United States or United Arab Emirates ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"But there's nice work and nasty work," said Pennie; "now, to write books that must be splendid!" "I should hate it," said Nancy. "I'd much rather dig potatoes, or make chairs and tables." "Girls can't do that sort of work," remarked Ambrose, who was sitting in the window-seat with a book. "Girls can't do many things. They're not brave enough, or strong enough, or clever enough.
Nancy soon joined Pennie, and the little girls became so absorbed in their play that they were still busy when tea-time came; they hurried down-stairs to the schoolroom, for Miss Grey was particular about punctuality, and found that David and Ambrose were already seated, each with his own special mug at his side; mother was in the room too, talking to Miss Grey about an open letter which she held in her hand.
"I don't believe I ever was so glad of anything in all my life," said Nancy. She was sitting with Pennie in a favourite place of theirs, a broad window-seat at the end of a passage which looked out on the garden. It was a snug private sort of corner, and when they had any particular bit of work, or any matter they wished to talk over without the boys, it was always their habit to retire there.
Pennie was looking dreamily round the sitting-room with all its old familiar objects. She wondered where Kettles' clothes, which she had left on the side-table, had been put. What a long time it seemed since she had sat sewing in that high-backed chair!
Pennie could see that Ambrose's eyes were very wide open, with a terrified stare as if he saw something dreadful, and he was clinging tightly with one hand to his father's coat. "So I went into the corner and moved away a harp which was standing there, and what do you think I saw? This little fluffy gentleman just waked up from a nap, and making a great fuss and flapping.
Miss Unity hardly knew herself and felt quite uncertain what she might do next, and down what unknown paths she might find herself hurrying. In spite, however, of some fatigue and a sense of confusion in the head, she sat down to tea in a cheerful and even triumphant spirit. Pennie, too, had a great deal to think over after she had written to Nancy, and made a careful entry in her diary.
She put the mandarin on the mantel-piece and carefully balanced the broken head on his shoulders. "He looks as well as ever," she said; "no one would guess he was broken." "But he is," replied Pennie; "and even if he can be mended I don't suppose he'll ever nod like he used to." "Are you going to tell her we broke him?" asked Ethelwyn after a short pause. Pennie stared.
"If Miss Grey gives leave," he said, "you can meet me at two o'clock at the corner of the road. And, of course, the boys are to come too." "And Pennie," added Nancy. In her excitement she stood up on the bar of the gate as though she meant to fling herself upon the doctor's neck, but checking this impulse she climbed down and held out her hand to him.
"I should like to be cabin-boy," said Ethelwyn. But here the limit of endurance was reached, for Dickie grasped her little properties tightly and refused to give up office. "Me will be cabin-boy," was all she said when Pennie tried to persuade her. "You see she's so little," said the latter apologetically to Ethelwyn, "there's no other part she can take, and she likes the pail and broom so."
Beckoning to Nancy, who stood with the rest on the rectory steps, he lifted a solemn finger. "Remember!" he said. Nancy nodded, the wagonette drove away followed by wavings, and good-byes, and shrieking messages from the children, and was soon out of sight. "That was like Charles the First," said Pennie; "don't you remember just before they cut off his head "
Word Of The Day