Part 6 (1/2)

'Well, at all events, I think you might be naughty just now and then, Prissie, and give Cathie and me a half-holiday.'

'I would do anything else to please you, dear, but not that; you must not ask me to do what is impossible.'

Alas! not even this angelic behaviour, not even the loving admonitions, the tender rebukes, the shocked reproaches that fell, accompanied by perfect cascades of jewels, from the lips of our pattern little Priscilla, succeeded in removing the utterly unfounded prejudices of her cousins, though it was some consolation to feel that she was gradually acquiring a most beneficial influence over her aunt, who called Priscilla 'her little conscience.' For, you see, Priscilla's conscience had so little to do on her own account that it was always at the service of other people, and indeed quite enjoyed being useful, as was only natural to a conscientious conscience which felt that it could never have been created to be idle.

Very soon another responsibility was added to little Priscilla's burdens. Her cousin d.i.c.k, the worldly one with the yellow boots, came home after his annual holiday, which, as he was the junior clerk in a large bank, he was obliged to take rather late in the year. She had looked forward to his return with some excitement. d.i.c.k, she knew, was frivolous and reckless in his habits--he went to the theatre occasionally and frequently spent an evening in playing billiards and smoking cigars at a friend's house. There would be real credit in reforming poor cousin d.i.c.k.

He was not long, of course, in hearing of Priscilla's marvellous endowment, and upon the first occasion they were alone together treated her with a respect and admiration which he had very certainly never shown her before.

'You're wonderful, Prissie!' he said; 'I'd no idea you had it in you!'

'Nor had I, d.i.c.k; but it shows that even a little girl can do something.'

'I should rather think so! and--and the way you look--as grave as a judge all the time! Prissie, I wish you'd tell me how you manage it, I wouldn't tell a soul.'

'But I don't know, d.i.c.k. I only talk and the jewels come--that is all.'

'You artful little girl! you can keep a secret, I see, but so can I. And you might tell me how you do the trick. What put you up to the dodge?

I'm to be trusted, I a.s.sure you.'

'd.i.c.k, you can't--you mustn't--think there is any trickery about it! How can you believe I could be such a wicked little girl as to play tricks?

It was an old fairy that gave me the gift. I'm sure I don't know why--unless she thought that I was a good child and deserved to be encouraged.'

'By Jove!' cried d.i.c.k, 'I never knew you were half such fun!'

'I am not fun, d.i.c.k. I think fun is generally so very vulgar, and oh, I wish you wouldn't say ”by Jove!” Surely you know he was a heathen G.o.d!'

'I seem to have heard of him in some such capacity,' said d.i.c.k. 'I say, Prissie, what a ripping big ruby!'

'Ah, d.i.c.k, d.i.c.k, you are like the others! I'm afraid you think more of the jewels than of any words I may say--and yet _jewels_ are common enough!'

'They seem to be with you. Pearls, too, and such fine ones! Here, Priscilla, take them; they're your property.'

Priscilla put her hands behind her: 'No, indeed, d.i.c.k, they are of no use to me. Keep them, please; they may help to remind you of what I have said.'

'It's awfully kind of you,' said d.i.c.k, looking really touched.

'Then--since you put it in that way--thanks, I will, Priscilla. I'll have them made into a horse-shoe pin.'

'You mustn't let it make you too fond of dress, then,' said Priscilla; 'but I'm afraid you're that already, d.i.c.k.'

'A diamond!' he cried; 'go on, Priscilla, I'm listening--pitch into me, it will do me a _lot_ of good!'

But Priscilla thought it wisest to say no more just then.

That night, after Priscilla and Cathie and Belle had gone to bed, d.i.c.k and his mother sat up talking until a late hour.

'Is dear little cousin Priscilla to be a permanency in this establishment?' began her cousin, stifling a yawn, for there had been a rather copious flow of precious stones during the evening.