Erveng asked the one she wanted,--people generally claim that
privilege." So far was all right; but she must needs go on, and, as
Phil says, "put her foot in it." "I really hope you'll behave yourself
nicely, Betty," she continued, "for only the other day I heard Mrs.
Erveng say that she thought you had improved wonderfully lately; _do_
keep up to that reputation."
Betty was furious! "No, _really_? How _very_ kind of her!" she burst out
scornfully. "The idea of her criticising me,--and to you! You ought to
be ashamed not to stand up for your own sister to strangers! Indeed,
I'll do just as I please; _I'm_ not afraid of Mrs. Erveng! I'll slide
down every banister, if I feel like it, and swing on the doors, too, and
make the most horrible faces; you see if I don't come home before the
month is out!"
"Leave their house standing, Elizabeth,--just for decency's sake, you
know," advised Phil.
We were all laughing, and what does Nora do but pitch into me for it.
"Can't you find anything better to do, Jack, than encouraging Betty to
be rude and unladylike?" she commenced sharply; but just then Hannah
came, asking for something, and, with a great air of importance, Nora
went off with her.
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