Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-08-19


Then | turned to 90 indoors. revolving in nv
thoughts how could best avoid Tom. But ere
L could solve the difficult problem, loud, rough
voice called out from the shrubbery:
'Hullo, Cousin LettIce, why I'm just min
ute too late amt L? She's OFF. amt she? ?"
Aunt Nab has just gone." 1 replied with
chilly dignity. Tom in his brief speech had al
ready offended me twice. did not like to be
"ai MT
However, he emerged from the shrubbery as
unconcerned and cheerful as usual and came up
to where L stood. He was dressed in white
flannel from head to foot and was lazily swing
ing his long arms to and fro.
MIS-" f' WIZ
you please kindly remember to call me Lee
tita?''
Certainly, certainly.
'My dearest love- could not wish her
name more charming than Letitia.'
"Or shall call you Tishy?
'Little Miss Tishy.
Her conduct W as flShy.'"
''TOm!"
eyes Letitia."
~ am going in, and-and-I shall be ex-
tremely busy all day"
''Oh, indee1l Well. so shall I; too busy to
talk to you. Miss Tishy. know how to take a
hint as well as anybody, believe me-
So saying, and with very red face. Tom
strobe away. whsting s. La-di-da" as he went.
What pumpkin he was, to be sure and
what a9gressively aud irritatingly vulgar man.
ners some unknd fairy godmOther had bestowed
on him! 1t was all very well that he pretended
to study Latin and Greek while he spent the
summer with Aunt Nab: he was far more likely
to take double first-class in boating or
crlcketlng. or become a senior wrang Ter with a
fshing-rOd, than to excel in any purely mental
struggle. AS for myself. | was o young Lon
dn,n TO- ,@v,s~ So, III -
garden-party at Fulham or Chiswick with
plenty OF strawberries and cream couple of
laburnum trees and the Hungarian band), real
lied my notion of the country far more than
this silent nook in the wilds of Devonshre in
which, however. had already spent ten idle
days, wandering about with my aunt making
UNBEATABLE cheeses under the supercious
direction of the dairymaid, and perpetually
squabbling with Cousin Tom.
Tom had walked away now, whstling and
aggrieved. and went indoors. and opened the
piano. and practiced a nOcturne by Chopin
could hear TOm'in his study, stamping up and
down, and banging the door Of his bookcase.
Then all was still. and / knew he had settled
down to read; but | practiced diligently, for
reflected that music might annoy him. and
interfere with his meditatiOns on Horace or Eu-
ripides
1 distinctly hated Tom; must have done so,
for often lOnged to do him an injury 1t only
irrtated me to see that Aunt Nab liked him,
and that the vicar, the hOusekeeper, the dogs
and cats, and all the dirty little village chill
dreE loved and idOlZed him. But, Of course
in sleepy and benighted village there is no.
body for anybody else to like, and the one young
man in the place must needs grow spoiled and
Oyerbearing.
An hour had passed, and my fingers grew
tired, and my head heavy. Had Tom been any,
one but Tom, should have almost regretted my
refusal Of his offer of lawn-tennis. Lawn-ten-
mis-. the very word was refreshing, and sug-
geSted pleasant paStime and good fellowship
/ left the piano and turned to the open window;
the garden was cool and green, the room was
close and decidedly dreary. Finally l sailed
forth. my complexion protected by the shady
hat and gauze veil that LOndOners deem neces-
sary for rural life, and carrying in basket the
latest invention of yellOw-brOwn art needle
work. intending to spend a pleasant hour in the
shade.
But had not gone dozen yards before 1
came upon Tom, partly asleep, his legs and
arms stretched over half dozen chairs, two
Latin books and a big dictionary lying on the
gravel path, and the last number of Punch
spread open on his knee.
said l.
Not in the least answered Tom benlg-
nantly.
II thought you were in your study"
$50 was, but the Internal noise Of your
II forgot you are not fond Of music"
"On the contrary, love music. 1t was music
that drove me out Of the house. and caused me
TO IND this deliciOusly calm retreat. Have q
chair?''
mo, thank you; am going in"
what, when you have only just come out?
How restless you are! You had better sit
down."
''Why should ?"
at Is your duty to entertain me-"
'My duty indeed"
Ibid not Aunt Nab bid you do so? No? Well.
anyhow, she told me to entertain you, Cousin
Lettuce"
''She told you."
Certainly Tom, dear boy (Aunt Nab
you are bucolic, and Lettice isn't anything Of
the sort. She must tame YOU"
AUNT Nab never spoke like that"
''She did; to that effect. at least And she
added: Tom. dear old man, it's your manifest
duty to be tanned"
''Oh, Cousin Toni"
"Oh, Cousin Lettuce Getitia, mean), do 80
want TO be tanned"
But Tom. as he made this apparently humble
speech. looked up with 30 defiant and imperti-
nent an expression on his countenance, that
turned algrily from him and walked quickly
and In silence across the lawn toward the
house. As l went I heard peal of derisive
laughter. and knew that Tom was mocking
me. Oh, how l hated Tom!
meditated on revenge, however, and when
follow out my aunt's suggestion. and, there
fore, gave orders that should be served on q
tray IN the drawing room. Five minutes after
had gwen the order, there came q knock at the
door. and Tom walked in
You are i'll, he said abruptly,
"Not at ALL"
"What is the matter then?"
May not wish to be alone?"
"Oh, certainly"
As rcd as fire, Tom retraced his steps, but
equally suddenly, he changed his intention. and
recrOssed the room rapidly to where l sat
This is oil nonsense, Lefty. You are really
H." 0'''
81 am not ILL.,"
81 Either You are ILL or you must be able to
walk into the dining-room. shall send for q
doctor st oncei"
"You win do no such thing. Tom; will not
have it."
81 shall do what think necessary. In INV
aunt's absence am the only responsible person
In the house."
you arc not my keeper"