‘For shame, Mervyn,’ cried Phœbe, all in a glow; ‘I will not hear Robert so spoken of: he is always kind and good, and has taught me every right thing I know!’
‘Oh, very well; and pray when does he summon you from among the ungodly? Will the next train be soon enough?’
‘Don’t, Mervyn! Your friends go to-day, don’t they? Mr. Crabbe does not desire any change to be made before he comes to see about it. May we not stay till that time, and spend our Christmas together?’
‘You must ask Robert and Juliana, since you prefer them.’
‘No,’ said Phœbe, with spirit; ‘it is right to attend to my elder sisters, and Robert has always helped and taught me, and I must trust his guidance, as I always have done. And I trust you too, Mervyn. You never thought you were doing us any harm. I may trust you still,’ she added, with so sweet
and imploring a look that Mervyn gave an odd laugh, with some feeling in it.
‘Harm? Great harm I have done this creature, eh?’ he said, with his hand on her shoulder.
‘Few could do her harm, Mr. Fulmort,’ said the governess, ‘but report may have done some mischief.
‘Who cares for report! I say, Phœbe, we will laugh at them all. You pluck up a spirit, stay with me, and we’ll entertain all the county, and then get some great swell to bring you out in town, and see what Juliana will say!’
‘I will stay with you while you are alone, and Mr. Crabbe lets me,’ said Phœbe.