The Children of Wilton Chase. Meade L. T.

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СКАЧАТЬ Ermengarde kicked him under the table. He was lifting a cup of tea to his lips, and part of its contents were spilt on the white tablecloth, and over his own shirt-cuff. Basil hated messes and awkward ways of doing things. He gave Ermengarde a return kick of some force, murmured, "You're a perfect muff, Ermie," and then looked up, with his momentary annoyance gone, at Miss Nelson.

      "Thank you for excusing Ermengarde," he said. "She's under my command now. I'm her captain. I'll see that she's in good time in the future."

      "Well, Ermengarde, you may consider yourself excused," said the governess. "I hope you have thoroughly mastered your imposition. If so, as you must want fresh air, you may go out with Basil for an hour after tea."

      Basil glanced at his sister's blooming and blushing face. As he did not want to be kicked any more, however, he was silent. Marjorie had left her seat, and was bringing all the cups up to Miss Nelson to be refilled with tea. As the governess poured some hot water into the teapot she turned again to Ermengarde, "Do you know your piece of poetry, Ermie?"

      Ermengarde said "Yes." This happened to be true, for the poem selected for her punishment lesson was "Casabianca," which she admired very much, and had long ago committed to memory for pleasure.

      "Yes, I know it quite well, thank you, Miss Nelson," she said in a cheerful voice.

      The clouds had left her face; she was now in an excellent humor. To be with Basil was always delightful to her, and she sincerely hoped that her disobedience and open defiance of authority might never be discovered. If it was, she was prepared to defend her action, but she had an intuition that Basil would disapprove. His good opinion was of the utmost value to her: she loved Basil; she had no particular affection for any other human being, unless, perhaps, her father; but Basil's presence caused a warm satisfied glow to steal around her heart.

      Miss Nelson had supplied all the second cups of tea. She was again at liberty to ask her favorite a question.

      "Basil, I should like to ask you in confidence, has Eric brought home any strange pets this time?"

      Basil's eyes sparkled.

      "Only two ferrets," he said; "and two carrier pigeons, and two fantails, and a pouter (Eric is dead nuts on that pouter), and a lop-eared rabbit. I think that's all. I have some pups, too," he added modestly, "but they are coming by parcel-post to-morrow."

      "By parcel-post, Basil!" here almost screamed Marjorie. "Oh, I hope they won't be squashed."

      "Silence, children!" said the governess. A red spot had risen on both her cheeks. "I had hoped no more pets were coming. And ferrets! I dread ferrets. Now the pups – "

      "But they're of a very wicked breed," shouted Eric. "They're worse than my ferret Shark. They are young bloodhounds. Don't you deny it, Basil. You know you gave a sov. for them to Dandy Macjones."

      "But they are quite harmless at present," said Basil. "There are only two; they haven't arrived yet. They'll come by post, or train, or something to-morrow. When they do come, I'll promise to be careful."

      "Yes. Basil, I believe you are a boy to be trusted. – Eric!"

      "What is it, ma'am?"

      Eric put on a comical face, which set all the nursery children laughing.

      "Stand up, Eric. While you are at home, at least whenever you are in the schoolroom – in fact, I may say always – you have got to yield to my authority."

      "Thank you, ma'am. I didn't know it, ma'am."

      Eric pulled his forelock after the fashion of a charity school-boy. The nursery children clapped their hands with delight, and a wave of color swept over Miss Nelson's face.

      "I say, shut up and be respectful," growled Basil.

      Eric glanced at his brother. His whole funny face became rigid except his eyes, which still danced with mirth. He folded his hands on his breast, and said in a demure, mincing tone, "I beg your pardon, Miss Nelson."

      Even the governess had to smile.

      "It is granted, my dear boy. Now with regard to your pets. The rabbits are not to be in the house."

      "Oh, no, ma'am."

      "There's no rabbit-hutch."

      "I'll stow them somewhere, Miss Nelson."

      "See you do. The pigeons can share the dovecotes, I suppose."

      "Very well, Miss Nelson."

      "The ferrets – " here Miss Nelson almost shivered. "Dangerous, disgusting beasts!"

      "I say, don't," exclaimed Eric. "Shark's a stunner!"

      "Their teeth," continued the governess. "I have heard that their teeth can penetrate through any obstacle."

      "Shark's teeth!" pursued Eric. "Well, they ought to be strong; he has six rows; when he opens his mouth they start upright."

      "Six rows! Nonsense, Eric. Please don't talk in that silly way. And once for all understand that I cannot allow that animal to be kept on the premises."

      "But he's a stunner," said Eric. "Shall I bring him in for you to see?"

      "You must not attempt it, sir. It is awful to think of such a horrid creature being so close to one, and I forbid you to bring it into the house."

      "You shall see him, you shall see him," said Eric. "He's a perfect tip-topper. He'd kill anything. I paid five bob for him, and six ginger-beers, and ten and a half Betty cakes."

      "Silence, Eric; I shall have to speak to your father. Keep the ferret in his basket or box until I can have a word with Mr. Wilton."

      "But he'll starve, ma'am. He'd gnaw you if he was starving."

      "That will do. Leave the table now, all children. I can let you know before bed-time, Eric, what is to be done with that monster."

      CHAPTER III.

      ERMENGARDE'S SIN

      Late that evening, after the young folk had gone to bed, Miss Nelson, having attired herself in a very neat black silk dress, with ruffles of real lace round her neck and wrists, her best brooch at her throat, and a pretty little head-dress of lace and ribbon becomingly arranged over her iron-gray hair, went down past the schoolroom, past the heavy oak door which divided the children's part of the house from that portion where, according to Ermengarde, all the gay life and all the fun went on, and finally tapped at Mr. Wilton's study-door.

      It so happened that there were no visitors staying at Wilton Chase to-night; many friends were expected the following day, but to-night Miss Nelson knew that she would find Mr. Wilton and probably his sister disengaged.

      Her tap was responded to by a hearty "Come in!" She was right. Mr. and Miss Wilton were both in the study. Miss Wilton was seated at her davenport scribbling off letters at furious speed, and Mr. Wilton was indulging in a cigar by the open window.

      "Well, Miss Nelson," he said courteously; "I am glad to see you."

      He placed a chair for the governess, and waited for her to speak.

      "I have come – " said Miss Nelson.

      She СКАЧАТЬ