Page:Traits and Trials.pdf/52

46 nurse: "do you remember your mamma never could walk through the lime avenue in spring?"

"I wish we had not put any heliotrope," said Julia, "I dare say it was that."

Though the morning had been so fine, the afternoons were chilly, and the twins, who inherited their mother's sensitiveness to cold, drew their stools to the fire and asked Eda to tell them one of the stories of her own country. They seemed never to weary of the picturesque tales of which India is so fertile. While they were thus employed, the door opened unceremoniously, a rustle of silk was heard, and in came Mrs. Dalton. Eda of course left off speaking, and, rising from her seat, curteseyed respectfully and remained silent and standing; the two children rose also, and stood, like their nurse in silence. Mrs. Dalton had heard the sound of talking as she came in, and immediately supposed that they had been speaking of herself: the silence on her entrance seemed very suspicious. "Pray," said she, with a sneer, "do