“He will frighten Reggie,” I remonstrated, for she did not offer to stop the noise, and I went quickly to the door.
There was a regular scuffle going on in the passage. A little boy in Highland dress was endeavouring to escape from a young woman, who was holding him back from the door with some difficulty.
“Master Rolf—Master Rolf, what will your mamma say? You will make her head ache, and then you will be sorry.”
“I shan’t be a bit sorry, Juddy, I tell you! I will go in, and——” Here he stopped and stared up in my face. He was a pale, sickly-looking child, rather plain, as Miss Cheriton had said, but he had beautiful grey eyes, only they were sparkling with anger. The young woman who held him by the arm had a thin, careworn face—probably her post was a harassing one, with an exacting mistress and that spoilt boy.
“Who are you?” demanded the boy, rudely.
“I am Miss Fenton, the nurse,” I returned. “Your little cousins are just going to bed, and I cannot have that noise to disturb them.”
“I shall kick again, unless you let me come in and see them.”
“For shame, Master Rolf. Whatever makes you so naughty to-night?”
“I mean to be naughty. Hold your stupid old tongue, Juddy. You are a silly woman. That is what mother calls you. I am a gentleman, and shall be naughty if I like. Now then, Mrs. Nurse, may I come in?”
“Not to-night, Master Rolf. To-morrow, if you are good.”