Free Edmund Bertram's Diary by Amanda Grange Page B

friend showed such a natural ability.
    ‘I was sure she would ride wel ,’ said Julia, ‘she has the make for it. Her figure is as neat as her brother’s.’
    ‘Yes,’ added Maria, ‘and her spirits are as good, and she has the same energy of character. I cannot but think that good horsemanship has a great deal to do with the mind.’
    I could not help but agree.
    When we parted at night, I asked Fanny whether she meant to ride the next day.
    ‘No, I do not know — not if you want the mare,’ she said kindly.
    ‘I do not want her at al for myself, but whenever you are next inclined to stay at home, I think Miss Crawford would be glad to have her a longer time — for a whole morning, in short. She has a great desire to get as far as Mansfield Common: Mrs. Grant has been tel ing her of its fine views, and I have no doubt of her being perfectly equal to it. But any morning wil do for this. She would be extremely sorry to interfere with you. It would be very wrong if she did. She rides only for pleasure; you for health.’
    ‘I shal not ride tomorrow, certainly. I have been out very often lately, and would rather stay at home. You know I am strong enough now to walk very wel .’
    She is right in this, but I cannot help protecting her for I have done so almost half my life, and indeed I do not think I could stop now even if I wanted to.
    Tuesday 2 August
    We rode out to the common this morning and I was astounded by Miss Crawford’s rapid progress.
    ‘You did not think I could do it,’ she said to me teasingly. ‘Come, admit it.’
    ‘On the contrary, I never had a doubt of it,’ I told her. ‘I have seldom seen anyone take to horseback as rapidly as you have done.’
    ‘We must go out again tomorrow,’ she said. ‘I am sure there must be some other fine rides hereabouts, and we ought to make the most of the weather whilst it is so fine.’
    ‘Oh, yes, there are many pleasant rides,’ said Maria, ‘and there are an abundance of shady lanes, so that we may take our exercise even if the day is hot.’
    ‘Then I am at your disposal,’ said Miss Crawford.
    Crawford was included in the invitation and we have arranged to meet again early tomorrow morning.
    Wednesday 3 August
    Three times now we have ridden around the country and Miss Crawford has never once complained of the heat, though it has been very hot. Today was no exception and we were al glad to arrive back at the Parsonage, where we sat in the shade and drank lemonade.
    ‘You must dine with us this evening,’ said Mrs. Grant. She turned to Maria. ‘We cannot prevail upon you to stay with us, of course, Miss Bertram, as rumor has it a certain person might be cal ing at the Park this evening, and we must not suppose any entertainment we can offer you wil be equal to his. But I hope we may prevail upon you, Mr. Bertram, and you, Miss Julia, to join us.’
    Maria returned to the Park and Julia and I spent a very agreeable evening at the Parsonage, with a fine dinner and Miss Crawford’s excel ent harp to entertain us. Crawford joined her in a song and persuaded Julia to join in, too. Usual y reluctant to sing, she yielded to Crawford’s entreaties and we were al very wel entertained.
    Julia and I walked home through the warm summer evening, glowing and cheerful, but when we returned to the Park we found that Maria, Mama and Aunt Norris were very much the reverse. Maria would scarcely raise her eyes from her book and wore a scowl; Mama was half asleep and even Aunt Norris was silent. Fanny was nowhere to be seen, but when I asked if she had gone to bed, her own gentle voice spoke from the other end of the room and she said she was on the sofa.
    ‘That is a very foolish trick, Fanny, to be idling away al the evening upon a sofa,’ my aunt scolded her. ‘Why cannot you come and sit here, and employ yourself as we do? If you have no work of your own, I can supply you from the poor-basket. You should learn to think of other people; and take my word