Page:The book of Betty Barber (IA bookofbettybarbe00andr).pdf/42

 Minora, the Major’s ward, lived with the Major, and Minora was not one of the happiest and most cheerful persons in the world. She was supposed to be very much afraid of her guardian, but she wasn’t a bit; and, though she had a back staircase of her own, she was very often to be found on the Major’s, for she liked some one to talk to and grumble at. She tried sometimes to stir him up and make him discontented too; but that was not easy to do, for before he had seen the Book of Betty Barber, he was a very contented, easy-going old gentleman.

When he opened the front door, however, Minora saw that something was wrong.

He sank down on the first staircase and began.

“Minora,” said the Major, “I want to consult you. Take a seat and listen to me. Do you know the Sharps?”

“Well,” said Minora, dismally, “and a fine bother they are.”

“Do you know the Flats?” asked the Major.

“No, I don’t know anything about flats,” said Minora decidedly, “I prefer a whole house myself, and I’m quite certain a flat would never suit you. No staircase at all, and you with your passion for going up and down. No, if you want to make a change, and very desirable it is, too, that you should make some change:”

“Minora,” said the Major, “you are labouring under a misapprehension. I did not say a flat, I said the Flats, the family of Flats.”

“Oh, they live over the way,” said Minora. “I believe there is more than one family, and each house has a door-plate. Now, don’t you think we might have a door-plate?”

“Minora,” said the Major, “we’ll see about that door-plate by-and-by. At the present moment I wish to talk to you about the Flats and the Sharps. I am thinking of paying a few visits to my relatives.”

“And about time, too,” said Minora. ‘I shall begin to enjoy myself at last. How often have I tried to persuade you to go about a bit! It would do you good, and it would do me good.”

“I must find out about these Sharps and Flats,” said the Major. 24