“Yes, but I suspect that my little Nell has a hankering for the moon, just the same. I reckon we’d better go to the seashore for a little while next month, just to break the monotony of life. And if you go, you’ll want to take Tibby with you, I suppose.�
“Most assuredly. She’s a perfect treasure. I couldn’t get along without her.�
“I see you are becoming much attached to her.�
“Indeed I am. I never had a maid before so deft and pleasing.�
“I’m afraid she’s too pretty for her position.�
“O, no; not too pretty. Children like a pretty companion. Robbie never obeyed Mrs. Harbeck as he does Tibby. But she has remarkable eyes. For some reason she has taken a great dislike to that young man with the eye-glasses, on the third floor. It’s amusing to see the look with which she regards him. Yesterday Tibby was waiting at the head of the stairs for Robbie and that man came along and stared at her rather insolently through his glasses. You should have seen Tibby. Her eyes began to dilate like those of a tigress at bay, and she returned his stare. The fellow started down, but for some reason stumbled and made a very ungraceful descent to the bottom of the staircase. It really seemed as if Tibby made him fall. You can imagine her delight at his mishap.�
“That is the way of womankind,� said Mr. Wylie, smiling. “They laugh at our downfalls, unless we drag them down with us, which we’re apt to do. Tibby is no exception; but seriously, do not pet her too much, or she may forget what is due to her position in life. She must not appear impertinent.�
“I’m sure she behaves well. Tibby is not ill-bred. Her parents were quite superior people, if they did live on a farm. Tibby boasts that her mother was a Devereaux, grand-niece to an earl,� said Mrs. Wylie, laughing.
“The little minx! She has pride enough, no doubt, and who cannot boast of ancestors in America! She certainly is a bright girl, and has a remarkably pretty face. She cannot fail to attract attention, especially as you treat her like a younger sister, rather than like a servant. It is really unfortunate for her that she is so unlike the ordinary maid.�
“I have thought of all this, Horace, and I mean to make more of her than simply a servant. In time she will grow to be my trusted friend and companion, I am sure. Why may she not? She is well-born; better than many in our best society.�