A few days later, just after they came to Edinburgh, it was
remarked one morning at breakfast that Ellen was very
straight, and carried herself well.
"It is no thanks to me," said Ellen, smiling, "they never
would let me hold myself ill."
"Who is 'they'?" said Lady Keith.
"My brother and sister."
"I wish, George," said Lady Keith, discontentedly, "that you
would lay your commands upon Ellen to use that form of
expression no more. My ears are absolutely sick of it."
"You do not hear it very often, aunt Keith," Ellen could not
help saying.
"Quite often enough; and I know it is upon your lips a
thousand times when you do not speak it."
"And if Ellen does, we do not," said Mrs. Lindsay, "wish to
claim kindred with all the world."
"How came you to take up such an absurd habit?" said Lady
Keith. "It isn't like you."
"They took it up first," said Ellen; "I was too glad —"
"Yes, I dare say they had their reasons for taking it up,"
said her aunt; "they had acted from interested motives, I have
no doubt; people always do."
"You are very much mistaken, aunt Keith," said Ellen, with
uncontrollable feeling; "you do not in the least know what you
are talking about!"
Instantly, Mr. Lindsay's fingers tapped her lips. Ellen
coloured painfully, but after an instant's hesitation she said
—
"I beg your pardon, Aunt Keith, I should not have said that.
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