The Real Charlotte. 8i 



to the discussion that was going on in the hall, and with the 

 self-consciousness of dogs, were convinced that it was all 

 about themselves. 



" No, I cannot allow Garry to go," exclaimed Lady 

 Dysart, her eyes raised to the ceiling as if to show her 

 remoteness from all human entreaty ; " he is not over the 

 whooping-cough ; I heard him whooping this morning in 

 his bedroom." 



The person mentioned ceased from a game of fives with 

 a tennis-ball that threatened momentarily to break the 

 windows, and said indignantly, " Oh, I say, mother, that 

 was only the men in the yard pumping. That old pump 

 makes a row just like whooping-cough." 



Lady Dysart faltered for a moment before this ingenious 

 falsehood, but soon recovered herself. 



'* I don't care whether it was you or the pump that 

 whooped, it does not alter the fact of your superfluity at a 

 picnic." 



" I think Captain Cursiter and Mr. Hawkins wanted him 

 to stoke," said Pamela from the luncheon basket. 



" I have no doubt they do, but they shall not have him," 

 said Lady Dysart with the blandness of entire decision, 

 though her eyes wavered from her daughter's face to her 

 son's ; " they're very glad indeed to save their own clothes 

 and spoil his." 



" Well, then, I'll go with Lambert," said Garry rebelliously. 



" You will do nothing of the sort ! " exclaimed Lady 

 Dysart, " whatever I may do about allowing you to go with 

 Captain Cursiter, nothing shall induce me to sanction any 

 plan that involves your going in that most dangerous yacht. 

 Christopher himself says she is over-sparred." Lady Dysart 

 had no idea of the meaning of the accusation, but she felt 

 the term to be good and telling. " Now, Pamela, will you 

 promise me to stay with Captain Cursiter all the time ? " 



'^ Oh, yes, I will," said Pamela, laughing ; " but you know 

 in your heart that he would much rather have Garry." 



" I don't care what my heart knows," replied Lady Dysart 

 magnificently, " I know what my mouth says, and that ia 

 that you must neither of you stir out of the steam-launch." 



At this descent of his mother into the pit so artfully 

 dug for her, Garry withdrew to attire himself for the 



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