“Your wish shall be gratified u——”
The sentence ended with the letter “u,” just that, and nothing more. It seemed that I had snatched it up before it was finished, so that what the conclusion would have been was still another mystery. Though, beside the first and chief mystery of how those words came there at all, other considerations were but trifles. What did they mean? “Your wish shall be gratified u——” What wish? I was continually wishing. I never have anything, and nothing ever happens that I really want, so it is only natural. To what wish was the reference made? For what particular thing had I been wishing recently?
Why—not a minute ago—with what wild words had I been easing my mind? In my temper—my usual temper. I certainly am the worst-tempered girl I ever met, though I believe that, as a rule, girls are worse tempered than men—they have more cause to be, poor things. In some things it is horrid being a girl—what was it I had said? Something about every masculine creature tumbling head over heels in love with me at sight. Had I not wished that that fate were mine?
Was that the wish? No; absurd! ridiculous! preposterous! What could put such nonsensical thoughts into my head? It just showed, when your head was empty, what stuff could get in. But—still——
My gracious! If that was the wish which was to be gratified, would it not be—wouldn’t it just be larks.
CHAPTER IV.
THE EPISODE OF THE BAKER’S BOY
As I continued wondering, with the paper still in my hand, mamma’s voice called to me outside the door.
“Norah! there’s the baker at the door; you must go and take in the bread.”
“Mamma!” I exclaimed.
“You must. Jane said she would come back for tea, but she hasn’t put in an appearance yet. Somebody must go, and I can’t, and your sisters are dressing; you ought to be ready by now; you must do those errands. There, he’s knocking again—go down to him at once!”