[CHAPTER XIII]
Only Think
SOMETHING very unexpected was about to happen.
It was an ordinary day in July. The little girls woke up as usual, and dressed as usual, and had their breakfast as usual. And then as usual came lessons with Auntie Anne. And afterwards, as usual, they were sent out for a walk with Elisabeth.
All just the same as any other day. And yet something was drawing near, which nobody in the house suspected or had any idea of. Things often come like that in life; happy things or sad things, one after another, creeping step by step closer; and no one can see or hear or feel their approach till, suddenly—here they are.
What do you think it was that was coming? Can you guess? Wait, and presently you shall hear.
As they started for their walk, Ivy on one side of Elisabeth, walking demurely, and Hecla frisking on the other side, up ran Trip, the Vicarage dog.
"Come along, Trip. You dear delightful, Trip!" cried Hecla.
Trip was not so faithful in his affections as he might have been. Though Hecla, holding out hands of welcome, was his older friend, he unkindly passed her over and rushed at Ivy, fussing round the little girl and struggling to lick her face. It was a very nice face to lick, no doubt; but still he might just as well have said, "How do you do?" first to Hecla, if only as a matter of politeness.
When he had done with Ivy, he jumped on Hecla, and gave one little wet dab at the tip of her nose, and then made another dash at Ivy, Elisabeth all the while protesting, and telling the children on no account to let him lick them. It wasn't nice, she truly said.