Part 21 (2/2)
”It's this. Flower is sometimes--sometimes--oh, it's dreadful to have to tell!--Flower is sometimes not nice.”
Polly's eyes danced.
”You're a darling, David!” she said. ”Of course, that sister of yours is not perfect. I'd hate her if she was.”
”But it isn't that,” said David. ”It's so difficult to tell. When Flower isn't nice, it's not a small thing, it's--oh, she's awful! Polly, I don't want any of you ever to see Flower in a pa.s.sion; you'd be frightened, oh, you would indeed. We were all dreadfully unhappy at Ballarat when Flower was in a pa.s.sion, and lately we tried not to get her into one. That's what I want you to do, Polly; I want you to try; I want you to see that she is not vexed.”
”I like that,” said Polly. ”Am I to be on my 'P's and Q's' for this Miss Flower of yours? Now, David, what do you mean by a great pa.s.sion? I'm rather hot myself. Come, you saw me very cross about the lemonade yesterday; is Flower worse than that? What fun it must be to see her!”
”Don't!” said David, turning pale. ”You wouldn't speak in that way, Polly, if you knew. What you did yesterday like Flower? Why, I didn't notice you at all. Flower's pa.s.sions are--are---- But I can't speak of them, Polly.”
”Then why did you tell me?” said Polly. ”I can't help her getting into rages, if she's so silly.”
”Oh, yes, you can, and that's why I spoke to you. She's a little vexed now, about your having brought the--the kitchen-maid here. I know well she's vexed, because she's extra polite with every one else. That's a way she has at first. I don't suppose she'll speak to you, Polly; but oh, Polly, I will love you so much, I'll do anything in all the world for you, if only you'll send Maggie home!”
”What are you dreaming of?” said Polly. ”Because Flower is an ill tempered, proud, silly girl, am I to send poor little Maggie away? No, David, if your sister has a bad temper, she must learn to control it.
She is living in England now, and she must put up with our English ways; we are always kind to our servants.”
”Then it can't be helped,” said David. ”You'll remember that I warned you--you'll be sorry afterwards! Hullo, Flower--yes, Flower, I'm coming.”
He flew from Polly's side, going boldly over to what the little girl was now pleased to call the ranks of the enemy. She felt sorry for a moment, for Firefly had long since deserted her. Then she retraced her steps, and walked by Maggie's side for the rest of the time.
CHAPTER III.
NOT LIKE OTHERS.
It was still early when the children reached Troublous Times Castle. Dr.
Maybright would not be likely to join them for nearly an hour. They had walked fast, and Polly, at least, felt both tired and cross. When the twins ran up to her and a.s.sured her with much enthusiasm that they had never had a more delightful walk, she turned from them with a little muttered ”Pshaw!” Polly's attentions now to Maggie were most marked, and if this young person were not quite one of the most obtuse in existence, it is possible she might have felt slightly embarra.s.sed.
”While we're waiting for father,” exclaimed Polly, speaking aloud, and in that aggressive tone which had not been heard from her lips since the night of the supper in the attic--”while we're waiting for father we'll get the banqueting-hall ready. Maggie and I will see to this, but any one who likes to join us can. We don't require any a.s.sistance, but if it gives pleasure to any of the others to see us unpack the baskets, now is the time for them to say the word.”
”But, of course, we're all going to get the dinner ready,” exclaimed Dolly and Katie, in voices of consternation. ”What a ridiculous way you are talking, Polly! This is all our affair; half the fun is getting the dinner ready. Isn't it, Nell?”
”Yes, of course,” said Helen, in her pleasant, bright voice. ”We'll all do as much as we can do to make the banqueting-hall ready for father.
Now, let's get George to take the hampers there at once; and, Flower, I thought, perhaps, you would help me to touch up the creepers here and there, they do look so lovely falling over that ruined west window.
Come, Flower, now let's all of us set to work without any more delay.”
”Yes, Flower, and you know you have such a way of making things look sweet,” said David, taking his sister's hand and kissing it.
She put her arm carelessly round his neck, stooped down, and pressed her lips to his brow, then said in that light, arch tone, which she had used all day, ”David is mistaken. I can't make things look sweet, and I'm not coming to the banqueting-hall at present.”
There was a pointed satire in the two last words. Flower's big blue eyes rested carelessly on Maggie, then they traveled to where Polly stood, and a fine scorn curled her short, sensitive upper lip. The words she had used were nothing, but her expressive glance meant a good deal.
Polly refused to see the world of entreaty on David's face--she threw down her challenge with equal scorn and a good deal of comic dignity.
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