Mr. Hollys, however, read his daughter's letter with considerable dismay. He forgot to wonder what had prompted her request in his horror at Beryl's peculiarities of orthography and penmanship.
"Dear, dear!" he said to himself, "This is a shocking production for a girl of eleven. Cecilia might have taught her to write and spell. But I must lose no time in finding a governess for her. I will call on Mrs. Everard to-morrow, and ask her advice on the subject. I dare say she can tell me how to secure the right person."
[CHAPTER X]
OVERTAKEN BY THE TIDE
WHEN the next day came, Mr. Hollys was prevented from carrying out his intention of calling on his old friend Mrs. Everard, and asking her to aid him to find a governess for Beryl. But he did not forget the request which Beryl's ill-written letter had conveyed to him, and being in the city that day, he made his way to Paternoster Row, and there purchased some of the best Scripture pictures that he could see amongst the many tempting publications displayed in the windows of that narrow but important street. He ordered the pictures to be sent direct to his home at Egloshayle, and to the children's delight the packet arrived there by post the very next day.
With the greatest satisfaction, Coral and Beryl unrolled the pretty coloured prints.
They suited Beryl's purpose admirably, and were far larger and prettier ones than she had expected to get. There was a beautiful picture of the Good Shepherd carrying a lamb in His arms; a picture of the child Jesus talking to the doctors in the temple; another showing the tender Saviour taking the little ones in His arms, whilst their mothers stood watching Him with looks of eager love; and many others, all representing incidents of our Lord's life.
"There is no picture of Joseph after all," said Beryl, when she had examined the whole collection. "I wish there had been; but these all seem to be taken from the New Testament."
"I should think they would rather see pictures about Jesus than about Joseph," said Coral.
"Why?" asked Beryl quickly.