Chapter 17
Conversation languished on the way back. Simone made a few attempts to talk to her friend but gave it up after the third rebuff. Not for the first time, she wondered why she persisted in her friendship with Jo after all these years. Just occasionally, she felt that Jo took her for granted and perhaps didn't even really like her. At the other times when she had felt like this, she had always shrugged it off, after all, she knew how emotional she could be at times. This time, she couldn't shrug it off. She remembered Jo's oft curt treatment of Lucy and suddenly wondered if she had been mistaken in Jo. Was she actually the person she had believed her to be? The two of them walked side by side, in silence until they reached the school. The other three followed on silently.
When they reached the main house of the school Lucy had to turn in and go to join the other Seniors. She gave Susan a quick hug and turned to thank Jack for bringing them home, then vanished up the main path. Only Simone noticed the look in Jack's eyes as he watched Lucy's progress along the path. In the past she had seen that look a few times when his eyes rested on Jo, but she
Simone stole a quick glance at Jo, but Jo was scowling down at her feet and Simone sighed in relief. It had been several months earlier, on a weekend up at the Sonnalpe, that both Simone and Marie had caught Jack gazing at Jo. His feelings for her had been there for everyone to see. Both girls had looked away embarrassed and later agreed not to mention what they had seen to anyone, especially Jo. It was plain to them that Jo was completely unaware of Jack's feelings and they both liked and respected "Dr Jack" and did not wish to intrude on his privacy.
Now, as Simone glanced up at Jack's face and away again, she was thankful that she had never mentioned the incident to Jo. It looked to as though he had ceased to feel that way about her.
Simone had been correct about Jack. He had been in love with Jo, had been for quite some time. He had seen her sensitivity and marvelled at her ability to get under the skins of others, had loved the graceful way she moved and the beauty in her golden tones when she sang. However, he was also beginning to see another side, one that he did not like so much. Jo had a way of pouting when she did not get her own way. She loved to be in the spotlight and in fact, was at her best, when she was the centre of attention. Her last few visits to her sister's house had been marked by her strenuous efforts to try and involve everyone there in games of dressing up and presenting tableaux or going for long walks with her. Grizel and Juliet, who were at the Annex had both been too tired for such pursuits and more concerned with spending time with Stacie, who had been moved into her old bedroom at the Russells' home. Stacie had been very quiet and depressed since her return and the quiet company of the older girls had done much to comfort her.
Madge, similarly, was deeply concerned about Stacie and much occupied with her two young children and had had no time for entertaining Jo. She had expected Jo to occupy herself by visiting friends or reading quietly or helping to keep Stacie's spirits up.
Jo's response each time had been the same – an extended fit of sulking, which had stunned and disappointed her sister. On her most recent visit, she had been at her worst, even to producing her book of Appalachian folk tunes and whistling them at every hour of the day, until she drove the entire company mad. Grizel, who particularly detested the tunes, gritted her teeth and said nothing, knowing how tired and anxious Madge was. She had no wish to add to her worries so, rather than argue with Jo, she spent almost every spare moment with Stacie, doing everything she could to cheer the girl up.
Jem Russell had finally confiscated the song book, much to the relief of everyone else and there had been a most uncomfortable scene when he had lectured Jo on her childish behaviour and then ordered her to her room. Jo had gone, slamming the door behind her, and Jack Maynard had sat, stunned, at the table. (This had taken place at breakfast.)
No-one had seen Jo for several hours afterwards. When she had reappeared, it was with slightly reddened eyes and she had vanished into Stacie's room. Madge breathed a sigh of relief, believing that Jo had come to her senses and was now occupied in doing what she could to raise Stacie's spirits.
Jack had arrived a few hours later to examine Stacie and Madge accompanied him to the girl's bedroom. When they went in, they were dismayed to see her lying wearily, eyes closed and obviously trying to sleep, while Jo excitedly talked on and on about school pursuits and sports, none of which Stacie could take part in for some time. Tearstains on Stacie's pillow bore testimony to her hurt at Jo's thoughtlessness. Jo had not even noticed, in fact, as Jack had observed silently, she was not even looking at Stacie at all. He had felt disgusted at Jo's behaviour and had stood by silently as Madge swiftly bundled her out of the room.
Madge had tactfully made no comment but set about making Stacie as comfortable as she could. While Jack left to mix a draught for Stacie, she had helped the tired girl to change into fresh nightclothes and then gently substituted a fresh pillowslip for the damp one. She was just bathing Stacie's face with cooling lavender water when Jack returned with a glass, which he handed to Madge. The draught soon took effect and Stacie fell into a deep sleep. Jack bent over the bed and felt her forehead and nodded.
"Nice and cool now, thank goodness," he said. "I was worried that she had worked herself into a fever, but she'll sleep now and that's what she needs. I think perhaps Jo should stay away from her for a while, in fact, perhaps only yourself and Grizel should be in here. Grizel seems to soothe her more than anyone else."
Madge nodded and they had both left the room, Jack to return to the Sanatorium, and Madge to the nursery. The incident had not been mentioned again, but Jack had often thought of it, wondering how he could have been so mistaken in someone. Jo's carelessness of her friend's feelings had finally killed any feelings he had for her. He would never be able to think about her in the same way again.
Now, as Jack made his way back up to the Sonnalpe his thoughts were not of Jo, but of the tall, fair girl he had met that day. He was not anxious to repeat his mistake with Jo, but by the time they left the chalet where Peter and Edmund were staying, he owned to himself that he was strongly attracted to Lucy.