Read Online After Such Kindness by Gaynor Arnold - Free Book Online

as we were both dog tired (although I am not sure why a dog is particularly tired). I didn’t feel I could truthfully thank God for the picnic because Benjy had nearly drowned, but I thanked Him instead that Mr Jameson had been there and had saved Benjy’s life. And I asked God to forgive Nettie as she had so many things to do and generally she loved Benjy like a mother. And I asked Him to forgive me for being vain and opening the parasol when I shouldn’t have. And Nettie patted me on the shoulder and said I was a good girl and she was sorry she mentioned the parasol but she was overought and it was not my fault in any way. Then she kissed me and put out the candle. I could hear her rustling about getting undressed and she seemed to take a long time about it. Then I thought I heard her go and stand over Benjy’s cot for even longer, though he was fast asleep. DEB.
    I put down the journal, an awful sadness in my heart. Of course, I’d had no idea, as I scribbled away, what was in store for poor Nettie. I knew that my parents were angry, but the full impact of her transgression hadn’t come home to me. I thought she’d be given some kind of scolding and that would be that. And Nettie, as she calmly went about her usual tasks, gave me no clue as to what was about to happen.
    I was a little surprised, therefore, when Hannah came to take Benjy down to see Mama in the drawing room before church. This was unusual; and I recall now how Nettie was loath to let him go, fussing far more than usual about his clothes and his hair and giving him extra kisses. ‘Bye-bye, my darling,’ she said as Hannah bore him away and, although I sensed something different in her voice, I was preoccupied with finding a safe place to keep my journal, and I took no notice. Then Nettie tidied her hair and settled her apron and cap and said she had to go down to speak with Papa as she was ‘on the carpet’. She gave me an odd little smile. ‘I shan’t be long,’ she said.
    I spent the intervening time idly admiring my parasol, although I didn’t dare open it again in case it brought even worse luck. After about ten minutes, I heard Nettie coming back up the stairs, and I put the parasol down quickly. I thought I heard her crying, but the sound stopped once she got to the door. When she came in she was wiping her eyes with her pocket-handkerchief and trying to look businesslike.
    ‘What’s the matter, Nettie?’ Suddenly I knew something serious had occurred.
    ‘I’m to go, Miss Daisy,’ she said flatly.
    ‘Go?’ I stared at her blankly. ‘Go where?’
    ‘Your ma and pa don’t feel I am fit to look after Benjy and I can’t say as I blame them.’ Then she started to cry. ‘It don’t bear thinking about – what would have happened if Mr Jameson had not been there. Oh, Daisy, he might have drowned as easy as winking – and I might be up on a murder charge! I thank the Good Lord it’s no worse. Your mother is giving me a good reference as I’ve been reliable for twelve years, but she says under the circumstances it would always be between us and she could never trust me again.’
    ‘But you’ve always looked after him,’ I said incredulously. ‘I shall tell Papa and Mama that you have to stay.’ I got up, ready to do battle, enraged on Nettie’s behalf and more than a little fearful on my own. I couldn’t imagine life without Nettie.
    She caught my arm. ‘Now, Miss Daisy, you are a dear girl, the best ever, but things is better left as they are. I’m sorry to leave you so sudden but you’re getting a bit old for a nursemaid now and I expect you’ll manage fine without me. You’ll be a proper little lady like your sisters before you know it. And I’m sure Benjy will get to like his new nurse as quick as anything.’ She turned away, and I knew she was crying some more and didn’t want me to see. ‘Now get your clothes on for church,’ she said in a muffled voice, ‘or I will be in trouble for that,