Nothing had as yet befallen Henry, for he came down to breakfast in
the morning; but his father did not greet him, and spoke no word to
him all the time they were in the room together. The children felt
that this was indeed terrific. Such a thing had never befallen any
of them before. They would much rather have been whipped; and even
David's heart sank.
Something, however, was soon said that put all else out of his
sisters' minds. The Captain turned to them with his merry smile,
saying, "Pray what would Miss Susie and Miss Bessie say to coming up
to London with me to see Mamma?"
The two girls bounded upon their chairs; Susan's eyes grew round, and
Bessie's long; the one said, "O Papa!" and the other, "Oh, thank
you!" and they looked so overwhelmed with ecstasy, and all the three
elders laughed.
"Then you will behave discreetly, young women?"
"I'll try," said Susan; "and Bessie always does. Oh, thank you,
Papa!"
"Grandmamma should be thanked; she asked me to bring a child or two,
to be with Mamma when I go down to Portsmouth. We had thought of
Susan; but I think Betty deserves some amends for what she has
undergone.
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