'and I'll show you my garden.'

'And MINE,' said Mary Ann.

Tom lifted his fist with a menacing gesture; she uttered a loud,
shrill scream, ran to the other side of me, and made a face at him.

'Surely, Tom, you would not strike your sister! I hope I shall
NEVER see you do that.'

'You will sometimes: I'm obliged to do it now and then to keep her
in order.'

'But it is not your business to keep her in order, you know--that
is for--'

'Well, now go and put on your bonnet.'

'I don't know--it is so very cloudy and cold, it seems likely to
rain;--and you know I have had a long drive.'

'No matter--you MUST come; I shall allow of no excuses,' replied
the consequential little gentleman. And, as it was the first day
of our acquaintance, I thought I might as well indulge him. It was
too cold for Mary Ann to venture, so she stayed with her mamma, to
the great relief of her brother, who liked to have me all to
himself.

The garden was a large one, and tastefully laid out; besides
several splendid dahlias, there were some other fine flowers still