Was this the beginning of captivity to Uncle John?
David and Johnnie were quite angry. They considered it highly proper
that Hal should be shut up with Uncle John, but they thought it very
hard that Sam should be so used too; and Sam himself looked very
round-backed, reluctant, and miserable, partly at the task, partly at
being deprived of the sight of his father for several hours of one of
those few precious days.
Miss Fosbrook wished Susan to have sat on the front seat of the old
phaeton with her father; but he would not consent to this, and
putting the two little girls together behind, handed the governess to
the place of honour beside him, where she felt rather shy, in spite
of his bright easy manner.
"I am afraid," he said, after having flourished his whip merrily at
Johnnie, Annie, and Davie, who were holding open the iron gate, "that
you have had a tough job with those youngsters! We never meant you
to have been left so long to their mercy."
"I know--I know; I only wish I could have done better."
"You have done wonders. My brother hardly knows where he is--never
saw those children so mannerly.
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