As these thoughts were passing through her mind, Fanny was hearing all sorts of topics discussed with feminine enthusiasm and frankness. Art, morals, politics, society, books, religion, housekeeping, dress, and economy, for the minds and tongues roved from subject to subject with youthful rapidity, and seemed to get something from the driest and the dullest.
“How does the new book come on?” asked Polly, sucking her orange in public with a composure which would have scandalized the good ladies of “Cranford”.
“Better than it deserves. My children, beware of popularity; it is a delusion and a snare; it puffeth up the heart of man, and especially of woman; it blindeth the eyes to faults; it exalteth unduly the humble powers of the victim; it is apt to be capricious, and just as one gets to liking the taste of this intoxicating draught, it suddenly faileth, and one is left gasping, like a fish, out of water,” and Kate emphasized her speech by spearing a sardine with a penknife, and eating it with a groan.
“It won’t hurt you much, I guess; you have worked and waited so long, a large dose will do you good,” said Rebecca, giving her a generous spoonful of jam, as if eager to add as much sweetness as possible to a life that had not been an easy one.
“When are you and Becky going to dissolve partnership?” asked Polly, eager for news of all.
“Never! George knows he can’t have one without the other, and has not suggested such a thing as parting us. There is always room in my house for Becky, and she lets me do as she would if she was in my place,” answered Bess, with a look which her friend answered with a smile.
“The lover won’t separate this pair of friends, you see,” whispered Polly to Fan. “Bess is to be married in the spring, and Becky is to live with her.”
“By the way, Polly, I’ve got some tickets for you. People are always sending me such things, and as I don’t care for them, I’m glad to make them over to you young and giddy infants. There are passes for the statuary exhibition, Becky shall have those; here are the concert tickets for you, my musical girl; and that is for a course of lectures on literature, which I’ll keep for myself.”
As Kate dealt out the coloured cards to the grateful girls, Fanny took a good look at her, wondering if the time would ever come when women could earn a little money and success without paying such a heavy price for them; for Kate looked sick, tired, and too early old. Then her eye went to the unfinished statue, and she said, impulsively,—
“I hope you’ll put that in marble, and show us what we ought to be.”
“I wish I could!” And an intense desire shone in Rebecca’s face, as she saw her faulty work, and felt how fair her model was.
For a minute the six young women sat silent, looking up at the beautiful, strong figure before them, each longing to see it done, and each unconscious that she was helping, by her individual effort and experience, to bring the day when their noblest ideal of womanhood should be embodied in flesh and blood, not clay.
The city bells rung one, and Polly started up.
“I must go, for I promised a neighbour of mine a lesson or two.”
“I thought this was a holiday,” said Fanny.
“So it is, but this is a little labour of love, and doesn’t spoil the day at all. The child has talent, loves music, and needs help. I can’t give her money, but I can teach her; so I do, and she is the most promising pupil I have. Help one another, is part of the religion of our sisterhood, Fan.”