“Ask yourself, Augusta; you are not without common-sense. And now, don’t talk to me any more on this matter.”
Augusta had to make a great effort to keep back her temper, but the prize, which was so near, had to be thought of. She remained silent for a few minutes, and then spoke as cheerfully as she could on other subjects.
Immediately after supper that night Augusta went up to her own room, and Nancy too disappeared; thus the Captain found himself alone with his nieces.
“Now, this is really cosy,” said Kitty, taking his right side. “Sit here, Nora.—You are not to stir, Uncle Pete; we are each going to sit on an arm of this exceedingly comfortable chair. You are going to have your nieces very, very near to you. Oh, isn’t it quite delicious?”
The Captain smiled and patted Kitty’s soft white hand.
“How are you getting on?” he said. “How does the soldiering prosper—or are you both tired of the campaign?”
“No; we both love it,” said Nora. “But I am afraid we are poor soldiers—very; still, I think we do our best. Uncle Pete, may we talk to you about something? Are we to see a lot of these new people, the Asprays, during the holidays?”
“I cannot tell you. Augusta wishes it, and her desires ought not to be altogether ignored. But nothing can be done until I hear from your mother.”
“I hope you will tell mother the exact truth about them,” said Kitty. “I am most anxious to have nothing further to do with them.”
“Well, you had very little to do with them to-day, Kit; you talked to Nora or Nancy all the time.”