One morning Wilbur came home in considerable excitement, and throwing some tickets upon the table, said:
“There, mother, are some tickets for her majesty’s opera, and I want every member of this family to attend, for there are wonderful attractions to-night.”
“Then, of course, we must all go, and the girls will be delighted that you remembered them, for they are not often allowed to appear in company, you know,” she said, smiling.
“And Miss Douglas, too, mother; I procured a ticket for her,” he added.
Mrs. Coolidge demurred at this.
“But Miss Douglas is in deep mourning; it would not be suitable for her to appear with us in her black garments,” she said.
“Pshaw! she can wear something else for once. It is a shame to debar her from such a luxury; any one can see that she is passionately fond of music, and I should feel mean to take all the others and leave her behind,” he returned, indignantly.
Mrs. Coolidge thought a moment, and finally assented.
She well knew that too much opposition often whetted passion, and she had no desire to provoke Wilbur into being a champion for the governess, and accordingly gave her consent.
He met Brownie in the hall a few moments afterward, and told her of the arrangement for the evening.