nd insult.

Iden was in reality a very proud man, and the insults of his petty
creditors fretted him.

He would have been glad if Amaryllis had become her grandfather's
favourite; as the grandfather had thrown savage words at the girl, so
much the more was added to the score against the grandfather.

Mrs. Iden hated the grandfather with every drop of Flamma blood in her
veins--hated him above all for his pseudo-Flamma relationship, for old
Iden had in his youth been connected with the Flammas in business--hated
him for his veneration of the aristocratic and mediaeval Pamments.

She was always impressing upon Amaryllis the necessity of cultivating
her grandfather's goodwill, and always abusing him--contradicting
herself in the most natural manner.

This letter had given them such delight, because it showed how deeply
Amaryllis had annoyed the old gentleman. Had he been whipped he could
hardly have yelled more; he screamed through his scratchy quill. Suppose
they did lose his money, he had had _one_ good upset, that was
something.

They were eager to hear all about it. Amaryllis was at first very shy to
tell, knowing that her father was a thick Tory and an upholder of the
Pamments, and fearing his displeasure. But for various reasons both
father and mother grew warmer in delight at every fresh incident of her
story.

Mrs. Flamma Iden--revolutionary Flamma--detested the Pamments
enthusiastically, on principle first, and next, because the grandfather
paid them such court.

Iden was indeed an extra thick Tory, quite opaque, and had voted in the
Pamment interest these thirty years, yet he had his secret reasons for
disliking them personally.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Iden agreed in their scorn of the grandfather's
pottering about the grounds and in and out the conservatories, as if
that was the highest honour on earth. Yet Mrs. Iden used often to accuse
her husband of a desire to do the very same thing: "You're just as
stupid," she would say; "you'd think it wonderful to have a private
key--you're every bit as silly really, only you haven't got the chance."

However, from a variety of causes they agreed in looking on Amaryllis'
disgrace as a high triumph and glory.

So she was petted all the morning by both parties--a rare thing--and in
the afternoon Iden gave her the sovereign she had brought home, to buy
her some new boots, and to spend the rest as she chose on herself.

Away went Amaryllis to the town, happy and ye