“But we do not win it just for the sake of the book,” said Nan, colouring and trembling a little.
“Well, I do. I am not going in for a prize this term, of course; I cannot.—Miss Roy, I am sure our captain would not like Nan to read so hard as to make her eyes ache. Do you know what I found her doing last night?”
“Oh! please—please do not tell; it is not right,” said Nan.
“I will, for I must. We are supposed not to read after we get to bed, but there was Nan reading away by the light of a night-light. She had borrowed it from nurse, I believe. She was half-sitting up in bed devouring her book, and the night-light was on a little table near. I found her.—I did, you know, Nan; and I said I would tell.”
“It was not at all right, Nan,” said Miss Roy; “and it must not happen again.”
“But I wanted to work up my lesson; I was not at all sure of my French,” replied Nan. “And the prize will be given in ten days now. There is so little time!”
“You must remember,” said Miss Roy, “that in the orderly-book, even though you do get high marks for intellect, your merit marks will go down if this sort of thing occurs again. Nan, it was a distinct act of disobedience.—But at the same time, Augusta, I would rather you did not tell tales.”
“I thought you would like to keep the house from being burnt down,” she said. “Of course, in future Nan can do as she pleases.”
Miss Roy said nothing more, and Augusta left the room.
“What is the matter, Nan?” said her governess suddenly. “I often wonder, my dear, why you look so sad and troubled.”
“You would if you were me,” said Nan then.
“Why? Is it because your mother has died, my poor little girl? I have great sympathy for you.”
“No; it is not only that,” said Nan, making a great effort to be honest. “It is because I have a load at my heart, and I cannot ever tell you; and if all was known I ought not to be a soldier of the Royal True Blue at all—I ought not—but I cannot draw back now.”
“The past is past,” said Miss Roy. “Go straight forward in the future; try and believe that the future is yours, that you can be a very brave and a very good girl.”
“There may come a day when you will be able to tell me all about it; go straight forward now into the future. And, Nancy, my dear, nothing has been said, but I cannot help using my eyes. Do not be afraid of Augusta; give her back in her own coin. Show her that you are not in the slightest degree under her control.”