The worst was over with Phyllis when the
confession had been made. She was in raptures at the sight of the
baby, and was presently showing the nurse the way upstairs, but her
brother William called her back: 'Phyllis, you have not spoken to
any one.'
Phyllis turned, and came down slowly in her most ungainly manner,
believing herself in too great disgrace to be noticed by anybody, and
she was quite surprised and comforted to be greeted by her brothers
and Lily just as usual.
'And how did you meet with this misfortune?' asked Mr. Hawkesworth.
'I banged the door, and made it go off,' said Phyllis.
'What can you mean?' said William, in a tone of surprise, which
Phyllis took for anger, and she hid her face to stifle her sobs.
'No, no, do not frighten her,' said Claude's kind voice.
'Run and make friends with your nephew, Phyllis,' said Mr.
Hawkesworth; 'do not greet us with crying.'
'First tell me what is become of Maurice,' said Claude, 'is he blown
up too?'
'No, he is at the Old Court,' said Phyllis. 'Shall I tell him that
you are come?'
'I will look for him,' said Claude, and out he went.
The others dispersed in different directions, and did not assemble
again for nearly half an hour, when they all met in the drawing-room
to drink tea; Claude and Maurice were the last to appear, and, on
entering, the first thing the former said was, 'Where is Phyllis?'
'In the nursery,' said Jane; 'she has had her supper, and chooses to
stay with Ada.
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