“Yes, it’s awful hard or awful easy,” replied Mr. Hammerton. “Which is it, Lady Blue?”
“Ask me when I have written my novel! Did you hear from the afternoon mail, Dine?”
“Yes,” said Dine, grimly, “I should think I did hear. Mother and I have had a fight! Father took care of the wounded and we are all convalescing. Aunt Theresa has written for one of us to come next week; kindly says that she will take me if mother can not spare you; I said right up and down that I wouldn’t go, and mother said right down and up that I should go, that she couldn’t and wouldn’t spare you! Aunt Theresa has the rheumatism, and it’s horrid dull on a farm! I was there when I was a little girl, and she sent me to bed before dark; I’m afraid that she will do it again; if she does I’ll frighten her out of her rheumatics. Mother will not let you have a voice in the matter, Tessa; who knows but you might meet your fate? The school-teacher boards with them; he is just out of college. Mother sha’n’t make me go!”
“I do not choose to go; but I could have all my time to myself. A low, cosy chamber and a fire on the hearth, no one to intrude or hinder.”
“But the school-master!” added Mr. Hammerton.
“He’s only a boy; I could put him into my book.”
“We’ll draw lots; shall we?”
“If mother is determined, the lot is drawn.”
“And father wants you, I know; he had an attack of pain before tea. I wish that I was useful and couldn’t be spared.”
“May I not have a vote; I am a naturalized member of the family?”