This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 Excerpt: ...Phraisie, who runs straight up to her and climbs upon her knee and begins at once to pop strawberries into her mouth. Miss Bolsover, for some reason or other, seemed absolutely determined that no one should move from the tea-table. 'Well! have you seen the presents, Phraisie?' Mrs. Bolsover was beginning. 'Car, Car, don't talk of poor dear Peregrine's horrors just yet?' cries Aunt Fanny. 'You know they are always the same--claws, and teeth, and fusty bison-skins, 'and as she spoke the stable clock, soft and clear and deliberate, came to their ears, striking the three-quarters. 'A quarter to six, ' says the Colonel. 'Car, ' says Miss Bolsover, 'the man was here this morning, he says the clock is some minutes slow.' 'It is all right by my watch, ' said the Colonel, looking down at his gold repeater. 'I nearly missed my train yesterday, ' Miss Bolsover remarked, absently stirring her tea; 'but most likely--of course your watch is right, John.' However, to the punctual Colonel this most likely was not to be endured. 'I'll make sure of my train, anyhow, ' says he, getting up leisurely. 'Phraisie, will you give papa a kiss? Good-bye, Susy; expect me after dinner. Car, tell Bolsover I'll look in on my way home.' As the Colonel was walking off across the grass on his way to the station the figures of Mr. Bolsover himself and another person might have been seen at the drawingroom window, where the squire stood trying to undo the hasp. Aunt Fanny, who had eyes everywhere, caught sight of the two, for she suddenly seized little scared Phraisie up in playful arms and went flying, and rustling, and panting across the lawn towards the house in time to meet her brother-in-law face to face on the step. 'Here is our dear little Fayfay come to see Uncle Fred and all the pitty tings...