She and Freda were very downhearted that morning, and when Mrs. Harrington came into the nursery to wish them good-bye, Freda put her arms round her neck and whispered in her ear, so that Nurse should not hear:
"Do let us stay the winter here, Mums. Don't listen to Nurse."
Mrs. Harrington shook her head at her.
"What should I do without Nurse?" she said. "She takes care of all of us. Of course this house is a great expense. Mr. Denton wants me to let it, and I am trying to do so; but till that time comes, I don't see why you should not stay on. Don't bother your heads about it, children. Why do you want to stay here so much? It's much livelier in town."
"But Dreamikins isn't there," said Daffy.
"Oh, that child! Nurse thinks she leads you into mischief. Perhaps you would be best apart."
But both Daffy and Freda cried out at this.
"She helps us to be good, Mums. She's much gooder than we are. She's always talking about angels and heaven! It was only one day that she was really naughty!"
Mrs. Harrington shook her head again.
"It isn't talking that I believe in, it is doing. Remember that. You can talk like an angel and yet be the most troublesome child in the world. And I fancy that Dreamikins is rather that sort."