"
"You have never done anything very dreadful, child," said the doctor
with a smile. "Your Aunt Rachel has not been accustomed to little girls,
it is true; but I suppose she won't expect you to be quite like an old
woman."
[Sidenote: "I will do my very best"]
"No; but if she knew about Johnnie and Francie falling into the water,
and about the chickens, and how Alfred and I let Farmer Smith's cow into
the potato-field, and the other things, she might not understand that I
am going to be different; and I shall be different--I shall indeed,
papa."
"Yes, Edith, it is time you began to be more thoughtful, and to remember
that there are things in the world, even for boys and girls, far more
important than play. If it will be any comfort to you, I will readily
promise not to mention the cow, or the chickens, or even that famous
water escapade. But I shall trust to your own good sense and knowledge
of what is right, and shall expect you to make for yourself a good
character with your aunt. You may be sure she will, from the first, be
influenced much more by your behaviour than by anything I can say."
"Yes, I know," murmured Edith. "I will do my very best."
She would have liked to say something about helping her father in his
difficulties, but the shyness that generally overcame her when she
talked to him prevented any further words on the subject; and Dr. Harley
began to draw her attention to the objects of interest they were
passing, and to remark that in another twenty minutes they would be
half-way to Silchester.
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