The Argosy — page 315: what you’re looking at

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

296 Sabrina. If they could feel the rein and the rod a little oftener, some lives might be more peaceful!” Which outburst on my part might be rude, but was not unprovoked. My cousin burst into tears. How some women weep! It 1s like the wringing of a wet knitted garment ; the dropping seems endless. ‘“‘T am sure,” she said between little gasps: for she 1s cushiony, as if she had swallowed gallons of feathers: ‘‘ I am sure,” she said, “‘ it is very painful to think that all our relations have a prejudice against the boys. Better boys never existed. Even Sabrina is against them, and I thought she would be such a help to me. They only want gentleness.” I thought of a scene I had witnessed only that morning in the schoolroom. Sabrina was sitting at a table trying to keep from crying, but with scarlet cheeks and quivering lips, holding down a boy on each side. At a smaller table a couple more had spilt the ink ; a third pair had brought in a paper box of butterflies, and were busy practising vivisection. ‘The last set of boys were still in the chrysalis stage of nursery life, or doubtless they would have added their quota to the general misbehaviour. In the midst of the din, Margery looked in. ‘“‘ Can’t you manage with less noise, Sabrina P—No, I will not have them complained of,” and she closed the door and went down to the quiet, flower-scented drawing-room to finish a sofa rug in soft wools. I had heard all this, and I came in from my room and boxed their ears all round, at the same time giving them my opinion of their conduct. I thought, I say, of this scene, and sooner than I should otherwise have done, I spoke my wish. ‘‘ This child is looking ill; let her come to Paris with me. I will give her food and house-room, and lessons to provide for the rest.” “But John will not like his niece to give lessons.” ‘In the name of goodness what is she doing in this house? Those boys are wearing her out, body and soul.” ‘But what shall I do with the boys?” I could have shaken the selfish little woman. “Send Jack, Bob, and Harry to school, and get a governess with some authority about her to teach the others.” ‘Cousin Miles must be consulted,” she said, as we went in together. Sabrina had slipped away at the beginning of our conversation. We had dined early, and supper was laid in the dining-room, the hang- ings and furniture of which were of a warm brown. ‘The table was pretty enough with its white drapery, its lamps and flowers, and heaps of strawberries and cherries on green leaves, spiritualising, as it were, the grosser parts of the feast. Margery has good taste; I will - say that in her favour. Leaning against the window at the farther end of the room was a young man, who turned as we entered. ECORMICECMOOOKS. (EO)