A slight sound of impatience escaped the elder girl. "What were you going to say about Maggie?" she demanded in a brusque tone, which contrasted not quite agreeably with Nona's good-humoured and sprightly manlier.
"Maggie thinks, Miss Conway, that perhaps you are tired to-day, and perhaps you would like Millie to pour out tea in the schoolroom,—as she has done lately."
"Millie all over!" Thyrza muttered.
"I think that had better be as Maggie likes," I answered. "Please tell her so, Nona. If she wishes Miss Millington to pour out the tea this afternoon, I have no objection. But I am not at all tired; and am quite ready to step into my duties without delay."
Nona vanished, wearing a puzzled face.
Thyrza exclaimed, "I shall see about it!" and vanished too.
I do not know exactly what passed among the girls during the next few minutes. When I reached the schoolroom, I found Thyrza mounting guard over the teapot like a young dragoness, and Miss Millington posing as a martyr at the other end of the table, surrounded by a little group of sympathisers. Maggie and Denham were not present.
"Never mind, Millie darling! We'll tell mother!"
"Poor Millie! When she only meant to be kind, and to save Miss Conway trouble!"
"Thyrza is always so cross about everything to do with Millie."