Girls of the Forest

nto Verena's face. She shook herself to make sure she was all there; she pinched h

rsey," she said. "You always see the

or better-looking either, with cleaner souls inside of them; but for all that, anybody else"-and here nurse gave a little sort of wink that set Pauline screaming-"anybody else would say that you were a handful. You are a handful, too, to most people. But what I say now is this. You ne

ddenly informed that she was to go indoors while the su

a baby any longer. And you aren't to keep me in the nursery any longer, Verena. And I won't be naug

Penelope was not thought much of as a rule, t

quarter of an hour longer, mig

ed like a good child. Is it me that's to be shortened of my hours of rest by a naugh

f rage, retired into the hous

y," said Pauline. "It's the sort of thing s

said Verena. "Do let's make up

rom the station. I don't mean her to be badly hurt, but I thought she might get just a little bit hurt, so

you know. If mother were alive she would give her a welcome. And then Padre will have to

on the following day a very large and very shabby bedroom was got ready after a fashion for Miss Tredgold's arrival; and John, the sole factotum of the establishment-the man who cleaned the boots and knives, and swept up the avenu

back seat, for it's as much as ever I'll do to bring the lady home in this tumble-down conveyance. Our own is too bad for use, and I had to bo

have a smart, neat carriage ready to take Miss Tredgold back a

iculty about that; we'll get the l

are to touch your hat and say, 'This is the carriage from The Dales.' Be sure you say that, Joh

miss, demeaning the

by hat, whipped up the pony, a

to pass the next two hours? It will t

n she does come?" said Patty. "She'll be awfu

hine. "Dinner! So lat

Aunt Sophia is a fashionable lady, and fashiona

ot a fashionable lady. Fancy starving all that

uddenly said Patty. "

kind of hard, healthy winter-apple. Her legs were fat, and she always wore socks instead of stockings. Her socks were dark blue. Nurse declared that she could not be fashed with putting

d Pauline. "Let's run up to he

, the two girls scamp

oing now? What curious things

ey're for Aunt Sophia's bedroom. I'm go

line. "If you dare to go agai

oked calmly

m all away, and be nastier than you all-yes, muc

looked

t we have never stooped to bribery and corruption yet. Go your own way

and resumed her peregrinati

, returning to her other sisters. "What do you think she i

funny little way. By the way, I wonder if Padre

. "The old dear wants his exer

ope picked her grasses with more determination than ever. Her sm

going to have my own way. I'll love poor Aunt Sophy. Yes, I will. I'll kiss

s they approached. A silvery-white head was bending over a page, and some words in La

k I have got the right lines n

hrough about one line wh

isten to another line-I mean yet. You have go

ardon; who did yo

be here very soon. She's coming in an old cart that belongs to Fa

an obscure passage. I shall write an account of it to the Times. It is a great m

see what we have done for Aunt Sophia. If you don't come she'll burst in here, and she'll stay here, because it's the most comfortable room in the house. And she'll bring h

n you said was coming? Give her some tea and send her away. Do you hear, Verena? Give her t

" said

eyes wer

uli

ugh they were little soldiers obe

Patty, take Padre by the left arm. No

chair by his two vigorous daughters, and then

ss," said Verena, kissing h

lie," said th

se Briar," s

atty," said

"And your Helen," "And your Adelaide,

t you to stand

what on earth does this mean? Penelope, my child, what a hideous bou

otted brisk

red frock, fat

ery nice

. And is my hair

very uprigh

you like my little bl

neat,

ght the

nlike yourself, Penelo

said the little girl. "I am gather

d away int

so fresh, so unsophisticated, so-yes, that is the word-so unworldly. But I must get back to my beloved Virgil. You don't know-you can never know-what a moment of triumph is mine

dre," suddenly said Briar. "If there is a thing I love, it is golden

a little for the

won't be greedy. There isn't room for any one to be greedy in this ho

at it is, Pauline. But

t like a decent Christian, you'll be just prodded-you'll be just shaken.

ly, girls, you are enough to

ing in the old pony cart, and the old pony is struggling with all his might to convey her here. She is com

, poor, parsimonious life; it takes a great deal. A man is not easily roused, nor brought back; but I am back now, d

ore like the owner of The Dales, if yo

help you, Padre?" called

o ladies hovering about my

better be quick, Padr

, loves, th

the jumping and the uncertainty got into the avenue, and came nearer and nearer; and finally the tumble-down pony cart drew up at the house. The p

e a perfectly immaculate traveling dress of dark-gray tweed. It fitted her well-proportioned figure like a glove. She had on a

you kindly mention to some of the lad

, because we all know," said V

ou

retty face grew first red and then pale. What she would have said next will never be known

aid. "How are you, Aunty Sophy

unsightly skirts; their hair was arranged anyhow or not at all; on more than one face appeared traces of recent acquaintance with the earth in the shape of a tumble. One littl

you have the goodness, little girl, to acquaint your father w

, and I'll take you to father's study-s