The Peace Egg and Other tales | Page 5

church, in the seat near the
pulpit? He wears a cloak like what the Blues wear, only all blue, and is
tall enough for a Lifeguardsman. He stood when we were kneeling
down, and said Almighty and most merciful Father louder than
anybody."
Sarah knew who the old gentleman was, and knew also that the
children did not know, and that their parents did not see fit to tell them
as yet. But she had a passion for telling and hearing news, and would
rather gossip with a child than not gossip at all. "Never you mind,
Master Robin," she said, nodding sagaciously. "Little boys aren't to
know everything."
"Ah, then, I know you don't know," replied Robert; "if you did, you'd
tell. Nicholas, give some of your bread to Darkie and Pax. I've done
mine. For what we have received, the Lord make us truly thankful. Say
your grace and put your chair away, and come along. I want to hold a
court-martial!" And seizing his own chair by the seat, Robin carried it
swiftly to its corner. As he passed Sarah, he observed tauntingly, "You
pretend to know, but you don't."
"I do," said Sarah.
"You don't," said Robin.
"Your ma's forbid you to contradict, Master Robin," said Sarah; "and if
you do I shall tell her. I know well enough who the old gentleman is,

and perhaps I might tell you, only you'd go straight off and tell again."
"No, no, I wouldn't!" shouted Robin. "I can keep a secret, indeed I can!
Pinch my little finger, and try. Do, do tell me, Sarah, there's a dear
Sarah, and then I shall know you know." And he danced round her,
catching at her skirts.
To keep a secret was beyond Sarah's powers.
"Do let my dress be, Master Robin," she said, "you're ripping out all the
gathers, and listen while I whisper. As sure as you're a living boy, that
gentleman's your own grandpapa."
Robin lost his hold on Sarah's dress; his arms fell by his side, and he
stood with his brows knit for some minutes, thinking. Then he said,
emphatically, "What lies you do tell, Sarah!"
"Oh, Robin!" cried Nicholas, who had drawn near, his thick curls
standing stark with curiosity, "Mamma said 'lies' wasn't a proper word,
and you promised not to say it again."
"I forgot," said Robin. "I didn't mean to break my promise. But she
does tell--ahem! you know what."
"You wicked boy!" cried the enraged Sarah; "how dare you to say such
a thing! and everybody in the place knows he's your ma's own pa."
"I'll go and ask her," said Robin, and he was at the door in a moment;
but Sarah, alarmed by the thought of getting into a scrape herself,
caught him by the arm.
"Don't you go, love; it'll only make your ma angry. There; it was all my
nonsense."
"Then it's not true?" said Robin, indignantly. "What did you tell me so
for?"
"It was all my jokes and nonsense," said the unscrupulous Sarah. "But
your ma wouldn't like to know I've said such a thing. And Master

Robert wouldn't be so mean as to tell tales, would he, love?"
"I'm not mean," said Robin, stoutly; "and I don't tell tales; but you do,
and you tell you know what, besides. However, I won't go this time; but
I'll tell you what--if you tell tales of me to Papa any more, I'll tell him
what you said about the old gentleman in the blue cloak." With which
parting threat Robin strode, off to join his brothers and sister.
Sarah's tale had put the court-martial out of his head, and he leaned
against the tall fender, gazing at his little sister, who was tenderly
nursing a well-worn doll. Robin sighed.
"What a long time that doll takes to wear out, Dora!" said he. "When
will it be done?"
"Oh, not yet, not yet!" cried Dora, clasping the doll to her, and turning
away. "She's quite good, yet."
"How miserly you are," said her brother; "and selfish, too; for you
know I can't have a military funeral till you'll let me bury that old
thing."
Dora began to cry.
"There you go, crying!" said Robin, impatiently. "Look here: I won't
take it till you get the new one on your birthday. You can't be so mean
as not to let me have it then!"
But Dora's tears still fell. "I love this one so much," she sobbed. "I love
her better than the new one."
"You want both; that's it," said Robin, angrily. "Dora, you're the
meanest girl I ever knew!"
At which unjust and painful accusation Dora threw herself and the doll
upon their faces, and wept bitterly. The eyes of the soft-hearted
Nicholas began to fill with