It is time to explain that the new school teacher's name was not Mabel Frost,but Mabel Frost Fairfax,and that she had sought a situation at Granville not from necessity but from choice --indeed from something very much like a whim.Hers was a decidedly curious case.She had all the advantages of wealth.She had youth,beauty,and refinement.She had the entree to the magic inner circle of metropolitan society.And yet there was in her an ever present sense of something lacking.
She had grown weary of the slavery of fashion.Young as she was,she had begun to know its hollowness,its utter insufficiency as the object of existence.She sought some truer interest in life.She had failed to secure happiness,she reasoned,because thus far she had lived only for herself.Why should she not live,in part at least,for others?Why not take her share of the world's work?
She was an orphan,and had almost no family ties.The experiment that she contemplated might be an original and unconventional one,but she determined to try it.
But what could she do?
It was natural,perhaps,that she should think of teaching.She had been fortunate enough to graduate at a school where the useful as well as the ornamental received its share of attention,and her natural gifts,as well as studious habits,had given her the first place among her schoolmates.
The suggestion that the opportunity she sought might be found in Granville came from the Mary Bridgman to whom Squire Hadley referred.Mary was a dressmaker,born and reared in Granville,who had come to New York to establish herself there in her line of business.Mabel Fairfax had for years been one of her customers,and --as sometimes happens with society girls and their dressmakers --had made her a confidante.And so it happened that Mary was the first person to whom Miss Fairfax told her resolution to do something useful.
"But tell me,"she added,"what shall I do?You are practical.
You know me well.What am I fit for?"
"I hardly know what to say,Miss Fairfax,"said the dressmaker."Your training would interfere with many things you are capable of doing.I can do but one thing.""And that you do well."
"I think I do,"said Mary,with no false modesty."I have found my path in life.It would be too humble for you.""Not too humble.I don't think I have any pride of that kind;but I never could tolerate the needle.I haven't the patience,I suppose.""Would you like teaching?"
"I have thought of that.That is what I am,perhaps,best fitted for;but I don't know how to go about it.""Would you be willing to go into the country?""I should prefer it.I wish to go somewhere where I am not known.""Then it might do,"said Mary,musingly.
"What might do?"
"Let me tell you.I was born away up in the northern part of New Hampshire,in a small country town,with no particular attractions except that it lies not far from the mountains.It has never had more than a very few summer visitors.Only yesterday I had a letter from Granville,and they mentioned that the committee were looking out for a teacher for the grammar school,which was to begin in two weeks.""The very thing,"said Mabel quickly."Do you think I could obtain the place?""I don't think any one has been engaged.I will write if you wish me to,and see what can be done.""I wish you would,"said Mabel promptly.
"Do you think,Miss Fairfax,you could be content to pass the summer in such a place,working hard,and perhaps without appreciation?""I should,at all events,be at work;I should feel,for the first time in my life,that I was of use to somebody.""There is no doubt of that.You would find a good deal to be done;too much,perhaps.""Better too much than too little."
"If that is your feeling I will write at once.Have you any directions to give me?""Say as little as possible about me.I wish to be judged on my own merits.""Shall I give your name?"
"Only in part.Let me be Mabel Frost."
Thus was the way opened for Mabel's appearance in Granville.Mary Bridgman's recommendation proved effectual."She was educated here;she knows what we want,"said Squire Hadley;and he authorized the engagement.
When the matter was decided,a practical difficulty arose.Though Mabel had an abundant wardrobe,she had little that was suited for the school mistress of Granville.
"If you were to wear your last season's dresses --those you took to Newport,"said Mary Bridgman,"you would frighten everybody at Granville.There would be no end of gossip.""No doubt you are right,"said Mabel."I put myself in your hands.Make me half a dozen dresses such as you think I ought to have.There is only a week,but you can hire extra help."The dresses were ready in time.They were plain for the heiress,but there was still reason to think that Miss Frost would be better dressed than any of her predecessors in office,partly because they were cut in the style of the day,and partly because Mabel had a graceful figure,which all styles became.Though Mary Bridgman,who knew Granville and its inhabitants,had some misgivings,it never occurred to Mabel that she might be considered overdressed,and the two trunks,which led Mrs.Slocum to pronounce her a "vain,conceited sort,"really seemed to her very moderate.
At half past eight in the morning after Miss Frost's arrival in Granville Ben Hadley called at the hotel and inquired for the new school teacher.
"I guess you mean Miss Frost,"said the landlord.
