The cries of Norman brought out his mamma.
“The naughty dog is going to bite me, and Fanny is encouraging him. Save me, mamma, save me!” he exclaimed, as he threw himself into Mrs Vallery’s arms.
“Fanny, what is the matter,” she asked, “it is very naughty of you to let the dog frighten your little brother.”
Sweet gentle Fanny feeling how innocent she was of any such intention burst into tears.
“Indeed, dear mamma, I only tried to get Norman to play with Trusty and to make friends with him, I did not for a moment think he would be frightened,” and she ran forward and tried to kiss her brother in order to soothe him, but he now believed himself safe from the dog, who sagaciously perceiving that something was wrong had stopped jumping, and lay quietly on the ground, and as she approached he received her with a box on the ears.
“Take that for setting the dog at me,” he exclaimed maliciously.
Fanny stood hanging down her head as if she had been guilty, but really feeling ashamed of her brother’s behaviour.
“That was very naughty of you, Norman,” said Mrs Vallery, holding back the young tyrant, who was endeavouring again to strike his sister.
She then carried him into the drawing-room; Fanny followed her without a thought of vindicating herself, but wished to try and calm her young brother and to assure him that Trusty was only in play.
His mamma sat down with him on her knee. Mrs Leslie inquired whether he had hurt himself.