Dorinda's Desperate Deed Page #2

"Dorinda's Desperate Deed" is a short story by Lucy Maud Montgomery that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of human emotions. The narrative centers around Dorinda, a young woman who finds herself in a challenging situation that requires her to make a significant and difficult decision. As she navigates her feelings and the expectations of those around her, Dorinda's journey reveals her inner strength and the profound impact of her choices on her life and the lives of others. Montgomery's characteristic charm and insight into human nature shine through in this poignant tale.

• Short story

								

as if Dorinda had asked if she had ever stolen a neighbour's spoons.

"I don't see why you shouldn't," said Dorinda seriously.

"Oh, Dorinda, Uncle Eugene hates us all. He is terribly bitter against
us. He would never, never listen to any request for help, even if I
could bring myself to make it."

"Mother, what was the trouble between us and Uncle Eugene? I have
never known the rights of it. I was too small to understand when I was
home before. All I remember is that Uncle Eugene never came to see us
or spoke to us when he met us anywhere, and we were all afraid of him
somehow. I used to think of him as an ogre who would come creeping up
the back stairs after dark and carry me off bodily if I wasn't good.
What made him our enemy? And how did he come to get all of
Grandfather Page's property when Father got nothing?"

"Well, you know, Dorinda, that your Grandfather Page was married
twice. Eugene was his first wife's son, and your father the second
wife's. Eugene was a great deal older than your father--he was
twenty-five when your father was born. He was always an odd man, even
in his youth, and he had been much displeased at his father's second
marriage. But he was very fond of your father--whose mother, as you
know, died at his birth--and they were good friends and comrades until
just before your father went to college. They then quarrelled; the
cause of the quarrel was insignificant; with anyone else than Eugene a
reconciliation would soon have been effected. But Eugene never was
friendly with your father from that time. I think he was jealous of
old Grandfather's affection; thought the old man loved your father
best. And then, as I have said, he was very eccentric and stubborn.
Well, your father went away to college and graduated, and then--we
were married. Grandfather Page was very angry with him for marrying
me. He wanted him to marry somebody else. He told him he would
disinherit him if he married me. I did not know this until we were
married. But Grandfather Page kept his word. He sent for a lawyer and
had a new will made, leaving everything to Eugene. I think, nay, I am
sure, that he would have relented in time, but he died the very next
week; they found him dead in his bed one morning, so Eugene got
everything; and that is all there is of the story, Dorinda."

"And Uncle Eugene has been our enemy ever since?"

"Yes, ever since. So you see, Dorinda dear, that I cannot ask any
favours of Uncle Eugene."

"Yes, I see," said Dorinda understandingly. To herself she added, "But
I don't see why I shouldn't."

Dorinda thought hard and long for the next few days about the capital
difficulties. She could think of only one thing to do and, despite old
Admiral Page's fighting blood, she shrank from doing it. But one
night she found Leicester with his head down on his books and--no, it
couldn't be tears in his eyes, because Leicester laughed scornfully at
the insinuation.

"I wouldn't cry over it, Dorinda; I hope I'm more of a man than
that. But I do really feel rather cut up because I've no chance of
getting to college. And I hate the thought of going into a store. But
I know I must for Mother's sake, and I mean to pitch in and like it in
spite of myself when the time comes. Only--only--"

And then Leicester got up and whistled and went to the window and
stood with his back to Dorinda.

"That settles it," said Dorinda out loud, as she brushed her hair
before the glass that night. "I'll do it."

"Do what?" asked Jean from the bed.

"A desperate deed," said Dorinda solemnly, and that was all she would
say.

Next day Mrs. Page and Leicester went to town on business. In the
afternoon Dorinda put on her best dress and hat and started out.
Admiral Page's fighting blood was glowing in her cheeks as she walked
briskly up the hill road, but her heart beat in an odd fashion.

"I wonder if I am a little scared, 'way down deep," said Dorinda. "I
believe I am. But I'm going to do it for all that, and the scareder I
get the more I'll do it."

Oaklawn, where Uncle Eugene lived, was two miles away. It was a fine
old place in beautiful grounds. But Dorinda did not quail before its
splendours; nor did her heart fail her, even after she had rung the
bell and had been shown by a maid into a very handsome parlour, but it
still continued to beat in that queer fashion halfway up her throat.

Presently Uncle Eugene came in, a tall, black-eyed old man, with a
fine head of silver hair that should have framed a ruddy, benevolent
face, instead of Uncle Eugene's hard-lipped, bushy-browed
countenance.

Dorinda stood up, dusky and crimson, with brave, glowing eyes. Uncle
Eugene looked at her sharply.

"Who are you?" he said bluntly.

"I am your niece, Dorinda Page," said Dorinda steadily.

"And what does my niece, Dorinda Page, want with me?" demanded Uncle
Eugene, motioning to her to sit down and sitting down himself. But
Dorinda remained standing. It is easier to fight on your feet.

"I want you to do four things, Uncle Eugene," she said, as calmly as
if she were making the most natural and ordinary request in the world.
"I want you to lend us the money to send Leicester to Blue Hill
Academy; he will pay it back to you when he gets through college. I
want you to lend Jean the money for music lessons; she will pay you
back when she gets far enough along to give lessons herself. And I
want you to lend me the money to shingle our house and get Mother a
new dress and fur coat for the winter. I'll pay you back sometime for
that, because I am going to set up as a dressmaker pretty soon."

"Anything more?" said Uncle Eugene, when Dorinda stopped.

"Nothing more just now, I think," said Dorinda reflectively.

"Why don't you ask for something for yourself?" said Uncle Eugene.

"I don't want anything for myself," said Dorinda promptly. "Or--yes, I
do, too. I want your friendship, Uncle Eugene."

"Be kind enough to sit down," said Uncle Eugene.

Dorinda sat.

"You are a Page," said Uncle Eugene. "I saw that as soon as I came in.
I will send Leicester to college and I shall not ask or expect to be
paid back. Jean shall have her music lessons, and a piano to practise
them on as well. The house shall be shingled, and the money for the
new dress and coat shall be forthcoming. You and I will be friends."

"Thank you," gasped Dorinda, wondering if, after all, it wasn't a
dream.

"I would have gladly assisted your mother before," said Uncle Eugene,
"if she had asked me. I had determined that she must ask me first. I
knew that half the money should have been your father's by rights. I
was prepared to hand it over to him or his family, if I were asked for
it. But I wished to humble his pride, and the Carter pride, to the
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