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"It's a `got-to, I suppose! It would be playing it pretty low down, to land you with the worry of nursing me, and keeping Poppar quiet at the other end of the world. But you wouldn't expect me to drive about with one of those fool-creatures from the livery stable taking care of me, as if I were a kiddy? No, sir! I don't see myself coming down to that level yet awhile!
Then there's the jeweller he must be warned in the same way, and the necklace returned. I presume you don't want to keep it." Cornelia shuddered. "Oh, no. I could never wear it. But when Poppar comes over I'll make him buy me something else instead. Mr Marchant shan't lose! I guess I'd better drive there straight away, and then to the bank.
"Then you're another!" cried Cornelia, laughing through her tears. "You're as bad as I am, so you can't preach! She's gone anyway, and I'm glad! We got the necklace, and for the rest, I'll just have to pay up, and look pleasant. Poppar says you've got to pay for experience in this world. I'll tell him I concluded I'd better learn it pretty thoroughly, once I'd started. He won't mind."
In moments of friction her American accent was even more strongly marked than usual, which fact was not calculated to soften her aunt's irritation, "Poppar had me taught to say a thing and stick to it, no matter how I suffered. I've said I won't go, and I won't not if all the old ladies in Christendom were to come and howl at the door!
I just love to carry on, and have half-a-dozen boys quarrelling over me, and hustling to get the first chance. I've had as many as ten bouquets before a ball, and I wore an eleventh, which I'd gotten for myself, and they were all clean crazed to find out who'd sent it. Poppar says I'll be an old maid yet, but it won't be for want of asking.
I love prancing round and having a good time. Poppar says the boys spoil me; there's always a crowd of them hanging round, ready to do everything I want, and to send me flowers and bon-bons. I'm just crazed on bonbons! My state-room was piled full of bouquets and chocolates coming over. I had more than any other girl on board!" Miss Briskett's lips tightened ominously.
But no! not even a drop had fallen into the saucer, and there sat Cornelia nibbling at an undamaged sandwich with little, strong, white teeth, as cool and composed as if such feats were of everyday occurrence. "This is how I sit by Poppar at home; it's more sociable than right across the room. Poppar and I are just the greatest chums, and I hate it when he's away.
"Sit down straight away and write a letter I can show round, summoning me home by the first boat! You can call it an `urgent crisis. It's as true as taxes, though not in the way they take it. I've got to run, and that's all there is to it. Our jaunt must wait till another day. You must comfort me, Poppar, you and America! Your lonesome, Cornelia."
"See here, Cornelia!" she cried suddenly, "I mayn't have another chance of talking to you quietly before you go, and there's something I want to say. ... You are young, and rich, and pretty, and strong, and you've had a good time all the way through. Your Poppar spoils you, and you've got just to wish for a thing, and it's there right along.
I've been used to going my own way ever since I was short-coated, and it wasn't hankering to be put back into leading-strings that brought me across the ocean. Poppar trusts me, and that's enough for me. You've got a right to boss your own home, but where I'm concerned your authority don't spread one inch beyond the gate.
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