Changeling

“I know. There’s nothing we can do about him … but we can help the child, and that is what I am trying to do.”

“You are succeeding. You have made her very happy, but she should not be led to believe that she can get what she wants by cheating.”

“It is often the case in real life.”

“That may be and it has to be deplored. At least it is not the way a child should be taught. It is really telling her that this is the way to succeed.”

“You are a lady of great virtue, I see.”

“That’s not the point. We are dealing with a child’s impressionable mind. She thinks you are wonderful and what you do will seem to her right. I just feel that—small matter as it may seem to you—it was the wrong way to deal with it.”

“Then I offer my humble apologies to you but I think there are times when the rules can be stretched for the sake of a child’s happiness.”

“Happiness? Every one of those children would have been happy to win. It was a game … a test … a competition … and one of them was helped to the winning post.”

“I give you my word that I will not repeat my folly, and if I had known how you would feel, I should never have done it in the first place. But she so desperately wanted to win … and, poor child, she has her troubles and I just thought I would let her have this small triumph.”

“You are very kind and I expect I am making a fuss about something which is not of great importance.”

“I know how you feel and you are right, of course, and I am wrong … but I was overcome by my feelings for the child.”

“You have done a great deal to help her. I thank you for that. It has given her the happiest Christmas she has ever known. So let us say no more. I expect I am carping a bit.”

“You would never carp. You are much too sweet and kind … and delightful in every way.”

I began to feel a trifle uneasy, for he had brought his chair closer to mine.

“Rebecca,” he went on, “I have been trying to tell you something for a long time.”

“Trying?” I said.

“Trying to choose the right moment and feeling afraid that I might choose the wrong one and speak too soon.”

“What are you trying to tell me?”

“Haven’t you guessed? You know how I feel about you.”

I drew back and looked at him steadily. He smiled at me very tenderly.

“I love you, Rebecca,” he said. “I did from the moment I saw you. I know we haven’t known each other long but I knew at once. It was a sort of rapport. Your sweetness and kindness to the children … your anxieties about Belinda … and taking in that other child, Lucie. It shows me that you are indeed a very special person. I have hoped and dreamed. I can see us together … all of us. You need have no qualms in that direction. Rebecca, I love you and want you to marry me.”

“Don’t say any more,” I interrupted. “I am flattered and honored. I do regard you very highly. But I could not marry you.”

“I have spoken too soon. That was what I feared I might do. Forgive me, Rebecca. Let us go on as we were. Think about it and we’ll talk later.”

“No, Oliver, that isn’t any good. As a matter of fact I am going to many someone else.”

He stared at me in dismay.

“There is a secret understanding between us. It is not at all sudden. We’ve known each other all our lives and it is something which is … well … inevitable. It was arranged only a little while ago … at the beginning of the season. So you see …”

“Yes,” he said soberly, “I see.”

“I am sorry, Oliver. I do like you and I appreciate what you have done for Belinda. I shall never forget that.”

“Perhaps I hoped for too much.”

I shook my head. “If I had been free … if it hadn’t been the way it is …”

“This is definite, is it?”

“Yes.”

“And you love this man?”

“Absolutely.”

“Without any doubts?”

“Yes, without any doubts.”

“And yet it is a secret? Is that because your family do not approve?”

“Oh no … they approve entirely.”

“Your stepfather …?”

“Oh … no … not him. He doesn’t know. I should not take any notice of him for I don’t regard him as family. I mean my grandparents who brought me up … and his people. They are great friends and are delighted.”

“So they all know and your stepfather does not?”

I nodded. “We can’t be married for another year … then everybody will know.”

He took my hand and kissed it. “There is nothing I can do but wish you all the happiness you deserve.”

“Thank you, Oliver. It is good of you to be so understanding.”

The door of the summerhouse burst open and Belinda and Lucie were standing there.

“We’ve been looking all over the place for you,” scolded Belinda. “Haven’t we, Lucie?”

“We have been right round the garden and then Belinda said, ‘What about the summerhouse? Perhaps they’re in there, doing new clues for another treasure hunt.’ ”

“No,” said Oliver. “We were not doing that. One treasure hunt is enough for one Christmas. Familiarity breeds contempt. Miss Rebecca and I were just having a little chat.”

“It seemed a serious sort of chat,” said Belinda. “When are we going to ride?”

“Now if you wish,” said Oliver, turning to me. “If that is all right for you?”

“Yes, it is,” I said.