Lavinia: who, leaving her parent to the enjoyment of any amount of glaring at she might deem desirable under the circumstances, accosted her sister, undismayed.
“I suppose you won’t consider yourself quite disgraced, Bella, if I give you a kiss? Well! And how do you do, Bella? And how are your Boffins?”
“Peace!” exclaimed Mrs. Wilfer. “Hold! I will not suffer this tone of levity.”
“My goodness me! How are your Spoffins, then?” said Lavvy, “since Ma so very much objects to your Boffins.”
“Impertinent girl! Minx!” said Mrs. Wilfer, with dread severity.
“I don’t care whether I am a Minx, or a Sphinx,” returned Lavinia, coolly, tossing her head; “it’s exactly the same thing to me, and I’d every bit as soon be one as the other; but I know this—I’ll