Uncle John beckoned to her with his head, stepping back as he did so, in order to prevent the other inmates of the room from seeing him. Mrs. Dainty obeyed the signal, and, without venturing another remark, retired from the study-room, and, sweeping past Uncle John, sought refuge in her own chamber.
“A’n’t you going to give me my music-lesson, miss?”
If her mother had retired from the field, there was no disposition whatever on the part of Agnes to follow her example.
“Certainly,” was the mild, evenly-spoken answer.
“Come along, then, and give it to me now.”
“I will be ready at twelve o’clock, Agnes.”
“Mother told you to give it to me now, and you’ve got to do so.”
“Oh, don’t talk so to Miss Harper, Aggy!” said Madeline, her voice trembling and her eyes filling with tears.
The words came just in season. Miss Harper felt that all this was more than she ought to bear; and outraged pride was about rising above convictions of duty.
“Georgy and I love you. We will say our lessons.” The sweet child lifted her large, beautiful eyes to the face of her governess.