“My darling, what is it?” whispered Maria. “What has hurt you?”
“Oh, mamma, send them away! send them away!” cried the little imploring voice.
“Would you be so kind as send the dogs away, Mrs. Pain?” asked Maria. “I think she is frightened at them.”
“I know she is, foolish little thing!” answered Charlotte, going off with the dogs. Apparently she disposed of them somewhere, for she returned the next minute without them. Maria was in the same place, holding her child to her heart.
“Mrs. George Godolphin, don’t you think you will have to answer sometime for the manner in which you are rearing that child?” began she, gravely.
“In what way?” returned Maria.
“You are bringing her up to be as timid as yourself.”
“Am I particularly timid?”
“You! Why, you know you are. You don’t ride: you wouldn’t drive for the world; you are afraid of dogs.”
“I could manage to ride a quiet pony,” said Maria. “As to dogs, I confess that I am a little afraid of them, if they are rough.”