“If they send you away … where will you go?”
“I just don’t know, Miss.”
“Could you go to your home?”
“It’s miles away … near to John o’ Groats. I came down because there’s nothing for me up there. There’s only me old dad now. He couldna keep me up there. There’s nothing. I canna go back and tell him why.”
“Then where, Kitty?”
“Perhaps the master will give me another chance,” she said hopefully, but I could see she thought there was little chance of that.
I thought of his reading the Bible … all the little bits about the vengeance of the Lord, and it occurred to me that he would consider Kitty’s sin too great for forgiveness. I had always liked Kitty. She had been jolly and merry. I wanted to help her. I had a money box in which I put the odd coin saved from my weekly pocket money. She could have what I had there. It was not much, and the problem was where could she go?
“You must go somewhere,” I said.
She shook her head in despair.
What happened to girls who had sinned as Kitty had? They were driven out into the falling snow. There was no snow at this time, but that was small consolation.
I had heard of a nun being walled up for a similar offence. It appeared to be one of the greatest sins. Because of it some girls had babies and were shamed forever.
I did my best to comfort Kitty. I hoped my father would not come home that night, which would give her a little respite— time to think of some solution.
I went to Lilias and told her that I had been with Kitty and what a state of desolation she was in.
“She’s a fool,” said Lilias, “to behave so … and particularly with a man like Hamish. She can’t be quite right in the head.”
“She really is desperate, Lilias. She has nowhere to go.”
“Poor girl.”
“What will she do? She might kill herself. Lilias, what if she did? I should never forget that I hadn’t helped her.”
“What could you do?”
“I could give her the little money I have.”
“I doubt that would last long.”
“I went to talk to her about having to go. You could go back to your vicarage. You do have a home. It’s different for Kitty. She has nowhere to go. They wouldn’t be so cruel, would they, to turn her out when she has nowhere to go?”
“She’s committed the cardinal sin, it seems. They stoned people like that, according to the Bible. I think some people would do the same today.”
“What can we do for her?”
“You say she has nowhere to go.”
“That’s what she says. If they turn her out she will just wander about the streets. Lilias, I can’t bear it. She was so happy here. I can’t forget the way she laughed when he looked at her and joked … and it has all led to this.”
Lilias was thoughtful. She said suddenly: “I feel as you do about Kitty. She’s got caught up with that man. He’s a rake and she … well, she’s a silly flighty girl. He overwhelmed her… and she gave way. It’s easy to understand. And for that her life will be ruined, while he goes merrily on his way.”
“If my father dismisses Kitty he’ll have to dismiss Hamish, so Hamish will have to go away.”
“How can he dismiss the whole family? I’ve thought of something: I’ll send Kitty to my home.”
“To your home? What could they do?”
“My father is vicar of Lakemere. He is a real Christian. By that I mean he practises what he preaches. Few do, you know. He is truly a good man. We’re poor … but he wouldn’t refuse Kitty shelter. He might be able to find a place for her. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s helped a girl in trouble. I’ll write and tell him about it.”
“Would he take her in … after what she’s done?”
“If I wrote to him he would understand.”
“Oh, Lilias, wouldn’t that be wonderful!”
“It’s a hope anyway,” said Lilias.
I threw my arms round her neck. “Will you write that letter? Will you tell her where she can go? I’ll see how much money I’ve got. If we could get her fare.”
“I daresay she will be given the wages which are due to her and with what we can muster …”
“I’m going to tell her. I must. I couldn’t bear to see that awful lost look on her face.”
I went and told Kitty what we were planning and I had the pleasure of seeing her abject despair turn to hope.
IT WAS LATE THAT NIGHT when my father returned. Lying in bed, I heard him come in. The storm would not break that night.
The next morning Kitty was sent for. Pale, shame-faced, but not so desperate as she had been, she went to his study. I was waiting on the stairs for her when she emerged. She looked at me and nodded.
I went with her to her room where Lilias joined us.
“I’m to pack my box and leave. I’ve already packed.”
“At once?” I asked.
She nodded. “He said I was a disgrace to the house and he had a young daughter to think of.”
“Oh, Kitty,” I said. “I’m sorry you’re going like this.”
“You’ve been an angel, Miss Davina, you and Miss Milne.” Her voice broke. “I don’t know what I’d have done without your help.”
“Here’s the letter,” said Lilias. “Take that. And here’s some money.”
“I’ve got my wages due to me.”
“Then you’ll have a little. It’ll get you to Lakemere. My father is a good man. He would never turn anyone in distress away. He will pray a lot, but it won’t be all prayers. He’ll do his best to help you. He’s done it for people in trouble before.”
Kitty broke into tears and embraced us both.
“I’ll never forget you two,” she sobbed. “What I’d have done without …”
A cab had been ordered to take her to the station and solemnity reigned over the house. Kitty had been dismissed in disgrace. A lesson to foolish girls. And now it was the turn of Hamish.
He was to go to see the master. He swaggered into the house, hands in pockets. There was no sign of repentance.
He went to my father’s study and the door was shut on them.
Lilias came to my room. “What will happen?” she asked. “It’s going to be very awkward … his family living in the mews.”
“He’ll be dismissed, of course. He won’t be able to come into the house. Well, we shall see.”
The whole house was waiting for what would happen next. The interview was long. No one heard any raised voices coming from the study, and finally Hamish emerged and walked calmly out of the house.
It was not until the following day that we realised that Hamish was to drive my father just as usual, and that the punishment meted out to his partner-in-crime was not to be inflicted on him.
THERE WAS BEWILDERMENT. Hamish went about nonchalant as ever, whistling “Ye Banks and Braes” or “Loch Lomond” just as though nothing had happened. We could not understand it.
Aunt Roberta was not of a nature to allow the matter to rest there.
She raised it at dinner that evening.
“The girl has gone,” she said. “What about him?”
My father pretended to misunderstand. He raised his eyebrows and assumed that cold manner which intimidated most of us. But not Aunt Roberta.
“You know to what I am referring, David, so please don’t pretend you don’t.”
“Perhaps,” he said, “you would be good enough to elucidate.”
“Surely incidents such as that which has recently taken place in this household are not lightly passed over.”
“I understand,” he said, “that you are referring to the maid’s dismissal.”
“She wasn’t the only culprit.”
“The man is one of the best coachmen I ever had. I don’t propose to dispense with his services … if that is what you mean.”