In the year 1856 Major Chisholm took a house at Nyalong, near
Philip's school. Two of the best scholars were John and David. When
David lost his place in the class he burst into tears, and the Blakes
and the Boyles laughed. The Major spoke to the boys and girls
whenever he met them. He asked John to tell him how many
weatherboards he would have to buy to cover the walls of his house,
which contained six rooms and a lean-to, and was built of slabs.
John measured the walls and solved the problem promptly. The Major
then sent his three young children to the school, and made the
acquaintance of the master.
Mrs. Chisholm never went to Nyalong, but the Major must have given
her much information about it, for one day he read a portion of one
of her letters which completely destroyed Philip's peace of mind. It
was to the effect that he was to open a school for boarders at
Nyalong, and, as a preliminary, marry a wife. The Major said that if
Philip had no suitable young lady in view, Mrs. Chisholm, he was
sure, would undertake to produce one at a very short notice. She had
the whole matter already planned, and was actually canvassing for
pupils among the wealthiest families in the colony. The Major
smiled benevolently, and said it was of no use for Philip to think of
resisting Mrs. Chisholm; when she had once made up her mind,
everybody had to give way, and the thing was settled.
Pages:
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256