"
There was quite a little buzz of admiration through the room when
Daisy made this innocent little speech, and all eyes were turned on
Arthur Noel. Then there was a pause. Mr. Ellsworthy was again heard
to clear his throat, and no one seemed quite to know what to do next.
Suddenly Hannah Martin broke the spell--
"Goodness gracious me!" she said, "how long are the darling young
ladies to be kept in suspense? Miss Primrose, why, you have got a
brother, and there he stands. Mr. Arthur, come and kiss your sisters,
my dear. Oh, my darling, darling girls, it's perfectly, perfectly
true; he's the boy your mother broke her heart about long ago."
The confusion and agitation which followed can scarcely be
described--the joy of the sisters can scarcely be painted. Daisy took
this wonderful and important discovery more coolly and calmly than the
others.
"It doesn't make a bit of difference in my love to him," she said,
"for I always loved him as if he were my brother."
"And now, Primrose," said Arthur, "you are mistress of this house, and
please remember that visitors are coming here presently, and that you
are to entertain them."
"Are we always to live with you, Arthur?" asked Jasmine.
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