“You know I never said that!” said Cecilia, rather affectedly, as she rose and courtesied to Ephraim.
Ephraim is the only person I know who can get along with Hatty. He always seems to see through what she says to what she means; and he never answers any of her pert speeches, nor tries to explain things, nor smooth her down, as many others do.
“Miss Osborne must stay and learn to like us a little better,” said he, good-humouredly. “Where is Fanny?”
“Looking in the glass, I imagine,” said Hatty, calmly.
“Hatty!” said I. “She is in the garden with Sophy.”
“You are the Nymphs of the Winds,” laughed Ephraim, “and Hatty is the North Wind.”
“Are you sure she is not the East?” said I, for I was vexed. And as I turned away, I heard Hatty say, laughing,—
“I do enjoy teasing Cary!”
“For shame, Hatty!” answered Ephraim, who speaks to us all as if we were his sisters.
“I assure you I do,” pursued Hatty, in a voice of great glee, “particularly when my lady puts on her grand Carlisle air, and sweeps out of the room as she did just now. It is such fun!”