Woodbourne inquired anxiously after
Winifred's hand. Mrs. Hazleby was on the point of taking fire at the
implied suspicion of her lamented favourite's sanity, when Rupert
averted the threatened danger, by a grave examination of Winifred and
Meg Merrilies, who had both been wounded, and concluded by
recommending that as soon as puss shewed symptoms of hydrophobia,
Winifred should be smothered between two feather-beds, to prevent
further mischief. Everyone laughed, except Dora, who thought the
proposal exceedingly shocking; and Rupert argued very gravely with
her on the expediency of the measure, until she was called away to
prepare for the walk.
CHAPTER X.
Dora re-considered her arguments while putting on her bonnet, and the
instant the walking party were outside the front door, she began
again. 'But, Rupert, it would be committing murder to kill Winifred,
even if she had the Fidophobia.'
'No, no, Dora,' said Rupert, 'it is your mamma and Lizzie who have
the Fidophobia.'
'What can you mean?' said Helen; 'how can you frighten the child so,
Rupert?'
'Do not you know, Helen,' said Elizabeth, ''tis his vocation.
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