The Evil Genius: A Domestic Story — page 58: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE EVIL GENIUS. 47 easy with a smile and a kiss. The balance of authority was regulated to perfection in the lives of these two simple creat- ures. In the schoolroom, the governess taught the child. Out of the schoolroom, the child taught the governess. Division of labor was a principle in perfect working order at Mount Morven —and nobody suspected it. But, as the weeks followed each other, one more remarkable circumstance presented itself which every person in the house- hold was equally quick to observe. The sad Sydn»y Westerfield whom they all pitied, had now become the pretty Sydney Westerfield whom they all admired. It was not merely a change—it was a transformation. Kitty stole the hand-glass from her mother’s room, and insisted that her governess should take it, and look at herself. ‘‘ Papa says you're as plump as a artridge; and mamma says you're as fresh as a rose; and Uncle ndal wags his head and tells them he saw it from the first. I heard it all when they thought I was playing with my doll—and I want to know, you best of nice girls, what you think of your own self ?” ‘¢] think, my dear, it’s time we went on with our lessons.” ‘Wait a little Syd; I have something else to say.” ‘*'W hat is it?” : “Tt’s about papa. He goes out walking with us—doesn’t e ?” “Yes.” ‘He didn’t go out walking with me—before you came here. I’ve been thinking about it; and I’m sure papa likes you. What are you looking in the drawer for?” ‘* For your lesson-books, dear.” ‘* Yes—but I haven’t quite done yet. Papa talks a good deal to you, and you don’t talk much to papa. Don’t you like him?’ ‘*Oh, Kitty!” ‘*Then you do like him ?” ** How can I help liking him? Iowe all my happiness to your apa.” ae Do you like him better than mamma ?” ‘‘T should be very ungrateful if I liked anybody better than your mamma.” Kitty considered a little and shook her head. ‘‘ I don’t under- stand that,” she declared, roundly. ‘*‘ What do you mean ?” Sydney cleaned the pupil’s slate, and set the pupil’s sum—and said nothing. Kitty placed a suspicious construction of her own on her governess’ sudden silence. ‘* Perhaps you don’t like my asking questions ?” she suggested. ‘¢ Perhaps you meant to puzzle me ?”’ Sydney sighed and answered, ‘‘I’m puzzled myself.” CHAPTER VIL SYDNEY SUFFERS. In the autumn holiday-time friends in the south, who happened to be visiting Scotland, were invited to stop at Mount Morven on their way to the Highlands; and were accustomed to meet the CORNICLOO S (E() im