ress? You are the only one I have got, Jean, my bonnie pussie; the
only one who, like myself, is faithful and true.'
It was just at that moment, when Jean had sunk into placid slumber and
the Flower Girls were intending to leave the room, that there came a
gentle, very gentle, knock at the door.
'Who can be there now?' said Hollyhock. 'Whoever it is will wake the
cat.-- There, my bonnie beastie, sleep away. Don't you know that you
and I are the two lonely ones of the family?'
The amazed Jean cuddled up closer than ever to Hollyhock, and the next
minute the door was quietly opened by Mrs Constable.
'Well, children,' she said, 'the boys are downstairs, so I thought you
might like to see them. I 'm very sorry to perceive that our little
Hollyhock isn't well. This is a sad blow, when one has a rare holiday
and has looked forward to it. But I want to have a talk with Hollyhock
all by myself.'
'You won't bring me round, so don't think it,' said Hollyhock.
But Mrs Constable, taking no notice of these words, motioned to the
other four Flower Girls to leave the room. She then proceeded to make
up the fire brightly and to straighten Hollyhock's disordered bed.
'Now, my child, what 's wrong with you?' she said in that voice so
melting and so sweet that few could resist it.
'Oh, Aunt Cecil, I'm so unhappy--I'm alone. I have no one to love me
now but Jean.'
'Poor little Jean! She seems very happy,' said Mrs Constable; 'but I'm
afraid she'll make dirty marks on your white counterpane, child.'
'As if I cared. I'd stand more than that for love.'
'Now, Hollyhock,' replied Mrs Constable, 'I must get to the bottom of
this. You are my own dear little girl, remember, and I must find out
whether you are ill or not.'
'Of course I 'm ill; that is, I 'm a little ill.'
'I have a thermometer with me. I'll take your temperature,' said Mrs
Constable.
'Auntie, I would so much rather you didn't.'
'I 'm afraid I must, child; for if you have a temperature, I must send
for Dr Maguire.'
'I won't see him!'
'You need not, my child, if you have no temperature. Now, let me try;
for afterwards I have some very exciting news to tell you. None of the
other girls know it yet.'
'Oh, auntie, you do excite me! Yes, I 'll put the little thermometer
into my mouth. I hope I sha'n't break it, though.'
'You must be careful, Hollyhock; for were you to swallow all that
mercury, it would kill you.'
'Oh, auntie,
|