The Daisy Chain

ta

dventurous co

m long to b

t rove the m

, and, on inquiry, she was told, "Please ma'am, they said they would not come;" so Ethel condemned Granny Ha

hard; "then I need no

ou know I meant

just what will ha

n they had those nice frocks, and those two beautiful eighteen-pe

e reason to prevent th

to-" but here Ethel caught herself up, and began to perceive what a ha

ernoon, and Flora invited the parents to drink tea in the kitchen, and visit L

formation, and the doctor listened with interest, which put Ethel in happy agitation, believing that the moment was come, and Richard seemed to be only waiting for the conc

her from her mood of vexation. It was the story of David, which he told in language scriptural and poetical, so pretty and tender in its simplicity, that she could not choose b

ed, "can you tell me how we may

t giants now

ant," said his

te May-flower,

o fight,"

may be some great thing we have to do: but w

n and th

hem-cure yourself of whining or dawdling, or whatever it be, and mind your sheep well," said he, smiling sweetly in answer to the children's ea

n Cocksmoor, and here I am, not allowed to attack him, because, perhaps, I am

l the rest, was much engrossed with Harry's fate. He came home every day at dinner-time with Norman to ask if Alan Ernes

ere it is, Harry; papa said you were to have it, and consider it well, and let

her hand on his shoulder, "Would you mind my kissing you, dear Harry?" and as he

man begged to know what had b

g to circumstances; but weighing one thing with another, he thought it gave as fair a chance of happiness as other professions, and the discipline and regularity had been very good for

may say of anyth

o more temptation than he must meet with anywhere. That was the reason it

knows Harr

fe at sea; and he thought if it was so with him, Harry was likely to enjoy it more, b

ot think he would; you know he w

irable, and that he believed Hector only wished it from imitation of h

at all like one so near the same age. "He is up to anything, afraid of nothing,

your shadow ever since he could walk. But there's the

e outside the house, and, while he read it, took his

to take together to Bishop Whichcote's school; Norman's heart was very full at the prospect of another vacancy in his home, and Harry's was swelling between the a

wish you were going too. I should n

after June all your life, do you? Yo

irly before him, and told him not to be deterred from choosing what he thought would be for the best by an

rry to say, in a stifled voice, "I did not think y

aid at length; "I should not let you see this, if it did not happen at a time when I can't command myself as I ought. If you were an only son, it might be your duty to stay; being one of many, 'tis n

but he was collecting his energie

-aye, and your mother's too, go with you! Now then," after a pause, "go and call Richard. I want him to write to Ernescliffe about that naval schoo

ed his trust that it would pass through the school as free from

or again, and she accomplished another walk there with Richard, Flo

nd she represented herself as using the most frightful threats, if they would not go to school. Breaking every bone in their skin was the

might be either ironical or simple, "if you served them so, t

ear them; it's only the way one must talk to childr

, ay, that they have, the lasses-they be sharp enough for anything, that they be. Why, when I tell little Jenny that there's

t suppose you were to try for once, really punishing them w

to take the stick to them; they'

grandmother, and came ou

t do you think they will do as they grow older, if

f Sam. There was certainly a charm in her manners, for Ethel forgot her charge of ingratitude, the other sisters were perfectly taken

rl in her hand, and arrested them with a low curtsey, and not a very pleasant voice, addressing

I have got a little girl here, and I want to s

about here on the heath, she

of shoes, I'd send her in a minute. I want her to get some learning; as I am always saying, I'd never keep her away, if I had but got the clothes to send he

e?" said Richard,

but I'd never have set foot in it if I had known what a dark heathenish place it is, wi

r boots, but Flora silenced her by a squeeze of the hand,

ill be admitted into the club; I will recommend her if she has a good character and comes regularly. Good

!" was Ethel'

y, "why would you not let me g

e is good and comes t

t you do with your boots," said Richa

aid. "If I approve, Mar

lora," said Ethel; "I did not

d Flora; and at least it will do the child good; but I

t place," said Ethel; "if it were,

t of what she had undertaken. She knew there would be evil, but

, nor the guard over her lion and bear, which her own good feeling, aided by Margaret'

or to sit straight on her chair, that it was like winding up a steam-engine to thread a needle; yet the wo

character for energy and excellence was established, believing it herself, and looking back on her childish vanity and love of