He would skip like a real grasshopper, he made faces that
set all laughing, he tripped Ivinghoe up, he uttered saucy speeches
that Mysie considered too shocking to repeat, but which convulsed every
one with laughter, Fly most especially, and her governess had punished
her for it. 'She would not punish me,' said Mysie, 'though I know I
was just as bad, and I think that was a shame!' At last the practising
had to be carried on without the boys, and yet, when it came to the
point, both the recusants behaved as well and danced as suitably as if
they had submitted to the training like their sisters! And oh! the
dressing, that was worse.
'I did not think I was so stupid,' said Mysie, 'but I heard Louise tell
mademoiselle that I was trop bourgeoise, and mademoiselle answered that
I was plutot petite paysanne, and would never have l'air de
distinction.
'Abominable impertinence!' cried Gillian.
"They thought I did not understand,' said Mysie, 'and I knew it was
fair to tell them, so I said, 'Mais non, car je suis la petite souris
de compagne.'"
'Well done, Mysie!' cried her sister.
'They did jump, and Louise began apologizing in a perfect gabble, and
mademoiselle said I had de l'esprit, but I am sure I did not mean it.'
'But how could they?' exclaimed Gillian. 'I'm sure Mysie looks like a
lady, a gentleman's child--I mean as much as Fly or any one else.'
'I trust you all look like gentlewomen, and are such in refinement and
manners, but there is an air, which comes partly of birth, partly of
breeding, and that none of you, except, perhaps, Alethea, can boast of,
and about which papa and I don't care one rush.
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