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I knew he was coming home to-night, though aunts won't let us sit up, as he said we should. But I will! I'll lie awake, if it's till twelve o'clock, and call him as he passes the nursery door." "You forget," said Titia, drawing herself up with a womanly air, "papa will not be alone now. He may not care to come to you now he has got Mrs. Grey." "Mrs. Grey!"
"I can't be rude to her very face," I answered lamely. Just then one of the "buttons" handed me a telegram. I tore open the yellow envelope and read the sheet, still damp from the copy-press. It ran: "Titia declares war. Detail as attaché open. If desired report at headquarters immediately. Hennecker relieves you in morning. Answer." I tossed it over to Courtney.
Phillis had discovered her absence, and had punished her; not with whipping, that was forbidden, but with some of the innumerable nursery tyrannies which Phillis called government. And Titia evidently thought, with the suspiciousness of all weak, cowed creatures, that Mrs. Grey must have had some hand in it that she had broken her promise, and betrayed her to this punishment.
This was the sort of thing that had gone on or would have gone on if not discovered with the little Fergusons. "Are you sure of this, Arthur? If so, I must ring for Phillis at once." "Oh don't please don't. Phillis will on'y fly into a passion and beat her poor Titia! I'm very sorry I told of her. I wouldn't be a sneak if I could help it." "My dear boy!" said Christian, fondly.
'Arabian Nights? Then sit and read it quietly till you go to bed. Good-night, my dear." She kissed her, which was always a slight effort; it was hard work loving Titia, who was so cold and prim, and unchildlike, with so little responsiveness in her nature. "I hope all is safe for today," thought Christian, anxiously, and determined to speak to Titia's father the first opportunity.
You know very well how much your Aunt 'Titia objects to your running around in a storm in this outlandish way!" "Oh, but Aunt 'Liza, it's not storming yet. Just thundering a little," pleaded Arethusa. "Please let me stay out until it really begins. Please! I'll come right in then. I promise. Please!" "Arethusa!"
Oh, let me run let me run." The child's terror was so uncontrollable that there was nothing for it but to yield; and she fled. "Titia! Titia!" called out her father. "Christian, what is the matter? What was my little girl crying for?" There was no avoiding the domestic catastrophe, even had Christian wished to avoid it, which she did not.
But she did come in just as soon as she remembered it. She...." "You needn't say all that stuff, Timothy Jarvis," interrupted Arethusa, angrily, "I reckon I can tell Aunt 'Liza anything I want, without you butting in. I'm sorry about Aunt 'Titia, Aunt 'Liza, I truly am, and I'll go right straight and tell her so; but...." "That will do, Arethusa," interrupted Miss Eliza, in her turn.
Sometimes you seem to me to be absolutely lacking in any finer sensibilities; especially in consideration for others. And you behave just like a child!" "Oh, Miss 'Liza," interposed Timothy, "please don't jack Arethusa up so hard! I know she didn't mean to make Miss 'Titia ill. She loves a storm herself, so much, that she doesn't always remember that other people are afraid of them.
She is Miss Bennett Titia's governess. "Governess a nice governess! Why, she hardly teaches her a bit. They were chattering the whole time; and I heard them plan to meet in Walnut-tree Court at five o'clock every evening, and go for a walk with a gentleman a kind gentleman, who would give Titia as many sweet things as ever she could eat." Mrs. Grey stood aghast.
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