The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 49
< Chapter 49 >
“Alright, hold on. But Miss Willis indeed disregarded rules and traditions!”
As nobody countered Mabel’s words, Rebecca broke the silence anxiously. Unlike her usual self, the uneasiness in her voice sharply contrasted with Mabel’s earlier confidence.
“No matter how much you try to embellish it with words, Miss Mabel Willis is just like a liar and a cheat to everyone. Didn’t she fabricate stories about her own family and lineage even to friends who were close to her? Isn’t that right, Miss Julia?”
Rebecca’s words shifted Mabel’s gaze towards Julia. Julia, with her braided hair undone, kept her head lowered while attending the meeting where Mabel’s expulsion was being discussed.
“…”
“Speak up, Miss Julia. You also told me you had no idea about Mabel’s background. She spun tales that she lived with her grandfather in the countryside, presenting her family as poor but surely worthy of admission to Summerhill.”
Under Rebecca’s pressure, Julia’s face turned pale. However, she still didn’t meet Mabel’s eyes and merely nodded silently.
“See, Miss Julia is testifying. So, it’s only right to expel Miss Mabel Willis, who’s been faking her status, immediately!”
“Uh, Miss Rebecca, perhaps it’s better to calm down a bit.”
As Rebecca exclaimed in excitement, the Dean looked around the assembly hall filled with students. Despite wanting to ease the situation, and being well aware of Mabel’s admission circumstances, the Dean felt torn between wanting to mitigate the situation and the pressure from the school’s honor and tradition.
And then it happened.
“A liar, you say… Then wouldn’t that make Mr. William Edmundstone an accomplice to a liar, Miss Rebecca?”
A clattering voice came from behind Mabel. It continued.
“The reason Mabel could attend College was due to the Edmundstone family, the biggest benefactors of Summerhill College… Ah, then does that mean, Miss Rebecca and the board are claiming that the Edmundstone family supported a liar?”
The woman with sleek, glossy short hair smiled innocently like a child who had discovered something fascinating.
Nobody in Summerhill was unaware that she was Irina Jenkins, daughter of the Jenkins family who owned a London department store, often seen in the most expensive clothes and jewelry.
“W-What are you talking about, Miss Irina? Are you saying the Edmundstone family supported Miss Willis?”
Rebecca spoke in confusion.
“Didn’t you know that Mabel was a student backed by Mr. William Edmundstone and his family? That’s why there were mistaken gossip articles about her being his fiancee. Last autumn, Mr. William Edmundstone even came personally to see Mabel… Ah, then if Mabel becomes an issue, shouldn’t you first object to the Edmundstone family, who guaranteed Mabel? Didn’t you think, by any chance, that Mr. Edmundstone didn’t think this to tarnish Summerhill’s honor?”
Rebecca’s expression twisted in response to the indifferent tone, unable to discern whether Irina was conversing with her or speaking to herself. Simultaneously, members of the board, who were aware of the scandal involving Mabel and Mr. Edmundstone, began to murmur.
Even without knowing the gossip, the mere mention of the prestigious Edmundstone family from London piqued everyone’s interest.
“Are you sure about that, Miss Irina? Speaking of the noble Edmundstone family in this manner… can you take responsibility for what you’re saying?”
Rebecca sharply questioned, sensing the sudden change in the atmosphere of Cheshire Hall after Mabel’s plea. Irina, already looking bored with the topic, replied.
“Why would I? Miss Rebecca doesn’t seem like a very responsible young lady, the way she’s been accusing people of fraud.”
Before Rebecca could react to Irina’s rude and indifferent tone, Irina turned to the Dean as she continued speaking.
“Instead of arguing back and forth here, wouldn’t it be better to follow the proper procedure and uncover the truth? Like, say, through a student inquiry. Right?”
“Oh, Miss Irina, yes, you’re right…”
Although he was old enough and experienced enough, having been the Dean of Summerhill for years, the Dean seemed to lose his composure under Irina’s haughty and sophisticated demeanor.
“Alright. Let’s follow the procedure then.”
With remarkable charisma, Irina gave the instruction and then turned away. Mabel could see Irina’s expression, but for some reason, Irina didn’t even glance at Mabel, simply creating a cold breeze as she walked past her.
* * *
“Good job, Mabel. You’ve done your part; now Mr. Edmundstone will take care of everything.”
Outside Elizabeth Hall, where Summerhill welcomed outsiders, Mary, who had been waiting for Mabel, hugged her tightly and comforted her.
Mabel had just finished a makeshift inquiry in a room that resembled a courtroom. The inquiry had been attended by the board, the Dean, and representatives of the sponsors, after the board meeting.
The school’s admission office, which had decided to accept Mabel based on Lord Alfred’s endorsement, one of the main figures in the decision, wanted to handle the situation as quickly as possible, considering Mabel’s position. Therefore, the inquiry, which was held unusually only two days after the board meeting, was conducted in a makeshift manner.
William, one of the college’s sponsors and the person responsible for endorsing Mabel’s identity, attended the inquiry. Considering Mabel’s situation, he offered her a formal greeting before proceeding with the question-and-answer session.
In fact, contrary to Irina’s words, it was Lord Alfred, not the Edmundstone family, who endorsed Mabel. However, that wasn’t important. What mattered here was that the students saw William, who attended the inquiry as Lord Alfred’s representative, and rumors began to spread in Summerhill that Mabel was associated with the Edmundstone family.
“Everything will be fine. Even if we set aside the fact that Mr. Edmundstone is one of Summerhill’s biggest sponsors, do you realize who he is? If you raise objections against him, you’ll surely face rejection from all over London. Who in the world would dare to expel you?”
Mary spoke bustlingly. Even after Mabel’s identity was revealed, Mary didn’t treat her any differently. Instead, on the night of the incident in Cheshire Hall, she had come to Mabel’s dorm and hugged her tightly, just as she was doing now.
“Mary, thank you so much…”
Mabel sincerely thanked Mary. Over the past two days, Julia, who had demanded Mabel’s expulsion along with the board, as well as Irina and most of the students, had either avoided talking to Mabel or openly displayed their discomfort.
“Oh, come on. Even Irina will need time to gather her thoughts now. Just look at how she stood by your side in Cheshire Hall; it’s obvious she doesn’t dislike you…”
Mary said, scratching her head. Even Mary, who stood up to Irina, was being ignored by Irina for speaking with Mabel, adding to the awkwardness of the situation.
“Yeah, I know. And I did lie to you all. I was just too scared to see how you would react… I’m sorry, Mary.”
Mabel’s eyes welled up with tears. Knowing how much Mary had suffered because of her efforts to support Mabel amidst the scrutiny from other students, Mabel felt even more sorry for her.
Seeing Mabel with tears welling up in her reddened nose and eyes, Mary could only comfort her friend by hugging her tightly.
As someone who knew Mabel’s personality well, Mary felt more pity than betrayal as she listened to the conversation between the board and Mabel.
‘After this storm passes, the other students at Summerhill will understand your sincerity.’
Mary thought to herself as she gently patted Mabel’s back.
Two days earlier, while having her second lunch in the cafeteria, Mary had heard rumors about the board meeting regarding Mabel and rushed to Cheshire Hall. Barely blending in with the crowd of about twenty students surrounding the Dean, Rebecca, and Mabel, she was on the verge of rushing towards Mabel, who was standing alone, when suddenly, her hand was grabbed by Irina, who brought her finger to her lips.
‘Huh, Mabel…’
‘Shh.’
Grabbed by Irina, Mary suddenly found Irina next to her, bringing her finger to her lips. Immediately after, Mabel, who seemed breathless and anxious, was seen asking the Dean for a chance to explain.
‘Then Mabel’s words, the atmosphere, her voice, her eyes… without anyone saying anything, even Rebecca had to admit it was undeniably charismatic.’
Mary thought that any Summerhill student who witnessed that situation would feel a strong sense of solidarity and admiration for Mabel.
Summerhill, the first and only women’s college in England.
For women who had only learned basic etiquette such as foreign languages and music from their governesses at home, Summerhill was a place where they were taught the same subjects as male students, challenging the notion that women were only capable of cultivating genteel accomplishments.
Often labeled as a place for producing intellectual snobs, Summerhill offered an experience where every student who enrolled would at least once awaken to the world of previously unknown knowledge and the joy of learning.
Therefore, Mary was convinced that Mabel’s graceful and intellectual expression of the experiences and growth shared by Summerhill students garnered empathy from those present.
As the two ladies embraced in a deep bond of friendship, a low voice was heard behind Mabel.
“Mabel.”
It was William, who had just concluded the inquiry.