Part 4 (2/2)
I will write and tell him if--”
”Well, I know he wrote to say that bathing would be very good for you,” said Bunny, ”and mama told Miss Kerr this very morning she was sure it would be. But I tell you, Mervyn, it's only Sophie that is so rough and nasty. One day I went to bathe with Miss Kerr, and it was lovely! She told me when she was going to dip me, and she let me play at the edge, and I took dolly in and I dipped her, and it was such fun.”
”Well, then, I will ask Miss Kerr always to bathe me,” replied Mervyn; ”I should die, I am sure, if I were pushed under the water and could not get my breath.”
”Oh! I was often and often pushed down that way by Sophie, and I didn't die at all; but I kicked and screamed most dreadfully,” cried Bunny; ”but then, mama says I am very strong, and Sophie said last night that you were a misserble creature, so thin and white.”
”Sophie is very rude!” exclaimed Mervyn with a slight flush; ”I am not a miserable creature; I can't help being white; everyone is in India, because it's so hot.”
”That is funny!” cried the little girl, ”for Sophie said all Indians were black, and I thought you would have a little black face like p.u.s.s.y here, only Miss Kerr told me you would be as white as me; but you're whiter, much whiter,” and she laid her small plump pink hand on Mervyn's thin white one.
”I don't like your Sophie,” cried Mervyn impatiently; ”she talks in such a queer way, and she's not half so nice as my dear old Indian nurse. I do wish she had been able to stay in England with me.”
”Oh, I think she was a horrid fright!” cried Bunny, ”with her nasty black face and her dreadful flappy wild dress, and I'm sure n.o.body could understand a word she said.”
”I could,” said Mervyn with a sigh, ”and I liked talking Hindustanee much better than English.”
”But it sounds so silly!” cried Bunny; ”I think it's a great pity people shouldn't always speak English everywhere, for that would be so plain and easy.”
”Well, I would much rather everyone would speak Hindustanee, for that would be much nicer.”
”Oh, dear! I don't think so,” said Bunny; ”and I think you speak English very well.”
”Do you?” said Mervyn, smiling; ”papa did not; and do you know, I can't always think of the right words for things.”
”Oh! just ask me and I will tell you,” replied Bunny jauntily, ”for I never have to think for my words at all.”
”Bunny, dear,” said Mrs. Dashwood from her sofa, ”I think you have nursed that kitten quite long enough; the poor little thing looks very tired. Put it into its basket like a good child.”
”Very well, mama,” answered Bunny, and, jumping up, she ran over to a corner of the room where stood a pretty round basket, which was always used as a snug bed for Miss Puss.
Bunny dropped her pet gently in upon the soft cus.h.i.+on, and after much stroking and tucking up, she stole away on tip-toe to her mother's side.
But p.u.s.s.y was in a playful mood, and as soon as the little girl's back was turned she sprang lightly out of her bed and went scampering gaily round the room.
”Naughty, naughty puss!” cried Bunny laughing, and off she went in pursuit of the runaway.
”Bunny, dear Bunny, I can't bear that noise,” cried Mrs. Dashwood, as her little daughter tumbled over a footstool and knocked down a chair. ”I can't bear it indeed, dear child, so I think you had better go out. Sophie will take you for a walk, as I want Miss Kerr to read to me.”
”Oh, mama! I like Miss Kerr much better than Sophie,” cried Bunny, ”and so does Mervyn. Do let Miss Kerr come.”
”But, Bunny, dear,” said Miss Kerr, ”you would not like poor mama to have no one to read to her, would you? It is so dull for her all day on the sofa by herself. You would not ask me to leave her, would you?”
”Oh! no, no, dear, darling mama, I will not ask Miss Kerr to come, not for a minute!” cried Bunny as, kneeling beside the sofa, she threw her arms round her mother's neck and kissed her vehemently. ”I could not bear to think of you being lonely, mamey dear. But do let us stay here now, and go out in the afternoon with Miss Kerr. Mervyn can't bear Sophie.”
”I am sorry for that, my little man,” said Mrs. Dashwood, drawing the boy towards her; ”Sophie is sharp and quick, but she is very good-natured, I think, so I hope you will try and like her.”
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