"I don't quite like to do it without asking uncle's leave," faltered Rose, when all was ready for the operation.
"Did he ever forbid it?" demanded Annabel hovering over her prey like a vampire.
"Punch!" said Rose, in the tone of one giving the order "Fire!"
"Then do it, unless you are afraid," cried Miss Bliss, bent on accomplishing the deed.
That last word settled the matter, and, closing her eyes, Rose said "Punch!" in the tone of one giving the fatal order "Fire!"
Annabel punched, and the victim bore it in heroic silence, though she turned pale and her eyes were full of tears of anguish.
"There! Now pull the bits of silk often, and cold-cream your ears every night, and you'll soon be ready for the rings," said Annabel, well pleased with her job, for the girl who spoke French with "a fine accent" lay flat upon the sofa, looking as exhausted as if she had had both ears cut off.