“But, my dear——”
“Say no more, daddy; it’s quite settled. I shall very likely ask for an increase of salary; but there must be no talk of dismissal.”
Again she laughed; and, in spite of himself, the happy father joined in her merriment.
“Well now, I must go,” she said, with a parting kiss. “I’ll send Miss Horn—— Why, she’s my aunt! I declare I’d quite overlooked that!”
“Yes, my dear; and a very kind aunt you’ll find her.”
“I’m sure of that. But I’m afraid she’ll be thinking me a very undutiful niece.”
At this moment, the door opened, and Miss Jemima herself walked in.
“I thought it was time I came,” she said, in her usual matter-of-fact way. “You must be thinking of getting back to bed, Thomas.”
Her niece interrupted her by throwing her arms around her neck, and giving her a hearty kiss.
“Aunt Jemima, I have to beg your pardon,” and she kissed her again; “but you didn’t give me time, you were all off like a flock of sheep.”