She had a cough, which did not
give her by any means as much inconvenience as the noise it
occasioned did to other people. Every morning and every evening she
anxiously asked her sisters whether they thought she would be allowed
to go. Another of the party seemed likely to fail. On the 5th of
January Claude came down to breakfast later even than usual; but he
had no occasion to make excuses, for his heavy eyes, the dark lines
under them, his pale cheeks, and the very sit of his hair, were sure
signs that he had a violent headache. He soon betook himself to the
sofa in the drawing-room, attended by Lily, with pillows, cushions,
ether, and lavender. Late in the afternoon the pain diminished a
little, and he fell asleep, to the great joy of his sister, who sat
watching him, scarcely daring to move.
Suddenly a frightful scream and loud crash was heard in the room
above them. Claude started up, and Lily, exclaiming, 'Those tiresome
children!' hurried to the room whence the noise had come.
Reginald, Phyllis, and Ada, all stood there laughing. Reginald and
Phyllis had been climbing to the top of a great wardrobe, by means of
a ladder of chairs and tables.
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