Girls of the Forest

devoid of all those things which she, as a refined lady, considered essential. The beautiful old silver spoons were dirty, and several of them bent almost out of recognition. A like fate

s had been long abol

appearance than their elder sister, for each had on a somewhat shabbier frock, a little more old-fashioned and more outgrown. As to Mr. Dale, it had been necessary to remind him at least three times

e Aunt Sophia's in the fashion books. Aunt Sophia's hair in particular absorbed the attention of four of her nieces. How had she managed to turn it into so many rolls and spirals and twists? How did she manage the wavy short hair on her forehead? It seemed to sit quite tight to her hea

as a rule never required attendance at meals. On this occasion it was supposed to be essenti

you certain sure don't. Because you looked pretty and a bit coaxing I gave up Miss Dunstable and the Dook of Mauleverer-Wolverhampt

th age, for they ought to have been eaten at least a week ago. The lamb was terribly underdone, and the mint sauce was like no mint sauce that Miss Tredgold had ever dreamed of. The pudding which followed was a pudding that only Betty knew the recipe for, and that recipe was certainly not likely to be

en to sniff twice, and was found to be observing the coffee as though he were a moth approaching a candle. H

will remind you of those occasions.-And now, children, I introduce you to 'Open sesame;' and I hope, my dear niece

e, and each pronounced it the n

to the garden. She invited Vere

g that, even if I did not do so, you would discuss me all the same. I am quite aware that you all hate me for the present, but I do not think this s

nd at the seven girls left in the dining-room, and the seven

"We want to talk over many things. But before we

erena in her

r aunt suddenly,

n," sai

ch to be transformed from a little savage into a lady. The question I now want to ask you is: Do you prefer to remain a savage all your days, uneducated, uncultured, your wi

uit each other, and we like The Dales just as it is. Yes, w

edgold

telling me. I know it by your face. You are naturally gentle, courteous, and kind. You are easy to manage. You are also the most important of all to be brought ro

Sophia. I know, of course, you mea

t you in the disgraceful stat

consider it dis

would rath

. After a mom

and I don't wish to be unkind

please, Aunt Soph

e her. Her face became a little pin

or instance, to degenerate into what it is likely to do in your case, Verena, is distinctly wicked. To allow you to sink when you might rise is sinful. To allow you to be selfish when you might be unselfish is also wrong. Your talents, and the talents of Pauline, and the talents of your other sisters must be cultivated and brought to the fore. I want to tell you now, my dear girls, that for years I have longed to help you; that since your mother's death you have scarcely ever been out of my mind. But circumstances over which I had no control kept me away from you. At last I am free, a

white; her big brown

y; we don't mind being savages, and it is untrue that we are selfish. We are not. Each would give up anything, I thin

said Miss Tredgold. "And now, to start matters

phia. It would not interest you

ife of misrule, I should take umbrage at your remark, bu

and lose ourselves in the Forest, and gather wild strawberries and wild flowers, and watch the squirrels, and climb the beech-trees. When it is fine we spend the whole day out, just coming back for meals,

"We do what we like,

in my way. I hope you will not dislike my way; but wh

gly sorry to seem rude, but I really want to know. Father, of course, has author

have no authority, and I cannot act fairly by you until I have. Now, my dear girls, please understand that before I go to bed to-night I get that authority. I shall get it m writing, too, so that you can none

from Aunt Sophia's. She ran

e all the things you are saying, Aunt Sophia. You can't look into our hearts, and although you are clever, you can't know all about us. Why shouldn't we be

to desert you. Now I am going into the house. You can d

ld and dilapidated house. When she reached t

ly girls to their fate. But no-I seem to see my sister's eyes, to hear her voice. I can so well understand what she would really want me to do. I owe

The moon was rising in a silvery bow in the

But this is summer-time, and in summer-time one puts up with discomforts for the sake of air like this. But what about winter? I have no doubt they have scarcely any fires, and the hous

wing curtains, or shutting windows. Miss Tredgold stumbled as she walked. Presently she found that she had wandered in the neighborhood of the kitchen. She had no intention of

y one inside

o the gloom she saw in the farthest corner something that resembled the stout form of a woman, whose legs rested on one ch

gold, "but I have come for a light. Will yo

't none in

and the angry face of

the one you yourself are using. I must h

mmer. This one I bought with my own money, and I

ressing t

never it's done at all. You may gather from my words, ma'am, that I have a deal to do, so I'll thank you to walk out of my kitchen; for if I am resting after

t nine o'clock, and there must be plenty of good food. Do you mean to say that you have not got food in the house? You can, I presume, send out for it. Here is a

oney. If it was put into his hand by any chance, he spent it on books. Betty's wages were terribly in arrears. She wanted her wages, but she was too generous, with all her faults, to press for them. But, all the same, the touch of the gold in her hand was distinctly soothing, and

ant some things here. I'll get what I can, although the notic

aid Miss

'm a bit confused. I'm reading a most wonderful account

r heard

he governess-ship to the ducal chair. My head is full of Her Grace, ma'am, and you'll excuse me if I didn't rightly know to who

on your side. I have come here meaning to stay, and in future there will be a complete change in this establishment. You will receive good wages, paid on the day t

ing as the doocal romance.-Well, ma'am, I'm of