“Silence!” cried Mr. Dainty, who had joined the excited company. “Silence!” he repeated, sternly, as George attempted to speak again. “What does all this mean?”
“It simply means,” said Mrs. Jeckyl, with forced composure, “that this little boy of yours has frightened his sister with an improbable story of a snake in my room. He seems to have a fruitful imagination, as he now multiplies the snake by a score, and covers my body with them.”
Uncle John now observed Madeline, who stood with her face hidden upon her mother’s bosom, and shrinking very closely to her, turn her head slowly and look at Mrs. Jeckyl. Her countenance was pale, and her eyes had a strange—almost terrified—expression. She gave only a single glance, and then hid her face again, while a low shudder was seen pervading her body.
“It is plain,” said Uncle John, taking advantage of the singular state of affairs presented, and addressing the new governess, “that your efforts to gain influence over these children have been unsuccessful, and that, judging from the present state of affairs, such efforts in the future will be hopeless. My advice to you, therefore, is to retire immediately.”
“I have no knowledge of you, sir, in the case,” replied Mrs. Jeckyl, growing at once self-possessed, and speaking with dignity. “I am here, under regular engagement with Mrs. Dainty, to perform a service to her children, for which I hold myself entirely competent, and to recede from which under the reaction of simple child’s-play like this I am not in the least inclined. Am I covered with snakes, sir?”
“Not literally,” replied Uncle John.
“Not literally! What am I to understand, sir, by your words?”
“Simply the meaning they convey to your mind. Nothing more.”
“Are there snakes in my eyes?” The woman was losing her forced composure.
“Say yes, Uncle John! Say yes!” spoke out little George.