As tears threatened to dim the mother's eyes once more, Miss Beaumont, who dreaded a scene, hastily bade her good-morning, and departed to her own room.
But she need not have feared. Mrs. Rose very rarely indulged in the luxury of giving way to such womanly weakness, and it was with a very light and thankful heart that she finished the remainder of her pile of work.
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[CHAPTER IV]
THE BEGINNING OF THE FRAY
"THAT'S a silly old hat you've got on!"
The little girl to whom this rude remark was addressed looked at the speaker for a few seconds in hurt surprise before replying.
She was peering through the garden gate which opened on to the meadow, wherein the children at The Gables had been wont to play, in undisturbed enjoyment, for the past two years.
"You're a very rude boy, and you've no right in that meadow—it belongs to us, and if you don't go away, I'll tell nurse," said the little girl indignantly.
"You shan't call me names; if you do I'll pull your pussy's tail."