'They came at me while I was sitting quietly reading--there--and shot
at me, and called me such horrid names I can't repeat them, and ran
away. Then the others, Gillian and Harry and all, would not listen to
me, but shut themselves up in an out-house and shouted at me.'

'I think there must be some mistake, Dolores,' said her aunt. 'Where
are they?'

'Out beyond there,' said Dolores, pointing in the direction in which
Fergus was running.

Lady Merrifield set off with her, and the other two ladies followed
more slowly.

'I thought it would not do,' said Aunt Jane.

'Lily's children are so rough,' added Aunt Adeline.

'I am not so sure that the fault is theirs,' was the reply. 'She is a
priggish little puss, who wants shaking up.'

'Ah! here come the hordes,' sighed Adeline, shrinking a little, as the
entire population, summoned by Fergus, came pouring forth to meet the
advancing mother.

'How is this, Wilfred? Have you been shooting arrows at your cousin?'

'Mama!' cried Valetta, indignantly, 'he did not shoot at her; he only
pretended, and shot the old crocodile-bench. He never meant any more.
It was only play.'