The Water lily Pond

The Water lily Pond
Venus and Cupid
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
virgin of the rocks
¡¡¡¡`Bring with you the limes you have in your desk,' was the unexpected command which arrested her before she got out of her seat. ¡¡¡¡`Don't take all,' whispered her neighbour, a young lady of great presence of mind. ¡¡¡¡Amy hastily shook out half a dozen, and laid the rest down before Mr. Davis, feeling that any man possessing a human heart would relent when that delicious perfume met his nose. Unfortunately Mr. Davis particularly detested the odour of the fashionable pickle, and disgust added to his wrath. ¡¡¡¡`Is that all?' ¡¡¡¡`Not quite,' stammered Amy. ¡¡¡¡`Bring the rest immediately.' ¡¡¡¡With a despairing glance at her set, she obeyed. ¡¡¡¡`You are sure there are no more?' ¡¡¡¡`I never lie, sir.' ¡¡¡¡`So I see. Now take these disgusting things two by two, and throw them out of the window.' ¡¡¡¡There was a simultaneous sigh, which created quite a little gust, as the last hope fled, and the treat was ravished from their longing lips. Scarlet with shame and anger, Amy went to and fro six dreadful times; and as each doomed couple - looking oh! so plump and juicy - fell from her reluctant hands, a shout from the street completed the anguish of the girls, for it told them that their feast was being exulted over by the little Irish children, who were their sworn foes. This - this was too much; all flashed indignant or appealing glances at the inexorable Davis, and one passionate limelover burst into tears. ¡¡¡¡As Amy returned from her last trip, Mr. Davis gave a portentous `Hem!' and said, in his most impressive manner - `Young ladies, you remember what I said to you a week ago. I am sorry this has happened; but I never allow my rules to be infringed, and I never break my word. Miss March, hold out your hand.'