"Did Mr. Laurence say we might come?" said she, in an affected voice. "O dear me! the innocence of the youth! Just hear him, Will! Why, dear me, no!" she went on, when Will had roared again. "Who ever would think of asking Mr. Laurence, while the mighty Mr. Miles Murchison was sitting here in state! It is enough to ask him, any day!" She dropped a mock curtsey as she spoke. "Please, Mr. Miles Murchison, will you let your humble servants take a look round?"
"I can't do it, Rose," I said, straight out, though I was worried. "You know I can't; I'm put here in charge, and Mr. Laurence forbids any one to come in without his leave. I can't give it."
"Hear him. Will! The innocent child! 'I can't give it.'"
She mimicked me again, cleverly enough, and my face got as red as fire, for Will shouted afresh.
"Come, we'll take a look," said she, in a daring sort of voice, and she walked to the middle table and picked up a fossil bone that was lying there. "What's this?" said she. "We're poor ignorant creatures— ain't we, Will?—don't know nothing at all about such things! Couldn't the learned Mr. Miles Murchison teach us?"
It was a great temptation to me to give in. No boy of fifteen likes to be laughed at; nor to make enemies; nor to have to stand alone. For one moment I was tempted. Mr. Laurence was away for another hour or more, I thought, and if I did let them stay a few minutes they would not do any mischief, and nobody would know. It was not likely that they would tell of themselves.
But I am glad to say this temptation had power only for one moment. Then I remembered that I was in charge, and that I was upon honour; that I had to do my employer's will, and to prove myself trustworthy. Whether they liked it or did not like it made no difference at all. They were in the wrong, and if I yielded to them I should be in the wrong too.
I went after Rose, and I said—
"Rose, if you and Will stay, I shall have to tell Mr. Laurence."
"You will!" said she, turning sharp round to face me.