The doctor was of course often at Boxall Hill, and never left it without an urgent request from Lady Scatcherd that he would bring his niece over to see her. Now Lady Scatcherd was no fit companion for Mary Thorne, and though Mary had often asked to be taken to Boxall Hill, certain considerations had hitherto induced the doctor to refuse the request; but there was about Lady Scatcherd,--a kind of homely honesty of purpose, an absence of all conceit as to her own position, and a strength of womanly confidence in the doctor as her friend, which by degrees won upon his heart. When, therefore, both he and Mary felt that it would be better for her again to absent herself for a while from Greshamsbury, it was, after much deliberation, agreed that she should go on a visit to Boxall Hill.
To Boxall Hill, accordingly, she went, and was received almost as a princess. Mary had all her life been accustomed to women of rank, and had never habituated herself to feel much trepidation in the presence of titled grandees; but she had prepared herself to be more than ordinarily submissive to Lady Scatcherd. Her hostess was a widow, was not a woman of high birth, was a woman of whom her uncle spoke well; and, for all these reasons, Mary was determined to respect her, and pay to her every consideration. But when she settled down in the house she found it almost impossible to do so. Lady Scatcherd treated her as a farmer's wife might have treated a convalescent young lady who had been sent to her charge for a few weeks, in order that she might benefit by the country air. Her ladyship could hardly bring herself to sit still and eat her dinner tranquilly in her guest's presence. And then nothing was good enough for Mary. Lady Scatcherd besought her, almost with tears, to say what she liked best to eat and drink; and was in despair when Mary declared she didn't care, that she liked anything, and that she was in nowise particular in such matters.
'A roast fowl, Miss Thorne?'
'Very nice, Lady Scatcherd.'
'And bread sauce?'
'Bread sauce--yes; oh, yes--I like bread sauce,'--and poor Mary tried hard to show a little interest.
'And just a few sausages. We make them all in the house, Miss Thorne; we know what they are. And mashed potatoes--do you like them best mashed or baked?'
Mary finding herself obliged to vote, voted for mashed potatoes.
'Very well. But, Miss Thorne, if you like boiled fowl better, with a little bit of ham, you know, I do hope you'll say so. And there's lamb in the house, quite beautiful; now do'ee say something; do'ee, Miss Thorne.'
So invoked, Mary felt herself obliged to say something, and declared for the roast fowl and sausages; but she found it very difficult to pay much outward respect to a person who would pay so much outward respect to her. A day or two after her arrival it was decided that she should ride about the place on a donkey; she was accustomed to riding, the doctor having generally taken care that one of his own horses should, when required, consent to carry a lady; but there was no steed at Boxall Hill that she could mount; and when Lady Scatcherd had offered to get a pony for her, she had willingly compromised matters by expressing the delight she would have in making a campaign on a donkey. Upon this, Lady Scatcherd had herself set off in quest of the desired animal, much to Mary's horror; and did not return till the necessary purchase had been effected. Then she came back with the donkey close at her heels, almost holding its collar, and stood there at the hall-door till Mary came to approve.
'I hope she'll do. I don't think she'll kick,' said Lady Scatcherd, patting the head of her purchase quite triumphantly.
'Oh, you are so kind, Lady Scatcherd. I'm sure she'll do quite nicely; she seems very quiet,' said Mary.
'Please, my lady, it's a he,' said the boy who held the halter.
'Oh! a he, is it?' said her ladyship; 'but the he-donkeys are quite as quiet as the shes ain't they?'
'Oh, yes, my lady; a deal quieter, all the world over, and twice as useful.'
'I'm so glad of that, Miss Thorne,' said Lady Scatcherd, her eyes bright with joy.
And so Mary was established with her donkey, who did all that could be expected from an animal in his position.
'But, dear Lady Scatcherd,' said Mary, as they sat together at the open drawing-room window the same evening, 'you must not go on calling me Miss Thorne; my name is Mary, you know. Won't you call me Mary?' and she came and knelt at Lady Scatcherd's feet, and took hold of her, looking up into her face.
Lady Scatcherd's cheeks became rather red, as though she was somewhat ashamed of her position.
'You are very kind to me,' continued Mary, 'and it seems so cold to hear you call me Miss Thorne.'
'Well, Miss Thorne, I'm sure I'd call you anything to please you. Only I didn't know whether you'd like it from me. Else I do think Mary is the prettiest name in all the language.'
'I should like it very much.'
