She fixed her grey eyes on her father's face, as if she meant to pluck out his secret.He only smiled and said, - 'You're a witch, goosey!' 'Then it had! But if it was a note from Mrs Hamley, why might I not see it? I have been wondering if you had some plan in your head ever since that day - Thursday, was it not? You've gone about in a kind of thoughtful perplexed way, just like a conspirator.Tell me, papa' - coming up to him, and putting on a beseeching manner - 'why might not I see that note? and why am I to go to Hamley all on a sudden?' 'Don't you like to go? Would you rather not?' If she had said that she did not want to go he would have been rather pleased than otherwise, although it would have put him into a great perplexity; but he was beginning to dread the parting from her even for so short a time.However, she replied directly, - 'I don't know - I dare say I shall like it when I have thought a little more about it.Just now I am so startled by the suddenness of the affair, I have not considered whether I shall like it or not.I shan't like going away from you, I know.Why am I to go, papa?' 'There are three old ladies sitting somewhere, I and thinking about you just at this very minute; one has a distaff in her hands, and is spinning a thread; she has come to a knot in it, and is puzzled what to do with it.Her sister has a great pair of scissors in her hands, and wants - as she always does, when any difficulty arises in the smoothness of the thread - to cut it off short; but the third, who has the most head of the three, plans how to undo the knot; and she it is who has decided that you are to go to Hamley.The others are quite convinced by her arguments; so, as the Fates have decreed that this visit is to be paid, there is nothing left for you and me but to submit.' 'That is all nonsense, papa, and you are only making me more curious to find out this hidden reason.' Mr Gibson changed his tone, and spoke gravely now.'There is a reason, Molly, and one which I do not wish to give.When I tell you this much, I expect you to be an honourable girl, and to try and not even conjecture what the reason may be, - much less endeavour to put little discoveries together till very likely you may find out what I want to conceal.' 'Papa, I won't even think about your reason again.But then I shall have to plague you with another question.I have had no new gowns this year, and I have outgrown all my last summer frocks.I have only three that Ican wear at all.Betty was saying only yesterday that I ought to have some more.' 'That will do that you have got on, won't it? It is a very pretty colour.' 'Yes; but, papa,' (holding it out as if she was, going to dance) 'it's made of woollen, and so hot and heavy; and every day it will be getting warmer.' 'I wish girls could dress like boys,' said Mr Gibson, with a little impatience.
第27章 CALF-LOVE (5)（1 / 3）