Part 30 (2/2)

She paced up and down the yard in a state of rapture at her conquest over these fierce animals. Then she whispered something to Sylvia, who in her turn whispered to Mrs. Miles, who in her turn whispered to Ben; the result of which was that three wicker chairs were brought from the house, Betty and her sisters seated themselves, and the dogs sprawled in ecstasy at their side.

”Oh, we are happy!” said Betty. ”Mrs. Miles, was your heart ever very starvingly empty?”

”Times, maybe,” said Mrs. Miles, who had gone, like most of her s.e.x, through a chequered career.

”And weren't you glad when it got filled up to the brim again?”

”That I was,” said Mrs. Miles.

”My heart was a bit starved this morning,” said Betty; ”but it feels full to the brim now. Please, dear, good Mrs. Miles, leave us five alone together. Go all of you away, and let us stay alone together.”

”Meanin' by that you three ladies and them dogs?”

”Yes, that is what I mean.”

The farmer bent and whispered something to his wife, the result of which was that a minute later Betty and her sisters were alone with the animals. They did not know, however, that the farmer had hidden himself in the big barn ready to spring out should ”them fierce uns,” as he termed the animals, become refractory. Then began an extraordinary scene. Betty whispered in the dogs' ears, and they grovelled at her feet. Then she sang a low song to them; and they stood upright, quivering with rapture. The two girls kept behind Betty, who was evidently the first in the hearts of these extraordinary dogs.

”I could teach them no end of tricks. They could be almost as lively and delightful as Andrew and Fritz,” said Betty, turning to her sisters.

”Oh yes,” they replied. Then Sylvia burst out crying.

”Silly Sylvia! What is the matter?” said Betty.

”It's only that I didn't know my heart was hungry until--until this very minute,” said Sylvia. ”Oh, it is awful to live in a house without dogs!”

”I have felt that all along,” said Betty. ”But I suppose, after a fas.h.i.+on, we've got to endure. Oh do stop crying, Sylvia! Let's make the most of a happy time.”

The culmination of that happy time was when Mrs. Miles appeared on the scene, accompanied by four little children--two very pretty little girls, dressed in white, their short sleeves tied up with blue ribbons for the occasion; and two little boys a year or two older.

”These be the twinses,” said Mrs. Miles. ”These two be Moses and Ephraim, and these two be Deborah and Anna. The elder of the twinses are Moses and Ephraim, and the younger Deborah and Anna. Now, then children, you jest drop your curtsies to the young ladies, and say you are glad to see them.”

”But, indeed, they shall do nothing of the kind,” said Betty. ”Oh, aren't they the sweetest darlings! Deborah, I must kiss you. Anna, put your sweet little arms round my neck.”

The children were in wild delight, for all children took immediately to Betty. But, lo and behold! one of the dogs gave an ominous growl. Was not his idol devoting herself to some one else? In one instant the brute might have sprung upon poor little Deborah had not Betty turned and laid her hand on his forehead. Instantly he gave a sound between a groan and a moan, and crouched at her feet.

”There! I never!” said Mrs. Miles. ”You be a reg'lar out-and-out lion-tamer, miss.”

”I'm getting more and more hungry every minute,” said Betty. ”Will--will tea be ready soon, Mrs. Miles?”

”I was coming out to fetch you in, my loves.”

The whole party then migrated to the kitchen, which was ornamented especially for the occasion. The long center-table was covered with a snowy cloth, and on it were spread all sorts of appetizing viands--great slabs of honey in the comb, cakes of every description, hot griddle-cakes, scones, m.u.f.fins, cold chicken, cold ham, and the most delicious jams of every variety. Added to these good things was a great bowl full of Devons.h.i.+re cream, which Mrs. Miles had made herself from a well-known Devons.h.i.+re recipe that morning.

”Oh, but doesn't this look good!” said Betty. She sat down with a twin girl at each side of her, and with a dog resting his head on the lap of each of the twins, and their beseeching eyes fixed on Betty's face.

”I ha' got a treat for 'em afterwards, missie,” said Mrs. Miles; ”two strong beef-bones. They shall eat 'em, and they'll never forget you arter that.”

Betty became so lively now that at a whispered word from Sylvia she began to tell stories--by no means the sort of stories she had told at the Specialities' entertainment, but funny tales, sparkling with wit and humor--tales quite within the comprehension of her intelligent but unlearned audience. Even the farmer roared with laughter, and said over and over to his wife, as he wiped the tears of enjoyment from his eyes, ”Well, that do cap all!”

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