Elizabeth made short work of unwrapping the gift. It was a ridingoutfit.
“Your father and I agreed it was time for you to have a pony and learn toride.”
“Then I have a pony too?” Elizabethsquealed.
“Yes, you do,” Johnsaid.
“Can I go see it now?” she asked, sliding down off the loveseat. “Can I? Can I,please?”
“If you like,” John said as he rose and took her by the hand. He turned to Susan. “Better now or she’ll pester us allday.”
Susan nodded andsmiled.
Elizabeth had already run out of the room and Johnfollowed.
* * *
The workersand their children started arriving at three o’clock. The party was held in the ballroom. John had arranged for a local band to play and there would be dancing for the adults and party games for thechildren.
Clarissa had set up a Christmas tree at one end of the room, and the stage for the band was at the other. Along one side, were tables laid with food, cider and beer—and a children’s table with lemonade, cookies and Christmascake.
Elizabeth had changed into her riding outfit, against Susan’s wishes, and scanned the arrivals for Sara and Patrick. When she saw them she rushed over, grabbing them by the hands and rushing over toJohn.
“Can I take them to see Scrawny?” she asked taking hold of John’ssleeve.
“Who’sScrawny?”
“My pony. I named her when I heard one of the stable hands call herthat.”
John laughed. “Scrawny, eh? She’s yours, so you can call her what you like. But no, we can’t go see the pony now. You have guests and you are ahostess.”
“I am? Ahostess?”
“Why don’t you get Aunt Clarissa and the two of you can organize some games for yourguests.”
Just then, the band started playing and the villagers, previously milling around, started todance.
Several of the mothers who had spoken with Susan previously about their concerns for the village came over to addressher.
“Your Grace,” the first motherstarted.
Susan laughed. “I’m not Your Grace, just yet. I don’t think I’ll ever be anyone but Miss Susan. And welcome to HaverfordHouse.”
“Thank you. And we just wanted to say how grateful we are to see the work on the school beginning. The children are so much looking forward to when the school opens nextyear.”
“And me aswell.”
Another mother spoke, “Mister Simon came through the village the other week and talked to us about the improvements we spoke to you about. Are there really going to be the changes youpromised?”
“Eventually. We’re focusing on the school first and then, one by one, we’ll begin to work on the otherprojects.”
The first mother turned to the others and nodded. Another mother came forward and held up a largeparcel.
“This is for Miss Elizabeth,” the mother said. “We made it during the autumn for her winterwarmth.”
Susan was surprised and looked for Elizabeth who was engaged inpin the tail on the donkeywith some of the otherchildren.
“May I open this for her? The children seem to be making merry at themoment?”
