Part 1 (2/2)
”Why so, my dear child?”
Marjorie was thinking of Ermengarde. She could not complain of her sister, but to sit by and witness her disobedience would destroy her own pleasure.
”Ermie wouldn't like it, either,” she whispered under her breath. ”I wish I hadn't got honest eyes; Ermie says they look so horrid when I don't like a thing.”
”Well, Marjorie, are you going, or are you not?” said Miss Nelson.
”I think not, Miss Nelson,” said Marjorie, in a cheerful voice. ”Nurse says Bob is sure to have another teething fit, so of course he'll be fractious, and she'll want me to pick up sh.e.l.ls for him.”
”Well, dear, you must please yourself,” answered Miss Nelson gently.
She never praised Marjorie for being unselfish--no one did--they only said it was her way, and all the people with whom she came in contact took small kindnesses and small services from her as a matter of course.
Ermengarde was alone in her room, and the house was delightfully still. She waited for another moment, and then going over to the fireplace rang a bell. In a few minutes the schoolroom maid, looking very cross and astonished, answered the summons.
”Hudson, I am going out in the carriage. Please help me to dress,”
said Ermengarde. ”And give directions that I am to be told when the carriage is ready.”
”Are you going for the young gentlemen, Miss Ermengarde?”
”Yes.”
”Then you must be quick, miss, for Macnab is bringing the horses round now.”
Ermengarde had thought of making a very effective toilet, but she had only time to put on a shady hat, her best one, s.n.a.t.c.h up her parasol and gloves, and run downstairs.
Mr. Wilton was going himself to the station to meet his boys.
Ermengarde was always a little afraid of her father. She stepped back now when she saw him, and slightly colored.
”Come, Ermie,” he said good-naturedly, ”jump in! We must be off at once, or we shall not be in time. I suppose you have been a specially good girl this morning, as Miss Nelson has allowed you to come.”
Ermengarde murmured something which her father did not quite hear.
”You have--eh?” he repeated. ”Miss Nelson knows you are coming? It is all right, I suppose?”
”Yes, father,” said Ermengarde. She raised her eyes; then she got into the carriage with a curious sensation of being suddenly very shrunken and small. She was a rebellious, disobedient child, but she had not often sunk to deliberate falsehood.
The drive through the summer country on this delightful afternoon was so invigorating, and Mr. Wilton was so little awe-inspiring, and such a genuinely pleasant, witty, affectionate father that Ermengarde's spirits rose. She forgot her disobedience, that horrible lie which fear had wrung from her lips ceased to trouble her, and she chatted quite gayly to her father.
”Why, Ermie, what a big girl you are growing,” he said presently, ”and how well you express yourself! You will be quite a companion to me when you come out.”
Ermengarde lifted her handsome eyes, They sparkled with pleasure.
”Well, puss, what is it?” said Mr. Wilton.
”Only I do so wish I could come out now.”
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