“Tessie is not walking to-day. She was naughty, and remained at home. No, I thank you, papa. If there were no other reason, I could not go because of Tessie. It would be too cruel to go and leave her.”
“Naughty! what has she done? It would serve her right to leave her if she has been naughty.”
“Oh! as to that, yes. She was very wrong. She was playing Madame Bulbat for the girls, and Madame heard her, and was in a rage of course. And Miss Robina was obliged to be very severe with the child to keep the peace. I cannot go, papa; but I daresay, if you were to ask her, Miss Pardie would let me go and see mama for a little while.”
But Mr Vane shook his head with sufficient decision.
“No: mama is all right. You are far better at school. She does not need you.”
But pleased with the whispered admiration of the foolish people who were with him, and willing to prolong the pleasure, he moved away with his little daughter in the direction of the line of returning school girls, saying he must make the child’s peace with her teacher; and he quite won Miss Pardie’s heart by his manner of entreating it at her hands.
“Was that your mama in the carriage, and your sister?” asked one of her companions, as they went on together. “I think they might have asked you to go with them.”
“My mama, indeed! That great red woman!” said Frederica scornfully.
“She was very pretty,” said her friend. “That is because she did not ask you to go with them.”
“She did ask me. I did not choose to go.”