A lamp had been taken thither, and there really was nothing more to do
to the tree, the scraps of packing had been picked up, and the hands,
tingling from fir-needle pricks, had been washed, though not without
protest from Valetta that it wasn't worth while, and from Wilfred that
it was all along of these horrid swells--!
The sound of wheels summoned Lady Merrifield and her brother from the
place of mystery, and they were in the hall when a fresh gust of keen
air came in from the door, an ulstered figure hurried in, and something
small and furred was put into the lady's embrace.
'Here's my Fly, Lily--! Look, Fly, here they all are--all the cousins.
Off with the hat. Let us see your funny little face.'
It was a funny little smiling face, set in short, light, wavy hair, not
exactly pretty, but with a bright, quaint, confiding look, as if used
to be shown off by her father, and ready to make friends on the spot.
'And how is your boy?' as the round of greetings was completed, and the
wraps thrown off.
'Going on capitally, better than he deserves, the young scamp, for
suppressing all symptoms for fear he should be hindered from coming
home. His mother was in a proper fright, she showed him to the doctor
on the way, who told her to put him to bed at once, and send his sister
out of the house. She never set eyes on him, or I would not have
brought her here.'
'I am exceedingly glad you have,' said Lady Merrifield, bending for
another kiss.
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