"No," drawled Cornelia, calmly. "I can't say as I do! Those people
have been polite to me, and I'm bound to be civil in return. I never
ran after any man that I know of, and I don't intend to begin, but when
I _do_ meet 'em, I'm going to be as pleasant as I know how. It's a
pity, Aunt Soph, but you don't understand girls! I've not been reared
on tea-parties and cribbage, and I tell you straight that I've just
_got_ to have a vent! You be wise not to try to shut me up, for I get
pretty reckless if I'm thwarted."
"Cornelia, do you dare to threaten me?"
"No, Aunt Soph. I'm kind enough to warn you before it is too late!"
Cornelia rose as she spoke, and walked upstairs to the square, prosaic
room, which seemed the only bit of "home" she possessed in the whole big
map of Europe; sat herself down, and reviewed the situation.
Aunt Soph had not wanted her! The longing for a real heart-to-heart
friendship had been on one side only; that was the first, and most
petrifying revelation. She had travelled two thousand sea-sick miles to
find herself an unwelcome guest, imprisoned within the four square walls
of a nook-less Nook; bound fast in the trammels of old-world
conventions. "My country, 'tis of thee, sw-e-et land of libertee!"
murmured Cornelia, mournfully, beneath her breath. Two big tears rose
in her golden eyes, and her lips quivered. Should she pack up, and sail
for home forthwith? For a moment the temptation seemed irresistible,
but only for a moment. Poppar would feel badly if his two nearest
relations came to an open rupture; and besides, "When I make up my mind
to do a thing, I get there--ev-er-y time!" said the girl, staunchly. "I
guess it'll take more than four weeks of this country to daunt Cornelia
E Briskett, if she's got her head set to stay. For one thing, I've
taken in hand to start Elma Ramsden on the road to liberty, and there's
going to be a fight before she's through. I'll have to stand by, and be
ready with the drill. As for Aunt Soph, she's acted pretty meanly,
letting me come along when she hated to have me, but for Poppar's sake
I'll be as meek as I know how. I thought we were going to be friends,
but she's such a back number she don't even remember how it felt to be a
girl, and it's not a mite of use arguing. She thinks she knows better
than I do!" Cornelia gurgled amused incredulity. "Well, it's as easy
as pie to hev a little prank on my own account, and prank I _must_, if
I'm to last out another three months in this secluded seminary. My
constitootion's fed on excitement! I should wilt away without it.
Poppar wouldn't like to have me wilt!" ... She sat gazing out of the
window; gazing--gazing, while a slow smile curled the corners of her
lips.