wen._ (_reflectively_). Mamma always says everything's much cheaper at
BLANKLEY'S.

_Mrs. Tid._ (_to_ Uncle GAB.). Growing _such_ a big girl, isn't she? and
getting on wonderfully with her lessons. I must get her to recite one of
her little pieces for you, Uncle, dear--she does it _so_ prettily!

_Uncle Gab._ Hey, GWEN--I'll bet you one of these sugar-biscuits you don't
know who it is you're chatting away so freely to!

_Gwen._ Oh yes, I _do_, Uncle; but I'm being very kind to him, so that he
mayn't feel any _different_, you know!

_Uncle Gab._ Upon my word--what will you get into that little noddle of
yours _next_, I wonder!

_Gwen._ (_after deliberation_). Preserved ginger, I _think_--I like ginger
better than biscuits. (_To_ Lord S.) You can reach it for me.

_Uncle Gab._ Come, come, young lady, where are your manners? _That's_ not
the way to speak to that Gentleman. You should say--"Will your Lordship be
so very kind as to pass the preserved ginger?"

_Lord Strath._ (_impatiently_). Please _don't_, GWENNIE! I like your own
style much the best! [_He helps her to the preserve._

_Uncle Gab._ You mustn't allow the child to take liberties, my Lord. Now,
GWEN, suppose you tell me and his Lordship here something you've been
learning lately--don't be shy, now!

_Mrs. Tid._ Yes, GWENNIE--tell Uncle a little tale--repeat something to
him, come, darling!

_Gwen._ No, I shan't, Mamma!

[_She pegs away stolidly at the preserved ginger._

_Uncle Gab._ Hullo? 'Shan't' to your Mother? _This_ how you bring the child
up, MARIA?

_Mrs. Tid._ Not when Mother _asks_ you to, GWEN? And Uncle wanting to hear
it so! No? _Why_ won't you?

_Gwen._ Because Miss SEATON told me not to--and I won't, either.

_Uncle Gab._ Hah--Miss SEATON seems the supreme authority here,
evidently--better get _her_ permission, MARIA!

_Miss Seaton_ (_distressed_). Indeed. I--I never meant--GWENNIE didn't
understand me quite--that is all!

_Gwen._ Oh, Miss SEATON! when you said I wasn't to tell tales or repeat
things--you _did_ say so!

_Miss Seaton._ Yes, yes, but that was a different _kind_ of tale
altogether, GWENNIE,--you _may_ tell a _fairy_ tale!

_Gwen._ (_obstinately_). If I mayn't tell any kind of story I like, I
shan't tell any at all--so _there_!

_Uncle Gab._ Pretty behaviour, upon my word! Children didn't behave like
that in _my_ young days, MARIA! I should no more have dared to refuse to
tell my elders anything they--bu