THE MEAN-WELLS [Illustration: “GEOFFREY EXAMINED THE BOX.” Page 5.] THE MEAN-WELLS BY MABEL QUILLER-COUCH AUTHOR OF “THE CARROL GIRLS,” “TROUBLESOME URSULA,” “A PAIR OF REDPOLLS,” “KITTY TRENIRE,” ETC. ILLUSTRATED BY G. E. ROBERTSON LONDON WELLS GARDNER, DARTON & CO. LTD. 3 & 4, PATERNOSTER BUILDINGS, E.C. AND 44, VICTORIA STREET, S.W. [Illustration] TO _LILY_ IN REMEMBRANCE CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE I. THE WORTH OF A TOOTH 1 II. A DRIVE AND A PINK PARASOL 9 III. ON THE ROAD TO LANTIG 19 IV. A ROOMFUL OF BABIES, AND A GIANT’S CHAIR 26 V. SWEEPING THE DRAWING-ROOM 39 VI. MRS. TICKELL, MRS. WALL, AND AN ACCIDENT 48 VII. LOVEDAY GOES VISITING 60 VIII. PISKIES STILL LIVE AT PORTHCALLIS 70 IX. MISS POTTS COMES TO TEA 81 X. THE FAIRY RING 92 XI. LOVEDAY AND AARON PLAY AT BEING PISKIES 105 XII. THE PISKIES CAUGHT 115 XIII. PRISCILLA PAYS A CALL AND TAKES A JOURNEY 126 XIV. PRISCILLA PAYS ANOTHER CALL 137 XV. MR. WINTER 145 XVI. IN WHICH A GREAT MANY THINGS HAPPEN 154 ILLUSTRATIONS “GEOFFREY EXAMINED THE BOX” _Frontispiece_ “THE GIANT’S FOOTSTOOL” _To face p._ 34 “‘I’LL TAKE THOMAS,’ SHE SAID” ” 64 “A BIG CATCH OF CRABS AND LOBSTERS” ” 72 “DON’T LET US LOOK ANY MORE” ” 96 “THEY SHOOK OUT THEIR PINAFORES OVER THE DIZZY HEIGHTS” ” 114 “PRISCILLA SLIPPED OUT EASILY” ” 144 “THEY WOULD LIGHT A FIRE AND BOIL THE KETTLE” ” 154 THE MEAN-WELLS CHAPTER I THE WORTH OF A TOOTH It did seem very unjust, and the more they thought of it the more unjust it seemed, especially to Priscilla. “When I had a tooth pulled out no one gave me anything,” she grumbled; “but Loveday has a shilling given her for hers, and some sweets, and such a fuss made.” “I only had sixpence, and mine was a double tooth,” said Geoffrey thoughtfully, “and I am a boy.” “I don’t see that being a boy ought to make any difference,” retorted Priscilla; “boys’ teeth don’t hurt more than girls’, and boys ought to be able to bear it better.” “Oh, but boys always have more in--in comparison, just as men do.” “Do they?” asked Priscilla thoughtfully. “I wonder why? I think it ought to be just the other way, ’cause boys and men are stronger.” “Oh, you’ll understand some day,” said Geoffrey loftily; “you are too young now.”