She handed them each a slice of toast. For a moment there was doubt as to which side would win, but the honey did it.
"We hate wearing best frocks," said Josie, munching away contentedly.
"You look very nice in those you are wearing now."
Georgie gazed at her light brown jumper suit rather scornfully.
"Everybody comes to church in their best; as if God cares what we wear! But we don't want to be different to the others."
"I don't mind what you wear as long as you are neat and tidy. How long will it take us to walk to church?"
"Ever so long; it's right away from the lake. It will tire us out."
"Oh, we aren't made of china. I'll be ready at half-past ten."
The little girls slipped out of the room with down-fallen faces, and Anstice drew a sigh of relief. At present, her authority was a very uncertain fact. She wondered, even now, if the children would come with her.
But at half-past ten, they were in the hall waiting for her. They had changed into their new white crêpe-de-chine frocks, and wore their best straw hats with wreaths of small roses round them. It was the first time of wearing, and they were a little self-conscious of the fact.