'
'I'll tell you what, Maurice,' said Phyllis, 'I do wish you would not
make me promise, for I do not think I CAN keep it, for I cannot bear
to see the beautiful live things killed.'
'Nonsense,' said Maurice, fiercely, 'I am very angry indeed, you
naughty child; promise--'
'I cannot,' said Phyllis, beginning to cry.
'Then,' said Maurice, 'I will not speak to you all day.'
'No, no,' shouted Reginald, 'we will only treat her like the horse-
stinger; you wanted a puella, Maurice--here is one for you, here,
give her a dose of the turpentine.'
'Yes,' said Maurice, advancing with his bottle; 'and do you take the
poker down to Naylor's to be sharpened, it will just do to stick
through her back. Oh! no, not Naylor's--the girls have made a hash
there, as they do everything else; but we will settle her before they
come out again.'
Phyllis screamed and begged for mercy--her last ally had deserted
her.
'Promise!' cried the boys.
'Oh, don't!' was all her answer.
Reginald caught her and held her fast, Maurice advanced upon her, she
struggled, and gave a scream of real terror. The matter was no joke
to any one but Reginald, for Maurice was very angry and really meant
to frighten her.
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