"As usual!" murmured Mrs. Trevor. "And what am I to do about the child?"
She was assured that Mittie would be all right. Milton appeared on the scene, promising to take Miss Mittie under her own wing. Also Miss Rivers would see to everything.
"I hope to goodness she will!" sighed Mrs. Trevor, hastening towards the stairs. "Oh, what a thing it is!"
Before leaving, she loaded Mittie with injunctions how to behave, and how not to behave, the leading idea throughout being that she was "not to bother" Hermione. Mittie listened with a scared face.
"No, mother. I won't bother cousin Hermione. I'll go to Marjory for everything."
"Nonsense, child. I don't mean that, of course. Nothing would offend Hermione more. But just keep out of her way as much as you can."
"Yes, mother. Must I keep out of everybody's way?" asked Mittie, in a forlorn tone.
"Oh, if you are dull you can run and talk to Milton. I don't expect to be away long."
"Will you come home to-morrow?" Mittie inquired.
"I don't know. It must depend on how your aunt is."