“Never mind; I will give you question and answer too. Don’t you see that stile? and that nice white cottage by that large pool of water, where those children are throwing stones? We have only to turn down by those tall trees, and we shall be there in a moment.”
“I dare not go: I know Mrs. Adair will be so angry!”
“I am determined you shall come! you are the most stupid little thing in England!” As Miss Bruce said this, she took firm hold of her companion’s frock and arm, and drew her towards the water. Isabella in vain tried to escape. By this time, they had almost reach the pool; a boy, who had been amusing two children, making circles with stones in the water, stepped from the edge of the pond, and marching boldly up to Miss Bruce, as boldly asked her, “what business she had to tease the little lady?”
“Do you think, Sir, I shall answer a rude, vulgar boy like you?”
The boy looked at her with contempt, and stooping to Isabella, said, “Do, little lady, tell me what this great girl is holding your frock for?”
“She wants me to go with her for cakes, and I want to learn my lessons.”
“O, you are the ladies, then, from the great school! I thought I had seen you before. I see how it is; this great girl is like Jack Ranger; she wants to get you into a scrape, that you may be marked as well as herself! But I’ll defend you, never fear! It is not a crab-stick that can frighten me! Come with me, and see who dares to hinder us!” He now caught her hand, and tried to draw her from her companion.
“You shall not go with her, against your mind, were she as big as Hercules! We are English, and are not to be conquered.” Miss Bruce suddenly let go her companion’s frock, and gave the boy a violent slap upon the face. “Go home, you little ragged creature, mend your coat, and do not talk to ladies.”
The boy instantly recovered himself from the blow; and looking at Miss Bruce with scorn, exclaimed, “I am not a mender of old clothes, Miss! Take that for your pains, and your boarding-school manners!”
The blow he returned made blood to gush violently from Miss Bruce’s nose. Isabella screamed; the children cried out, “very well, Tom! I would not be you for something.”