Mortimer gazed on the child, a little uncomfortable horror mixed with his amusement; his bringing-up had been orthodox, and reverence for parents was entwined with all his life.
’Why, girlie,’ he said, ’this is shocking! Your own mother!’
’Challis’s mother,’ corrected Floss. ’Didn’t she go off and leave me? Lot she cared! I was only two, Lizzie says, and I might have picked up anything, and eaten it and died. Even Mrs. Bickle minds her baby, although she does get drunk at times. S’pose I’d had measles? or Roly? We’d have died, or at least got dropsy, Lizzie says, having no mother to nurse us. No, thank you—no getting round me with a doll. As for that Challis, I’ll give her a time of it—just you see.’
’But—but—but,’ cried Mortimer, greatly at a loss, ’your mother is as fond of you as anything, of course. I expect it is very hard for her to go so long without seeing you. She doesn’t do it on purpose, old woman. You see, Challis was so clever they had to give her a chance.’
’How do they know I’m not clever?’ demanded Floss. ’I believe I am. You should have seen the man I drew on my slate this morning. Or how do they know I couldn’t play before the Queen? I’m up to "What are the Wild Waves Saying?" and it’s got two flats.’
Mortimer had no answer for this; he could only gaze at her.
There was another step in the doorway, and Hermie came out, a very slender-looking Hermie in the let-down white frock that had made a woman of her in a day. Floss leaned back and giggled as her sister shook hands with the visitor.
’He! he! he! She’s put her long dress on,’ she said. ’Morty, look! it’s as long as Miss Browne’s. You’d think she never had short ones, wouldn’t you? She’s ’tending she’s growed up.’
’Flossie,’ said Mortimer, ’wouldn’t you like to look at my watch? you haven’t seen the works for a long time.’
’Me holding it then,’ stipulated Flossie.
’All right,’ said Mortimer, and gave up his valuable timekeeper into the bony little outstretched hand.
’You spoil that child shockingly,’ Hermie said.
Floss looked up from the entrancing little wheels.
’He spoils you worser,’ she said. ’Look at the books and flowers and chocolates he brings over and gives you, no matter how bad-tempered you may be.’