Page:Gissing - The Emancipated, vol. I, 1890.djvu/114

106 know that well enough. He ought to have done so a year ago, and our difficulties would have been lightened. Your father means what he Bays."

"Wolf!" cried Barbara, petulantly.

"Well, I can see. that the wolf has come at last, in g 1 earnest. My girl, you'll have to become more serious. Barbara, you .it all events, cannot afford to trifle."

"I am no trifler!" cried the enthusiast for Italian unity and regeneracy.

"Let us have proof of that, then." Mrs. Denyer looked at her meaningly.

"Mother," said Zillah, earnestly, "do let me write to Mrs. Stonehouse, and beg her to find me a place as nursery governess. I can manage that, I feel sure."

"I'll think about it, dear. But, Madeline, I insist on your putting an end to this ridiculous state of things. You will order him to take the position offered."

"Mother, I can do nothing of the kind. If necessary, I'll go for a governess as well."

Thereupon Zillah wept, protesting that