Beulah - Page 5/348

"Well, for my part, Miss White, I think that child is not strong

enough to do much hard work; she always has looked delicate and

pale," said Mrs. Taylor, an amiable-looking woman, who had taken one

of the youngest orphans on her knee.

"My dear friend, that is the very reason. She does not exercise

sufficiently to make her robust. Just look at her face and hands, as

bloodless as a turnip."

"Beulah, do ask her to give you some of her beautiful color; she

looks exactly like a cake of tallow, with two glass beads in the

middle--"

"Hush!" and Beulah's hand was pressed firmly over Claudia's crimson

lips, lest the whisper of the indignant little brunette should reach

ears for which it was not intended.

As no one essayed to answer Miss White, the matron ventured to

suggest a darling scheme of her own.

"I have always hoped the managers would conclude to educate her for

a teacher. She is so studious, I know she would learn very rapidly."

"My dear madam, you do not in the least understand what you are

talking about. It would require at least five years' careful

training to fit her to teach, and our finances do not admit of any

such expenditure. As the best thing for her, I should move to bind

her out to a mantua-maker or milliner, but she could not stand the

confinement. She would go off with consumption in less than a year.

There is the trouble with these delicate children."

"How is the babe that was brought here last week?" asked Mrs.

Taylor.

"Oh, he is doing beautifully. Bring him round the table, Susan," and

the rosy, smiling infant was handed about for closer inspection. A

few general inquiries followed, and then Beulah was not surprised to

hear the order given for the children to retire, as the managers had

some especial business with their matron. The orphan band defiled

into the hall, and dispersed to their various occupations, but

Beulah approached the matron, and whispered something, to which the

reply was: "No; if you have finished that other apron, you shall sew no more

to-day. You can pump a fresh bucket of water, and then run out into

the yard for some air."

She performed the duty assigned to her, and then hastened to the

dormitory, whither Lillian and Claudia had preceded her. The latter

was standing on a chair, mimicking Miss Dorothea, and haranguing her

sole auditor, in a nasal twang, which she contrived to force from

her beautiful, curling lips. At sight of Beulah she sprang toward

her, exclaiming: "You shall be a teacher if you want to, shan't you, Beulah?"