Big Game - A Story for Girls

Ronald's awkward couplet gave him employment for the rest of the

morning, and lunch-time found him still dissatisfied. An adjective

avoided his quest--the right adjective; the one and only word which

expressed the precise shade of meaning desired. From the recesses of

his brain it peeped at him, now advancing so near that it was almost

within grasp, anon retreating to a shadowy distance. There was no help

for it but to wait for the moment when, tired of its game of hide-and-

seek, it would choose the most unexpected and inappropriate moment to

peer boldly forward, and make its curtsy.

Meantime Margot had dusted the china in the drawing-room, watered the

plants, put in an hour's practising, and done a few odds and ends of

mending; in a word, had gone through the programme which comprises the

duties of a well-to-do modern maiden, and by half-past eleven was

stepping out of the door, arrayed in a pretty spring dress, and her

third best hat. She crept quietly along the hall, treading with the

cautious steps of one who wishes to escape observation; but her

precautions were in vain, for just as she was passing the door of the

morning-room it was thrown open from within, and Agnes appeared upon the

threshold--Agnes neat and trim in her morning gown of serviceable fawn

alpaca, her hands full of tradesmen's books, on her face an expression

of acute disapproval.

"Going out, Margot? So early? It's not long past eleven o'clock!"

"I know?"

"Where are you going?"

"Don't know!"

"If you are passing down Edgware Road--"

"I'm not!"

The front door closed with a bang, leaving Agnes discomfited on the mat.

There was no denying that at times Margot was distinctly difficult in

her dealings with her elder sister. She herself was aware of the fact,

and repented ardently after each fresh offence, but alas! without

reformation.

"We don't fit. We never shall, if we live together a hundred years.

Edgware Road, indeed, on a morning like this, when you can hear the

spring a-calling, and it's a sin and a shame to live in a city at all!

If I had told her I was going into the Park, she would have offered

stale bread for the ducks!" Margot laughed derisively as she crossed

the road in the direction of the Park, and passing in through a narrow

gateway, struck boldly across a wide avenue between stretches of grass

where the wind and sun had full play, and she could be as much alone as

possible, within the precincts of the great city.