"Then sir, you must call them yourself if you please, for they won't listen to me," I replied stepping back.
"Come in with you, you filthy brats; or I'll horsewhip you every one!" roared he; and the children instantly obeyed. "There, you see! they come at the first word!"
"Yes, when you speak."
"And it's very strange, that, when you've the care of 'em, you've no better control over 'em than that!—Now there they are—gone up-stairs with their nasty snowy feet! Do go after 'em and see them made decent, for Heaven's sake!"
That gentleman's mother was then staying in the house; and as I ascended the stairs, and passed the drawing-room door, I had the satisfaction of hearing the old lady declaiming aloud to her daughter-in-law to this effect (for I could only distinguish the most emphatic words),
"Gracious Heavens!———never in all my life———!———get their death as sure as———! Do you think my dear she's a proper person—? Take my word for it———"
I heard no more; but that sufficed.
The senior Mrs. Bloomfield had been very
