'Perhaps she meant it as a compliment,' said Anne; 'you know, Mary of
Scotland says, that "Sovereigns ought to have long ears."'

'I suppose her son was of the same opinion,' said Elizabeth, 'when he
built his famous lug. As to Mrs. Hazleby, she is never happy but
when she is finding fault with someone. It will make you sick to
hear her scolding and patronizing poor Mamma.'

'She has been in India, has she not?' said Anne, in order to avoid
answering.

'Yes,' replied Elizabeth, 'she married the poor Major there, and the
eldest son was born there. I often think I should like to ask old
Mrs. Hazleby how she felt on her first meeting with her fair
daughter-in-law. They were safe in Ireland when Papa married, and
did not burst upon us in full perfection till Horace's christening,
when the aforesaid little pitcher speech was made.'

'And her daughters?' said Anne, 'I never heard you mention them.'

'Lucy is a nice quiet girl, and a great ally of Helen's, unless she
has cast her off for her new friends at Dykelands,' said Elizabeth;
'she is rather creep-mouse, but has no _other_ fault that I know of.
She is like her father's family, something like Mamma. But as for
Harriet, the eldest, and her mother's darling, you will soon be
sensible of some of her charms. I only hope she will not teaze the
children into naughtiness, as she did last year. I do not know what
would be done if Horace was at home. One day he had a regular battle
with her. It began of course in fun on both sides, but he soon grew
angry, and at last tore her frock and trod pretty hard on her foot.