She insisted on shaking hands, then came up to the carriage-door, looking a little defiant.
"Get in at once, and we will drive home. How is it, Miss Webb, that even with this immaculate Miss Falkner these children are for ever getting into scrapes?"
Jill climbed into the carriage, feeling very uncomfortable under her sister's scrutiny. She was conscious that she was very heated and untidy; Mona's fresh daintiness made her feel her own deficiency in neatness.
"Give me an explanation of this at once, you naughty child," said Mona peremptorily.
Jill's eyes flashed.
"I'm not naughty," she said indignantly; "I've—I've been visiting widows."
Miss Webb scented amusement. She sat up straight, and tapped Jill's knee with her pince-nez.
"That's very interesting," she said. "Of course, visiting widows is not a sin. But who told you to do it? And why did you pick out a family of tramps to work off your energy upon?"
Jill shut her mouth firmly. She keenly resented Miss Webb's tone of ridicule, and determined to say no more.