“I wish some one to teach the children a little, for they are getting too old to be left entirely to nurse.  I am anxious to get to the sea-shore as soon as possible, for they have been poorly all winter, and my own health has suffered.  Do you feel inclined to try the place?  And what compensation do you require?”

Christie had but a vague idea of what wages were usually paid to nursery governesses, and hesitatingly named a sum which seemed reasonable to her, but was so much less than any other applicant had asked, that Mrs. Saltonstall began to think she could not do better than secure this cheap young person, who looked firm enough to manage her rebellious son and heir, and well-bred enough to begin the education of a little fine lady.  Her winter had been an extravagant one, and she could economize in the governess better perhaps than elsewhere; so she decided to try Christie, and get out of town at once.

“Your terms are quite satisfactory, Miss Devon, and if my brother approves, I think we will consider the matter settled.  Perhaps you would like to see the children?  They are little darlings, and you will soon be fond of them, I am sure.”

A bell was rung, an order given, and presently appeared an eight-year old boy, so excessively Scotch in his costume that he looked like an animated checkerboard; and a little girl, who presented the appearance of a miniature opera-dancer staggering under the weight of an immense sash.

“Go and speak prettily to Miss Devon, my pets, for she is coming to play with you, and you must mind what she says,” commanded mamma.

The pale, fretful-looking little pair went solemnly to Christie’s knee, and stood there staring at her with a dull composure that quite daunted her, it was so sadly unchildlike.

“What is your name, dear?” she asked, laying her hand on the young lady’s head.

“Villamena Temmatina Taltentall.  You mustn’t touch my hair; it’s just turled,” was the somewhat embarrassing reply.

“Mine’s Louy ’Poleon Thaltensthall, like papa’s,” volunteered the other young person, and Christie privately wondered if the possession of names nearly as long as themselves was not a burden to the poor dears.

Feeling that she must say something, she asked, in her most persuasive tone: 

“Would you like to have me come and teach you some nice lessons out of your little books?”

If she had proposed corporal punishment on the spot it could not have caused greater dismay.  Wilhelmina cast herself upon the floor passionately, declaring that she “touldn’t tuddy,” and Saltonstall, Jr., retreated precipitately to the door, and from that refuge defied the whole race of governesses and “nasty lessons” jointly.

“There, run away to Justine.  They are sadly out of sorts, and quite pining for sea-air,” said mamma, with both hands at her ears, for the war-cries of her darlings were piercing as they departed, proclaiming their wrongs while swarming up stairs, with a skirmish on each landing.