"How do you do?" said Aunt Sophia. "Where is your father? Will you have the goodness, little girl, to acquaint your father with the fact that his sister-in-law, Sophia Tredgold, has come?"
"Please come into the house, Aunt Sophy, and I'll take you to father's study--so I will," exclaimed champion Penelope.
Penelope held up a chubby hand, which Miss Tredgold pretended not to see.
"Go on in front, little girl," she said. "Don't paw me. I hate being pawed by children."
Penelope's back became very square as she listened to these words, and the red which suffused her face went right round her neck. But she walked solemnly on in front without a word.
"Aunties are unpleasant things," she said to herself; "but, all the same, I mean to fuss over this one."
Here she opened a door, flung it wide, and cried out to her parent:
"Paddy, here comes Aunt Sophia Tredgold."
But she spoke to empty air--Mr. Dale was still busy over his toilet.
"Whom are you addressing by that hideous name?" said Miss Sophia. "Do you mean to tell me you call your father Paddy?"
"Of course we do," said Verena, who had followed behind.
"That is our name for the dear old boy," said Pauline, who stood just behind Verena, while all the other children stood behind Pauline.
It was in this fashion that the entire party invaded Mr. Dale's sanctum. Miss Tredgold gazed around her, her face filled with a curious mixture of amazement and indignation.
"I had an intuition that I ought to come here," she said aloud. "I did not want to come, but I obeyed what I now know was the direct call of duty. I shall stay here as long as I am wanted. My mission will be to bring order out of chaos--to reduce all those who entertain rebellion to submission--to try to turn vulgar, hoydenish little girls into ladies."
"Oh, oh! I say, aunty, that is hard on us!" burst from Josephine.
"My dear, I don't know your name, but it is useless for you to make those ugly exclamations. Whatever your remarks, whatever your words, I shall take no notice. You may struggle as you will, but I am the stronger. Oh! here comes---- Is it possible? My dear Henry, what years it is since we met! Don't you remember me--your sister-in-law Sophia? I was but a little girl when you married my dear sister. It is quite affecting to meet you again. How do you do?"