“So I did, mamma, but Susan came in to help me, though I hope to-morrow Norman will let me dress him entirely,” answered Fanny, determined if possible not to speak of her brother’s misconduct, and hoping by loving-kindness to overcome his evil temper.
Mrs Leslie wondered how a child of her gentle daughter’s could behave as Norman was doing.
“You will arrange about his breakfast as you think best, Mary,” she said; “but I hope that if Susan is kind enough to attend to him, he will be grateful to her. She is a faithful and excellent servant, and, of course, will expect to be obeyed and treated with respect by a little boy.”
A peculiar shake of the head which Norman gave, showed that he had no intention of following his grandmamma’s wishes.
Captain Vallery coming in, no further remark on the subject was made.
Having saluted his mother-in-law and daughter, and given Norman an affectionate pat on the head, he sat down to breakfast. Fanny having given him a cup of tea, and helped him to an egg and toast, and offered him other things on the table, he began to talk in his usual animated way, so that Norman, who wanted to make a complaint against Susan in his presence, was unable to get in a word. Fanny, who, guessing his intentions, was on the watch, whenever she saw that he was about to speak offered him a little more bread, or honey, or milk, anxiously endeavouring to prevent him saying anything which she considered would bring disgrace upon himself, by making his misconduct known. Happily for her affectionate design, Captain Vallery had to go up to London, and as soon as breakfast was over, kissing her and Norman, without listening to the mutterings of the latter, he hurried off to catch the train.