“There!” she said, pointing to a pipe that ran along the floor beneath a shelf filled with flowering plants; “that's another fountain, and I should think they'd have both playing when they have a party.”
“That's not a fountain!” said Arabella.
“Well, I guess I know, and so will you in a second, for I'm going to set it going. See here!”
“Fizz-z-sss!”
A cloud of steam filled the little conservatory, and the two frightened girls screamed with terror, believing that nothing less than an explosion had happened. The servants rushed in and quickly turned off the steam, while Mrs. Dainty and Aunt Charlotte, who had hastened to the rescue, tried to quiet the fear of the mischief-makers.
Not a word was said of the beautiful plants which were now completely ruined, and Mrs. Dainty's kindness made Patricia feel ashamed.
“I'm sorry,” she whispered, and no one had ever before heard her say that.
Arabella was fairly hysterical, laughing and crying at the same time, but Aunt Charlotte at last succeeded in calming her, and when the little banquet was announced, they joined the other children, and were as happy as any of the merry party that marched out to the great dining-room.