Sir James Evelyn! Janet had no turn for soldiers, and was not
gratified; but Elvira saw that her blue eyes and golden hair were
producing the effect she knew how to trace; so she was graciously
pleased to accept Punch, and to smile a bewitching acceptance of the
seat assigned to her opposite to the old general.
Barbara was opposite to Mrs. Evelyn, and next to Sydney, a girl a few
months older than herself, but considerably taller and larger.
Mother and daughter were a good deal alike, save that the girl was
fresh plump, and rosy, and the mother worn, with the red colouring
burnt as it were into her thin cheeks. Yet both looked as if smiles
were no strangers to their lips, though there were lines of anxiety
and sorrow traced round Mrs. Evelyn's temples. Their voices were
sweet and full, and the elder lady spoke with a tender intonation
that inspired Babie with trustful content and affection, but caused
Janet to pass a mental verdict of "Sugared milk and water."
She immersed herself in her Pall Mall, and left Babie to exchange
scraps of intelligence from the brother's letters, and compare notes
on the journey.
By-and-by Mrs. Evelyn retired into her book, and the two little girls
put their heads together over a newly-arrived acrostic, calling on
Elfie to assist them.
Pages:
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460