He refrained with difficulty, and said rather dryly,—
“That was a good race; but I saw you would win from the first; and you jumped that stone splendidly. I suppose you know the story of Atalanta?”
“Oh, yes,” responded Phillis, gloomily; but she could not help showing off her knowledge all the same; and she had always been so fond of heathen mythology, and had even read translations of Homer and Virgil. “She had a she-bear for a nurse, and was eventually turned into a lion; and I always thought her very stupid for being such a baby and stopping to pick up the golden apple.”
“Nevertheless, the subject is a charming one for a picture,” returned Archie, with admirable readiness, for he saw Phillis was greatly hurt by this untoward accident, and he liked the girl all the better for her spirit. He would not have discovered 175 himself at all, only in another moment she must have seen him; and if she would only have believed how fully he entered into the fun, and how graceful and harmless he thought it, there would have been no pang of wounded self-esteem left. But girls, especially if they be worthy of the name, are so sensitive and prickly on such matters.
Dulce had basely deserted her sister, and, at the sight of the clerical felt hat, had fled to Nan’s side for protection.
“Oh, never mind,” Nan had said, consoling her: “it is only Mr. Drummond. And he will know how it was, and that we thought there was not a creature in sight.” Nevertheless, she felt a little sorry in her heart that such a thing had happened. It would spoil Phillis’s mirth, for she was very proud; and it might shock their mother.
“Oh, he will think us such tomboys for grown-up young ladies!” sighed Dulce, who was only just grown up.
“Never mind what he thinks,” returned Nan, walking fast, for she was anxious to come to Phillis’s relief. She joined them very quietly, and held out her hand to Archie as though nothing had happened.
“Is this a favorite walk of yours, Mr. Drummond? We thought we had it all to ourselves, and so the girls had a race. They will be dreadfully troubled at having a spectator; but it might be worse, for you already know us well enough not to misconstrue a little bit of fun.”
“I am glad you judge me so truly,” returned Archie, with a gleam of pleasure in his eyes. Phillis certainly looked uncommonly handsome, as she stood there, flushed and angry. But how sweet and cool Nan looked!—not a hair ruffled nor a fold of her dress out of order; whereas Dulce’s brown locks were all loose about her shoulders, shaken down by the exercise. Nevertheless, at that moment Phillis looked the most striking.