Hazel Haldene

By Eliza Kerr

Joseph Goodworthy controls his two younger sisters' lives. In his own eyes he lives a perfect Christian life: he has a wonderful understanding of doctrine, he goes to church regularly and holds household prayers every day. What more can his sisters possibly want? When the younger sister, Maria, is forty, he refuses her permission to marry Arthur Haldene, a visiting artist. On a snowy night eight years later, Maria returns to the house to seek reconciliation, accompanied by her daughter Hazel. The name Hazel means Reconciliation, and surely her brother, with his wonderful knowledge of Christian doctrine, cannot turn his sister away again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: White Tree Publishing
• Release date: Oct 17, 2017
• ISBN: 9781999789985

Book preview

Joseph Goodworthy controls his two younger sisters' lives. In his own eyes he lives a perfect Christian life: he has a wonderful understanding of doctrine, he goes to church regularly and holds household prayers every day. What more can his sisters possibly want? When the younger sister, Maria, is forty, he refuses her permission to marry Arthur Haldene, a visiting artist. On a snowy night eight years later, Maria returns to the house to seek reconciliation, accompanied by her daughter Hazel. The name Hazel means Reconciliation, and surely her brother, with his wonderful knowledge of Christian doctrine, cannot turn his sister away again.

Hazel Haldene

by

Eliza Kerr

White Tree Publishing

Abridged Edition

Original book first published c1888

This abridged edition ©Chris Wright 2018

e-Book ISBN: 978-1-9997899-8-5

Published by

White Tree Publishing

Bristol

UNITED KINGDOM

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Hazel Haldene is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this abridged edition.

Table of Contents

Cover

About the Book

Publisher's Note

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

About White Tree Publishing

More Books from White Tree Publishing

Christian non-fiction

Christian Fiction

Younger Readers

Chapter l

I WISH, Maria, that you wouldn't encourage Mr. Haldene to come here so often, said Mr. Joseph Goodworthy, as he sat at breakfast with his sisters in the long, low-ceilinged parlour of The Priory. He is well enough to play chess with sometimes, and he can paint pictures very well, I dare say; but he holds errors of doctrine, and he cannot argue on matters of religion. I consider him very ignorant about religious things, and he has read very few of the biographies of our great divines. In a word, I don't wish him to feel himself so much at home here.

Maria looked abashed, and a faint colour crept into her cheeks, but she made no attempt to defend her friend. Miss Jane Goodworthy, on the contrary, answered her brother quickly, her tone and manner a feminine edition of his. She had no particular affection for Mr. Haldene. He had become her sister Maria's friend exclusively, but she never allowed Joseph to lay down the law in his dictatorial, self-satisfied fashion without opposing him, and arguing out the question with him.

He always had the last word, and the best of the controversy, for the dictatorial, self-satisfied spirit was stronger in him than in Jane. Moreover, he was the owner of The Priory, and allowed his sisters an annual sum of money each for their private wants. Old Mr. Goodworthy had always admired and respected his son Joseph, and trained up Jane and Maria to do the same. Mr. Joseph Goodworthy had been a professing Christian for many a year, as was the custom in his family -- as long as he fulfilled the letter of the law, did it matter that the spirit of Christianity was dead in him? So all these things considered, he considered himself entitled to the deference and respect yielded to him by those of his own household, and by many of his neighbours.

I don't see that there is much wrong with Mr. Haldene, spoke Miss Jane. He is a painter, certainly, and people of that profession are generally flighty and have peculiar views of right and wrong, but he seems a well-meaning and respectable person, and keeps the Sabbath strictly, and never swears. I don't understand your objection to him.

Joseph gave a preparatory cough. Now, Jane, you try to oppose me as usual, even though I have reason on my side. I don't care for the man, and I don't wish him to be asked here. He can't talk about the crops, he can't talk about politics, he can't talk about religion. He is therefore no companion for me.

You always consider yourself, persisted Miss Jane, unabashed. Don't you think it possible that Maria or I might like to talk to Mr. Haldene? Variety is pleasant sometimes, and we don't get much of it in Ashwood. He may like our society, and we may like his.

Mr. Goodworthy smiled. Men for men, and women for women, he said calmly. No offence intended, Jane, but I believe, I really do now, that men would rather talk about wheat and politics than about housekeeping and sewing.

This man wouldn't, at any rate, for he pays no attention to you when we are in the room, so you are not so captivating after all. And further, let me remind you that Maria and I have been educated. I know a good cow when I see it, just as well as you do; and I know the difference between a good and a bad crop of oats.

Mr. Goodworthy looked angry. He was not blessed with a very good temper, and seemed as if about to speak harshly when Maria hastily interposed.

Mr. Haldene has gone away from Ashwood, she said timidly. Do you think there is any need to discuss him further?

Not any, replied Miss Jane decidedly. Did he say he was coming back again?

I ... I am not sure, answered Maria hesitatingly, while that faint pink colour again crept into her cheeks. I don't remember exactly what he did say about that.

Well, it doesn't make much matter, replied her sister.

The conversation then drifted into safer channels. The weather, the crops, the business of the day, each received its share of attention.

Mr. Joseph Goodworthy's grandfather and great-grandfather had been prosperous farmers, but his father had gradually sold, or given up the farmland connected with The Priory, and the farms in other counties, until there remained but a few fields round the old home, besides the gardens, and wide lawn in front of the house. The Priory was a beautiful old place, but it bore no resemblance now to a farmhouse, and Mr. Joseph Goodworthy was no farmer in the real acceptation of that term. He was very rich, for his father had hoarded money and sold his fields to the highest bidder. The old man thought that farming had become an unsafe and uncomfortable business, so he sold out of it, to use his own expression, and left his son rich in money, instead of in lands.

But although not following in his grandfather's footsteps, Mr. Joseph Goodworthy found work enough to do, which he performed entirely to his own satisfaction. He walked round his few fields daily, and inspected the vegetables of many sorts that grew in them. He over-looked the gardener and his subordinates; he discussed the farming prospects with his neighbours; he administered advice to the townsfolk generally; and he argued on religion and doctrine with the clergyman with whom also he played chess of an evening.

Miss Jane had her dairy and her poultry to see after, for the dairymaid and the poultry-woman required watching; and she was also an excellent housekeeper as befitted her father's daughter, and the mistress of such a large place.

Miss Maria Goodworthy alone seemed to have no regular duties. Indeed her sister and brother left nothing for her to do. They were important members of the community, whereas she was of no use whatever, or so she told herself. It was true that she knitted warm socks and stockings, and undergarments for some poor old men and women in the little town who loved her, and liked to see her in their humble homes and liked to listen to her favourite verses from the Bible.

She begged eggs, and milk, and soup from Deborah for these same old people, and she bestowed many a penny on the schoolchildren who were never afraid of her. But what of all that? She never gave good advice, and she never tried to show the careless, thriftless poor people the error of their ways. She almost apologised to them for bringing them food and clothing, and she let them do all the talking instead of admonishing them and taking her departure after a short, dignified visit. She was known to have nursed a baby for an hour while the worried mother tidied the kitchen before her husband's return.

No one would have dared to ask Miss Jane Goodworthy to hold a baby; but then all the town stood in awe of that lady, and listened to her respectfully when she entered their houses to administer charity, and reproof, even though they were glad in their hearts that her visits were so few and far between.

Considering, then, that Miss Maria Goodworthy had so much spare time, it was no wonder that Arthur Haldene, an artist who was staying in the town for the purpose of painting some wonderful bit of scenery in the neighbourhood, should be thrown into her society very much when he went to The Priory in the morning or afternoon, and that she should show him some curious tree, or bit of colouring for which the place was noted. Mr. Goodworthy and Miss Jane entertained him in the evenings, but he had Maria all to himself in the mornings.

None of The Priory family was very young, and none of them had ever been very good-looking, except perhaps Maria, and her beauty was somewhat faded now, for she was forty years of age, and more. Joseph and Jane were respectively ten and eight years her seniors.

But though Maria was not a girl, her faded prettiness and gentle manners had a certain charm for the artist, who was himself no longer a young man, and he liked to idle away the morning hours in her company. She, good, simple creature, thought him a great artist, and a very learned man; but he was neither the one nor the other. He generally made enough money from the sale of his pictures to support himself, but sometimes he found it difficult enough to make both ends meet.

He was given to dreaming rather than to working, and he was easily cast down by non-success. When he was unable to find a purchaser for his pictures he abandoned himself to despair and idleness for months, and then he recommenced the struggle. As such a worker is seldom crowned with success, and he never became either famous or rich.

When breakfast was over, the master of the house took his hat and went out to the gardens. Miss Jane Goodworthy held a consultation with Deborah, who was cook and under-housekeeper, and Maria stood listening to her sister's words, her thoughts far away. Presently Deborah went to the kitchen, and Miss Goodworthy said to Maria, If Mr. Haldene returns to Ashwood we must not encourage him to visit here. It is very evident that our brother Joseph does not care for him. When he comes in of a morning you must be too busy to go out with him. I really wish you took more interest in household matters.

But, Jane, remonstrated Maria, mildly, doesn't it seem a pity to close our doors against such a pleasant visitor? We have not much society here. We never had even in father or mother's time.

That is true, assented Miss Jane, somewhat gloomily, but we must not anger Joseph too much. Mr. Haldene is no company for our brother. It would be difficult to find one fit for him, you know, Maria, he is so clever and good. Of course he likes to have his own way, most men do, but his way is always the right one -- though I do often oppose him, as he says.

He surely does have his own way, returned Maria, sadly; and he won't let anyone convince him that he could ever be wrong.

I argue with him always, and don't sit silently listening to him as you do.

But what is the good of arguing with him? He listens to you, and answers you; but he believes that he is right still, and you are wrong. You know you never make him change his opinion about anything, or anybody.

Well, what if I don't? answered Miss Jane sharply. He is a good brother to us, and a good neighbour. There is no harm in his being a little dogmatic.

Maria sighed. How could she explain all that was passing in her mind to this sister who was also a little dogmatic?

What does it matter, after all, whether we see Mr. Haldene again, or not? went on Miss Goodworthy, after a short silence. I don't think he can be worth much, or he would have made a name for himself long ago.

It is not so easy to make a name in the great world, replied Maria, somewhat defiantly. We have never lived out of Ashwood, so we cannot judge such men as Arthur Haldene.

Miss Jane stared at her sister in amazement. The great world, indeed! she echoed in contemptuous tones. "It is composed chiefly of hypocrites, as our brother says. Clergymen and Christians alike are often hypocrites. Who is Arthur Haldene, I should like to know? A poor artist! Our people have all been rich farmers. Would you consider doctors, and lawyers, and artists, and storywriters as good in any respect as farmers? I can't think why you should take this man's part so warmly. You never do talk much to him when he is here."

Maria trembled. Should she tell her sister all the truth concerning Arthur Haldene and herself? Jane was so matter-of-fact, and so opposed to matrimony, that she would receive the news with incredulity and scorn.

Well, well, let us say 'goodbye' to Arthur Haldene, concluded Miss Jane Goodworthy, turning to leave the room. We shall probably never see him again now that he has gone back to London.

Oh yes, we will see him again, that is ... I believe he is coming back, said Maria, the pink flush which the conversation had brought into her cheeks deepening into a crimson blush which made her look years younger as she spoke.

Miss Jane stopped short and gazed at her in some wonderment. I don't understand you this morning, Maria. I thought you did not know whether he was coming back to Ashwood.

I didn't remember exactly what he said about coming back, stammered Maria, growing still further confused, but I am sure he is coming back some time soon.

You are sure!

Yes, for he told me so.

Well, what if he does return? He is nothing to us now, when Joseph objects to our receiving him here. What is the matter with your face? You look as if you had been sitting over the fire for an hour.

Jane, spoke Maria, entreatingly, taking no notice of that last question, do listen to me a minute, and don't frighten and confuse me with your questions. I am sure you love me, and want to see me happy. Before Mr. Haldene went away he asked me to marry him.

Such an unexpected announcement fairly took Miss Goodworthy's breath away; and Deborah who was coming into the parlour in search of her mistress overheard the last words and retreated hastily into the kitchen, a broad smile lighting up her homely features.

Of course you told him that you had no intention of marrying, that you were over forty, and had put such nonsense out of your mind; said Miss Goodworthy, as soon as her amazement and consternation allowed her to speak.

I told him to ask Joseph about it, replied the younger sister faintly.

You did? Oh, Joseph will answer him plainly enough. The idea of such a thing!

But I like Mr. Haldene. I don't want Joseph to send him away.

You don't mean to say that you would dream of marrying him? You heard Joseph's opinion. Accustomed to Joseph's society, surely you could not put up with a life companion whose inferiority is so manifest? You are only talking romantic nonsense. You are not at all practical, Maria, more's the pity. But don't let your dreaming lead you into downright ungrateful folly. We are comfortably off, thanks to our brother. We have an assured position, and we have the wisdom and commonsense of Joseph to guide us. These are all great advantages when one has left the years of girlhood behind.

I am not so very old, put in Maria timidly.

Nonsense, Maria. Perhaps the man thinks you will have money. Never was a greater mistake. Joseph will give you nothing if you prefer another man to him. There, we are both talking folly. Of course you would not seriously think of marrying. Let me hear no more about such foolishness, such ingratitude.

There was some of the Goodworthy nature in Maria, and her sister's last words roused it into active life. As you say, Jane, I am old enough to choose my own husband, and to shape my future as I please.

I said nothing of the sort, almost screamed Miss Jane.

You said I was no longer a girl, nor am I; but I am not as old as you yet. With this last remark Maria hastily left the room.

Miss Jane Goodworthy, in much perturbation of spirit, went to her pantry where she usually saw to the accounts and made her arrangements for the day. Since the death of her parents she had not been so disturbed in mind. What would Joseph say to him when Mr. Haldene spoke to