Then he kissed me and said, 'Oh, Meg, you are so sweet and funny when you're "meek."'
As a rule people who bully me are not allowed to kiss me—but—my brother was ill in bed!
CHAPTER X
Ross seemed fairly well this morning, and, having announced 'Time's up,' said that he would go to the house agents at Tarnley to-day, and that if I liked I might come too.
I had previously said to Sam,—
'Don't you think another day in bed would do him good?'
'Not a doubt about it, miss,' said Sam, 'but I couldn't work it: thought we should have hardly lasted out the time as it was. We've drove him a bit hard lately. Better not press him too much, miss, he don't take kindly even to the snaffle.'
So we sallied forth to call on Messrs Cardew Thompkins.
My brother was in one of his mad moods and announced that he should pretend we were just married, and that I was to look as shy and modest as my brazen countenance would allow, and to blush at intervals if I could. An elegant young man, with a waist, received us with a bow, begged us to be seated and state our requirements.
'Take a pew, Florrie,' said Ross to me. I took one and hoped I looked shy and modest.