England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction; Families -- Fiction
'My dear--why not? It is only a question of patience and discipline. If
you made the rule now of never going to a drawer in a hurry. When
Chrissy wants anything, she jerks the contents of the whole drawer on
the floor; I have found her doing it more than once.'
'She could not find her gloves, and Cardie was waiting,' returned Olive,
always desirous of screening another's fault.
'Yes; but she left it to you to pick up all the things again. If
Chriss's gloves were in their right place, no one need have been
troubled. I could find my gloves blindfold.'
'I am always tidying my own and Chrissy's drawers, Aunt Milly; but in a
few days they are as bad as ever,' returned Olive, helplessly.
'Because you never have time to search quietly for a thing. Did you look
in the glass, Olive, while you were doing your hair this morning?'
'I don't know. I think so. I was learning my German verses, I believe.'
'So Cardie had a right to grumble over your crooked parting and unkempt
appearance. You should keep your duties like the contents of your
drawers, neatly piled on the top of each other. No lady can arrange her
hair properly and do German at the same time. Tell me, Olive, you have
not so many headaches since I got your father to forbid your sitting up
so late at night.'
'No, Aunt Milly; but all the same I wish you and he had not made the
rule; it used to be such a quiet time.'
'And you learn all the quicker since you have had regular walks with
Polly and Chriss.'
'I am less tired after my lessons, certainly. I thought that was because
you took away the mending-basket; the stooping made my back ache,
and----'
'I see,' returned Mildred, with a satisfied smile.
Olive's muddy complexion was certainly clearer, and there was less
heaviness in her gait, since she had judiciously insisted that the hours
of rest should be kept intact. It had cost Olive some tears, however,
for that quiet time when the household were sleeping round her was very
precious to the careworn girl.
Richard gave vent to an audible expression of pleasure when he noticed
his sister's altered appearance, and his look of approbation was most
pleasant to Mildred.
'If you would only hold yourself up, and smile sometimes, you would
really look as well as other people,' was the qualified praise he gave
her.
'I am glad you are pleased,' returned Olive, simply. 'I never expect you
to admire me, Cardie. I am plainer than any one else, I know.'
'Yes; but you have nice eyes, and what a quantity of hair,' passing his
hand over the thick coils in which Mildred had arranged it. 'She looks a
different girl, does she not, Aunt Milly?'
'It is very odd, but I believe Cardie does not dislike me so much
to-day,' Olive said, when she wished her aunt good-night.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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