Part 15 (2/2)
Eustace flushed with an unco very courteously, and came forward the instant Miss Chase spoke Nesta followed, and then Peter, all as stiff as pokers in their shyness But Becky Miss Chase picked up with a playful little shake, and kissed her heartily
”Oh, you dear, funny wee soul,” she said, ”how glad I aht out a Kodak and I've promised to take all your photos aluess the least little bit what you are like”
Becky did not resent the unceremonious treatment at all, but took it quite placidly in her own particular way This gave Peter confidence
”Have you brought lots of boxes?” he asked, with an interested stare up into his young aunt's face
Eustace pulled his sleeve
”Shut up,” he whispered ”Don't ask questions; it's rude”
Eustace felt uncomfortable He knew quite hither his s ould be in those boxes for hiood many,” answered Miss Chase; but she was allowed time to say no more, because she was hurried into the house to rest and refresh
At tea the children sat round as solemn as owls and listened to all the questions and answers about the home folk They picked up scraps of infor to thelish cousins, Herbert, as sixteen, and Brenda, as a month or so older than the twins From time to time they had heard of these cousins in letters, but it made them seem much more real when they were talked about by some one who had just co fellow,” Miss Chase said ”He is doing faht Eustace, who never read a school story without longing to go to a big English school
”And what about Brenda?” questioned Mrs Orban
”You shall see a photo that was taken of her the other day,” was the answer ”Most people think her very pretty”
”Does she go to school too?” said Mrs Orban, asking the very question Nesta was bursting to put
”Oh yes, Brenda is a regular schoolgirl You see it would be so lonely for her to have lessons at hoht Nesta, and sighed
”She was quite green with envy when she heard I was co out here,” Miss Chase said, ”and threatened to have all sorts of illnesses, necessitating change of air for recovery, so that she ht come with me”
”Oh, I wish she had,” Nesta said iree with you,” laughed Miss Chase ”She can hardly bear to part with her every term If you want to see her, I think your best plan is to have an illness yourself, and let e of air”
”That would be better and better,” Nesta exclaimed, ”only I should want mother and every one else to coaily ”Let's ether I aain I illingly pack you all up in my boxes and take you with me”
”What did I tell you?” said a deep voice from the , and there stood Bob Cochrane on the veranda ”I said she would bewitch you and spirit you all away”
”You did, you did,” said Peter, who had been drinking in every word; ”you said you wouldn't like her”
”Oh, come, no tales out of school,” said Bob, as he crossed the threshold and ca me a bad start, you know”
”I am sorry to have made such a bad impression at the outset,” Miss Chase responded merrily as she shook hands ”Would it appease you at all if I offered to pack you with the rest?”
”I wouldn't if I were you, Dorothy,” said Mr Orban ”He would take such a fearful amount of room, even if you doubled him up”