"It was a pure accident," explained Mr. Bob Chater, gloomily watching
this scene. "I'll buy you another to-morrow."
"There!" Mary cried. "Think of that!"
David reflected upon it without emotion. He regarded his big brother
sullenly; sullenly said, "I don't want another."
Mary cried brightly: "Rubbish! Come, kiss your brother good-night, and
say 'thank you!' Both of you. Quick as lightning!"
They hung back.
Mary had obtained so complete a command of their affections that her
word was the wise law which, ordinarily, they had come unquestioningly
to accept. In their short lives David and Angela had experienced a
procession of nurses, of nursery-governesses, of lady-helps, each one
of whom received or gave her month's notice within a few weeks of
arrival, and against whom they had conducted a sullen or a violent
war. From the first it had been different with Miss Humfray. As was
their custom (for this constant change tried tempers) upon the very
day of her arrival they had met her with frank hostility, had declared
mutiny at her first command. But her reception of this attitude they
found a new and astonishing experience. She had not been shocked, had
not been angry, had ventured no threat to tell their mother. Instead,
at the outbreak of defiance, she went into the gayest and most
infectious laughter, kissed them--and they had capitulated before they
realised the event.
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