Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/259

242 treat that fellow a bit more kindly," Mr. Fane said to her one day.

Bobby was present, but sitting in the window with a book, and not noticed by his parents.

Mrs. Fane laughed.

"Don't I treat him right? Well, I do the best I can; he makes me so nervous, somehow!"

"Nonsense," said Mr. Fane.

"Well, he does. I believe I 'm afraid of him. He is so dark and thin and has such a fierceness under that gentle manner; he always makes me think of a scorpion!"

Little ears are sharp ears; Bobby had heard.

He got up and went softly out of the room, and up to the nursery floor. Dilâl was seated in the room where Moti slept, making a neat darn in one of that small maiden's stockings.

Bobby came across the room and looked