathy, had,
many and many time, as my little only
sister knelt beside me in my pain. Before
this radiant little face lay my own upon the
bright blue cushions thin and languid, but
a little flushed just now-not from my
studies, as Pennie said, but from the many
wide thoughts of which she was the centre.
Then, last of ALL before my couch stood
Scot Cowen, my tutor, yet scarcely older
than l, with his pale, grave, thoughtful face,
and slight nervous figure. He was looking
across me into Pennies eyes, and telling
her, in the clear, earnest voice which had
learned so utterly to love and lean upon,
that if she wanted her translation to be
corrected she must re-write it legibly for
him.
81 shall have to write it out legibly after
YOU have corrected it," she said. "Surely
that is enough labor to bestow on the
tamest bit of all the book"
II can not read il as it is" began Scot,
but corrected himself, Eat least will not.
Tomorrow, Miss Brett, you will, / think,
have prepared readable copy for me-"
Her eyes flashed upon him as he went
quietly on with his work.
'Is Charles written carefully?' she
ASKED.
Eyes; he gives me very little trouble that
way, you know"
y know she replied, touching my hand
softly. land give you good deal. But
let me assure you that you give me in
finitely more. Scot. If it were not that you
are oddly gifted with the power of bringing
dead and buried facts (chiefiy fiction into
the modern sunshine, for my small brain to
grasp, would not come and try to learn
from you at all. So stiff you are, and stern
and exacting."
Scots lips at that moment were stern in
deed.
Then don't come in any more Pennie,"
said l, laughing a little, though l spoke
with anxious earnestness.
II must, because l must know all you
know, Charlie" she answered, stopping i'm
petuously to kiss me-a little act of hers
which always thrilled me with pain when
she did it in this room, while Scot was
with us.
''If you had been anxious for instruction,
you would have stayed at school, / should
think, Pennie," laughed.
"Oh, ladies can not teach" she said, in
her pretty and thoroughly laughable little
of dictatorship, mo lady ever
taught me anthng.
Scot laughed quietly. No one can
teach" he said, "unless the pupils respect
their teaching. | can not teach you for
that reason
why, Scot" said Pennie, raising her
eyebrows and pursuing up her small, red
lips, II respect you intensely. / always
feel kind Of awe shadowing me when YOU
are near me. / would hardly dare to ven
ture into your presence, only |, must be as
clever as Charlie, so | must be taught by
Charles tutor"
Charles tutor is always at your ser
vice." returned Scot, gravely; but while |
teach you, you must obey me. While l
teach you that is all ask When lessons
are over l claim no further authority"
"Of course not" laughed Pennie, land
your claim is small From ten to one you
require authority unlimited, and / think it
is ten to one you will not have it."
Then l shall decline to give you another
lesson at all, )" rejoined Scot quite in ear
nest, though he laughed little.
"All right, Scot, only you see l have
learned (among smatterings OF dead Ian
languages) to know that you Away say
that, and always don't enforce it. You
should enforce your laws, my tutor"
Looking at Scot, and waiting for his an
swer, l saw his face change. While his
hands were still busy, patient, far-off look
stole into his dark, grave eyes, and | knew
without turning who had opened the door
behind me. Walter COwes, his half brother,
came up and leaned beside Pennie, looking
never once at me, giving me no handshake,
no thought, until he had Toasted his happy
eyes on the little winning face, which had
Frightened so wonderfully at his coming.
Before / turned | glanced moment into the
mirror again, and somehow | could not help
fancying that the whole picture was changed.
Walters handsome debonnaire face, and
azy, .lounging figure had brought some new
element into the scene-a quick, throbbing
an idle, careless unrest
Breaking in upon my sudden, silent |
hOught, Scots few quiet words had an odd |
eject
"How is my mother to-day, Walter :"
complaining little, as usual, old fell |
ow, and, as usual, very unwilling for me to
cave her."
"Did she send me a messageW
"Not a bit of it. Her only parting prayer |
O me was not to ride Satanella."
"And / suppose you mounted her imme-
Iiatelyl" / asked, beginning to feel a little
ired, and wishing they would go.
"No, for 1 was in the saddle when she
poke. You will ride with me this after
Don, won't you, PennieW
And Pennie, who loved these rides with
Walter more than anything else through |
Ii her day, blushed gladly as she nodded
er yes.
Come now for stroll in the garden. / |
ame early on purpose for that, " said Walter |