` Did n't ; found it in the big `` Dic '' . Serves you right if you leave your rubbish about . Do n't you like my song ? It 's very pretty . ' ` I 'll teach you one that you wo n't like if you do n't give me my property . ' ` Come and get it if you can ' ; and Josie vanished into the study to have out her squabble in peace , for Mrs Meg was already saying : ` Children , children ! do n't quarrel . ' The paper was in the fire by the time Demi arrived and he at once calmed down , seeing that the bone of contention was out of the way . ` I 'm glad it 's burnt ; I do n't care for it , only some verse I was trying to set to music for one of the girls . But I 'll trouble you to let my papers alone , or I shall take back the advice I gave mother tonight about allowing you to act as much as you like . ' Josie was sobered at once by this dire threat , and in her most wheedling tone begged to know what he had said . By way of heaping coals of fire on her head he told her , and this diplomatic performance secured him an ally on the spot . ` You dear old boy ! I 'll never tease you again though you moon and spoon both day and night . If you stand by me , I 'll stand by you and never say a word . See here ! I 've got a note for you from Alice . Wo n't that be a peace-offering and soothe your little feelings ? ' Demi 's eyes sparkled as Josie held up a paper cocked hat , but as he knew what was probably in it , he took the wind out of Josie 's sails , and filled her with blank astonishment by saying carelessly : ` That 's nothing ; it 's only to say whether she will go to the concert with us tomorrow night . You can read it if you like . '
With the natural perversity of her sex XXXXX ceased to be curious the moment she was told to read it , and meekly handed it over ; but she watched Demi as he calmly read the two lines it contained and then threw it into the fire .
Alice Demi Dic Josie Meg day fire night peace-offering squabble