"
"I can't see what it matters to you," said Elvira; "I wish you would
go instead of me, if you are so fond of him."
"He wouldn't care for me," said Babie; "I'm not his ain lassie."
"_His_ lassie! I'm a lady," exclaimed the senorita, with the haughty
Spanish turn of the neck peculiar to herself.
"That's not what I mean by a lady," said Babie.
"What do you mean by it?" said Elvira, with a superior air.
"One who never looks down on anybody," said Babie, thoughtfully.
"What nonsense!" rejoined the Elf; "as if any lady could like to hear
grandpapa maunder, and Mary scold and scream at the farm people, just
like the old peahen."
"Miss Ogilvie said poor Mary was overstrained with having more to
attend to than she could properly manage, and that made her shrill."
"I know it makes her very disagreeable; and so they all are. I hate
the place, and I don't see why I should go," grumbled Elvira.
"You will when you are older, and know what proper feeling is," said
Miss Ogilvie, who had come within earshot of the last words. "Go and
put on your hat; I have ordered the pony carriage."
"Shall I go, Miss Ogilvie?" asked Babie, as Elfie marched off
sullenly, since her governess never allowed herself to be disobeyed.
"I think I had better go, my dear; Elfie may be under more restraint
with me.
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