"I have a little nursie,
She is a little dear,
She runs about all day
Without a thought of fear.
I love my little nursie,
An' she loves me.
So my little nursie an' me
Both a-gree."
A pause followed, evidently intended by Briggs to convey her sense of deep displeasure, and to overawe the offender. Without effect. In a moment Chris's voice began again, from time to time choked with laughter, and giving a little variety to his poetical effort by varying the accent on different words:
"I have a little nursie,
She is a little dear,
She runs about all day
Without a thought of fear.
I love my little nursie,
An' she loves me.
So my little nursie an' me
Both a-gree."
At this repetition of the offence Briggs could contain her wrath no longer.
"If I'm to be ridiculed like this," she exclaimed angrily, yet without altogether losing her habitual impressiveness of manner; "If I'm to be ridiculed like this, I shall give warning and go. I cannot, and I will not stand it."
A second pause, by which time they had reached the top of the stairs leading into the hall, when Chris, forgetful that Uncle Godfrey was within hearing, and unaware of the judgment about to descend on him, started once more:
"I have a little nur—"
"Wait a moment, young man," called out his uncle from the writing-table. "What do you mean by being so disobedient? Come here."
"He has been going on like that for the last ten minutes," said Briggs complainingly, when she and Chris reached the hall. "He's been that aggravating."
"What nonsense are you talking?" Uncle Godfrey asked him severely, beckoning Chris to come to him.