The Argosy — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

_N 18 The Master of Greylands. that she shall teach you, Flo, my love, under—of course entirely— my superintendence. Miss Oldham used to resent interference.” “I do think, mamma, you must be joking!” cried Ethel, turning her flushed face and her beautiful grey eyes on her step-mother. ‘When do I joke?” retorted Mrs. Castlemaine. “It will save the nuisance of a governess in the house: and you shall teach Flora.” “Tl give her all the trouble I can,” cried Miss Flora, bringing the poker within an inch of her mother’s nose. “I'll learn just what I like, and let alone what I don’t like. SAe’s not going to be set up over me as Miss Oldham was. I'll kick you if you try it, Ethel.” “Stop, stop,” spoke Ethel, firmnessin hertone. ‘‘ Mamma, pray un- derstand me; I cannot attempt to do this. My life is not very pleasant now; it would be unbearable then. You know—you see— what Flora is: how can you ask me?” Mrs. Castlemaine half rose in her angry spirit. It was something new for Ethel to set her mandates at defiance. Her voice rose to a scream ; her small light eyes dilated. ‘“Do you beard me in my own house, Ethel Reene? I say that you shall do this. I am mistress here ” Mistress she might be, but Mr. Castlemaine was master; and at that moment the door opened and he came in. Disputes were not very un- usual in his home, but this seemed to be a frantic one. “What is the meaning of this?” he inquired, taking in the scene with his keen dark eyes. His wife unseemly angry, her voice high ; Ethel in tears—for they had come unbidden ; Flora brandishing the poker towards Ethel, and dancing to its movements. Mrs. Castlemaine sat down to resume her wool-work, her ruffled feathers subdued to smoothness. She never cared to give way to temper, or to injustice, in the presence of her husband; for she knew that it would still further weaken the little influence she retained over him. “Were you speaking of a governess for Flora?” he asked, advanc- ing and taking the paper from the young lady’s hand. ‘ What has Ethel to do with that? ” ‘‘T was observing that Ethel has a vast deal of leisure time, and that she might, rather than be idle, fill it up by teaching Flora,” replied Mrs. Castlemaine, softly. ‘‘ Especially as Ethel’s French is so perfect. As a temporary thing, of course, if—if it did not answer.” ‘T do not find Ethel idle: she always seems to me to have some occupation on hand,” observed Mr. Castlemaine. ‘‘ As to her under- taking the teaching of Flora—would you like it, Ethel?” ‘“No, papa,” was the brave answer, as she strove to hide her tears. ‘“T have, I am sure, no talent for teaching: and Flora would never obey a word I said. It would make my life a burthen to me—I,was aying so when you came In.” ECORNICLOOO SS (C(O) in —_)