'You know where liars go
to, Eliza--at least if you don't--'
'Liars indeed!' said Eliza, 'I won't demean myself talking to you.'
'How's Mrs Wigson?' said Robert, 'and DID you keep it up last
night?'
The mouth of the housemaid fell open.
'Did you doss with Maria or Emily?' asked Cyril.
'How did Mrs Prosser enjoy herself?' asked Jane.
'Forbear,' said Cyril, 'they've had enough. Whether we tell or not
depends on your later life,' he went on, addressing the servants.
'If you are decent to us we'll be decent to you. You'd better make
that treacle roley--and if I were you, Eliza, I'd do a little
housework and cleaning, just for a change.'
The servants gave in once and for all.
'There's nothing like firmness,' Cyril went on, when the breakfast
things were cleared away and the children were alone in the
nursery. 'People are always talking of difficulties with servants.
It's quite simple, when you know the way. We can do what we like
now and they won't peach. I think we've broken THEIR proud spirit.
Let's go somewhere by carpet.'
'I wouldn't if I were you,' said the Phoenix, yawning, as it
swooped down from its roost on the curtain pole. 'I've given you
one or two hints, but now concealment is at an end, and I see I
must speak out.'
It perched on the back of a chair and swayed to and fro, like a
parrot on a swing.
Pages:
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199