CHAPTER IX. THE BALL

“Now,MissGrey,”exclaimedMissMurray,immediatelyIenteredtheschoolroom,afterhavingtakenoffmyoutdoorgarments,uponreturningfrommyfourweeks’recreation,“Now—shutthedoor,andsitdown,andI’lltellyouallabouttheball.” “No—damnit,no!”shoutedMissMatilda.“Holdyourtongue,can’tye?andletmetellheraboutmynewmare—suchasplendour,MissGrey!afinebloodmare—” “Dobequiet,Matildaandletmetellmynewsfirst.” “No,no,Rosalieyou’llbesuchadamnedlongtimeoverit—sheshallhearmefirst—I’llbehangedifshedoesn’t!” “I’msorrytohear,MissMatilda,thatyou’venotgotridofthatshockinghabityet.” “Well,Ican’thelpit:butI’llneversayawickedwordagain,ifyou’llonlylistentome,andtellRosalietoholdherconfoundedtongue.” Rosalieremonstrated,andIthoughtIshouldhavebeentorninpiecesbetweenthembutMissMatildahavingtheloudestvoice,hersisteratlengthgavein,andsufferedhertotellherstoryfirst:soIwasdoomedtohearalongaccountofhersplendidmare,itsbreedingandpedigree,itspaces,itsaction,itsspirit,&c.,andofherownamazingskillandcourageinridingitconcludingwithanassertionthatshecouldclearafive-barredgate“likewinking,”thatpapasaidshemighthuntthenexttimethehoundsmet,andmammahadorderedabrightscarlethunting-habitforher. “Oh,Matilda!whatstoriesyouaretelling!”exclaimedhersister. “Well,”answeredshe,nowhitabashed,“IknowIcouldclearafive-barredgate,ifItried,andpapawillsayImayhunt,andmammawillorderthehabitwhenIaskit.” “Well,nowgetalong,”repliedMissMurray“anddo,dearMatilda,trytobealittlemorelady-like.MissGrey,Iwishyouwouldtellhernottousesuchshockingwordsshewillcallherhorseamare:itissoinconceivablyshocking!andthensheusessuchdreadfulexpressionsindescribingit:shemusthavelearneditfromthegrooms.Itnearlyputsmeintofitswhenshebegins.” “Ilearned