Part 23 (1/2)

”Well, I won't be dismal any more to-night, if I can help it. Davie, take Polly, and, mamma, lie down on the sofa and rest while I make the tea. Jem, you shall help me by making up the fire. We will all have tea to-night, because I am a visitor.”

”All right!” said Jem. ”Anything to please all round; and the hot tea will cool us nicely, won't it?”

”It will refresh us at any rate.”

And so the little cloud pa.s.sed away, and Violet's cheerfulness lasted through the rest of the visit, and up to the moment that she bade Jem good-bye at Mr Oswald's gate. It did not last much longer, however.

It was nearly dark, and Mr Oswald and his sister and Frank were sitting on the lawn to catch the faint breeze that was stirring among the chestnut trees.

”I thought you were not coming home to-night,” said Miss Livy, in an aggrieved tone.

”I was detained,” said Violet. ”How are the children?”

”They are in bed at last. You should not have told them that you would be home before their bed-time, unless you had intended to come.

However, they are in bed now. Pray don't go and disturb them again.

Philip had to go to them at last. He is up-stairs now. They are dreadfully spoiled.”

Violet dropped down in the nearest chair.

”How are the children at home?” asked Mr Oswald, kindly.

”They are--not better.”

”I hope they are not spoiled,” said Frank, laughing. ”Did they cry when you came away, Violet?”

”They were rather fretful. They are not strong.”

”You are not very well yourself, to-night,” said Mr Oswald. ”The change will do you as much good as any of them.”

”I am quite well,” said Violet.

”We have been speaking about sending the girls to the country for a change of air,” went on Mr Oswald. ”Will you go with them? Betsey will go too, of course, but they will scarcely be happy without you, and the change will do you good.”

”Thank you. You are very kind. But the children need me at home. I could not think of leaving mamma while they are so poorly to go away for pleasure.”

”It would not be quite all pleasure, I fancy,” said Mr Philip. ”They are asleep at last. It cannot be a very easy thing to keep them amused all day, as they are just now.”

”They are quite spoiled,” said Aunt Livy.

”Oh! no. Not quite. They are good little things in general, as children go. You can't judge now, aunt,” said Philip. ”Miss Inglis, are you not a little dismal to-night?”

”So Jem told me. I am tired. I think I shall say good-night and go up-stairs.”

”It should be settled at once about the children, where they are to go, and who is to go with them,” said Aunt Livy.

”There is no haste,” said Mr Oswald. ”Perhaps the children at home may be better able to spare you in a day or two, Miss Violet.”

”Thank you. It would be very pleasant, but--”

”Why not send all together?” said Philip. ”Ned and Jessie and wee Polly, with Charlotte and Sarah? I dare say they would all be better of a change, poor little souls!”