CHAPTER 23: ELIZABETH FIGHTS WITH HERSELF


The next day or two were very pleasant.  Elizabeth was allowed to see Joan whenever she liked, and she took her some more flowers from John.  She also took her a jigsaw puzzle from Helen, and a book from Nora.
   Joan was looking very pretty and very happy.  Her mother had gone, leaving behind her a big box of velvety peaches, a tin of barley sugar, and some books.  But best of all she had left Joan a promise that she would never, never let Joan think she was forgotten again!
   "It's all because of you, Elizabeth," said Joan, offering her friend a barley sugar to suck.  "Oh, Elizabeth - do please stay on at Whyteleafe.  Don't make me unhappy by leaving, just as I've got to know you!"
   "There are plenty of other people for you to make friends with," said Elizabeth, sucking the barley sugar.
   "I don't want them," said Joan.  "They would seem feeble after you, Elizabeth.  I say-have you been looking after my rabbit for me?"
   "Of course," said Elizabeth.  "Oh Joan, it's the dearest little thing you ever saw!  Really it is.  Do you know, it knows me now when I go to feed it, and it presses its tiny nose against the wire to welcome me!  And yesterday it nuzzled itself into the crook of my arm and stayed there until the school bell rang and I had to go."
   "Harry came to see me this morning and he said he wishes you were not leaving because he wants to give us two more baby rabbits, to live with my tiny one." said Joan.  "He said they could be between the two of us."
   "Oh," said Elizabeth, longing for the two rabbits.  "Really, if I'd known what a nice place Whyteleafe School was, I'd have never made up my mind to leave it!"
   She had to go then, because it was time for her music lesson.  She rushed to get her music.  Richard was in the music room waiting for her with Mr. Lewis.
   The two were getting on well with their duets.  Richard was pleased with Elizabeth now, for he knew that she really loved music, as he did, and was willing to work hard at it.  They played two duets very well indeed for Mr. Lewis.
   "Splendid!" he said.  "Elizabeth, I'm pleased with you.  You've practised well since your last lesson, and got that difficult part perfect now. Now - play Richard your sea-piece that you love so much."