Part 16 (2/2)

”Oh Eve-my dear Miss Evelyn-my treasure!” said the afflicted woman.

”Yes, Jasper?” said Evelyn then. ”It is an awful nuisance.”

”A nuisance! Is that all you have got to say?”

Evelyn rubbed her eyes.

”I won't submit, of course,” she said. ”No, I won't submit for a minute.

But, Jasper, I must have some breakfast; I am too hungry for anything.

Perhaps you had better take all my darling, lovely clothes; and if you have to go, Jasper, I'll-I'll never forget you; but I'll talk to you more about it when I have had something to eat.”

Evelyn turned and left the room. She was in an ugly dress, beyond doubt, but in her neat black shoes and stockings, and with her fair hair tied back according to Lady Frances's directions, she looked rather more presentable than she had done the previous day. She entered the breakfast-room. The remains of a meal still lay upon the table. Evelyn looked impatiently round. Surely some one ought to appear-a servant at the very least! Hot tea she required, hot coffee, dishes nicely cooked and tempting and fresh. The little girl went to the bell and rang it. A footman appeared.

”Get my breakfast immediately,” said Evelyn.

The man withdrew, endeavoring to hide a smile. Evelyn's conduct in daring to defy Lady Frances had been the amus.e.m.e.nt of the servants' hall that morning. The man went to the kitchen premises now with the announcement that ”miss” had come to her senses.

”She is as white as a sheet, and looks as mad as a hatter,” said the man; ”but her spirit ain't broke. My word! she 'ave got a will of her own. 'My breakfast, immediate,' says she, as though she were the lady of the manor.”

”Which she will be some day,” said cook; ”and I 'ates to think of it.

Our beautiful Miss Audrey supplanted by the like of her. There, Johnson!

my missus said that Miss Wynford was to have quite a plain breakfast, so take it up-do.”

Toast, fresh tea, and one solitary new-laid egg were placed on a tray and brought up to the breakfast-room.

Evelyn sat down without a word, poured herself out some tea, ate every crumb of toast, finished her egg, and felt refreshed. She had just concluded her meal when Audrey, accompanied by Arthur Jervice, ran into the room.

”Oh, I say, Evelyn,” cried Audrey, ”you are the very person that we want. We are getting up charades for to-night; will you join us?”

”Yes, do, please,” said Arthur. ”And we are most anxious that Sylvia should join too.”

”I wish I knew her address,” said Audrey. ”She is such a mystery! Mother is rather disturbed about her. I am afraid, Arthur, we cannot have her to-night; we must manage without.-But will you join us, Evelyn? Do you know anything about acting?”

”I have never acted, but I have seen plays,” said Evelyn. ”I am sure I can manage all right. I'll do my best if you will give me a big part. I won't take a little part, for it would not be suitable.”

Audrey colored and laughed.

”Well, come, anyway, and we will do our best for you,” she said. ”Have you finished your breakfast? The rest of us are in my schoolroom. You have not been introduced to it yet. Come if you are ready; we are all waiting.”

After her miserable morning, Evelyn considered this an agreeable change.

She had intended to go up-stairs to comfort Jasper, but really and truly Jasper must wait. She accordingly went with her cousin, and was welcomed by all the children, who pitied her and wanted to make her as much at home as possible. A couple of charades were discussed, and Evelyn was thoroughly satisfied with the _role_ a.s.signed her. She was a clever child enough, and had some powers of mimicry. As the different arrangements were being made she suddenly remembered something, and uttered a cry.

”Oh dear!” she said-”oh dear! What a pity!”

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