It was an enterprise; it would gratify my
curiosity; and besides, though Griffith was good-natured and
forbearing in a general way towards Clarence, I detected a spirit of
mockery about him which might break out unpleasantly when poor
Clarry was convicted of one of his unreasonable panics.
Both brothers were willing to gratify me, the only difficulty being
that the tap of my crutches would warn the entire household of the
expedition. However, they had--all unknown to my mother--several
times carried me about queen's cushion fashion, as, being always
much of a size, they could do most handily; and as both were now
fine, strong, well-made youths of twenty and nineteen, they had no
doubt of easily and silently conveying me up the shallow-stepped
staircase when all was quiet for the night.
Emily, with her sharp ears, guessed that something was in hand, but
we promised her that she should know all in time. I believe Griff,
being a little afraid of her quickness, led her to suppose he was
going to hold what he called a symposium in his rooms, and to think
it a mystery of college life not intended for young ladies.
He really had prepared a sort of supper for us when, after my
father's resounding turn of the key of the drawing-room door, my
brothers, in their stocking soles, bore me upstairs, the fun of the
achievement for the moment overpowering all sense of eeriness.
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