Terry | Page 5

the next thing was
she had jaunted off with herself and was lookin' back laughin' at me."
"I know; I know her way," said Madam. "Lally, I intended to give you
such a scolding as you could never forget, but I see it's no use. I can
only implore of you not to give in to Miss Terry's coaxing again, no
matter what the consequences." And then Granny paused, remembering

those kisses on her cheek and those arms round her neck.
"We must try to control her," she said, "or her wild daring will cost us
her life."
"God forbid, madam!" said Lally.
"You have had a long, cold journey to-day. Have you had a good
supper, Lally?"
"Sorra bit could I ate, madam, till I had a word with yourself. But
anyhow I'll go and ate it now."
CHAPTER III
A WET DAY
Terry and Turly were snugly lodged on the same flat with Granny's
bedroom and sitting-room. Nurse Nancy's room stood between the two
pretty little chambers given to the children, and the big day nursery was
close by. Everything was very nicely arranged for the comfort of the
little visitors and for the maintaining of a proper control over them by
Madam and Nurse Nancy; Here they were to be safe night and day
under the eyes of their elders, except when allowed to go out with
proper escort. The gate at the back stairs, which gave on the landing
and had been placed there years ago for the protection of little children
long since able to take care of themselves, was as strong as ever and
shut with as clever a snap, so that there was no danger by that way.
There were also guards on all the fires, and an ornamental bar across
each window to prevent little rash creatures from throwing themselves
out.
"What mischief can she do?" Granny had asked Nancy after surveying
all these safeguards before the coming of the children; and Nancy's
hearty answer, "'t will puzzle her, madam," had been soothing to the
anxious old mother.
When Terry wakened on the morning after her arrival she got up and

put her face to the window-pane.
"Wet!" she said. "Mountains all wrapped up in white sheets with just
their heads out. Rain pouring. And I did so want to be out everywhere
till bed-time again!"
She had taken her bath and dressed before Nancy had done with Turly
and came to look for her.
"Now, Miss Terry, it's too much in your own hands you are entirely,
Miss," said Nancy. "You had a right to stay quiet till I came to give you
leave to get up."
"But, Nancy dear, what would be the use in my lying there to be a
trouble to you when I have got a pair of hands of my own? But oh,
Nursey, will you put in a few buttons up my back for me? Now didn't I
save up something to be a bother to you?"
"If that's all the bother you give me it won't be heavy on me," said
Nancy, giving her a few finishing touches before she brought her into
tho nursery to breakfast.
After breakfast the children were told that Granny was not very well, a
result of the excitement of yesterday and the wet weather which
affected her. She could not have Terry and Turly with her until
afternoon tea time, except just for a minute to bid her good-morning.
Terry was greatly distressed at this news until she had seen Granny
looking, to her eyes, just the same as ever, after which she was quite
contented. Only, how was the day to be spent?
There was a little excitement about the unpacking of her things and
setting out the little presents she had got for Granny. Nurse Nancy too
had to be surprised and delighted at the gift of a nice, large, white lawn
kerchief, hemmed by Terencia, such as Nancy was accustomed to wear
folded round her neck and across her breast, and which was so
becoming to her dear old black eyes and brown face. And after that
gratifying presentation how could Nurse Nancy be exceedingly strict

and distrustful on that particularly wet and dark December morning?
On the contrary, she was in her most amiable and indulgent humour.
"I've got such a fine lot of toys for good children," she said, and began
opening the cupboards and drawers. "Here's dolls and soldiers, and
bricks and all sorts of what-not. And you'll amuse yourselves with them
like good childher, for I'm goin' to be an hour or so in there, attendin'
on your gran'ma. Or will I send up Bridget to be lookin' afther ye?"
"Oh no, please!" said Terry, "we can look after ourselves till you come
back.