"Oh, I say, Esther, that's too bad, really! All the fellows at
school have been." Pip's handsome face flushed angrily. "And for
such a little thing, too!"
"Just because you had roast fowl for dinner," said Judy, in a
half-choked voice. "Oh, Esther, why couldn't you have had cow,
or horse, or hippopotamus--anything but roast fowl?"
"Couldn't you get round him, Esther?" Meg looked anxiously at
her.
"Dear Esther, do!"
"Oh, you sweet, beautiful Essie, do try!"
They clung round her eagerly. Baby flung her arms round her neck
and nearly choked her; Nell stroked her cheek; Pip patted her
back, and besought her to "be a good fellow"; Bunty buried his
nose in her back hair and wept a silent tear; Meg clasped her hand
in an access of unhappiness; the General gave a series of delighted
squeaks; and Judy in her wretchedness smacked him for his pains.
Esther would do her best, beg as she had never done before, coax,
beseech, wheedle, threaten; and they let her go at last with that
assurance.
"Only I'd advise you all to be preternaturally good and quiet
all day," she said, looking back from the doorway. "That would
have most effect with him, and he is going to be at home all day.
Pages:
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31