A VISIT TO THE PINE FARM
EARLY NEXT MORNING ALL WAS BUSTLE in the hunting lodge, for the whole party were preparing to depart. The Countess Amelia, as considerate as kind, knocked at the door of Mary's room before she was dressed. "I come to tell you, dear Mary," said she, "not to dress till my maid brings you a complete set of my things. She has not brought many of my dresses, as we did not intend to stay long here, but she will find something or other fit for you to wear in the meantime. You may trust yourself safely in her hands; she is a good creature, not at all like Margaret, and she will see that you are properly fitted, at least as well as time will permit."
Mary came down to breakfast, dressed in her new attire, and looked so remarkably well in it that the visitors scarcely recognized her. After breakfast they set off, and the Count ordered the coachman to stop at the Pine Farm, which was but a little way off the road. On the way the Count questioned Mary about the people at the farm; he was anxious to recompense them in some way for their kindness to old James; and Mary told him how unhappy the poor old couple were.
The arrival of the Count's carriage at the farm produced a great sensation, for never had such an equipage been seen at the door before. The young farmer's wife came out in great haste, anxious to do all honor to such noble visitors. She was as servile to those above her as tyrannical to those under her authority; for these two things are always united. She officiously offered her services to help the ladies to alight; but what was her surprise when, as she was carefully protecting the dress of one of the ladies from the mud on the wheel, she perceived that she was giving herself all this trouble for Mary! Surprised out of her assumed good manners, she started back, and forgetting her noble guests, she exclaimed, "What can this mean?" and rushed off to find her husband, without waiting to be spoken to. Conscience stricken, she feared they had come to punish her for her cruelty.
As she disappeared, the Count saw the old farmer working in the garden, and, accompanied by the ladies, he went to speak to him. He thanked him for his kindness to James and Mary.
"Indeed, my lord," said the honest farmer, "the obligation was all the other way. I owe more to good old James than I ever had it in my power to do for him. This garden was an uncultivated wilderness when he came, and your Excellency sees what a pretty place he has made of it. It is a pleasure to me to keep it now; and I make a good penny, too, by the fruit since he pruned the trees and put them all in order. I am never so happy as when I am working here, trying to keep it as he left it, and thinking of the good advice he often gave me in this very place."
While the farmer was speaking to the Count, Mary had gone to find his wife. She insisted on bringing her to see her new friends, assuring her that she need not feel afraid of them, for they were so kind and good.
The good old woman was kindly received and thanked also for her affectionate care of Mary. The worthy farmer and his wife rejoiced truly in Mary's good fortune.
"Your father's words have come true," said they; "he always said that God would provide friends for you. His favorite saying, 'He who clothes the lilies will also clothe us,' has been fulfilled."
In the meantime the young farmer's wife had overcome her first panic but still kept at a little distance, overwhelmed with envy and rage. "Well, well," muttered she, "some people have good luck who don't deserve it. Here is a miserable beggar changed all at once into a lady. These great lords and ladies do take strange whims! What could have made them take a fancy to such a creature, and dress her up as they have done? For my part, I never could bear the sight of her. They will soon tire of her, I daresay, and turn her out again. At any rate, dress her as they may, she will always be known for what she is-a poor creature taken in out of charity."
The Count did not hear these words, but he observed the woman's manner and read in her face her malignant temper.
He thought for a moment; then he said to the old farmer, "I have an offer to make you, my good friend, which I hope you will accept. I have just given to Mary the house and garden which her father rented at Eichbourg; but as my daughter wishes to keep her with herself, and as, besides, she is too young yet to live there alone, what do you say to taking possession of it? I am sure you will like it, and I think I can promise, in Mary's name, that she will not ask any rent from you. You can indulge your taste for flowers there as much as you like and think of your old friend too; for you will find many at Eichbourg who remember his counsels and will be glad to talk of him."
The farmer turned to his wife, and reading her glad consent in her happy face, he thankfully accepted the Count's offer. The good old couple were indeed most anxious to get away from their daughter-in-law, and they would have gladly gone to the meanest but to find peace. She made them daily experience the truth of the proverb that "it is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house" (Prov. 25:2424It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. (Proverbs 25:24)). How great, then, was their delight at being offered the happy, quiet home which James had so often described to them!
Their daughter-in-law, who overheard the offer, was so delighted with the prospect of getting rid of them that she forgot her fears and her bad temper in her joy, and she came forward officiously to give her opinion. She had heard Mary say "your Excellency" in speaking to the Count, and she thought she had found out the right way to address him. "Indeed," said she, "Mr. Excellency has made you a very kind offer. It would be very rude not to accept it. I am sure he would be much hurt, and so would Mrs. Excellency, his wife."
Her husband, who had been out in the fields, came in at that moment, and on being told the proposal made to his parents, he warmly approved of it. He secretly rejoiced that they would be made so comfortable and removed from the tyranny of his wife, which he mourned over, though he had not the proper spirit to check it as he ought. After thanking the Count, he turned to his wife. "You see," said he, "I have been right for once. I told you that kindness to the Lord's poor people always brings a reward and a blessing. You were not inclined to believe me, but now you see it."
The young woman reddened with anger; but not daring to allow her temper to break out in the presence of the noble strangers, she withdrew, casting on her husband a look that spoke unutterable things.
The Count promised to send for the old people as soon as the necessary preparations were made for their reception at Eichbourg; then the whole party, after taking leave, got into the carriage again and were driven rapidly away.