Big Game - A Story for Girls

"Ronald is not an `ordinary English boy'!"

"Hoity-toity! Now she's offended!" The Chieftain looked at his

companion's flushed cheeks with twinkling eyes, not one whit daunted by

her airs of dignified displeasure. "Don't want me to say what isn't

true, do you? He's a nice lad--a very nice lad, and a clever one into

the bargain, though by no means the paragon you think him. That's why

I'm sorry to see him frittering away his youth, instead of making hay

while the sun shines. He'll be old soon enough. Wake up some fine

morning to find himself with a bald head and stiff joints. Then he'll

be sorry! Wouldn't bother my head about him if I didn't like the lad.

Have a peppermint? It will soothe your feelings."

The parcel of round black bull's eyes was held towards Margot in

ingratiating fashion. It was impossible to refuse, impossible to

cherish angry feelings, impossible to do anything but laugh and be happy

in the presence of this kindest and most cheery of men. Margot took the

peppermint, and sucked it with frank enjoyment the while she sat by the

tarn reading her letters. Having received nothing from home for several

days, the same post had now brought letters from her father, Edith, and

Agnes, to say nothing of illustrated missives from the two small

nephews. Mr Vane's note was short, and more an echo of her own last

letter than a record of his own doings.

"Glad to know that you like your surroundings--pleased to hear that the

weather keeps fine--hope you will enjoy your excursion," etcetera,

etcetera.

Just at the end came a few sentences which to the reader's quick wits

were full of hidden meaning.

"Agnes is taking the opportunity of your absence to organise a second

spring cleaning. It seems only the other day since we were upset

before. I dined at the club last night. It is difficult to know what

to do with oneself on these long light evenings.--I would run away over

Sunday, if I could think of any place I cared to go to... Town seems

very empty."

"Poor dear darling!" murmured Margot sympathetically, at which the

Chieftain lifted his eyes to flash upon her a glance of twinkling

amusement. He made no spoken comment, however, but returned to the

perusal of his own correspondence, while Margot broke open the envelope

of Agnes's letter.

Two sheets of handwriting, with immense spaces between both words and

lines--"My dear Margot," as a beginning--"Your affectionate sister,

Agnes Mary Vane," as a conclusion. Thrilling information to the effect

that the charwoman was coming on Friday. Complaints of the late arrival

of the sweep. Information requested concerning a missing mat which was

required to complete a set. Mild disapproval of the Nag's Head Inn. "I

cannot understand what you find to rave about in such quarters." A sigh

of impatience and resignation was the tribute paid to this letter, and

then Margot settled herself more comfortably on the stone, and prepared

to enjoy a treat--a real heart-to-heart talk with her beloved eldest

sister.