Mrs. Frederic Liddell was a real affliction during this period. The idea
of inheriting John Liddell's supposed wealth was never absent from her
thoughts, and seldom from her lips. Even the boys were infected by her
gorgeous anticipations.
"I shall have a pony like that, and a groom to ride beside me," Cecil
would cry when his attention was caught by any young equestrian. "And I
will give you a ride, auntie. Shall you have a carriage too, or will you
drive with mammy?"
"And I shall have a beautiful dog, like Mrs. Burnett's, and a garden
away in the country," was Charlie's scheme. "You shall come and dig in
it, auntie."
"Do not think of such things, my dears," was auntie's usual reply. "I am
afraid we shall never be any richer than we are; so you must be diligent
boys, and work hard to make fortunes for yourselves."
"Where did Uncle Liddell keep all his money?" was one of Cecil's
questions in reply. "Did he keep it in big bags downstairs? He hadn't a
nice house; it was quite a nasty one."
"Had he a big place in a cave, with trees that grow rubies and diamonds
and beautiful things?" added Charlie.
"Why doesn't mamma buy us some ponies now?" continued Cis; "we should be
some time learning to ride.
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