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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
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