Mother.—"Well! between us we shall weave a romantic story about them. In the meantime don't let us be impatient."
Serena.—"But, dear sister, won't they think it unkind of us hiding ourselves from them in this suspicious way, supposing they turn out to be good friendly people."
Madame.—"My sweet child, let them think us anything rather than we should get into their power. Once in their hands we should never get out again so helpless as we are. Indeed they look so ferocious that two of them would be quite enough to kill us all."
Oscar.—"I should like to see two dare to do it."
Felix.—"And so would I, we would soon settle their business, would we not Otty? You should take the left fellow, and I would knock down the right one."
Gatty.—"Yes! indeed; two! Why I could settle two myself! But this is such sorry work; peeping like brats. We might be even now making preparations to go away, they having promised to take us by this time. I can't stand waiting another day, I know I cannot."
Serena.—"Then you must sit, and be patient, meanwhile let me tell you——"
Schillie.—"I think you are very childish. Think if these people turn out to be enemies what an advantage we have in being able to see and watch all they do, and yet they not being able to find out anything about us."
Sybil.—"But I don't like to think they are enemies or that they would be so to us."
Gatty.—"Of course not, Syb. For once I agree with you, and I think it a great shame to behave like this to them; so like Madame fearing an elephant behind a straw."