So they stayed a full quarter of an hour, and the footman coughing
laboriously outside the window reminded Aunt Rebecca at last how time
flew; and Lily was for sitting down and playing a minuet and a country
dance, and making them rehearse their steps, and calling in old Sally to
witness the spectacle before they went; and so she and Aunt Becky had
another little sportive battle--they never met, and seldom parted,
without one. How was it that when gay little Lily provoked these little
mimic skirmishes Aunt Becky would look for a second or two an
inexpressibly soft and loving look upon her, and become quite girlish
and tender? I think there is a way to every heart, and some few have the
gift to reach it unconsciously and always.
So away rustled the great ladies, leaving Lily excited, and she stood at
the window, with flushed cheek, and her fingers on the sash, looking
after them, and she came back with a little smile and tears in her eyes.
She sat down, with a bright colour in her cheeks, and did play a country
dance, and then a merry old Irish air, full of frolic and spirit, on the
harpsichord; and gentle old Sally's face peeped in with a wistful smile,
at the unwonted sounds.
Pages:
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538