“Why, it is what they always say. Everybody can’t be first, and Ernescliffe has the biggest half of her, I can see.”
“I am sure I did not,” said Ethel, in a mortified voice.
“Why, of course, it always comes of people having lovers.”
“Then I am sure I won’t!” exclaimed Ethel.
Norman went into a fit of laughing.
“You may laugh, Norman, but I will never let papa or any of you be second to any one!” she cried vehemently.
A brotherly home-truth followed: “Nobody asked you, sir, she said!” was muttered by Norman, still laughing heartily.
“I know,” said Ethel, not in the least offended, “I am very ugly, and very awkward, but I don’t care. There never can be anybody in all the world that I shall like half as well as papa, and I am glad no one is ever likely to make me care less for him and Cocksmoor.”
“Stay till you are tried,” said Norman.
Ethel squeezed up her eyes, curled up her nose, showed her teeth in a horrible grimace, and made a sort of snarl: “Yah! That’s the face I shall make at them!” and then, with another good-night, ran to her own room.