Page:Emily Climbs.pdf/299

you've told’me who around here owns a white, curly, utterly mannerless, devilish dog?”

“Lily Bates,” said Mrs. Royal in a tone of despair. “Oh, has she let that creature out again? I had a most terrible time with him before you came. He’s really just a big puppy and he can’t behave. I told her finally if I caught him over here again I’d poison him. She’s kept him shut up since then. But now—oh, my lovely rex.”

“Well, this dog came in with Emily. I supposed he was her dog. Courtesy to a guest implies courtesy to her dog—isn’t there an old proverb that expresses it more concisely? He embraced me fervently upon his entrance, as my dearest dress testifies. He marked up your davenport—he tore off Emily’s violets—he chased your cat—he overturned your begonia—he broke your vase—he ran off with our chicken—ay, groan, Aunt Angela, he did!—and yet I, determinedly composed and courteous, said not a word of protest. I vow my behaviour was worthy of New Moon itself—wasn’t it, Emily?”

“You were just too mad to speak,” said Mrs. Royal ruefully, fingering her wrecked begonia.

Miss Royal stole a sly glance at Emily.

“You see, I can’t. put anything over on Aunt Angela. She knows me too well. I admit I was not my usual charming self. But, Aunty darling, I’ll get you a new vase and a new begonia—think of all the fun you'll have coaxing it along. Anticipation is always so much more interesting than realisation.”

“I 'll settle Lily Bates,” said Mrs. Royal, going out of the room to look for a dustpan.

“Now, dear thing, let’s gab,” said Miss Royal, snuggling down beside Emily.

This was the Miss Royal of the letter. Emily found no difficulty in talking to her. They had a jolly hour and at the end of it Miss Royal made a proposition that took away Emily’s breath.

“Emily, I want you to come back to New York with me in July. There’s a vacancy on the staff of The Ladies’