Part 21 (1/2)

”You're a greater,” snapped Eric. ”Who cried yesterday when the ant stung him, and who would eat too much plumcake?”

d.i.c.k looked inclined to cry again, and Molly laughed maliciously.

Altogether the atmosphere was charged with electricity, and the entrance of Ermengarde, her face considerably disfigured with the scar she had received when she fell the night before, was hailed with naughty delight by the children.

A torrent of questions a.s.sailed her. Had she fought with Marjorie in the night, and had Marjorie come off victorious? Oh, brave Marjorie, to dare to a.s.sail the acknowledged beauty of the family! What _had_ happened to Ermie? Surely she had not inflicted the wound on herself?

Basil was seated in his usual place near the head of the table. He had scarcely heard the little scrimmage of words which was going on on all sides. Basil was in a brown study, and, as Eric expressed it, as cross as a bear with a sore head.

When Ermengarde entered the room, he glanced at her for a second; but contrary to his wont, he took no notice when the children began to laugh and gibe.

Ermengarde's place beside Basil was empty. She seated herself, and as the children continued to make remarks and to laugh, turned her head impatiently away. Their quips affected her in reality only as pin-p.r.i.c.ks, but she was very much afraid that Miss Nelson would notice the disfiguring cut on her brow.

”Do be quiet, children,” said Marjorie. ”Eric, can't you see that Ermie has a headache? Can't you keep them from making so much noise, Eric?”

”Quiet then, young 'uns,” said Eric. ”Can't you see that the Prime Minister of her Royal Highness has uttered a mandate?”

The children laughed noisily, and at that moment Miss Nelson, who had been absorbed over the contents of a particularly interesting letter, raised her head with a start.

”Gently, little ones! What is all this noise about?” she said. ”Molly and d.i.c.k, you must have breakfast with nurse, if you can't behave better in the schoolroom. Good-morning, Ermengarde, my dear. I am sorry I shall be obliged to give you a bad mark for being late at breakfast. Why, my dear child,” changing her note to one of concern, ”what has happened to you? You have got quite an ugly scar your forehead. How did you get it?”

”I fell,” said Ermengarde, in a low voice.

”You fell--where?”

Ermengarde felt that Basil had ceased to use his knife and fork, while he listened for her reply. She seized a cup of scalding tea, and choked over its contents.

”Where did you fall my dear?” asked the governess kindly.

”Please, ma'am, Ermengarde and Maggie had a stand-up fight in the middle of the night,” interrupted Eric. ”Oh, my stars!” he added, _sotto voce_, ”if fight and night ain't a rhyme made unbeknown. Now I can wish.”

”Shut up!” growled Basil.

”Eric, be quiet,” said the governess.

She turned again to Ermengarde. Her manner was very gentle.

”Where did you fall, dear?” she said, ”You have given yourself a very nasty cut, and should have come to me for some dressing for it. But where did it happen, my love?”

”In the park,” said Ermengarde, in a low voice. ”I fell over a bramble and cut myself.”

”I never saw you fall, Ermie,” said Marjorie. ”Was it when we all had that race, just when the fireworks were over? How brave of you not to make a fuss! it must have been then.”

”You don't look well, dear,” continued the governess. ”Your eyes have red rings round them, and you are paler than such a healthy little girl ought to be. Have you a headache?”

”Yes,” confessed Ermengarde. She could at least be truthful here, for her head ached considerably.

”You shall have some of my eau de Cologne to use if you like, darling,” whispered Marjorie.

”Now, children,” said Miss Nelson, rising from the breakfast-table, and making one of those prim little speeches which Ermengarde detested, ”having had our day of pleasure, we will return with greater zest to our usual employments. Little ones, go quietly up to nurse. No noise, please. Leave the breakfast-room hand in hand. Boys, I must request of you not to disturb your sisters with any hammering or noisy carpentering this morning.”