The Children of Wilton Chase

engarde. "I won't do

you sayi

had been talking half to herself; she now turned quickly round,

know you were listening. I had

, Ermie? Who is the p

rows. Her small, shrewd, sensi

lways poking your finger into everyone's pie. Leave mine alone. I don't want you to meddl

I don't cry. I th

n a shabby brown hat, and prepared to leave the room. When sh

comes home--

re's that child gone to? I do think Marjorie is a perfect nuisance. I don't see anything good in her. Paul Pry, I call her. Paul Pry, and a little busy-body. I suppose she'll go and make up to Miss Nelson now, and tell her what I've said. No, though, that isn't like her. She does try to stick up for one. Poor little plain mite. Well, I don't intend to obey Miss Nelson, Marjorie or n

-school boys, were coming home. The whole house, that is the nursery and schoolroom part of the house, were in a flutter of expectation and excitement. Nothing ever disturbed the other end of Wilton Chase, where father and Aunt Eli

de was completely mistress, but she did not object to Marjorie's company, for Marjorie was very plodding and useful a

overbearing manner. She thought a great deal more highly of herself than she ought, and

at she was not to go in the carriage to meet her brothers at the railway station. The little girl had

wn to the seashore, accompanied by two or three of the children, she imagined that Er

orced to punish Ermengarde. She is not to go to meet your brothers; but would you-only, my dear child, you do look

rie. "There's my brown Holland overall, and H

e wistful, eager express

ad better no

my dear

t complain of her sister, but to sit by and witne

r her breath. "I wish I hadn't got honest eyes; Ermi

ou going, or are you n

Nurse says Bob is sure to have another teething fit, so of course

please yourself," answ

id it was her way, and all the people with whom she came in contact to

for another moment, and then going over to the fireplace rang a bell. In a few mi

p me to dress," said Ermengarde. "And give directio

the young gentlemen

es

miss, for Macnab is bring

, but she had only time to put on a shady hat, her best

ys. Ermengarde was always a little afraid of her father. S

once, or we shall not be in time. I suppose you have been a special

mething which her fath

iss Nelson knows you are comin

ge with a curious sensation of being suddenly very shrunken and small. She was a

spiring, and such a genuinely pleasant, witty, affectionate father that Ermengarde's spirits rose. She forgot her disobedi

id presently, "and how well you express yourself! Yo

handsome eyes, They

hat is it?" sa

wish I could

ow old

n-really

ghteen is a better age, but as your poor mother is not

do hate Aun

e exactly like me. I was awfully headstrong in my time. Your aunt is an excellent woman. I wonde

me take care of your house

a chit

you will, father. I sho

nab, don't force the horses up this steep bit. Well, puss, what a

dearly! I'd send Aunt Eliz

household I'd be

h you would no

asm. Now a sudden look of tenderness came into his dark eyes. He turne

ere alive, all would be different. Well, child, well, I'll see what can be done when the time comes; I want you to help me, of course, w

eated Ermeng

there come my scamps. Well, Basil, here you are, sir-and Master Eric, too! Sorry to be home, eh? I make no doubt

s, gov-father, I

governor' me-I like the old-fashioned word best. So

errets," chimed in Eric, a small boy with a

art here, fathe

ly coach. A cart ought to be somewhere round

I had better walk home with the ferrets. They might

eat, and jump in, lads. Do you see Erm

ick your legs well out in front

in his big brown hand. Basil's squeeze signified a good deal, and

to have a time! How are all the others? How's Maggie? Are you

's face fl

holidays. Lessons all the morning, and the afternoons with you. I do call it a shame! It's Aunt El

nto if I did [sotto voce].-I make no doubt, Ermie, it's a very wise arrangement, and you

his way out. He is a stunner, sir; why, he killed-Ermie, keep your legs away-he has teeth like razors, s

r seat. She felt slightly

he said. "And you have no sympathy, n

" interrupted Basi

out his hand and

ees? Did you make a good sale of the honey? I want to buy

the exploits of his favorite ferret, and the prodigious feats of prowess performed by a certain pouter-pigeon of rare lineage.