Volume I Part 31 (2/2)
Poor Fleda! She had got more than she could bear. She jumped up, and ran down into the cabin; and in her berth Mrs.
Carleton found her some time afterwards, quietly crying, and most sorry to be discovered. She was exceeding unwilling to tell what had troubled her. Mrs. Carleton, really distressed, tried coaxing, soothing, reasoning, promising, in a way the most gentle and kind that she could use.
”Oh, it's nothing ? it's nothing,” Fleda said, at last, eagerly; ”it's because I am foolish ? it's only something they said to me.”
”Who, love?”
Again was Fleda most unwilling to answer, and it was after repeated urging that she at last said ?
”Cousin Charlton and Mr. Thorn.”
”Charlton and Mr. Thorn! What did they say? What did they say, darling Fleda?”
”Oh, it's only that they tease me,” said Fleda, trying hard to put an end to the tears which caused all this questioning, and to speak as if they were about a trifle. But Mrs. Carleton persisted.
”What do they say to tease you, love? What is it about? Guy, come in here, and help me to find out what is the matter with Fleda.”
Fleda hid her face in Mrs. Carleton's neck, resolved to keep her lips sealed. Mr. Carleton came in, but to her great relief his question was directed not to her but his mother.
”Fleda has been annoyed by something those young men, her cousin and Mr. Thorn, have said to her; they tease her, she says, and she will not tell me what it is.”
Mr. Carleton did not ask, and he presently left the state- room.
”Oh, I am afraid he will speak to them!” exclaimed Fleda, as soon as he was gone. ”Oh, I oughtn't to have said that!”
Mrs. Carleton tried to soothe her, and asked what she was afraid of. But Fleda would not say any more. Her anxious fear that she had done mischief helped to dry her tears, and she sorrowfully resolved she would keep her griefs to herself next time.
Rossitur and Thorn were in company with a brother officer, and friend of the latter, when Mr. Carleton approached them.
”Mr. Rossitur and Mr. Thorn,” said he, ”you have indulged yourselves in a style of conversation extremely displeasing to the little girl under my mother's care. You will oblige me by abandoning it for the future.”
There was certainly in Mr. Carleton's manner a sufficient degree of the cold haughtiness with which he usually expressed. Displeasure, though his words gave no other cause of offence. Thorn retorted rather insolently.
”I shall oblige myself in the matter, and do as I think proper.”
”I have a right to speak as I please to my own cousin,” said Rossitur, sulkily, ”without asking anybody's leave. I don't see what you have to do with it.”
”Simply that she is under my protection, and that I will not permit her to be annoyed.”
”I don't see how she is under your protection,” said Rossitur.
”And I do not see how the potency of it will avail in this case,” said his companion.
”Neither position is to be made out in words,” said Mr.
Carleton, calmly. ”You see that I desire there be no repet.i.tion of the offence, the rest I will endeavour to make clear, if I am compelled to it.”
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