Читать книгу Cathalina at Greycliff онлайн

23 страница из 47

“What is it?” asked Louise, who did not understand.

“O, just Ann Maria, as usual, teasing Philly about the piece he made up,” replied Cathalina.

Meanwhile Aunt Katherine was leading the discussion at the Van Buskirk’s.

“I have not wanted to intrude, Philip, but it has seemed to me for some time that our very anxiety for Cathalina is spoiling her.”

“Why, Aunt Katherine!” exclaimed Sylvia in gentle protest, “Cathalina is usually as sweet as can be.”

“I do not mean spoiled in the sense of becoming undutiful or exacting. No child of yours, Sylvia, could be anything but sweet.” Aunt Katherine, though never insincere, knew when to put in a judicious compliment. Philip Junior, however, would not have thanked her for his share in this one.

“Why, thank you, Auntie; I’m afraid I do not deserve that.”

“Yes, you do; but, my dear, do you realize that the child does almost nothing for herself? No wonder that she is anaemic and lacks energy! There is no real wholesome exercise that she wants to take. Isn’t that true?”