'No, I won't!' bawled the child; 'for I know you only want to send me away that you may talk to the lady about that nasty governess.'
'I an't going to talk about any nasty governess. Do go now, there's a dear; and I'll take you out in the carriage, and buy you another new doll,--a large one with blue eyes.'
'No you won't,' retorted miss; 'for you promised me the doll if I would learn to write _O_, and you did not give it me then; no more will you now.'
'A pretty ground-work for my labours!' thought I.
The altercation was carried on long and briskly, mingled with occasional appeals to me. 'Miss Percy, did you ever see such a child?'
'She has, to be sure, such an unmanageable temper! But then' (in a half whisper), 'the wonderfullest clever little creature! Now, do, Jessie, go out of the room when you are bid.'
At last, command and stratagem being found equally unavailing, Mrs Boswell was obliged to take the course which many people would have preferred from the first; and proceeded to her business in spite of the presence of Miss Jessie.
'I believe I understand music tolerably well; and though I am a very inexperienced teacher, I would endeavour to show no want of patience or assiduity.'
'And singing?' said Mrs Boswell, yawning.
'And French, and geography, and all the rest of it?'
I was spared the difficulty of answering this comprehensive question by my pupil elect, who by this time had sidled close up to me, and was looking intently in my face. 'You an't the governess your own self? Are you?' said she.
'I thought you had been an ugly cross old thing! You an't cross. Are you?'
'I dare say you are very funny and good-natured.'
Mrs Boswell gave me a glance which she intended should express sly satisfaction. 'You would like to _larn_ music and every thing of that pretty lady, wouldn't you?' said she to her daughter.
'No. I would never like to _larn_ nothing at all; but I should like her to stay with me, if she would play with me, and never bother me with that nasty spelling-book.'
'Well, she shan't bother you. Miss Percy, what terms do you expect?'
'These I leave entirely to you and Mr Boswell, madam. Respectable protection is the more important consideration with me.'
'To be sure protection is very important,' said Mrs Boswell, once more elongating her mouth; and she made a pause of at least five minutes, to recruit after such an unusual expense of idea. This time I employed in making my court so effectually to the young lady, that when her mother at last mentioned the time of my removal to George Square, she became clamorous for my returning that evening. A new set of stratagems was vainly tried to quiet my obstreperous inviter; and then mamma, as usual, gave up the point. 'Pray come to-night, if you can,' said she, 'or there will be no peace.'