"Madam," he said, "you have taken me at a cruel disadvantage. I am seriously sorry for my poor children."
"Never mind about that now, Henry. You are, I perceive, a wise man. You can rest assured that I will do what is best both for you and for them."
"You give me absolute authority to do what I think best for your children?"
"You will uphold my authority when the girls come to you, as perhaps they will, and ask you to interfere?"
"Oh, Sophia, you won't be hard on the poor children?"
"I will be just to them. You will uphold my authority?"
"If I think it necessary to punish them, you won't condemn the punishment?"
"Oh, please, Sophia, do go away! The night is passing quickly. I never think well by daylight."
"Put it on paper, Henry. Or stay! that will take too long. Give me a sheet of paper; I will write what I require. I only want your signature."
Poor Mr. Dale had to search among his papers for a blank sheet. Miss Sophia seized his special stylographic pen, pressed very hard on the nib, and wrote what she required. Mr. Dale felt certain he would find it quite spoilt when he came to use it again. But at last all her requirements were on paper, and Henry Dale wrote his signature at the end.
"Thank you, Henry; you have acted wisely. You have your study now to yourself."
Miss Tredgold bowed as she left the room.
The fortnight that followed was not likely to be forgotten by the young Dales. It would live in the remembrance of each child old enough to notice. Even Penelope found the course of events interesting--sometimes irritating, it is true; sometimes also delightful; but at least always exciting. Miss Tredgold never did things by halves. She had got the absolute authority which she required from the master of the house, and having got it she refrained from annoying him, in any way whatsoever. His meals were served with punctuality, and were far more comfortable than they had ever been before. He was always presented with a cup of strong, fragrant, delicious coffee after his dinner. This coffee enabled him to pursue his translation with great clearness and accuracy. His study up to the present was left undisturbed. His papers were allowed to remain thick with dust; his chairs were allowed to be laden with books and papers; the carpet was allowed to remain full of holes; the windows were left exactly as the scholar liked them--namely, tightly screwed down so that not even the faintest breath of heaven's air could come in and disarrange the terrible disorder.