The Argosy — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

The Master of Greylanas. 17 east wind. Mrs. Castlemaine sat by the fire, working at a pair of slip- pers ; a little woman dressed in striped green silk, with light hair, anda cross look on what had once been a very pretty, though sharp-featured face. Ethel sat near the window, drawing; she wore a ruby dress of fine merino, with some white lace at its throat and sleeves; a blue mbbon, to which was suspended some small gold ornament encircled her delicate neck ; drops of gold were in her ears ; and her cheeks were flushed to -crimson, for Mrs. Castlemaine was in hot dispute and making her feel very angry. Flora, a restless damsel,in a flounced brown frock and white pinafore, with a fair, saucy face and her flaxen curls tied back with blue, was perched on the music-stool before Ethel’s piano, striking barbarous chords with one hand and abusing Ethel alternately. , The dispute to-day was this. Miss Oldham, Flora’s governess, had lately given warning precipitately, and left Greylands’ Rest, tired out, as everybody but Mrs. Castlemaine knew, with her pupil’s insolence. Mrs. Castlemaine had not yet found any one willing, or whom she deemed eligible, to replace her—for it must be remembered that governesses then were somewhat rare. Weary of waiting, Mrs. Castle- maine had come to a sudden determination, and was now announcing it, that Ethel should have the honour of filling the post. “It is of no use, mamma,” said Ethel. “I could not teach; I am sure I am not fit for it. And, you know, Flora would never obey me.” “That I'd not,” put in Miss Flora, twirling herself half round on the stool. ‘I hate governesses ; and they do me no good. I don’t know half as much as I did when Miss Oldham came, twelve months ago. Do I, mamma?” | “T fear you do not, my darling,” replied Mrs. Castlemaine. ‘ Miss ‘Oldham’s system of teaching was quite a failure, and she sadly neglected her duty ; but ” “Oh mamma,” interrupted Flora, peevishly, “don’t put in that horrid *but.’ I hate governesses. Nothing but learning lessons, lessons all day long, just as though you wanted me to be a governess |” “If you did not learn, Flora, you would grow up a little heathen,” Ethel ventured to remark. ‘‘ You would not like that.” “Now don’t you put in your word,” retorted the girl, passionately. “It’s not your place to interfere with me: 1s it, mamma?” “ Certainly not, my sweet child.” Miss Flora had changed her place. Quitting the music-stool for the hearth-rug, she took up the poker; and now stood brandishing it around, and looking daggers at Ethel. Ethel, her sweet face still flushed, went steadily on with her drawing. “ She’s as ill-natured as she can be! Mamma, she'd like to see me toiling at geography and French grammar all day long: - Nasty thing !” “TI can believe anything of Ethel that is ill-natured,” equably spoke Mrs. Castlemaine, turning her slipper. “ But I have nie un icy .aind >” why WwW Uy