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Read Ebook: The Quest of Happy Hearts by Hay Kathleen
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Ebook has 372 lines and 11574 words, and 8 pages
CHAPTER
PLANS
"Whoever heard of such a plan--a visit to Land's End! The very name of the place suggests the last spot on the globe; a great old house set down on the edge of a forest; and Dad called off on business for an indefinite period, but seemingly content to ship us on a wild goose chase. He's scarcely told us a word before of the place or of great-aunt Janice Meredith!"
Nora's tones were dismal indeed, as she rushed into the living room to join the other girls to discuss their journey.
She found the group the reverse of cheerful, at the prospect of this sudden change of plans, by the invitation to go to Land's End for a visit. "I have spent many happy days there with Aunt Janice and others," Mr. Meredith had told them on leaving, "but since your uncle Harry's death, have been there seldom--some day--" just at that point he paused with a sigh, and changed from what he had started to say--"Be dutiful and very loving to Aunt Janice; now there's only time for good-bye."
That was all they knew, entirely too little to satisfy the young Meredith family!
"A visit to Land's End, what a prospect," Janey joined in sympathy with Nora; the two were near together in age, while Beth and Alice were younger. They sat listening to the complaints of the older girls, not yet having had a chance to express their views.
"Great-aunt Janice may be a lovely old lady," Beth seeing a chance broke in, by way of consolation; she threw down her story book to join in the discussion and plans that were inevitable.
The two brothers Don and Harry had gone to the station to see their father off and so the girls did not know their views as to what was to happen.
"How can we tell what Land's End is like, it may be a--a--castle!"
"Don't be silly, Beth--you must be reading a fairy tale!" Nora's tone was scornful, but in a moment she was sorry.
Alice, the youngest of the Meredith's clapped her hands happily, however, at Beth's suggestion.
Janey's face, as well as Beth's and Alice's began to brighten at Nora's changed attitude.
"Land's End may be far happier to visit than we can dream of," Janey joined in quietly, "and now we had best get right to packing, for there isn't much time to lose."
"Could we do a little shopping?" Beth asked, "there may not be any stores near."
"We can't carry too much though," Nora said, by way of precaution, "however we must all remember to take Aunt Janice something; it's good of her to take us all in for an indefinite visit."
"Only six additions of the Meredith family." At that they all began to laugh merrily, and good humor was restored.
"Would you believe it, I've just begun to think of Aunt Janice's side; she doesn't know us at all, yet has invited us on a long visit. I just believe she must be a sweet, brave old lady!"
Janey looked up quickly from preparations--"I'm sure Aunt Janice is a dear," she said pleasantly, "and I for one am going prepared to have a good time, and to try and cheer her up. Dad said we must be dutiful and loving."
Nora laughed. "There now, Janey--explain yourself."
"Well, Alice, I think it will mean for us to be obedient, and respectful in trying to do everything to please Aunt Janice. I guess that is what Dad meant."
Beth and Alice looked much happier; the visit to Land's End was growing more and more interesting, since Nora and Janey were beginning to be ashamed of their first attitude and trying to make amends.
"There's a song that goes like this," said Janey:
"'I would be true, for there are those who trust me, I would be pure, for there are those who care, I would be strong, for there is much to suffer, I would be brave, for there is much to dare'..."
"There are a lot of worthwhile things to follow out in the song," Nora replied, "suppose we all sing it together, before we start to get ready for our journey?"
They all crossed quickly over to the open piano in one corner of the room. Nora had taken music and so was the pianist of the family. She struck the opening chords, and then they all joined in singing it through.
"I think I'll take that as my motto to try and follow."
"I would like to also," Janey, too, was thinking hard.
Then they broke up, happier because of the challenge in the song to worthwhile effort, and ready now to begin the preparations of the impending journey to Land's End!
ON THE WAY
The next day was a busy one for the Merediths, but at last everything was ready, and bag and baggage they boarded the train and were off on the journey.
"I wonder what it's all going to be like, really?" Nora and Janey peered out on the passing scenes, as they sped along.
Directly in front of them were Beth and Alice, and beyond them, Don and Harry, who felt the responsibility of their position as protectors of the four girls.
Don and Harry were also speculating.
Harry laughed.
"Well, from its title it sounds rather quiet, but we won't have much time for speculation, and as you say we may run up on something quite exciting during our visit to the woods!"
They chatted away merrily for awhile, until almost before they could realize the distance had passed so quickly, they were at their destination, while a voice was calling--"all off for Land's End!"
Nora, Janey, Beth and Alice, Harry and Don, sprang to their feet in surprise, while eagerly peering into the dusk of the outside, to catch a glimpse of the scene awaiting.
A sudden jolt warned them that the trip was over and gathering up their bundles they began to pile out.
They were greeted at the train steps by a friendly man, who took them at once to a car not far distant.
"It is indeed," laughed their pilot, "did you imagine we all had to walk out here?"
"I--I--really didn't know," Don replied, trying to be polite, while sticking to the truth.
Small Alice suddenly joined in the conversation from her corner, half hidden by packages and suit cases; after that the tension was over and they all talked merrily as they glided along.
"Well, here we are, and there's Aunt Janice Meredith," Nora was the first to jump out and go forward to greet the small figure awaiting them in a flood of light, that stretched out in welcoming rays in all directions.
"A very, very warm welcome to all of my Meredith nieces and nephews!" said the diminutive lady, holding out both hands in greeting.
Alice nudged Beth, her eyes big with excitement.
Their friendly pilot had said goodnight, and slipped quietly away, leaving them to themselves for the first meeting.
"Come right in to supper, the old place hasn't had such a merry set for quite a while, and it does my heart good to have you."
The old lady turned and led the way into a spacious dining room, where the table was set with the daintiest china and gleaming silver.
The room also seemed filled with the softest most musical notes, that made the place seem to Beth and Alice like fairyland at once.
"Now tell me about your journey," Aunt Janice began, after seeing to the comfort of each, because she declared, they must really be almost famished after the long trip.
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