The CHILDREN of WILTON CHASE

CONTENTS.


CHAPTER PAGE

I. MARJORIE'S WAY, 1

II. SHARK, 13

III. ERMENGARDE'S SIN, 25

IV. THE DAY OF THE PICNIC, 32

V. LOCKED IN THE CUPBOARD, 62

VI. A STOLEN TREASURE, 69

VII. A GOOD, BOYISH SORT OF GIRL, 82

VIII. FATHER'S BIRTHDAY, 97

IX. FIVE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, 104

X. THE REIGN OF CHAOS, 115

XI. AFTER THE FUN, 133

XII. AFTER THE BIRTHDAY, 150

XIII. BASIL'S OPINION, 162

XIV. I SERVE, 175

XV. LILIAS, 187

XVI. THE BEAUTIFUL DRESS, 199

XVII. THE MORE BEAUTIFUL FACE, 210

XVIII. IN THE TOILS, 217

XIX. SOME PEOPLE WHO DID NOT FLATTER, 228

XX. WHAT DID BASIL MEAN? 235

XXI. SUSY'S FEVERISH DESIRE, 241

XXII. QUITE IN A NEW CHARACTER, 250

XXIII. BLESSED AND HAPPY, 261


CHAPTER I.

MARJORIE'S WAY.


"I don't care," said Ermengarde. "I won't do it! I won't obey her!"

"What are you saying, Ermie?"

Ermengarde was standing by the dressing-table in her room. She had
been talking half to herself; she now turned quickly round, and
confronted a plain little girl of between eleven and twelve.

"Is that you, Marjorie? I didn't know you were listening. I had not an
idea you were in the room."

"But what _did_ you say, Ermie? Who is the person you won't obey?"

Marjorie had puckered up her brows. Her small, shrewd, sensible face
looked full of anxiety.

"Now, look here," said Ermengarde, speaking with passion, "don't you
interfere! You are always poking your finger into everyone's pie.
Leave mine alone. I don't want you to meddle, nor to help me. I
understand my own affairs. What is the matter? Are you going to cry?"

"No, Ermengarde. I don't cry. I think it's babyish."