“Yes, indeed, Norman, I would much rather not have to tell granny or mamma, and I have not for a moment thought of asking Mr Maclean to punish you.”
“Still, they must all know it,” said Norman, “and what will they do when you tell them?”
“They would, of course, be very angry if they could think you did it on purpose,” said Fanny. “That is the reason why I wish you to tell them yourself. Mamma, and granny, and Mrs Maclean are in the drawing-room now, and they will be wondering why I am so long away. Could you not go in at once and tell them what has happened, and ask granny to come to me. I cannot go in by myself with poor little Pecksy in my hand. It would make them all so sad.”
Norman felt very unwilling to do as his sister advised, still he could not help seeing that it was the best plan, though a very disagreeable one. In consequence of the way Fanny had spoken to him, he had no longer any fears about himself.
“If she is not angry with me, they cannot be.” He stood, however, irresolute for some time, thinking whether he would or would not go—if he did go, what he should say. Fanny again urged him to go at once.
“If you do not, I must, as I cannot stay longer away from the drawing-room,” she said.
Norman at last made up his mind to go. He approached the drawing-room door, but stood outside before he could venture to turn the handle.
“I wish I had not killed that bird,” he again said to himself. “It did me no harm, and Fanny does not treat me as I thought she would, and as I should have treated her if she had killed a bird of mine which I was fond of. I should have flown at her, and kicked her, and scolded at her day after day, and do not think I should ever have forgiven her; but she does not even say a word to me, and tries to think that I did not wish to hurt the bird. I knew well enough that big book would kill the little creature, and I tried to make it fall just on the top of it. I know I did; and all because I was angry with Fanny, and that little Robby, and his grandfather who gave her the bird. I only wish that they all would be very angry. It would be better than treating me as Fanny has done.”
At last Norman put his hand on the door handle. He turned it, and entering, walked forward till he stood before the three ladies, who were seated at their work.
“Well, Norman, what brings you here? We thought you were out fishing with the laird,” said his granny, looking up from under her spectacles.