"My dears, I do not approve such behaviour as this."
Kate began to sob, and Adam followed her example.
"There, now, do not cry," said papa; "I cannot permit you to cry. You
may go with Lady Carse. Lady Carse is so kind as to wish you to go with
her. You will like to go with the lady. Why do you not reply, my
dears. You must reply when spoken to. You will like to go with the
lady--eh?"
"No," murmured Kate.
"No," whispered Adam.
"I am astonished," papa declared. "I never saw them conduct themselves
in this manner before. Did you, my dear?"
"No; but it is an accident, I dare say. Something has put them out."
"I must ascertain the cause, however," papa declared. "Such an incident
must not pass uncorrected. Listen to me, my dears, and answer me when I
ask you a question. Look at this lady."
Kate slowly lifted her eyes, and Adam then did the same. They seemed on
the verge of another scream; and this was not extraordinary; for Lady
Carse was not laughing now, but very far from it. There was something
in her face that made the children catch at mamma's gown.
"Listen to me, my dears," papa went on; "and reply when I ask you a
question. This good lady is going to live with us--"
A deeper plunge into the folds of mamma's gown.
"And from this time forwards you must love this lady. You love this
lady now, my dears, don't you?"