opposite direction; he withdraws himself with dignity, but does not look very angry, so I proceed to try and make my peace after a sneaking feminine fashion.
"Was it very nice?" I ask, in a propitiatory tone.
"First-rate; wouldn't have missed it for anything."
"Did it squeak much?"
"Awfully; didn't you hear him? There will be some prime bacon though, and I shall take a ham back to school."
Bacon! ham! Three hours ago it was a breathing, enjoying, reasonable pig, now———
"It is Pimpernel Fair to-morrow," I say, suggestively, hoping by a change of subject to divert Jack's thoughts from my delinquencies, upon which I am certain they are running.
"I know; but it's no good, the governor won't let us go."
"Mother is going to ask him; let us pray that the answer may be favourable."
Eight o'clock strikes as we turn in at the back door, and at the sound we both start as if we had been shot. To drag off our hats, and make a rush for the breakfast-parlour, is the work of a moment; and by the skin of our teeth are we saved, for by great good luck the governor this morning enters the room at ten seconds past the hour, instead of on the stroke, as is his wont.
Now there are laws and laws in our house, to break either of which is a very serious matter, but to be late for prayers is crime. To fall sick, tear our clothes, tell lies, steal fruit, and roll in the flower-beds, is bad, and will be punished accordingly, but to be late for prayers!—far better were it for that luckless wight that he or she had never been born. I wonder if, when I am quite old, I shall ever be able to forget that awful sickening moment, when, having torn down the stairs at headlong speed, I found the door shut, and heard papa's voice booming away with angry fervour inside?
