boy! Pray come and see my godson. Come,
Violet, we want you to exhibit him.'

Arthur looked up with a smile intended to be disdainful, but which was
gratified, and moved across, with the newspaper in his hand, to lean
against the window-shutter.

'There's John without his hat--he is growing quite adventurous. Very
pretty Violet always is with the boy in her arms--she is the show one of
the two. Hollo, if Percy has not taken the monkey himself; that's a pass
beyond me. How she colours and smiles--just look, Theodora, is it not a
picture?'

If he had called her to look at Johnnie, she must have come; but she
was annoyed at his perpetual admiration, and would not abet his making
himself ridiculous.

'I must not wait,' she said, 'I am late.'

Arthur shrugged his shoulders, and turned to his paper.

She put on her gloves, and took up her books. Percy meeting her, as she
came down the steps, said, 'I have been introduced to your nephew.'

'I hope you are gratified.'

'He has almost too much countenance,' said Percy. 'There is something
melancholy in such wistful looks from a creature that cannot speak, just
as one feels with a dog.'

'I am afraid he is very weakly,' said Theodora.

'I am sorry to hear it; it seems like a new life to John, and that
pretty young mother looks so anxious. Do you see much of her?'

'Not much; I have not time to join in the general Violet worship.'

'They are not spoiling her, I hope. It does one good to see such a
choice specimen of womankind.'

'There, don't come any further; I must make haste.'

'Like all the rest,' she thought; 'not a man but is more attracted by
feminine airs and graces than by sterling qualities.'

On coming out of church, in the afternoon, John, looking at the
beautiful green shady bank of the river, proposed a walk along it; all
the party gladly acceded, except Theodora, who, not without a certain
pleasure in separating herself from them, declared that there was a
child who must be made to say her hymn before going home.

'Can't you excuse her for once?' said Lord Martindale.

'No, papa.'

'Not if I beg her off publicly?'

'No, thank you. There is a temper that must be overcome.'

'Then flog her well, and have done with it,' said Arthur. Deigning no
reply, she pounced upon her victim as the procession of scholars came
out of church, 'Come, I am waiting to hear you say it. "How doth the
little--"'

The child stood like a post.

'That is a Benson